Since YouTube was created in 2005, it has become one of the most popular video-sharing websites on the Internet. Over one billion users are on the platform, which is equivalent to almost one-third of all Internet users. With billions of video views each and every day, it’s no surprise that many people want in on the action. However, creating a popular YouTube channel can be more challenging than you may think. With so many great channels out there, it can be tough to get noticed at first, especially if you don’t know where to start! Follow these 4 tips to help you get your YouTube channel started today.
Create Your Identity
The first thing many people see when they visit your channel is your name. You have to make sure that your name is both unique and memorable, so when people leave your channel they’ll be more likely to remember you and your content. For example, big YouTubers such as JennaMarbles and Markiplier, have names that are unique to their channel and are quite memorable.
You don’t have to choose a name on the spot, though. Take some time and brainstorm a few ideas for names that will best represent you and your content. If you’re having a difficult time thinking of a good name take a look at other channels for inspiration, or even research how they came up with their unique names.
Post Frequently
This might come as a surprise, but posting once or twice a month won’t get your channel off to the right start. To get people watching your content, you need to be posting videos at least once a week, or more if you’re able to. There are some channels that post multiple videos every day, but if you’re just starting out don’t stress about posting that often.
Start by creating a schedule for you to record/edit your content, and plan out when to post them. There are websites such as Hootsuite that you can use to schedule your posts in advance, so even when you’re not by your computer, your video will still be posted.
Other Social Platforms
YouTube doesn’t have to be the only social media platform that you use to post content. Create other accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or even LinkedIn (depending on your content) that you can use to further market your brand. Promote your content on Facebook, give live updates regarding uploads and future content on Twitter, or post behind the scene pictures on Instagram. You can even share small snippets of your videos on Snapchat!
Here’s a great tip if time may be an issue: Take an hour or two every Monday and write all of your social media posts for the entire week. That way you have the rest of the week to create more content for your channel.
Be Yourself
This is a very crucial tip that many people don’t think about when creating their channel, and in many cases, ends up being their downfall. When you’re making videos, don’t ask yourself, “what will get me the most views?” or “what will make me the most famous?” The real question to ask yourself and base your content around is, “will I enjoy doing this?”
If you look at some of the most successful YouTubers, you’ll notice that they all make content based on what makes THEM happy. After all, what’s the point in putting in all of this effort if you don’t enjoy doing it?
Whether you plan on making instructional cooking videos, unboxing videos, sports vlogs, or gaming videos, just to name a few, make sure you have fun with your channel. The more enjoyment you get from your work, the higher the quality your videos will be, and the more people will appreciate it. There is so much more you can add to your channel to help take it to the next level, but these tips will help you get moving in the right direction.
