Want to start a YouTube channel but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place. Starting a YouTube channel might seem hard at first, but with the right steps, anyone can do it.
But here’s the truth: Most new YouTubers give up because they don’t have a clear plan. They jump in without knowing the basics and get frustrated when they don’t see quick results. We don’t want that to happen to you.
This guide will walk you through every step of starting your YouTube channel. From picking your topic to filming your first video, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
We’ll share simple tips that work, based on what successful YouTubers actually do.
Whether you want to share your knowledge, build a business, or just have fun making videos, this guide will help you start right.
No fancy equipment needed – just follow these steps and you’ll have your channel up and running in no time.
Let’s break down exactly what you need to do to start your YouTube journey. Ready to begin?
Want to take your videos to the next level?
Before You Start Your Channel: Planning Stage
Before you jump into starting that channel, take a breather and go through this process — the planning stage.
It is just as important as starting the channel as it determines how well your channel will be. Here are things to do before starting your channel:
1. Choose a Topic/Niche
One of the first things to do is defining the purpose of the channel and choosing a niche. Are you looking to grow an existing business, teach a skill you already know or just share your travel experiences?
Whatever it may be, understanding the purpose will help you choose the right topic for your channel. The best channels come from mixing what you’re good at with what people want to watch.
Here are a few niches you can consider:
2. Know Your Audience
Think about who will watch your videos. Are they teenagers looking for gaming tips? Adults wanting to learn new skills? Knowing your audience helps you make videos they’ll actually want to watch.
Your viewers have specific habits and needs you should understand. Consider their age range and what problems they’re trying to solve.
Think about what type of content they currently watch and when they’re most likely to be on YouTube. Understanding these details will help you create content that connects with them.
3. Set Clear Goals
Why are you starting a YouTube channel? Your goals will guide everything you do. Some people want to share their knowledge with others.
Others aim to build a business through their channel. Many creators start YouTube to connect with people who share their interests, while some use it to create a portfolio of their work.
Having clear goals helps you stay focused when things get tough. It also helps you measure if your channel is growing the way you want. Write down your goals and review them regularly to stay on track.
4. Basic Equipment You Need
You don’t need expensive gear to start. A smartphone with a decent camera is enough for your first videos. Find a quiet place to film where you won’t get interrupted.
Make sure you have good lighting – a well-lit room or cheap ring light works fine. For editing, start with a simple app or free software.
Creating Your YouTube Channel
With your channel topic, audience research and general planning sorted, it is time to create the channel. Here’s how you do it in minutes:
- Step: Sign in to YouTube.com.
- Step: Click on your profile at the top right corner and select Settings.
- Step: Select create New Channel.
- Step: Fill in your channel name and unique handle. If the handle is available, you’ll get a good check mark beside it and then you can proceed to tap the Create Channel button at the bottom right of your screen.
- Step: With your channel set, you can upload your profile photo, and banner with the right branding materials.
Content Strategy
Creating a channel is one part, getting consistent content to upload is another. Developing a solid content plan will make quality video creation easier.
Types of Videos That Work
The best YouTube videos either teach something useful or keep people entertained. Look at what’s already working in your niche.
If you’re in the cooking space, you might want to mix recipe tutorials with kitchen tips and food reviews. Test different video styles to see what your viewers like most.
Creating a Content Calendar
Making a content calendar sounds boring, but it’s a game-changer. Pick two or three days a month to film your videos.
Then set regular upload times – maybe every Wednesday at 2 PM. When you plan ahead, you won’t feel stressed about what to post next.
Video Length Sweet Spot
Short videos work best when you’re starting out. Aim for 7-10 minutes unless your topic really needs more time.
Tech reviews might need 15 minutes to cover everything, while a quick tip could take just 5 minutes. Watch your viewer retention stats to see where people stop watching.
Upload Schedule
Don’t try to post every day when you’re new. Start with one video per week and do it well. Being consistent with one weekly video is better than burning out trying to post daily.
As you get faster at making videos, you can slowly add more to your schedule.
The key is making videos you’d want to watch yourself. If you’re bored making them, viewers will be bored watching them. Keep your content fresh, stick to your schedule, and learn from what works.
Your First Video
Recording your first video can be overwhelming especially if you have no prior video creation experience. Here are a few best practices to guide you:
Choose a suitable location
Select a space where you feel comfortable, remember, it’s your first and you want to make it as seamless as possible.
The best locations are also quiet with minimal background noise. You can take this up a notch by silencing your devices so notification sounds from them don’t get into your video.
Use Familiar Video Structures
Consider making an intro and outro for your video. This will make subsequent videos easier to make and will create a consistent branding across your videos.
Your first video is your ground zero for showing your branding in your videos. So you want to incorporate your style as early as possible. It will help you stand out.
Don’t worry, you can always adopt a different style later if you need to.
Test Your Audio
You can get away with a low quality video at first, but not poor audio. You need to double check your audio quality to ensure it is clear. Crisps audio improves the quality of your video.
Get a good microphone before starting. Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive.
Get Good Lighting
Aside from choosing a well lit location, you should also get your camera settings right. The exposure, focus, and white balance should be optimized.
As always, you’ll hardly go wrong with natural lighting.
Final Thoughts
Starting a YouTube channel might seem like a big task, but now you have a clear roadmap to follow. We’ve covered everything from planning your content to filming your first video.
Remember that every YouTube success story started with someone just like you, sitting in front of a camera for the first time. They weren’t experts when they began – they learned as they went along.
Here’s what you should do today: Pick your channel topic, create your Google account, and set up your channel page.
That’s it. Just these three simple steps will get you moving. Tomorrow, plan your first video topic. The day after, film a test video.
Don’t get caught up trying to make everything perfect. The best way to learn YouTube is by actually making videos.
You have all the tools and knowledge you need. The only question now is: When will you post your first video?
