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Content creators on YouTube have changed the vision of an ideal career path for this new generation. On YouTube, anyone and everyone can express themselves creatively and support themselves financially, all with just a camera and an idea. Starting a YouTube channel can seem like an overwhelming experience at first, however, in just a few easy steps, you can start your path to becoming an influencer today! Here is the complete guide on how to start a YouTube channel:
Download this blog as a resource guide Complete Guide How to Start a YouTube Channel
1. How to Create a Channel
Creating a channel on YouTube is the easiest step when aspiring to become a YouTuber. Just in case you aren’t familiar with how to start a YouTube channel, here are the basics.
Once you are on YouTube, log in to your Google account (in the top right corner of the webpage). On your channel homepage, you are going to want to give your channel a name, profile photo, and channel header. Your name could be as simple as your own name or a unique “stage name” that aligns with your type of content.
Next, add a profile picture. This step is pretty self-explanatory, however, creators often add an artistic element to it by making their headshot photo into a graphic design.
After establishing your name and profile pic, the creativity of creating a channel really begins to take off. Creating a channel header allows you to show off your personality through displaying your name, other social platforms, and/or a brief description of your genre of content.
Step-By-Step on YouTube:
- Go to YouTube
- Log in to your Google account
- Add profile photo
- Create a channel name
- Upload channel art (header)
- Upload video
2. Finding Your Niche
Finding your niche on YouTube is key when starting a channel. When you know what you want to create and you make your message clear to your audience, they will know what to expect from your channel and be more inclined to subscribe for more.
Popular types of influencers include beauty, travel, and gaming. However, if you’re more interested in advertising your life rather than one specific type of content, you can classify as a lifestyle YouTuber. The beauty of content creation is that you have free rein on whatever your passion may be. There are not concrete steps for this phase of how to start a YouTube channel. Use your own passion for a subject to find where you fit best.
Although some of the categories of content may seem constricting, what makes creators thrive is their ability to make videos unique by showcasing their individualism.
Popular Types of YouTube Content:
- Beauty
- Travel
- Gaming
- Fitness
- Comedy
3. Who Do You Want To Reach?
Once you have decided on the style of content you want to create, it’s time to record and upload. Aside from showcasing yourself, you want to attract viewers who have similar interests and who will enjoy your content as much as you enjoy making it.
Because of the overflow of content on YouTube, you want to make sure that your video stands out through its thumbnail and title. For new subscribers, those two things are all they have to base their decision on whether or not they want to watch your video. Making your content clear, intriguing, and engaging through thumbnails and titles is what will bring in new subscribers daily.
Common Things to Tag in Videos:
- What the video is about
- Type of content
- City/Location
- Things featured in the video
- General topics
Choosing a title, tagging videos, and including links all help make your video more visible to a wider audience. Through these three core elements, YouTube’s algorithm will showcase your videos on account homepages that best align with your content.
This is the time to really amplify your channel and video message, especially when first starting a YouTube channel, so it can reach as many people as possible.
Tips on Tagging
| Type | Example | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Title | EXTREME Quarantine Glow Up Makeover | Make titles intriguing for all audiences to increase clicks. Clickbait titles often work. |
| Tagging | New York Vlogger, Fashion, Try-On Haul, Gucci | Tag things related to both yourself and the video. |
| Links | Link Clothes Worn in Video | Link things that will be useful for the audience. |
4. Attracting Your Audience
Above all, the trick on how to start a YouTube channel and form a dedicated fan base only requires one thing: being yourself! The most successful YouTubers are the ones who can bring something new to the platform while also having a clear sense of authenticity.
Viewers want to watch someone who is passionate, entertaining, and real. YouTube is in its own world outside of mainstream media because it is as simple as a creator and their camera. Don’t try to copy someone else’s content because that has been done before.
If you are inspired by other creators, find a way to make the content you’re creating your own. Have a signature intro or outro. Establish staples in your personality. Fans can always associate James Charles with “pinkity drinkities” and Emma Chamberlain with coffee. No one can hear or see the word “clickbait” without thinking of David Dobrik’s iconic merchandise line.
There are so many different places you can take your YouTube channel to make it successful. The answer to starting a YouTube channel is to have fun, be creative, and be yourself!
Top Creators on YouTube
| Name | YouTube Reach | Instagram Reach | TikTok Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pewdiepie | 105,000,000 | 20,800,000 | N/A |
| James Charles | 19,600,000 | 18,800,000 | 18,200,000 |
| Liza Koshy | 17,800,000 | 18,400,000 | 22,200,000 |
| David Dobrik | 17,800,000 | 13,100,000 | 18,900,000 |
| Emma Chamberlain | 9,070,000 | 9,500,000 | 6,300,000 |
