So, you wanna start a YouTube channel? I feel ya and I know exactly what you’re thinking… It’s been a tough year, so far. We’re all trapped inside, looking for new ways to learn new skills or even to make a lil money, and YouTube is the doorway to that world. With 500 hours of content being uploaded EVERY HOUR, almost anything which you could ever want to learn, you could do through YouTube. So, you dive in.
I’m sure you even have a list of your favorite channels or vloggers. I know I do! Beit Think Media or Cathrin Manning, I spend at least around an hour a day watching the Tube. Worldwide, around 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube everyday! And what are those channels about? Well, gone are the days of constant cat videos and blooper outtakes. Nowadays, people are watching DIY videos, Vloggers, Fitness, and various other “talking head” style videos with a quest to learn something new.
Why Listen to Me
In my case, a lot of my “research” these days are focused on making money and being my own boss, as are a lot of other people. Especially during this time of crisis with the pandemic. So far in 2020, I’ve done research in Online Marketing and Ads, Amazon FBA, Shopify and Dropshipping, Print on Demand, SEO, and you guessed it, Vlogging on YouTube.
Out of all the topics I’ve looked into, YouTube is one of the most easily accessed income sources also having the lowest entry costs, in my opinion. All you do is point the camera, press record, publish your video, and you’re instantly viral, right? Well, maybe… I know a lot of the vloggers I watch would surely suggest this scenario; Telling me just how easy it is to be off to the races on youTube and raking in those dollars from all your views and ad revenue. But is it really that easy?
In this article, I’m going to go into a little more detail about what it takes to start a YouTube and some of the best practices you can choose while recording your first videos for your channel. If you’re interested, you can even watch my video I published on this topic on my very own YouTube channel by clicking HERE!
Plan Your Content
So, like the title says, the first thing you’re going to want to do is to plan your content, and this really comes into play at two points. The first is to plan the content of your channel. What are you going to talk about long term and what do you want the channel to be all about? The second is to plan your content per video.
Niche Down… Sorta
Now, if you’re like me, I know what you’re thinking… “But how am I supposed to know what I want my channel to be about already? I haven’t even started, yet!” And you would be accurate in thinking these kinda thoughts. When we are first starting out, a lot of us new YouTubers don’t really know what we want to talk about. We just want to get in front of the camera and talk about all the things! Maybe even just record all the awesome days we lead in our lives and let people live vicariously through us!
While this is okay to a certain extent, you really should know what direction you’d like to go. I like learning new things, helping people, and giving advice. Personally, I also want to take on the challenge of fellow YouTubers to see if what they’re telling me is the truth about how to start a youtube and make it successful. So, I’m going to be giving tips on the process of beginning a YouTube from a beginner YouTuber’s point of view and share all the things as I grow with my audience.
Topic Pasta: Pick your Passion and See What Sticks
Now, you may not like the same things as me, and that’s fine. Honestly, it would be less competition for me if you didn’t. ;P That said, generally when you start a YouTube, you want to pick something in which you’re really interested! Maybe that’s baseball, crafts, painting, working out, or making music… Just pick something you like, something which you’ll be able to talk about for a good amount of time, and roll with it.
Once you have the general idea of what you want your new YouTube to be about, then you can kinda throw that “Topic Pasta” at the wall. If you’re into music, maybe you can talk about various mics for recording or what kind of music goes best with certain activities. If you like to cook, you can pair foods with other things or do cooking challenges… Whatever it is, this is the part where you get to be creative in your topic content.
And if there are those of you asking, “Why then can’t I just record my daily life?” Well, is your daily life REALLY *THAT* interesting? If it is and you think your new YouTube channel should be all about it, then please: Do it! But for most of us, that’s not really the case. You could even try it Casey Neistat style and include some of your daily life in your vlogs, but personally, I don’t go on YouTube specifically to watch other people live their lives. I have my own to live!
Make an Outline
Now that you have a general idea of what topic you’re going to talk about, you’re on your way to making your first video about it! At this point, a lot of people do a sort of welcome video to welcome viewers to their new YouTube Channel, but personally, I think this is just wasted time. If you’ve NEVER recorded yourself or edited a video before, then maybe it may be a good way for you to practice doing so. Though, in my mind, unless you’re someone notable/famous already, no one is going to care to be welcomed to your new channel. They’re probably just going to show up for the content which you’re going to provide them.
So, for this content, you’re going to want to make an outline per episode. Now, this is more of a personal preference kind of thing, but I think having an outline will help to keep your content a little more organized and keep you a little more on track with what you want to say.
I know I have a tendency to ramble. While rambling can be a good thing, as it often shows some good personality, it can also get carried away quickly. If you’re getting so off point on a topic that you’re having trouble either finding the point or remembering where you started, then you’re going to want to stick to an outline. And that’s not to say to script down and do it word for word, but to just stay a little more focused on the topic at hand, and an outline is perfect for this.
Cut It Out
I’m sure at this point, you’re finding you’re maybe not as good on camera as you may have first thought. If you’re breathing a lot, saying things like “um” and “uh”, or looking away from the camera, then you’re going to detract a lot from the viewers of your new YouTube channel. But have no fear! Instead of redoing your clips a million times to get just the right take, remember you can make edits post-filming in your editing software.
Oh, great… Editing Software? What’s My Best Option?
Honestly, whichever video editing software you already know or have, is going to be the best choice for you to start a YouTube and make videos. In my case, I’m currently using Windows Movie Maker which isn’t even really available anymore. I think they stopped production back in Windows 7, but I went back and dug it outta the dirt because it’s one I’m already sort of comfortable using. I think the Mac equivalent to this is iMovie (?).
You’re going to want to start with something simple. Another example with which I came up in my research was Filmora9. These softwares aren’t going to produce the best, most extensive, movie-quality results, but they’re going to get you on your feet and moving at a comfortable pace when you’re just starting out. “You have to learn to walk before you can run”, afterall.
Learn As You Go
One idea while you’re working on your first videos (and the one I chose) is to learn a more advanced film editing software in the background. Meaning, use the simple software to get your videos out, but while you’re doing that, work on learning the harder software. Once again, you won’t be putting out movie-quality results, but that’s okay. It’s more important to get your content out there and get moving.
A coupla examples of more advanced software are Adobe’s Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve. Actually, Davinci Resolve has a FREE version, which is the path I chose. Mac users can also opt to use Final Cut Pro. Along with being professional-level editing software, you’re also going to find a vast amount of information on how to use them. You can find this either via their websites, online learning facilities like Udemy, or, you guessed it, via YouTube.
Use What You Have Already
It seems a little counterintuitive talking about the most popular thought on everyone’s mind when you start a YouTube THIS far down the page, but to me, that’s because it’s not the most important thought. No offense, of course, to those who would disagree. If you’re not sure to which thought I’m referring, I’m talking about whether or not you should be investing in a fancy camera.
The short answer? No.
The long answer? Still No…….. At least, not yet. If you want my reasoning, then hear me out…
Using Your Cell Phone for Vlogging in 2020
Cell phone tech is just too good. Honest. For everything you’re going to need to start a YouTube channel and get it up off the ground, your cell phone is going to be MORE than enough… And that isn’t just talking about the camera. You may not get ALL the settings, but you’ll get the ones which you care most about.
At the time of writing this, I’m using a Samsung Galaxy S8 to record for my new YouTube channel. This phone is over three years old and it still has a front facing 8MP camera and is able to shoot in 1440 High Definition. Rear facing, it has a 12MP camera and is able to shoot in 4k at 30fps. That’s HUGE. I wouldn’t even recommend shooting in 4k when you start, but if you have this phone or any newer model, you’ll be able to, if you want.
Other notable features for this particular model phone are Tracking Auto Focus, 8x Digital Zoom, Hyperlapse, Slow and Super Slow modes, Video Digital Image Stabilization, touch screen display, and a myriad of other features. And this list doesn’t even get me started on the list of apps you can download to help you with just about any other issue which you may encounter. Also, if any of these features don’t entirely make sense to you, then you’re also making the right decision to just use your phone to start a YouTube Channel.
The biggest reason why you should start with your phone vs a camera is because you, like most people, are probably reading this article on one, right now. No added expense necessary.
Investing into a Vlogging Camera for YouTube Means More than Just Money
The keyword here is: Investing. Yes, cameras can be expensive and so can their components. Furthermore, they have a bit of a learning curve, as well. So, they can be expensive for the time it takes to learn them, too. These are the kind of reasons why I don’t think it’s necessary to start a YouTube by immediately going out and buying a new camera.
I was fortunate enough to borrow a Canon EOS m50 for a while to see what I thought and I do admit… It’s nice. It has a 24MP sensor, 4k shooting mode, flipping touch display, Canon’s Dual Pixel Autofocus, Tracking Autofocus, interchangeable lenses, is Bluetooth and WiFi connectable, and has every setting you could ever want in a professional camera.
Aside from the rich list of features, there’s just something about holding the camera in your hands and feeling legit. That seems to be regardless of expertise, but I’m sure it only accentuates the feels. While I do know camera basics, I definitely had to do some research when this camera was handed to me, in order to know what I was doing.
Yeah, this camera is awesome, but the same things which make it so, are the very things you should avoid when you’re just starting out. There’s A LOT to learn. Just getting down topics like ISO, Aperture, and shutter speed could take you an afternoon or more. Throw in white balance, dynamic ranges, focal lengths, and what have you, and you’re looking at some solid time to invest.
Oh, But Wait. You Should Still Consider The Money…
Arguably, the biggest consideration is the sheer expense. Most people don’t already have a standalone camera lying around. So, right off, you’re throwing down AT LEAST $500 for one of these. Then, picking up different lenses for your various shoots is going to cost you another $250 or more. While some cameras like Sony’s new ZV-1 vlogging camera sets you off with everything you need without interchangeable lenses, it still costs a nifty $800. And then, that may not even be something you want.
When it comes to buying a vlogging camera for your YouTube channel, things can get carried away very quickly. You really have to consider your needs and what you plan to do with it. If you just want the easiest solution to get your new YouTube channel going, use your phone. But if you want to spend the time and money to really learn your craft and/or even go professional with all this, then a camera is the right choice.
Just. Get. Started.
Isn’t there a famous shoe company whose motto is similar to this? Hmm… Maybe they knew how people can get when attempting something new and challenging. **Shrugs** Who knows, I guess… What I do know is it can be scary… or intimidating.. Or >insert adjective here<. Starting something new is never easy and putting yourself out there to be scrutinized by the public is among the toughest things you can probably do. I completely understand.
Zero to Ten Thousand Overnight?
I’m sure you’re aware of that old theory. You know. The one where it supposedly takes about 10,000 hours to master something? While this theory has had many holes poked through it, I think we can all agree that mastery is definitely not achieved whilst starting from zero. It takes time to learn new things and even become adequate at them; Let alone being a Master!
To newly start a YouTube Channel is NO DIFFERENT! You’re going to be rough. That’s just how it goes. You may be boring, monotonous, maybe not personable, nervous, etc. That’s where EVERYONE starts. I promise. If you’ve never been on camera before, you’re most likely going to be weird and that’s okay.
None of your favorite YouTubers were completely professional right at their start. You can go to their channel, scroll all the way to the start of their uploads, and see for yourself. While you’re there, have a good laugh. Don’t laugh AT them, but laugh WITH them. Share that moment because that’s the exact moment at which you are right now. You may get better faster than they did (and you may not), but you both have experienced and share this awkward moment of deciding to start a YouTube Channel.
The Fear of… Well… You.
For myself, I have some pretty bad social anxiety, in a way where I can’t even play music in my car at a traffic light without fear of being judged… Yeah. It gets THAT bad. Or it used to be. Honestly, I’ve been working on myself and my issues, and I’ve been seeing some really positive changes in my life. So much so that I actually felt comfortable enough to start a YouTube channel this year and truly put myself out there in the most vulnerable of ways. I’m there on camera, by myself, sending as many good vibes and new knowledge through the camera as I can, while trying to help people start their dreams.
So, when I say I understand the struggle, I mean that I truly do understand the struggle. Although, I’m telling you right now, it’ll be worth it. Even if you don’t get a bajillion views or become able to quit your job and be a full time YouTuber, just having taken the steps to get out of your comfort zone and get started with such an endeavor will benefit you in so many ways.
I’ll See You There
I guess that’s it then! That’s “all there is to it”. If you’re thinking about whether to start a YouTube channel in 2020 (or whenever, honestly), the former information will give you some good insights on what it takes. This is obviously not a complete list, and is also written from a beginner’s perspective, but the base knowledge comes from some of the top YouTube channels on the topic.
In the long run, there’s really not much you can do wrong. Any work you put towards your new channel will progress you as you take steps in the right direction. Get out your phone, stop worrying about how you look, and stop comparing yourself to others. Just get started, and remember: You got this.
You can thank me later and I’ll see you on YouTube. <3
Consider adding this to your YouTube board on Pinterest
While you’re over there working on your YouTube channel, you can stop by my channel, watch my vids, and give me some thumbs up, if you like what I’m doing! Hit that subscribe button and mark the lil bell icon, so you know when I put out new content.
If you have any questions, you can either leave a comment for me, or you can head to my home page and fill out the form to email me! I’d be more than happy to help you in any way I can feasibly.
Lastly, you should probably know some (but not all) of the links I provide in my articles are affiliate links. This doesn’t mean much and doesn’t cost you anything extra for using them. It really only gives me a portion of the profit if you click on them which does help my cause to create quality content for you. I would NOT endorse anything in which I don’t fully believe to be great, but legally speaking, I have to tell you.
In the meantime, I appreciate you and your time! Take it easy.
