Starting to create a YouTube channel? YouTube is one of the great ways to get noticed on the internet and if it works, you can earn! However, it takes dedication and motivation to do so.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Creating Channels
Step 1. Open YouTube and login with your Google account
After logging in, you will see your name or username at the top of the left menu. Click to access your user page.
Step 2. Add channel art
This is the image that will appear at the top of your channel page. YouTube will show various examples of how the image will appear on the website, on TV and on mobile devices.
- Use artwork that will grab the attention of your viewers. The cover image will set your channel apart from the rest of YouTube's interface.
- Include your channel name or message in the channel art. This will help establish your name in the minds of viewers.
- Change your channel art regularly. Unless you want to establish a brand image by keeping the same image, consider regularly changing your channel cover, as it relates to the content being launched within your channel. For example, if you're doing a comedy sketch, change the channel cover so that it corresponds to your current sketch setup.
Step 3. Describe your channel
Add a short description of your channel to let viewers know what kind of content to show. To customize the channel description, click the About tab within the main channel window. From there, click on the “+ Channel description” button.
Use the description to include links to your other websites or to update news about your channel. Discuss who is featured in your videos and link to other related channels
Step 4. Give your channel a name
Look at your description and the intended content of the video. Use this description to define the name.
For example, if your video is about knitting beautiful hats, you might name them: Let's Knit, Eternal Knitter or Wool Mountain, and so on
Part 2 of 5: Developing Content
Step 1. Find out the jotten out there
The first step to adding content is deciding what you want to share with the world. People use YouTube for a variety of things, from watching music videos, laughing at comedy sketches, studying video tutorials and much more. Think about what you can provide your audience with that they don't get from anyone else.
Step 2. Determine what your strengths are
If your friends always say you're funny, consider making a comedy video. If singing is your thing, upload some videos as you perform. The key is to create content that will keep your viewers coming back for more, to see more.
Step 3. Consider creating various reviews
Reviews are a great way to increase your audience, especially if you're reviewing something that people are looking for. People always want to see good reviews before they make a decision to buy a product or service. There are a variety of possible review topics, including:
- New album
- Latest gadgets
- TV and movies
- video games
- Book
- Restaurants and other food products
- Business
Step 4. Make as many movies as possible
Constantly try to create more content for your audience. A steady stream of content will not only keep viewers loyal to your channel, it will also help improve skills, while continuing to develop your style.
Polish the basic techniques of making videos. If you are speaking facing the camera, make sure the camera is steady and you speak clearly and at a good volume. You may have the funniest joke in the world, but no one will watch it if they can't hear or see you well
Step 5. Practice editing your video
A well-edited video will make a much stronger impression on viewers than a mixed-up video. Take the time to learn the ins and outs of your video editing software. Check out the tutorial on how to perform basic editing functions.
There are a variety of free and open source video editors available online. Many of them contain the same or similar features as expensive professional editing software
Step 6. Make your introduction interesting
Most viewers will determine the viability of a video within the first few minutes. Strive to make your intro entertaining and informative. The longer viewers watch your video, the higher YouTube will rank your video in search results.
- Show a preview clip of the video that the viewer will watch.
- Make sure your figure is front and center, starting at the beginning of the video. Speak directly to the audience. Introduce the video personally, briefly explaining what will be showing (don't tell the whole story!).
- If you're building a brand, like a name or a series you're creating, make sure it looks distinct and professional right from the start of your video.
- When creating nonfiction videos, such as reviews or tutorials, make sure the purpose of the video is clear from the start. This will keep viewers from looking for other, more informative videos.
Step 7. Take advantage of propaganda
Constantly, the media creates hype around events throughout the year in nearly every area of interest. These are commonly referred to as "tentpole" events. Examine your program and determine which shows are popular with your audience.
- Create a video leading up to the event to take advantage of pre-event searches. As anticipation grows for an event, more and more people will search for content related to it.
- Make a video during the event, to cover it as it happens. This is a great thing for viewers who can't enjoy the show live.
- Make a follow-up video after the event. Use the moment to summarize what has happened and analyze any information.
- Interact with your viewers throughout the process to keep them coming back to your channel.
- During big events, increase the amount of content you release to continue harnessing new audiences. With more content available, it will show viewers that you are knowledgeable and passionate about the event.
Step 8. Tell a story
Every video, fiction or nonfiction, basically needs to tell a story. This story should have a definite beginning, middle and end. This applies to both comedy sketches and flower care tutorials.
Break a lengthy video into segments, which focus on different aspects of the larger problem discussed in the video. This will make the content easier for viewers to digest
Step 9. Use annotations
This is the box containing the text, which appears within your video stream. Use them to direct viewers to videos, channels, external websites and more.
- You can use annotations to easily allow viewers to subscribe to your channel.
- Use annotations on older videos to link them to updated content.
- Annotations can serve as a “table of contents” for long videos, allowing you to link to specific times in the video.
Step 10. Make occasional changes
If you're already a well-known name in comedy, spend an episode with viewers answering popular questions from the comments, as well as discussing your creative process. This behind-the-scenes appearance will create a stronger bond with your audience and make them feel that they have made an impact on your work.
Part 3 of 5: Uploading Videos
Step 1. Upload your video
Sign in to YouTube and click the Videos tab on your user page. From here, click the “+ Upload a video” button to start uploading your content. Click the “Select file to upload” button to browse through the video files, or drag the file into the upload window. YouTube will start converting and uploading the video.
- If you want to control who can watch the video, click the Privacy drop-down menu and select Private. You can then add the YouTube usernames or email addresses of the people you want to be able to view the file. You can send up to 50 personal invites per video.
- If you want to upload videos that are longer than 15 minutes, you will need to verify your account with Google.
Step 2. Come up with creative tags
Tagging your videos will help generate results when viewers search for content. Make sure that your tags apply to your videos, but also make sure that you don't use the same tags as other people in your genre.
- Try to narrow your appeal to keywords when dealing with tags. For example, instead of tagging your video with “singing”, narrow it down by adding a style: “blues song”, “country song”, “freestyle rap”, etc.
- You can tag any video that you think people will find. Tags should describe your video content as a whole.
- Use a mix of broad and specific tags. For example, if you are making a comedy short about ninjas, use the tags “short film”, “ninja”, “funny”, “martial arts”, “action”, “fighting”, “silly”, etc.
- You can use tags to create “various sets” of videos. Create a unique tag and then apply it to each of the videos you want to combine together. This way, your other videos will be seen by more people.
Part 4 of 5: Channel Maintenance
Step 1. Keep adding videos
If you want your channel to be successful, you need a steady stream of content. Try to update your channel every few weeks. Let viewers know if you will be taking a long break and when you will return.
Setting up a consistent launch schedule can build engagement. Think of it like a TV show, where everyone looks forward to a new episode of their favorite show and they know exactly when it will reappear. Try to update weekly or weekly
Step 2. Interact with the audience
Try to respond to various comments if you have time. This will create a stronger bond between you and your viewers. Viewers who feel that creators care about them are more likely to come back and watch more content, as well as share it with others.
- Take a few hours after uploading the video to respond to the comments that viewers have made about the video. These viewers are your most die-hard fans, as they are the ones who are eagerly anticipating the release of new content and brave enough to comment on that content. Treat them with respect and you will see their numbers grow.
- Moderate the comments on your page as much as possible. While reading malicious comments can be funny, they lower your channel's ratings and drive viewers away. Delete comments that are likely to offend others and report abuse of use. This will help to create a more welcoming environment for your regular viewers.
- Ask your viewers questions. Try to keep the questions simple, such as Yes/No questions or “polling” questions. This will keep the negative feedback low and there will be good discussion among the viewers.
Step 3. Bring back the old videos
If you have older content that your newer audience probably hasn't seen, insert that content into your impressions so everyone sees it on the front page of your channel. This can give your old videos a boost in traffic.
Step 4. Keep an eye on the other channels
You should spend as much time as possible logging into YouTube, even when you're not actively doing maintenance on your channel. You should watch other people's videos, interact with other users and explore appropriate content.
- Connect to other users' content that you feel can complement your own. This will help your channel to show up in searches as related impressions.
- Try to keep a regular schedule for adding more links to other videos. Rate the links and videos you like on days you're not uploading your own videos. This will help reduce the waiting time for your videos to appear, which will keep viewers active on your channel.
- When liking other videos, make sure that they are videos that you feel will attract the widest possible attention of your audience. You don't want to turn your viewers away because no one likes the video you like.
Part 5 of 5: Promotion
Step 1. Show your viewers videos
Try to incorporate viewer comments and creations into your videos. Make posts about submission guidelines, such as subscription requirements for your channel.
Step 2. Collaborate with other content creators
Connect with other content creators in the same field as yourself. Cross-promote each channel to increase the number of viewers. Make guest posts on other people's videos and invite others to do the same at your place.
Make sure that your viewers can easily reach the channels you collaborate with. You want them to be able to take their time to study the content your community has created
Step 3. Use social media to make your name known
Link videos and playlists from your channel into Facebook, Google+, Twitter and other social media channels. Encourage your friends, both online and offline, to share your link with others.
Avoid spreading spam containing links to your channel on your social media networks. It's good to have occasional friendly reminders, but hardly anyone will react positively to being attacked by multiple links constantly
Step 4. Ask your viewers to spread the word
Don't force them, but encourage viewers to share your videos if they like them. These messages are best kept at the end of the video, after the important content has been viewed. Remind your viewers to “like” your videos.
Tips
When creating a YouTube channel, be careful what name you choose. You can never change it. Choose a name that relates to the content you post, that is unique and will stick in the heads of your viewers, and is different from other YouTubers. Check to see if the name you want is already in use or if someone else has a very similar name
Warning
- You may get some negative comments. Don't let it bother you and keep doing what you're doing. However, don't ignore constructive criticism. If someone criticizes a part of your video, use it to make the next video even better.
- Make sure that your videos comply with YouTube's requirements. If you violate YouTube's terms, your video will be removed and your account may be banned. Make sure anything you upload complies with the site's rules.
Sources & Citation
- https://www.youtube.com/yt/playbook/metadata.html
- https://www.youtube.com/yt/playbook/captivate-your-audience.html
- https://www.quicksprout.com/2012/07/23/7-hard-hitting-ways-to-grow-your-youtube-audience/
- https://thenextweb.com/media/2013/06/04/how-to-maximise-audience-engagement-with-youtubes-new-one-channel-design/
