become a youtuber in 6 steps: What makes video so powerful
Table of Contents
Introduction
1: Finding Your YouTube Niche
2: Creating Your YouTube Channel
3: The YouTuber’s Toolkit
4: Mastering the Art of YouTube Videos
5: Growing Your YouTube Audience
6: Monetizing Your YouTube Channel
becoming a successful YouTuber takes serious work. It’s not about getting rich quick or instant fame. But, if you’re willing to put in the effort, learn the ropes, and consistently create great content, the potential rewards are huge. This guide won’t sugarcoat the challenges, but it will give you the knowledge and roadmap to achieve your YouTube goals.
1: Finding Your YouTube Niche
Choosing a niche for your YouTube channel is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It’s about finding the sweet spot where your interests, skills, and potential audience intersect. Here’s how I approached it:
Start With Your Passions
A. Brainstorming Time: Grab a notebook and write down everything that excites you – hobbies, areas of expertise, topics you could talk about for hours.
B. The Energy Test: Which topics make you light up? Building a long-term YouTube channel requires dedication, so genuine passion fuels the fire.
C. Skills Inventory: What are you already good at? Teaching, crafting, reviewing products, comedy – your existing skills could form the foundation of your niche.
Is There an Audience?
A. Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Trends and YouTube’s search bar to see if people are searching for content related to your niche.
B. Existing Channels: Check out successful channels in similar areas. This shows there’s an audience and gives you inspiration (not to copy, but to innovate!).
C. The Underserved Need: Could you provide a unique angle or fill a gap in the current YouTube landscape within your niche?
Balancing Passion with Profitability
A. Exploring Monetization: Different niches have different potential income streams (affiliate marketing, sponsorships, etc.). Consider long-term revenue possibilities.
B. Don’t Choose Based on Money Alone: Chasing trends you’re not passionate about leads to burnout. Find a niche you love that also offers monetization potential.
Niching Down is Your Friend
A. Resist being too broad: Instead of general “beauty,” consider “cruelty-free makeup tutorials” or “skincare for busy moms.”
B. Specific is Memorable: Easier for potential viewers to understand your channel’s focus and remember you.
My Journey: A Case Study
I’m a self-taught baker who loves experimenting with unique flavors. But “baking channel” is too broad. I niched down to “vegan baking with unusual ingredients,” tapping into my passion while attracting a specific audience seeking that kind of content.
Finding your niche is an iterative process. It’s okay to experiment at first and refine over time as you learn more about what you and your audience enjoy!
Tony walters
2: Creating Your YouTube Channel
Okay, you’ve found your niche, you’re brimming with video ideas, but before you hit record, we need to lay the foundation. Think of your YouTube channel as your online storefront – you want it to look inviting, be easy to navigate, and instantly give viewers a sense of what you’re all about!
Name Game: Choose Wisely
Your channel name is prime real estate. Here’s what makes a great one:
A. Reflects your niche: Gives a hint about the kind of content viewers can expect.
B. Memorable & Easy to Spell: Avoid overly complicated names or obscure references.
C. Branding potential: Ideally, it could work across social media handles for consistency.
Visual Identity: Telling Your Story at a Glance
A. Profile Picture: A photo of you, a logo, or an image that represents your niche. Keep it clear and uncluttered.
B. Channel Art: This banner at the top of your page sets the tone. Use it to express your personality, tagline, or a snapshot of your content themes.
C. Canva Power: Even without design skills, Canva is awesome free tool for creating graphics for your channel (*paid plans have even more bells and whistles!).
Optimizing for Discovery
Help the YouTube algorithm (and potential viewers) understand you:
A. Channel Description: Craft a keyword-rich description of who you are, what your content is about, and what viewers gain by subscribing.
B. Channel Keywords: Add relevant keywords to your channel settings to help you pop up in search results.
C. Trailer Power: A short, engaging trailer welcoming new visitors and encouraging subscriptions is marketing gold!
Consistency is Key
Your branding elements – name, colors, fonts, overall vibe – should create a cohesive feel. Think of it as building viewer recognition. When people see your thumbnail in the suggested feed, they should instantly know it’s you.
3: The YouTuber’s Toolkit
Okay, you’ve got your idea, your niche is nailed down, and you’re bursting with excitement to hit record. But before you do, let’s talk gear! Don’t worry, you don’t need a Hollywood studio setup to get started. Here’s how to create awesome videos, even on a budget:
Camera Choices
A. Smartphones: Modern smartphones have incredible cameras – perfect for beginners or vlog-style content.
B. Webcams: Simple and affordable for talking-head videos, tutorials, or live streams.
C. Action Cams: GoPros and similar cameras are great for dynamic footage, travel, or sports.
D. DSLR or Mirrorless: Step up your image quality for professional-looking videos, with flexibility in lens choice.
Lighting Makes a Difference
A. Natural Light is Your Friend: Big windows provide beautiful, free lighting. Experiment with filming times for the best results.
B. Budget Ring Lights: Simple ring lights or LED panels offer affordable, yet effective, lighting solutions.
C. Professional Kits: When you’re ready to level up, invest in softboxes or more powerful lighting setups.
Don’t Neglect Audio!
A. Built-in Microphones: Okay for casual filming, but audio quality is noticeably lower.
B. Lavalier Mics: Small mics that clip to your shirt for a simple audio upgrade.
C. Shotgun Mics: Directional mics that attach to your camera for clearer sound.
D. Audio Recorders: For the ultimate sound quality, record audio separately and sync in editing.
Editing Software: The Magic Touch
A. Free Options: iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, and other free software offer powerful editing features.
B. Paid Software: Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are industry standards for creators.
C. Mobile Editing Apps: Perfect for quick edits, overlays, and on-the-go content creation.
Thumbnail Power-Ups
A. Design Tools: Canva or Photoshop are great for creating eye-catching thumbnails that get clicks.
B. Study Successful Thumbnails: Analyze what works in your niche to inspire your designs.
C. A/B Testing: Try different thumbnail styles to see what your audience responds to best.
The Secret Ingredient: You!
Gear is important, but remember, amazing YouTubers come in all forms. Focus on improving your on-camera presence, storytelling skills, and honing your editing workflow. That’s what will bring your content, and YouTube channel, to life!
4: Mastering the Art of YouTube Videos
Creating YouTube videos that are engaging and get people to click subscribe involves more than just pointing a camera at yourself. It’s about finding your style, delivering value to your viewers, and crafting your videos with intention. Let’s dive in!
Video Scripting: Prepared vs. Off-the-Cuff
There’s no single right way to create video content. Here’s the breakdown:
A. Fully Scripted: Writing out every single word for accuracy and precise timing great for tutorials or delivering complex information.
B. Outline & Bullet Points: Your main talking points to keep you on track, allowing for more natural delivery.
C. Completely Unscripted: Relying on your knowledge and personality to shine through, perfect for vlogs or conversational videos.
Finding Your On-Camera Groove
Let’s be honest, the first few times you see yourself on video can be cringeworthy. Here’s how to boost your confidence:
A. Practice Makes Perfect: Record yourself even when it’s not for a “real” video – it gets easier over time.
B. Energy Matters: Match your energy level to your content, but avoid monotone delivery.
C. Ditch the Perfectionism: Small stumbles make you relatable, just focus on delivering value.
D. Body Language: Open posture and natural hand gestures keep you from looking stiff.
The Formula: Hook, Value, Call-to-Action
A. The Hook: Grab their attention in the first few seconds – a bold statement, an interesting question, or a visually striking opening shot.
B. The Value: Deliver on what you promise – tutorials, entertainment, expert information, it ALL has to be valuable to your audience.
C. Call-to-Action: Don’t be shy! Ask viewers to like, subscribe, comment, or visit your website.
Editing for Engagement
Editing is where the magic happens! Here’s how to keep your videos watchable:
A. Cut the Fluff: Remove awkward pauses, “ums,” and anything that drags down your pacing.
B. Dynamic Storytelling: Use music, B-roll footage, and transitions to keep things visually interesting.
C. Text & Graphics: Emphasize important points and add personality to your videos.
D. Thumbnail Mastery: A great thumbnail is as important as your video title. Make it eye-catching!
Preparation is Key
A. Script or Outline? Decide your level of structure. Scripts are great for precision, outlines leave room for spontaneity.
B. Research Matters: Even if it’s a personal vlog, knowing your subject inside-out builds authority and makes your content more interesting.
C. The Setting: Choose a filming location with good lighting and minimal background noise for a polished look.
It’s Show Time!
A. Overcome On-Camera Jitters: Practice, deep breaths, and focusing on your message helps calm those nerves.
B. Energy & Authenticity: Let your personality shine! Viewers connect with genuine enthusiasm and realness.
C. Speak Clearly & Concisely: Enunciate and avoid rambling sentences – it helps with editing later.
The Hook, The Value, The CTA
A. The First 10 Seconds: Grab attention immediately with a surprising fact, a question, or a visually interesting shot.
B. Deliver the Goods: Provide the valuable information, entertainment, or experience you promised in the title and thumbnail.
C. Call-to-Action (CTA): Don’t leave them hanging! Ask viewers to like, comment, subscribe, or visit a linked resource.
Editing Magic
A. Cut Ruthlessly: Keep your videos dynamic by removing awkward pauses, filler words, and any footage that doesn’t add value.
B. Music & Transitions: Choose background music that sets the mood and use smooth transitions for a professional feel.
C. B-Roll & Graphics: Spice up your video with additional footage, images, or text overlays to keep it visually engaging.
The Power of Consistency
A. Regular Upload Schedule: Help your audience know when to expect new content and build anticipation.
B. Iteration Beats Perfection: It’s better to publish consistently and improve over time than to obsess over making every video absolutely flawless.
Creating amazing YouTube videos is a skill that takes practice and continuous learning. Remember, start where you are, experiment, and above all – have fun bringing your unique ideas to life!
5: Growing Your YouTube Audience: From Hidden Gem to Subscriber Magnet
You’ve created some awesome videos, but they’re not getting the views they deserve. It’s time to unlock serious growth strategies and turn your channel into a thriving community! Here’s how I’m tackling the challenge of growing my own YouTube audience:
YouTube SEO: Your Search Engine Secret Weapon
A. Keyword Research: Uncover the terms your ideal viewers are searching for using tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ.
B. Optimizing Titles & Descriptions: Weave those keywords into your titles and descriptions naturally, providing helpful information for viewers and search engines.
C. Tags: Use relevant tags to help YouTube categorize your videos accurately.
Social Media Synergy
Don’t treat YouTube as an island. Promote strategically:
A. Shareable Snippets: Create short clips perfect for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to tease your YouTube videos.
B. Tailor Your Approach: Understand the vibe of different platforms and adapt your promotion accordingly.
C. Behind the Scenes: Offer viewers a glimpse into your process on other social platforms to encourage them to check out your channel.
The Power of Community
Your viewers are your greatest asset. Foster engagement:
A. Respond to Comments: Show viewers you care and spark further conversations.
B. Q&A Videos: Address common questions and let your viewers shape your content.
C. Call to Action: Encourage viewers to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications – be direct and genuine.
Collaborate for Cross-Promotion
Reach new audiences by partnering with other YouTubers in your niche:
A. Guest Appearances: Swap appearances on each other’s channels for exposure to a fresh audience.
B. Playlists: Create curated playlists featuring your videos alongside other relevant content in your niche.
C. Giveaways & Challenges: Team up for audience-engaging giveaways or themed challenges that amplify everyone’s reach.
The Art of Consistency
A. Regular Uploads: Set a schedule and stick to it.
B. Quality over Quantity: Always prioritize creating great content, even if you can’t post multiple times a week initially.
C. Patience is Key: Growing a YouTube audience takes time. Keep creating, improving, and promoting with determination.
Growing your YouTube audience is a marathon, not a sprint. Each subscriber you earn represents a real person interested in what you have to say. Let’s build a community together!
6: Monetizing Your YouTube Channel: Turning Views into Revenue
You’ve built an audience, your videos are getting traction, and now it’s time to start thinking about how to turn your YouTube passion into a source of income. While there’s no magic formula, there are several effective ways to monetize your channel. Let’s break them down:
The Foundation: YouTube Partner Program
A. Meeting the Requirements: You’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months to qualify.
B. Ad Revenue: YouTube places ads on your videos, and you earn a share of the revenue.
C. Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks and content to members who pay a monthly fee.
Affiliate Marketing: The Power of Recommendations
A. Choose the Right Affiliates: Select products or services relevant to your niche and that you genuinely believe in.
B. Natural Integration: Mention affiliates within your videos or include links in the description.
C. Track Your Earnings: Use unique affiliate links to monitor clicks and conversions.
Brand Deals & Sponsorships: Partnering Up
A. Proactive Outreach: Once you have a decent following, start reaching out to brands that align with your audience.
B. Negotiation Skills: Know your worth! Research standard rates and be confident in asking for fair compensation.
C. Maintaining Authenticity: Only partner with brands you genuinely support, and disclose sponsorships clearly.
Diversify with Your Own Products/Services
A. Digital Products: Create ebooks, online courses, or templates related to your niche expertise.
B. Merch: Design and sell branded merchandise appealing to your loyal viewers.
C. Services: Offer consulting, coaching, or other services building on your YouTube content.
Important Things to Remember
A. It Takes Time: Don’t expect to get rich overnight! Focus on building a sizeable, engaged audience first.
B. Multiple Streams: Relying on a single revenue source is risky; diversify your monetization strategies.
C. Your Audience Comes First: Don’t bombard them with ads or promotions at the expense of the content they love.
Monetizing your YouTube channel is an exciting milestone. It’s about finding ways to sustainably fund your passion and continue creating the videos your audience craves!
Conclusion
The most rewarding part of my YouTube experience hasn’t been the view count or the revenue, but the community. Connecting with viewers, sharing my knowledge, and hearing how my videos have impacted people – that’s the true magic. Whether your dream is to entertain, educate, or inspire, YouTube gives you the platform to make a difference in the world.
When I started my YouTube journey, I imagined talking to a camera in the solitude of my room. What I didn’t anticipate was the incredible community that would emerge. Through comments, messages, and shared experiences, I’ve connected with people worldwide who share my passions.
The support I’ve received from my viewers fuels my motivation. Their feedback helps me refine my content, their enthusiasm reminds me why I started creating, and their shared stories make me feel part of something bigger than myself.
But it goes beyond just my relationship with the audience. YouTube fosters connections between the viewers themselves. My comments section is filled with people teaching each other, sharing tips, and forming genuine friendships.
This community is a constant reminder of the true power of YouTube. It’s a place where we can learn, laugh, feel less alone, and be inspired by each other. If you’re ready to create something meaningful and build a community around your passions, I can’t recommend the YouTube journey enough. It might just change your life.
