How to Start a YouTube Channel: 11-Step Guide to Creating a YouTube Channel

I was recently tasked to explain how to start a YouTube channel to a 4th-grader. This article is my attempt to do so.

So, here we go: how to start a YouTube as a 4th grader…

How to Start a YouTube Channel ( 11-Step Guide to Creating a YouTube Channel)

Here’s a quick rundown:

Create a Google Account

You need a Google account to create a YouTube channel. But you can also do it right on YouTube.

Either way, follow these simple steps:

• Go to the Google sign-up page and navigate your way to account creation

Click on account creation to redirect you to the sign-up form. The form will show the necessary information that needs to be filled out.

• Fill out your basic information.

Fill out your first and last name, create a username, and create a strong password. Re-enter the password for confirmation. Your password must be 8 characters long with a mix of letters, symbols, and numbers.

• Verify your number and add a recovery email,

• Agree to Google terms and customize your settings. (Privacy and personalization settings)

• Review your information and complete your setup.

There, you have your Google account ready to use.

Find Your YouTube Niche (Channel Topic)

You have a purpose for creating a channel. This will be the cornerstone for niching your topics and audience.

So, take your time to decide on that purpose. Then, niche down to what resonates with your passion, likes, and interests.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What topics and activities excite me

• Where do I feel confident sharing my knowledge and expertise

You can also research popular niches on YouTube to get a feel of different audiences and competition sizes.

But remember that authenticity is critical. So, you should slow down and take your time.

Explore options, and choose a niche that works for you.

Identify Your Target Audience

YouTube, owned by Google, has over two billion users, almost half of all internet users.

Interestingly, over 90% of internet users watch video content daily on YouTube. If so, then you can target your audience.

How do you identify your target audience?

Identify the demographic of your audience. This will help you develop better content that suits their expectations.

Korty EO, a Gen Z YouTuber, creates content around lifestyles, vlogs, and travels. Her target audience is Gen Z, which enables her to resonate with her viewers.

Diary of a kitchen lover focuses on a broader spectrum. Her target audience is people who want to learn how to cook better, learn new recipes, and up their cooking game.

These two YouTubers have narrowed their content to what their viewer wants. Lifestyles to cooking recipes and people have been subscribing faster to their channel.

Find Your Competitors on YouTube

Now that you’ve narrowed down your niche, you have an idea of what to put out there, and you can find your competitors.

Your competitors are those who put out content around your niche.

Here is how to find these competitors:

• YouTube, on its own, is a search engine. So, use it as your base.

• Go to the search icon on the page and search for a keyword directed to your niche.

For example, say your niche is around food and lifestyles. Go to YouTube and search for “food and lifestyles.”

You will be directed to channels that have food or lifestyle as a keyword on their channel. You can even filter your search to your taste.

The relevant channels there that match your audience and topic are your competitors.

Create Your Channel With Google

You’ve just learned the ropes of finding a niche and knowing your competitor. Now, let’s create a YouTube channel.

Using these simple steps, you can create your channel on your phone or desktop:

• Firstly, log into your Google account.

• On the right-top corner beside your profile picture, click on Google Apps.

• From the list, select YouTube, and it will redirect you to the YouTube page.

• Right-click on your user icon, and you will see a drop-down. Click on settings

• From there, it will take you to where to create a new channel.

Create Your Channel Name

When you click “create a new channel,” it’ll direct you to a page where you can create your channel name. Then, follow these steps:

• Firstly, enter a channel name that resonates with you. Remember that we already know our target audience and your niche.

• Use a name that represents you and the content you will be putting out there. You can change or tweak this name as time goes on. Your channel name should stand out and be easy to remember.

For instance, your content is all about traditional food that cuts across all the tribes. Your channel name should tilt towards food. From the diary of a kitchen lover’s name, we can deduce that her channel is all about food and recipes.

• Click on Understanding Terms and click on Create

Your Channel name is ready.

Customize Your Channel

After you have a channel name, the next step is to customize your channel.

On your dashboard, click on customize your channel.

It will redirect you to a channel customization page. This page has three tabs: “Layout,” “Branding,” and “Basic info.”

Basic info: This is where you add your channel name and language so people can discover you. You can also add a URL linked to your website here.

Branding: Under the tab, you can add your profile image, banner image, and video watermark. The recommended dimension of the image is 98 x 98 pixels.

The banner image is bigger than your profile picture. It is displayed at the top of your channel page. YouTube recommends an image attachment with a pixel of at least 2048 x 1158 and 6MB or less.

Layout: This tab allows you to define specific preferences for the presentation. You can select a particular video to showcase and arrange your channel page. 

Create a List of Video Ideas

This is the critical part of starting a YouTube channel. At this point, consistency is needed.

Now that your channel is customized and ready for use, you can start creating videos for your channel.

Uploading your content to YouTube is quite simple. The idea is to create engaging videos that make your viewers explore more of your content.

If you want to be consistent, then you need to be strategic. Make a list of video ideas that you want to put out. You can routine them for publishing. Create videos around educational, entertaining, or informative content.

Video ideas allow you to craft videos that align with your audience’s interests and needs.

You can create a calendar to keep you organized. Try new things, and be flexible with your content.

Test Your Video Ideas with Keyword Research

It’s one thing to create an engaging video; it is another for viewers to see them. This is why you need to optimize your content so viewers can discover your videos.

Then, how do you optimize your content?

• Use captivating video titles. These will compel your audience to watch your videos.

• Use a catchy description. YouTube will only show the first few sentences from your description, so use attention-grabbing text.

• Use tags, thumbnails, and keywords. It will help viewers know what your video is talking about. It will also help YouTube understand your content. With keyword research, it will be easy to associate it with other similar videos.

Get the Right Equipment for Your YouTube Needs

The choice of equipment is influenced by the nature of the YouTube video content you wish to produce.

But you’re just starting and need to use what you have. You can start with your smartphone camera, mini microphone, decent camera (if you have one), and ring light. Most upcoming YouTube content creators use room lightning/natural lightning in their videos.

Subsequently, you can upgrade to fancy equipment to create high-quality YouTube videos — invest in equipment like shutters, cameras, and LED lights.

Find free video editing software like Capcut and Canvas to edit your videos. Polish your video to the best. Ask for feedback and review. You don’t need to be perfect to do anything. Watch videos on editing to learn more. With consistency, you get better.

Create Video Content

You are closer to starting your YouTube channel. Congratulations!!!

Now you have your equipment in place, your scripts, you know what title and descriptions to use. Go at it.

Since it’s your first video, create an intro-ish video. This can be a short video introducing yourself and explaining what your content will be about.

It’s great to have a signature introduction that everyone will vibe to. It could be a signature phrase.

Be concise and audible. Keep people engaged, as we all have short attention spans.

Spice it up with popular music. Use captivating visuals.

After you are done with your video, go ahead and upload it. Click on the upload video button and follow the instructions.

Afterward, you can create and upload videos in line with your channel.

5 Tips for Creating a Successful YouTube Channel

Yay! You have a channel already. You’re looking forward to people subscribing and also creating a lasting, successful channel. But first, read these tips:

Do it Right

It is essential not to create a YouTube channel simply because you’ve seen others do so. Also, don’t get worked up with the YouTube algorithm.

You may get tired and frustrated with low viewers and subscriber numbers. It happens.

Maintaining an online presence demands a significant investment of time and resources. So, you should have a genuine reason to endure the challenges of growing a YouTube channel.

Upload YouTube videos consistently

It’s important to understand that we tend to form habits, and your audience is no different.

So, maintain a regular schedule. It provides your subscribers with something to anticipate. It will also increase their return to your channel.

For instance, if you upload your videos on the same day every week as opposed to irregular uploads. Your viewers will be more inclined to engage with your content.

Furthermore, uploading videos regularly builds trust and loyalty with your audience. 

Promote your content and channel

If you have active followers and subscribers on other social media platforms, use the opportunity to promote your YouTube channel.

Create short videos on social media and then redirect them to your YouTube channel. Viewers are compelled to go through the stress if your videos are engaging. You can also put your YouTube link on your social media bio.

Be patient and realistic

Growing a YouTube channel takes time. Don’t be discouraged by your followers and subscribers. Most successful YouTube channels grow slowly at first and then rapidly.

For instance, it might take 12 months to reach 10,000 subscribers but only 6 months to take you from 10,000 to 50,000.

Be realistic. Don’t compare your channel to Mr. Beast’s or any channel with a high following.

Finally, the quality of your subscribers is more important than the number itself. A small group of genuine and loyal subscribers can bring you more revenue than a large group of disinterested subscribers.

Collaboration

Growth is critical in everything. Collaboration with other YouTubers can help your channel grow. It will also help you get a wider reach with people. It is fun working and creating unique content together.

When you collaborate, you create a support system among YouTube creators.

Choose and collaborate with people who share the same values as you. By doing this, you get high-quality content and also gain more exposure. You also build stronger relationships within the YouTube community.

Conclusion

Starting a YouTube channel is an opportunity to share your passions. You get to share and develop your talents and expertise as well.

So, don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t get it right the first time. Go at it again.

And take note of the tips in this article.

• Use an attractive channel art

• Plan your content and choose a niche that suits you.

• Learn basic video editing

• Start with a free video editing tool, but upgrade with time.

• Create high-quality videos, optimize them for search, and engage with your audience.

• Always check YouTube analytics to monitor watch time and other metrics

That’s the ultimate way to create a YouTube channel. Then, you can monetize with the YouTube Partner Program.

FURTHER READING: How to Join the YouTube Partner Program