How to Start a YouTube Channel – From A to Z

So, you want to start a YouTube channel? Perhaps more accurately, you want to start a successful YouTube channel that will not only serve many subscribers but ALSO earn you a decent living?

The desire to become a ‘YouTuber’ has increased a great deal in recent years. No doubt the average viewer sees an individual making a success of presenting via this social media channel and believes they too can make a similar splash.

The reality is that only a tiny fraction of those who have YouTube channels make a significant sum of money, with the vast majority running channels for fun or in the vague hope of one day ‘making it.’ If you are wondering about how to start YouTube channel only to make money, then you may be biting off more than you can chew.

Your motivation to succeed is critical. The audience on YouTube is very savvy, and they can spot someone who is desperate to succeed without having the relevant talent to make that success a reality.

Recent statistics suggest that as few as 0.25 of YouTube channels make money. That’s one in 400. Clearly, this isn’t the greatest percentage, and such a statistic should scare the life out of anyone hoping to strike it rich.

However, if these numbers do not daunt you, then there are a few tips you can take on board that could help you battle those statistics and come out on top.

Know Your Market

Whatever niche your YouTube channel covers, it should be one that you have the necessary experience and knowledge of. Understanding YouTube niches is your way to get ahead! The audience on YouTube, overall, can spot a fake a mile off. They are also likely to see through an individual who is winging it. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to stick to what you know.

If you are looking to corner the market in a particular department, then consider the possible angles for your channel. Keep things simple. If you just want to run a channel where you discuss specific topics that interest you, that’s entirely valid. However, for the sake of clarity, try to narrow down the appeal and direction of your channel.

Perhaps the most crucial question to ask yourself before starting the process is ‘What is my YouTube channel about?’. If this is a question you can answer simply, then you are on the right road. If it’s not, then you may have to re-think your objectives.

If your channel revolves around reviewing recent movie releases, then make that the ‘niche.’ If it’s a podcast where you explore historical events, then similarly make that the source of your inspiration. Try to boil down the intention of your channel to a simple and understandable one. That way, your audience knows what to expect.

Consistency

If you are thinking of starting a YouTube channel, you should develop a plan of action. This should include a schedule of content delivery as well as a budget to cover all relevant costs, from the production of your videos as well as appropriate advertising you may well need to pay for.

Be ready to produce content even when you may not be feeling it. If you have a weekly release schedule, then you’ll have to stick to it. Slacking off and altering your content production procedure will not help you to retain an engaged audience.

Do not Expect Instant Success

The biggest obstacle for most individuals seeking to make a name for themselves on YouTube comes in the form of expectations. There is a sense that success will come easily and instantly. Sadly, neither of these assertions are true.

It can, and will, take a long time to firstly build a sustainable audience and secondly to keep up the level of content needed to entertain them effectively. If you want your audience to increase organically, then you can expect it to take time before you have a large enough following for you to make a reasonable income from your efforts.

Produce High-Quality, Engaging Content

On top of all of this, you also need to produce content that is professional in both its delivery and its creation. This means that you should use top-quality equipment to film your content or to edit it. Content that looks amateurish will not go down well, especially given that the relevant tools exist that can help you produce great videos at a fraction of the price that it used to.

If the style of your videos is deliberately rough and ready, then YouTube viewers may accept that, but only if this is part of the overall ethos of your channel. In other words, the delivery of your content should match the tone and style you are trying to convey.

Correctly Use Metadata and Titles to Drive Viewers to Your Videos.

In order to better engage with your audience and the YouTube audience as a whole, you should correctly use the metadata and title functionality. Do some basic keyword research before entering this essential information, as it can drastically affect the reach your videos will get on the platform.

Check YouTube tutorials, and there are thousands of them before you tackle this aspect of the video uploading interface. It can really be the difference between a video that gets a few hundred views and one that might go viral.

Have Fun with It

To be perfectly honest, your involvement with a YouTube channel should never be solely about views and revenue. Clearly, these are vital factors, but above all else, you should be starting a YouTube channel because the subject matter is something you personally have a genuine interest in. The journey needs not to be grounded chiefly in financial gain.