If you ask the professionals of Youtube how they found their success, they’ll all have different stories. Some planned it from the start, while others simply fell into it.
No matter how it started, those that prevailed all have certain similarities in the way they created and promoted their content.
Whether you’re wanting to advertise your business, or just out to entertain, we’ve collated the definitive list of tips for establishing a Youtube channel.
Research
This means more than watching videos from other creators, though that is important in order to get a good sense of scripting and video structure.
Experiment with search terms. Find out what gets the best results for content similar to yours, and which terms you think might be under-utilised.
See how creators connect with their audience, not just on Youtube, but on all their social media platforms.
Style
From the start, you’re likely to have an idea of an intended presentation style, or focus.
Ask yourself the question: am I doing this because it’s what people like, or because I like it and know there are others like me?
Don’t mimic; why would anybody watch you pretend to be Markiplier or Lauren Curtis when they could just watch Markiplier or Lauren Curtis?
If you don’t have the passion for what you’re presenting, audiences will know, and they’ll abandon you. Fast.
Do something you know, and that you’re good at talking about. There’s always room later to branch out.
gear/LOOK
Look at your bank balance. Now back to me.
It’s alright. Nobody is expecting you to have the best recording equipment when you’re just starting out. However, audiences do require a certain standard.
A prosumer DSLR camera or Handycam, a mountable shotgun microphone, and sufficient lighting to keep the vision evenly lit will suffice.
If you are going to use an open window for lighting, make sure the weather isn’t going to turn on you halfway through filming, and that nobody is going to walk past and end up blocking your light source.
As for the look, style is great, but messiness is not. Keep your frame clear of distractions, unless an unkempt bed or attention-seeking cat are part of your angle.
(They probably shouldn’t be.)
CONTENT
There’s a misconception that because it’s on the internet, and can be downloaded in a couple of clicks, that you have a right to use it. The truth is, you probably don’t.
Copyrighted content, especially music, will often result in your videos being taken down, and a copyright strike put against your channel. Do it three times, and your channel is removed entirely.
With that said, ensure you know your rights as a content creator. Fair use is applicable if you are reviewing content unless, of course, you put up a whole song or film. Know when to argue your case with Youtube, and when to back down.
A crucial piece of content for all your videos is the thumbnail. Create a custom image – a screenshot from your video is a good choice – and make adjustments as necessary. Keep it relevant to the theme of the video and the style of your channel. An appealing preview image can make all the difference.
channel
Think of your channel as your storefront. For users who don’t know exactly what they’re looking for, this is an important element in grabbing their attention.
The most important aspect in creating your channel is selecting a username. It should be unique, but something that’s easily remembered and searched. Once you choose one, stick with it. This is how you grow your brand.
Create a header image that summarises your channel. Make it catchy, and be sure to include your page’s social media links if possible.
Fill out your About section. This is often ignored, but you must not forget that your biography is the only place on your channel where people can click to see the total views you’ve received. As such, this is a great way to provide a brief explanation of what you’re all about.
SUPPORTING TEXT
Remember when you researched search terms earlier? Now’s the time that knowledge will come in handy.
Upon uploading a video, you will have the option to include ‘tags’, the terms people can use to search for your video. Don’t cheat; adding a tag to your video just because it’s popular at the time will only do you a disservice.
Add a title to the video. Like your thumbnail, it should compliment the video, and your direction for the channel.
optimise
There are many articles on sites like CreativeCow that deal with exporting videos for Youtube. Make sure you follow them.
Once the video has exported, watch it through.
Then, when the video’s been uploaded to Youtube, watch it again.
If it doesn’t play how it should, or you don’t feel it will appeal to an audience, delete it from the site and start making changes.
schedule
Keeping to a schedule is crucial.
Just because you don’t have many people watching or subscribing to your videos yet doesn’t mean you can get lazy.
Your audience will want to know when to expect new videos. Keeping to the schedule will bolster their trust, and help the channel grow.
PROMOTE
Start out by commenting on similar videos. Be courteous, informative, and feel free to drop subtle hints about your own videos. Do not hijack a video’s comment section with links to your own channel. Nobody cares. That’s not why they are reading the comments. Through recognising your name will potential audience members start to become interested in what you have to offer.
A couple of years ago, a company launched Channel Pages, a service designed to connect content creators with potential collaborators. This is a great way to tap into pre-existing audiences, and to join a community of like-minded people who you can work with in the future.
Reach out on social media to relevant pages and groups, but be sure not to spam. Where possible, contact the administrator and ask if you are allowed to post.
Have your friends and family share your pages, and watch your videos. Youtube ranks videos in its search results by accumulated search time. That means the more a video is watched, the highly it will appear in the results. While you’re not likely to appear on the first page for a while, it will help in raising some awareness of your channel.
discuss
Finally, connect with your audience in the comment section and on your social media pages to discuss your content.
If users are critical, accept their advice and be prepared to make adjustments. Adapting to your audiences needs is all part of the process.
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Now go forth, and take your videos to the world!
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