A YouTube channel has the potential to earn millions of dollars, as evidenced by YouTube stars PewDiePie, Ryan ToysReview, and several others who received upwards of $15 million in 2018. This is enough reason to try and make a career out of this, don’t you think? But still, you need the right guide to get you to that level, and that’s why we’re here.
So, let’s answer the question, how to start a YouTube channel that will become successful? Find out the essential elements of a YouTube channel:
- A niche
- Equipment
- Editing skills
- Interesting content
- Consistent updates
- Patience
- Tons of time for research
But of course, there is more to each element that you must understand before proceeding. We’ll explain these in more detail; keep on reading to learn how to start a successful YouTube channel.
1. Find Out Your Niche
Learning how to start a YouTube channel begins with knowing your audience and your specialty. Your niche is the foundation of your YouTube channel. The content you’ll publish and the kind of marketing strategy you’ll use will depend on this niche.
Your niche may be what you’re interested in and passionate about. It could be reviewing gadgets, getting creative with makeup, or building things. For PewDiePie, it’s playing games, and for Jake Paul, it’s creating sketches.
You can also identify a gap in the market to make your videos unique. The Hydraulic Press Channel, for instance, deemed it a good idea to launch a channel dedicated to showing a hydraulic press crushing everyday items.
It was unique; after all, not everyone has a hydraulic press in their homes. Not everyone who has access to such a machine wants to start a YouTube channel, as well. Today, each of its videos gains millions of views.
Even in popular niches, you can find a gap. Gaming channels are abundant, but you can stand out if you focus on old-school games, for instance.
Once you find your niche, you should then create videos focusing on that. You can create different types of content, though. Gaming channels, for example, can publish “play with me” videos, gaming news, lists of their videos, and so on.
The key is that it shouldn’t stray away from your chosen niche for the sake of consistency.
2. Use the Right Tools and Equipment
One decent camera is all it takes to get started. In fact, it’s what we recommend. Don’t spend thousands of dollars on accessories, like lighting, high-tech mic, drones, and such if they’re not integral to your content.
You can use what you have and still make quality content. You only need to find a good location. Here are a few pointers about finding the right spot for your videos:
- Pick a good background; a clean wall will do
- Pick a private place without background noise
- Film on sunny days to take advantage of good lighting
If you need to bring your channel to another level, though, you can invest in higher quality equipment. It’s almost always worth the investment.
But before you buy, make sure to assess if it will help you make higher quality content, too. As you publish one video after another, you’ll get a sense of what you need anyway.
Editing tools also fall under this tip. Easy to use editing software will do wonders if you’re in the beginner stage. Look for free apps or use whatever came with your computer out of the box.
Again, if you want to use more creative styles in video-making, you can jump the gun and make the purchase of more advanced software like Final Cut Pro or Camtasia.
3. Keep Yourself Updated with the Trends
Keeping updated on the latest trends doesn’t mean you have to incorporate every new meme into your video. It’s also about learning the most recent trends in video SEO and marketing.
Using the right keywords, you can increase your search results ranking to let viewers find you more easily. The basics of optimization include incorporating your keyword into your title, description, tags, and the video itself.
Video optimization, however, is such a broad topic that you’ll have to learn more about. Find the time to research to discover what the latest trends are on titles, thumbnails, tags, and more.
Doing your research, you might also come across new ideas for your content. If you’re in a slump, browse on social media to see what people are talking about these days. You may also look at other channels to find inspiration for your next video.
4. Be Patient
The harsh truth is that your first video is going to suck, but that’s not a bad thing. Your videos will improve as you create more.
What’s important is that you don’t give up. Be patient in researching the latest techniques and experimenting with topics.
Continue to publish videos consistently. This has two benefits:
One, you’ll get more subscribers because they know they’re getting consistent content. Two, making videos will help you learn more as you go.
Review your past videos regularly, too, to see if you can detect areas you need to improve on. Never mind the negative comments, if any, but don’t disregard them all. Some can provide constructive criticism, which can further help your growth as a content creator.
How to Start a YouTube Channel: Related Questions
These are the basics of how to start a YouTube channel; your success depends on how well you do each step. Learn more about maintaining your YouTube channel below.
How to Earn Money on YouTube?
Once your videos get traction, you can turn on advertisements on your videos. You get a commission for each view the ad receives. You will also receive offers for sponsorships and so on when you’ve established a name for yourself.
How Do You Get More Views on YouTube?
To get more views, you need the right marketing strategy. Optimize your videos to make it searchable, and partner with other YouTubers to widen your reach.
The most important factor, however, is to make it interesting and useful to viewers. Traffic will increase naturally, which you can learn more about here.