How to Start a YouTube Channel: 9 Things to Know Before You Hit Upload
Google reports that nearly half of all Internet users now watch YouTube videos. That’s a large and growing audience. If you want to get in on the action, you should start a YouTube channel. Creating a YouTube channel will give your viewers access to all your videos in one place instead of having to hunt for them on various social media sites or other video hosting sites. But before you hit upload, there are a few things you need to know about creating a YouTube channel. In this post, we’ll explain how to start a YouTube channel and some things you should know before you hit upload. You probably already have the prerequisites for starting a channel—a video camera, an Internet connection and an Google account—but read on for some insider tips from experts in the field.
1) Know Your Purpose
Before you create a YouTube channel, you should know why you want to do so. If you don’t have a specific reason for starting a channel, you’re more likely to lose interest in maintaining it. That will result in videos that go unwatched, and a channel that no one visits. If you have a specific reason for creating a YouTube channel, you’re more likely to follow through on it, and your channel will be more successful. Some popular reasons for starting a YouTube channel include: - Creating educational content for a specific audience. - Building an audience for your niche hobby. - Sharing video diaries of your life or product reviews. - Hosting live video events, such as webinars or virtual product tours. - Building an audience for your profession or as a representative of a company. - Creating video content for a charity, or to share your personal message.
2) What Kind of Content to Create ?
Another important factor in deciding what kind of videos to post on your YouTube channel is the type of content you’ll produce. You’ll want to create content that meets your audience’s needs and interests. By understanding the types of content your viewers crave, you can more effectively reach them. When selecting topics for your YouTube channel, consider these categories: - Education and knowledge - Hobbies - Health, fitness and lifestyle - Humor and entertainment - Music - News and politics - Product reviews - Science - Sports - Travel You don’t have to limit yourself to just one type of content. You can always experiment with various types of videos to see what kind of response you get. As you gain more experience, you’ll get a better idea of what your
3) Choose a Channel Name
Make sure you are fully aware of the name you choose. You won’t be able to change it once you start posting videos on your channel. Make sure the name is relevant to your content. You want to make it easy for viewers to find your channel. There are a few things to keep in mind when picking a name. You can’t use the name of another company in your channel name. You also can’t use a name that is obscene or misleading. These are some things to consider when choosing a name: - Make it easy to spell and understand. - Make it relevant to your content. - Make it memorable. - Make it unique. - Make it consistent. - Avoid using brand names.
4) Select a Video Length
You don’t have to create videos that are 10 minutes long, but you do need to follow the general rule that your videos should be as long as they need to be. There is no magic length for video that works for everyone. Different channels will have different streaming times. It’s a good idea to review your competition to see how long their videos are. Keep in mind that you should be creating videos that meet the needs of your audience, not trying to fit a certain length just to match other channels. You don’t have to create videos that are 10 minutes long, but you do need to follow the general rule that your videos should be as long as they need to be. It’s a good idea to review your competition to see how long their videos are and what type of content they have.
5) Decide on Video Quality
Before you start recording your first video, you also need to decide what quality you want your videos to be. You have three main options for quality: low, medium, and high. Once you select a quality, you can’t change it. If you’re just starting out, you might want to start with the low quality option. Once you have a few videos published, you can then decide to upgrade to the medium or high quality video option. Low quality: 480p video with a bitrate of up to 1,500 kbps. Medium quality: 720p video with a bitrate of up to 5,000 kbps. High quality: 1080p video with a bitrate of up to 10,000 kbps.
6) Add Tags and Thumbnail Image
You can create better visibility for your channel by adding relevant tags to each of your videos. Tags are words or phrases that describe the content of your video. They’re a helpful tool for your channel, both for viewers and for YouTube's algorithm. They’re also required on each video, so make sure you’re adding them. When it comes to your thumbnail image, be sure to read the rules regarding what you can and can’t use. For example, you can’t use a logo or a trademarked image in the thumbnail. You can also add your channel name to the image by including a text overlay. Just make sure you follow the rules for using text.
7) Set Privacy and Advertising Options
When creating your channel, you’ll have the option of setting the privacy setting to either Public or Private. If you choose Public, anyone can see your videos. If you choose Private, only people who are given the link can view your videos. You can give your friends the link to your channel so they can view your videos. You may also want to consider advertising your channel to a larger audience. When you advertise your channel, you’re promoting it to people who don’t know about it yet. You can choose from three different types of advertising on YouTube: - Promoted video - Endcard - In-stream
8) Publish Your Video
Once you’ve created your video and set up your channel, it’s time to publish your first video. When you publish your video, you’ll also be prompted to enter a video title and description. Make sure the title and description are engaging, relevant, and click-worthy. You can always go back and edit this information after your video is published. If you want to get an even better idea on how to start a YouTube channel, and how to create videos that are successful, you can check out this guide. It will help you get started and provide some tips to follow as you create your channel.
9) Bottom line
Having your own channel allows you to have control over the content and schedule of your videos. You can also easily brand your channel and build a community around it. However, if you don’t create quality content that meets the needs of your viewers, your channel is unlikely to succeed. Start by knowing your purpose and the type of content you want to create. Then choose a channel name that is relevant to your content and select a video length that is appropriate for your content. Once you’ve set up your channel, it’s time to publish your first video. Having your own YouTube channel is a great way to build your personal brand or business. While you can certainly start a channel with no experience and minimal equipment, it’s best to start with some knowledge of the process so you can make the most of your channel.
About the Creator
Hardik Kawale
I am a freelance web developer and a blogger. He writes articles on the tips of how to make money online.



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