How to start a successful Youtube channel in 2023 (ultimate step by step for beginners)
There is so much more to YouTube than putting on a well-beat face and hitting record to let your thoughts run wild. The more time and effort you put into planning and creating content for YouTube, the more growth you’ll see in the long run.
Today, I’m sharing step by step how to start a successful Youtube channel for beginners!
When you buy through links on my website, I may earn a commission.
Because the quality of your content is just as important as the quality of your video, so it’s vital to know how to plan and create quality content. Let’s get started, shall we?
How to start a successful Youtube channel for beginners
Choose a YouTube niche
When planning content for a successful YouTube channel, it’s crucial to stay true to who you are. Take a moment to ask yourself questions so you can better understand yourself as a whole. This will help to guide you in the right direction.
If you’re multi-passionate, it can be easy to get carried away trying to create different types of content. But doing so without a clear plan in place can make your youtube channel content seem inconsistent. So auditing yourself is not a step you want to skip.
An important step of starting a YouTube channel is determining what niche you will be.
When figuring out your niche, think about what you want to be known for, what interests you, and what you can talk about often. I recommend narrowing down your niche to no more than 2 when you’re just starting off.
When I first started, I only focused on Beauty, and then as my audience grew, I expanded into home decor and lifestyle content. Your niche isn’t permanent, and as you evolve, your niche will change too, but for now, focus on one thing!
For example…
- When Amazon first started, they only sold books online.
- When Nike first started, they only sold athletic tennis shoes.
- When Oprah first started, she was known only for her tv show.
- When Dwayne johnson first started, he was known only as a wrestler on WWE (Do you smell what the Rock is cooking?! *raises left eyebrow*)
- When Will Smith first started, he was known only for rapping.
BUT they evolved.
It’s perfectly normal to grow eventually, but when you first start, focus on dominating one thing! If you want to become an influencer, then you have to focus on being known for something within a specific field.
Whatever niche you choose, make sure it aligns with your passions/expertise and that you will continue to be interested in it for years to come.
Questions to ask yourself to figure out your YouTube niche:
What are you passionate about?
What do you enjoy doing? What can you talk about all day? What is something that you feel connected to?
What do you advocate for?
What is something that you never get tired of doing or supporting? Body positivity, beauty, hair care, helping women online, writing, singing? What’s your thang, sis?
What are your gifts and talents?
You can take the things you’re passionate about and your abilities and mesh them together. In doing this, you’re sharing content that you’re passionate about while staying true to yourself. There’s no room for comparison here. There’s only one you.
Think of it this way, only Beyoncé can do Beyoncé, and only you can do you.
What’s your personality?
What part of your personality do you want to showcase through your videos?
Let your personality shine. Do you have a killer sense of humor? Is your positive personality contagious? What makes you, you? Don’t hold these things back. The world needs your sparkle. Your personality and character adds to the uniqueness of your content, and that can’t be replicated.
What makes you unique?
Lastly, what makes you unique? What do you have that nobody else does? What story have you lived through that adds a deeper meaning to the content that you share? Include the things that make you stand out in a crowd in this list.
Take your answers to these questions into consideration when thinking of content ideas. Your passions, talents, personality, and uniqueness are integral parts of your brand. Your combination of these categories is part of what opens the door for one-of-a-kind content.
Be honest with yourself
Don’t think of things you want to be good at in the future, but find the things you do well already. Are you a natural communicator? Do you have impressive writing skills? Do you have an eye for fashion or graphic design?
If you have a hard time pinpointing your gifts and talents, ask a brutally honest friend what they think. They’ll tell you.
When planning content for your YouTube channel, it’s crucial to stay true to who you are.
Popular Youtube niches
Are you going to post beauty-themed videos, how-to tech videos, sit down storytimes? Based on your answers above decide on a general theme and niche for your YouTube content.
Common Niches for YouTube Channels:
- Beauty
- Travel
- Fitness
- Food
- Finance
- Fashion
- Relationships
- Career
- Gaming
- Politics
- Home Decor
- Entrepreneurship
- Love & Relationships
- Hair
- Family & Home
- Photography
- Diets (Such as Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo)
- Technology
- Investing
- Lifestyle Humor
If you don’t have a lot of experience in a niche, please stay away from it. Don’t start a YouTube channel in a niche simply because you’ve witnessed others’ success in it. You have to actually enjoy what you’re talking about.
Choose video topics for YouTube (that people actually watch!)
With the niche you’ve chosen, list your video content ideas.
There are two main ways to go about this. First, think of the content that you would like to watch. If you create videos on topics you enjoy, you’re more likely to record a higher-quality video. It’s also safe to say that if you find something interesting, others most likely will too.
If you already have a following, be sure to take the knowledge you have of your viewer demographics and interests into consideration as well.
Second, see what’s already out there. Watch some YouTube channels that share similar content to the content that you want to share.
Additionally, you can use the YouTube search bar to your advantage. Type in a topic or video idea into the search bar to see how popular that style of video is. From there, you can filter the responses to show the most recent or the most popular video on that topic.
Ps. This is a great way to see which title formats and keywords work best for that type of video.
You can take your research one step further by watching videos within the niche you want to be in. It’s essential, though, to watch for inspiration, not to copy. We’re not out here to replicate; we’re out here to represent.
Originality is key!
For example, if you want to review a specific product, you can reference similar reviews. This is a great way to see different review formats to get a better idea of how you could format yours. Then you can tweak it to fit your style.
If you’re doing a tag or a trend started by someone else, always be sure to give credit where credit is due. The point of referencing other videos is to get a better idea for an aspect of yours, never to copy.
For deeper research, I highly recommend using plugins like VidIQ and TubeBuddy (both have free options
HACK to get MORE views on your videos
Tubebuddy allows you to fully optimize your channel. They provide the best keywords and topics to use for videos that people are actually looking for. They tell you if your title tag is too long, too short or how likely it is to rank.
If you want to start a successful Youtube channel then you want to create videos that people will actually watch and engage in.
The best way to have videos that people watch is to have videos that people can easily find. When you plan and research videos, you are helping your videos become easily discoverable, which thus increases views and subscribers.
TubeBuddy helps you plan content by showing you popular tops and video types.
For example, let’s say I want to do a patio decor tutorial. By using the “keyword explorer” in Tubebuddy, I can find the best topics and keywords for my video.
Searching “patio decor” and Tubebuddy give it a 9 rating. This means out of a score of 100; my video is about 9% likely to rank in the search results. This is awful
”
Tubebuddy will tell you if the keyword is searched often (a good thing) and if there are a lot of videos already created that will saturate your view appearing in search results(a bad thing).
You want people to type in “Patio decor” and your video shows up on the first page because let’s be honest, how often do you click on page 2 or 3 when searching for something on Youtube? Rarely! You usually click whatever is on page #1! So you want to choose keywords that allow you to show up on page number 1!
Another thing I love about Tubebuddy is that they give you similar keywords on the side. I have the upgraded version so I can get unlimited keyword suggestions. I highly recommend it if you’re committed to these Youtube streets.
Now, let’s try “cheap patio decorating ideas” using Tubebuddy’s keyword explorer:
Tubebuddy rates this a 62, which is pretty good because it means you’re more likely to rank on YouTube and get more views!
The higher your videos rank, the more people will see your videos. Ranking increases your visibility which increases your subscribers, views, and *ahem* money from Adsense if you want to make money with YouTube.
Using Tubebuddy to plan your content, you know it would make more sense to create a “patio decor video focusing on being budget-friendly over a basic patio decor video that’s less likely to discovered and viewed by new YouTubers.
Be sure to research
Now that you’ve got your video ideas listed, it’s time to research. This is where you’re able to provide the most value to your viewers through the quality of your research.
Have you watched a quality product review based solely on opinion with no facts what-so-ever? How likely are you to buy that item? While opinions are important, credible information is a necessity. That’s why you’ve gotta do the research.
When researching, find as many credible resources as possible. If the theme of your video is testing beauty products, actually spend time testing the product before sharing it. Do your research on the brand and the ingredients found in the products you’re using. Learn more for yourself so that you can share useful information with your viewers.
Create a content schedule (to stay consistent!)
A content plan will help you keep track of video topics, how often you need to post, which subjects you will cover, and what you need to complete a task,
I highly recommend having a content schedule and deciding on an exact day that youtube videos go live. I recommend it be on the same day(s) and time(s) each week.
This helps YouTube know when to push out your content as well as allows your subscribers to know what day to expect new content from you.
If you’re a digital gal (or guy), you can use the notes app on your phone or, you can use free digital resources like Evernote and Trello to gather for creating a content schedule.
Evernote is a free note-taking app that allows you to digitize your thoughts that you can access on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. This option is helpful when you want to jot something down on the go but don’t have a pen or paper nearby. Plus, the paper-free method is good for the environment.
Trello is a free web-based, list-making software, and that helps jot down quick lists. Trello integrates well with other apps, like Google calendar. If you’re looking for well-rounded software to organize your life, this is the tool for you.
You can use Trello to list props you need, items you want to have handy, or talking points you want to remember.
You’ll also to include the following details inside your content schedule:
✓ Date to post
✓ Time (and time zone) to schedule
✓ Copy to include such as video title, keywords, and description
✓ Thumbnail
Pick Equipment you need for your youtube channel
Once you have all of your Youtube content and channel planned out, it’s time to ensure you have the right equipment to record videos.
2. Something to record audio with (so people can hear you)
3. Something to edit video with
RECOMMENDED: Read my in-depth article on the best equipment for youtube (including affordable options!)!
If you want elevated videos, then the best way to have high-quality videos is by investing in high-quality equipment. However, you don’t need the newest or most expensive cameras to have a successful Youtube channel!
1. Camera
2. Audio
3. Lighting
Create a Youtube account & set up your channel
Once you have planned a successful YouTube channel, it’s time to actually START your channel by creating a YouTube account!
Creating a YouTube account is simple and only takes a few minutes. You can use your existing Google account or create a new one specifically for YouTube. Once you’re signed in, go to www.youtube.com/create_account to get started.
Enter your basic information, including your name, birthday, gender, and location. You will also need to choose a username (which will be your public identity on YouTube) and a password.
Next, you’ll be asked to verify your account via email or phone. Once you’ve done this, you can start setting up your channel by choosing a channel name and adding channel art (the banner/cover photo for your channel).
You can also add a description and links to your website or social media accounts. Once you’re happy with your channel, hit publish, and you’re ready to start sharing your videos with the world!
Here is an awesome video by The Content Bug that shares step by step how to set-up and start a youtube channel from scratch.
Create videos on Youtube
You’ve planned, researched, and created your account. Now its time to be SEEN and create great videos! The last step to starting a successful Youtube channel is creating, editing, and uploading videos!
Record the video
When it comes to being on camera, it can be a little scary putting yourself out there!
I promise it gets easier with time and practice. If you’ve planned and researched your content like in step 2, it will be a lot easier to create videos because you know exactly what to talk about.
When it comes to being more natural on camera, here are a few tips:
1. Imagine you’re talking to one person
2. Have a bullet list of everything you want to talk about
3. Practice
5. Breathe. (seriously… say a sentence, then breathe. Say another sentence, breathe)
6. Progress beats perfection. The only way to improve at something is to do it over and over again
Seriously, the more you create videos the better you will get, so I urge you to push through. You will build camera-confidence the more you put yourself on camera.
Edit the video
Now it’s time to edit your video! You want to ensure you are removing any parts of the video where you’re rambling, saying a bunch of ums, or ultimately just doesn’t fit within the video.
When it comes to the best video editors, I highly recommend Filmora video editor because it’s super beginner-friendly with an easy interface and also allows you to add special effects, texts, cool transitions and there’s even a green screen option!
It’s less than $100 for the editor, and you can even use it to edit Instagram stories, Instagram posts, podcasts, and so much more!
Publish the video
Recently, Youtube changed the way you upload videos (they change the platform often). Here’s a video from Creator Fundamentals sharing step by step how to upload a YouTube video in 2020.
Market & optimize the content
Once you have uploaded the video, the final step is to optimize the video so you can get more eyeballs on your content. I have a completely free checklist of everything you should do when uploading new YouTube videos to ensure you get the most views and traffic!
YouTube is a powerful way to express yourself while sharing your passions with the world. That’s why it’s important to be intentional with every area of your YouTube channel.
Have a YouTube Promotion Strategy
You’ve created the youtube strategy, recorded the videos, edited and posted but aht-aht! You’re not done yet! Now it’s time to promote your videos and get more eyeballs on your content!
15 ways to get more eyeballs on your YouTube videos
Are you looking for promotion strategies to get more views on your YouTube videos? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll share some of our best tips to help you get more views and subscribers on YouTube.
1. Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
When people are searching for videos on YouTube, they’ll typically use keywords or phrases. That’s why it’s important to include these keywords in your video title and description, so that your video can be easily found by potential viewers.
2. Create eye-catching thumbnails.
Your thumbnail is like a mini movie poster – it should be eye-catching and give potential viewers a taste of what your video is about. Think about using bright colors, an interesting graphic, or even a photo that represents the main scene of your video.
3. Optimize your videos for SEO.
YouTube videos can be optimized for search engine optimization (SEO) just like any other webpage. This means including relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags, as well as creating keyword-rich transcripts of your videos.
4. Promote your videos on social media.
Social media is a great way to get more eyes on your YouTube videos. promote your videos on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using eye-catching visuals and hashtags.
5. Embed your videos on your website or blog.
If you have a website or blog, you can embed your YouTube videos directly onto your site. This is a great way to keep visitors on your site longer and give them more content to consume. Plus, it can help with SEO if you include keywords in the embed code.
6. Run a paid promotion.
If you really want to give your video a boost, you can run a paid promotion on YouTube or Google. This will help your video appear in search results for relevant keywords, and you can target potential viewers by interests and demographics.
7. Collaborate with other YouTubers.
One of the best ways to promote your YouTube channel is to collaborate with other YouTubers. This can involve anything from guest appearances on each other’s videos, to cross-promotion on social media or in video descriptions.
8. Create a trailer for your channel.
A channel trailer is like a movie trailer – it’s a short, attention-grabbing video that gives viewers a taste of what your channel is all about. You can include your best or most popular videos in your channel trailer, and link to it from your YouTube homepage and social media profiles.
9. Use annotations and cards.
YouTube annotations and cards are a great way to promote your other videos or channel on your current video. You can use annotations to link to your video from another video, or cards to link to your video from a YouTube search.
10. Participate in YouTube challenges and trends.
YouTube challenges and trends are a great way to get more views and subscribers. When you participate in these, you can often get your video featured on the YouTube homepage or in search results, which can lead to a ton of views and new subscribers.
11. Host a live stream.
Live streams are a great way to connect with your audience and promote your channel. You can announce your live stream in advance on social media and in your YouTube video descriptions, and then interact with viewers in real-time during the stream.
12. Offer something free.
People love free stuff, so offering something free in exchange for subscribing to your channel is a great way to get more subscribers. You could offer a downloadable PDF, an exclusive video, or even just a coupon code.
13. Run a contest or giveaway.
Contests and giveaways are another great way to get more subscribers. You could ask viewers to subscribe to your channel and leave a comment on your latest video for a chance to win a prize. Make sure to promote the contest on social media and in your video descriptions.
14. Add a watermark to your videos.
Adding a watermark to your videos is a great way to promote your YouTube channel and get more subscribers. You can use your channel logo or profile picture as your watermark, and it will appear in the corner of all of your videos.
15. Use end screens and annotations.
End screens and annotations are a great way to promote your other videos or channel on your current video. You can use end screens to link to your video from another video, or annotations to link to your video from a YouTube search.
Frequently asked questions: How to start a successful Youtube channel
How do I start a YouTube channel and get paid?
To start a YouTube channel and get paid, you’ll need to become a YouTube Partner. Joining the YouTube Partner Program is free and easy to do. Once you’re a YouTube Partner, you’ll have access to tools that allow you to monetize your videos and earn revenue from them.
To join the YouTube Partner Program, simply follow these steps:
1. Create a YouTube channel.
If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a YouTube channel before you can apply to become a Partner. Creating a channel is free and only takes a few minutes.
2. Enable monetization on your channel.
Once you’ve created your channel, you’ll need to enable monetization in order to start earning revenue from your videos. This is done by linking your channel to an AdSense account.
3. Apply to become a YouTube Partner.
Once you’ve enabled monetization on your channel, you can apply to become a YouTube Partner. You’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria in order to be accepted into the program, but once you’re a Partner you’ll have access to all of the tools and resources you need to start making money from your videos.
So there you have it! These are the simple steps you need to follow in order to start a YouTube channel and get paid.
Just remember that it takes time, effort, and dedication to build a successful channel, so don’t expect to start earning overnight. With some hard work and a little luck, however, you could soon be on your way to becoming a YouTube star!
How do I make my YouTube channel successful?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as success on YouTube requires a unique approach for each individual channel. However, there are some general tips and strategies that can help you build a successful YouTube channel:
Find your niche
The first step to success on YouTube is finding your niche. Figure out what kind of content you want to create and who your target audience is. Once you know this, you can create videos that appeal to your niche and start building a following.
Create high-quality content
If you want people to watch and share your videos, you need to create high-quality content that is enjoyable to watch. Take the time to script, shoot, and edit your videos so that they are professional and engaging.
Promote your channel
In order to get views on your videos, you need to promote your YouTube channel. Share your videos on social media, forums, and other websites. You can also run ads or partner with other influencers to help get your channel in front of more people.
Build your community
Building a successful YouTube channel is not just about uploading videos—it’s also about interacting with your viewers. Respond to comments, answer questions, and make an effort to connect with your audience. This will help you build a loyal following of viewers who will keep coming back for more.
By following these tips, you can start to build a successful YouTube channel of your own. Remember to be patient—it takes time and effort to build a large and engaged audience on YouTube.
But if you produce quality content and promote your channel effectively, you can find success on this popular video-sharing platform.
How many views do you need to make money on YouTube?
This is a common question asked by aspiring YouTubers. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. It really depends on a number of factors, including:
- The topic of your channel
- The niche you’re in
- The country you’re in
- The type of ads you’re running
That said, there are some general guidelines you can follow. For example, most YouTubers agree that you need at least 1,000 views per day to start making money. However, this amount can vary depending on the factors mentioned above.
Another way to look at it is this: you’ll need around $1 – $2 per 1,000 views to start earning money on YouTube. So, if you have a video that gets 10,000 views, you could potentially make $10 – $20 from it. Of course, this amount also depends on the factors mentioned above.
Ultimately, there’s no set number of views you need to start making money on YouTube. It really varies depending on a number of factors. However, most YouTubers agree that you need at least 1,000 views per day to start earning an income from your videos.
How much does it cost to start up a YouTube channel?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the cost of starting up a YouTube channel can vary greatly depending on your specific goals and budget. However, in general, you can expect to need at least a few hundred dollars to get started with a professional-looking channel.
This will cover costs like video editing software, equipment, and other necessary supplies. Additionally, you may need to pay for things like promoting your channel and building an audience. If you’re serious about making money from your YouTube channel, then you’ll need to invest more time and money into it.
However, with a little bit of effort, it is possible to start a successful channel on a tight budget. Just remember to be creative, work hard, and have patience!
Does YouTube pay every month?
No, YouTube does not pay creators every month. Payments are made only to channels that have reached the $100 threshold. This means that if you earn less than $100 in a month, you won’t get paid until the following month.
What YouTube content makes the most money?
There’s no easy answer when it comes to what YouTube content makes the most money. It all depends on a variety of factors, including the niche, the target audience, and the type of content.
That said, there are some general trends that can give you an idea of which types of videos tend to make the most money on YouTube.
For example, videos that are funny or entertaining tend to do well on YouTube. This is because people are more likely to share these types of videos with their friends and family members. As a result, they have the potential to reach a larger audience and generate more views.
In addition, instructional or educational videos tend to do well on YouTube. This is because people are always looking for new information, and they appreciate videos that can teach them something new.
If you can create instructional or educational videos that are also entertaining, you’ll have a winning formula for success on YouTube.
Finally, videos that offer something unique or different tend to be successful on YouTube. This is because people are always looking for new and interesting content to watch.
This is because people are always looking for new and interesting content to watch.
If you can create a video that offers something different from what’s already out there, you’ll be more likely to succeed on YouTube.
Keep these general trends in mind as you create your own YouTube videos. By creating content that is entertaining, educational, and unique, you’ll be more likely to make money on YouTube.
I hope this guide has helped you so you can start a successful Youtube channel! If you’re a new YouTuber, be sure to share your URL below as well as what your video channel is about!
In my next blog post, I’m sharing How to increase your YouTube views
