How to start a successful YouTube channel for beginners

Creating a YouTube channel is a great way to build your personal brand, connect with new audiences and drive traffic to your own website or blog. But starting a YouTube channel isn’t always easy.

If you’re new to video or not confident in front of the camera, it can feel like an intimidating undertaking. However, with the right preparation and some careful strategic planning, you can launch a successful YouTube channel from the get-go.

A successful YouTube channel requires preparation and strategic planning from the very beginning if you want it to succeed. It's more than just signing up for an account, uploading videos and hoping for the best. There are numerous things you need to take into consideration before diving head first into creating your very own channel.

What is a YouTube channel and why should you have one?

A YouTube channel is a collection of videos that are all associated with one another on the site. Your channel can be a hub for all of your videos, blog posts, website content and information about who you are and what you do. It is a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your field and build your personal brand.

If you create valuable content that has a large following, you can build a business around your channel and turn it into a sustainable source of income. A successful YouTube channel also helps build your authority and credibility in your industry. Having your own channel can help you stand out from the competition by showcasing your personality and providing a behind-the-scenes look at your work.

Select your video genre(s)

There are tons of different video genres that you can choose from when starting your channel. The first step is to choose which one(s) you want to focus on. You should try to pick genres that are popular and will help you build an engaged audience, but also ones that fit your skill set. If you have experience in a particular field, such as baking or makeup, then YouTube provides you with the opportunity to monetize your content.

For each video you upload, you have the option to enable ads that will earn you money. The more views your channel gets and the more engaged your followers are, the more money you will earn through advertising. So it is important to select a genre that you can excel in and that is also popular among other YouTubers.

Decide on your anchor content

Anchor content refers to the main type of content you will be uploading to your channel. This could be recipes, makeup tutorials, travel vlogs or product reviews.

You want this to be the type of content that your followers will come to expect from you on a regular basis. A general tip is to have at least one video uploaded to your channel per week, but ideally one per day. This helps to establish and build up your channel quickly and ensures that you are delivering consistent content.

Anchor content is also important because it can dictate the type of audience that your channel attracts. For example, if you upload makeup tutorials, you will likely attract a different demographic than if you focus on travel vlogs.

Pick your branding colour(s)

As soon as potential viewers click on your channel, the first thing that stands out is the branding. This includes the colour palette, the logo, and any graphics or visual elements. The colour you choose to use on your channel will help to brand you and your content, so it is important that you choose wisely.

The best way to select colours is to think about the kind of message you want to send with your channel, and the type of audience you want to attract. For example, if you are creating a beauty channel, and want to appeal to a younger audience, you should consider using warm, vibrant colours like red or orange. If, however, you want to appeal to a more mature audience, cooler colours like blue or purple might be better suited.

Choose your equipment

As with any type of content creation, you will need some equipment and resources to get started. The type of gear you decide to use will depend on the type of videos that you create and the quality that you want them to be.

There are numerous articles online that discuss the best types of equipment to use for different video genres. You can also consider renting gear for the first few videos to get a feel for what you like using and what works best for you.

The most important piece of equipment that every YouTuber needs is a computer or laptop that can be used to edit and produce the videos. The software you choose will vary depending on the type of content you create.

Create your ad campaign

An ad campaign refers to the type of advertising that you will be doing on YouTube. There are two types of campaigns that you can choose from: An In-Stream video ad or an In-display text ad. Both of these types of ads are shown to users as they watch videos.

In-Stream ads are shown before your video starts and play with the video itself. These ads are short 15- to 20-second videos that are designed to be engaging.
In-Display ads are shown at the top of the results page when someone is watching a video. These ads typically use a short paragraph or a few bullet points to catch someone’s attention.

Before you start creating ads and uploading videos, take time to develop a strategy for your campaign. What are the benefits of your channel that you want to highlight? What types of videos do you want to focus on and upload? Where do you want to promote your channel? Having a plan in place will help you to stay on track and launch your channel successfully.

Summary

Starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to build your personal brand and connect with new audiences. But it isn’t always easy, especially if you’re new to video or not confident in front of the camera. A successful channel requires careful planning and strategy from the very beginning.

Select a video genre that you excel in, but also attracts a specific audience. Decide on a colour palette that reflects the type of message you want to send, and choose the type of equipment you will use to record videos. Once you have your strategy in place, you can create your ads and start uploading your first videos.