The days of instant viral success on YouTube may be over. However, it’s still possible to be very successful on the platform. There is a lot of competition, but if you work diligently to refine your content and create a community, you can build your brand and make money with your videos.
Here are some tips to help you start your own YouTube channel.
Tip #1: Choose your Niche
While creating content on various topics may seem like the best way to attract the biggest audience, this is not the case. Millions of channels are out there, and you need to specialize in drawing attention to yourself. It’s much better to choose an area you are passionate about to create your content.
You can demonstrate knowledge in the ideal niche and not be oversaturated in the market already. It may not be an easy task to find the right niche, and you’ll need to invest time and energy into the process. But don’t worry too much; if you get it wrong, you can always learn from your mistakes and simply try again.
Tip #2: Plan Your Launch
Once you have nailed down the type of content you intend to create, it’s time to get started. Create a checklist of tasks you must complete launching your channel. Ensure you have the right equipment to produce high-quality videos, like a camera and recording and editing software.
You should also consider where to shoot your videos and determine if you need supplemental lighting and a microphone. Next, you can create a posting schedule, brainstorm different topics for your videos, and then create one.
Tip #3: Create a Brand Through Visuals
You want to make a striking first impression when a viewer visits your YouTube channel. Your branding lets people know what your channel is all about and why they should subscribe. Communicate your branding through the banners and thumbnails you create for your channel. Your banner is at the top of your channel page and should be customized to attract your audience.
Use a YouTube banner maker to help you with the design process. Try putting a picture of yourself on your banner or create a logo to represent your brand. Thumbnails should be custom-made as well for each video. When you choose to customize your thumbnail, not only do you pick which picture to use, but you can also insert a title. Thumbnails appear in searches, so making yours easily recognizable can help drive viewers to your channel.
Tip #4: Optimize for SEO
After you have spent time and effort creating content, you want it to have the best chance of being noticed. That’s where SEO optimization comes in. The strategic use of keywords can improve discoverability or the possibility that your video will pop up when people search for a topic. If you’re unsure what keywords to choose, look at videos like yours and research the words they use. Test the chosen words by typing them into the search bar and seeing what videos appear.
Generally, you would aim to use your target keyword three or four times in your video description. Including the keyword in your title is also essential, preferably near the beginning. As you continue producing new content, check in with your analytics often to see which keywords are typical to discover your channel. This information can inform your choices when developing new video topics.
Tip #5: Be Consistent
It doesn’t matter what kind of videos you are posting or who your intended audience is; one thing never changes. You must be consistent with the timing of posting new content and the general type of content you produce. By being consistent, your audience knows what to expect. Maintaining a schedule is also a great way to keep yourself accountable.
Tip #6: Engage with your Community
You can’t become a successful YouTuber without an audience. But it’s not just about attracting viewers in the first place; even more important is turning them into subscribers. One of the best ways to ensure this happens is to engage with your viewers as often as possible.
Answering comments is one way to start being involved with your community. However, you should look at other engagement methods as well. Consider doing live videos to interact directly with viewers. Take your engagement off-platform and keep up with your audience on other social media or create a blog, newsletter, or online forum.
Starting your own YouTube channel can be an exciting undertaking. YouTube is among the most popular social media platforms, which means many people spend time watching videos on the platform every day. If you are ready to put in the hours of work and follow the steps outlined above, you will have a real chance of finding success as a content creator.
