Is YouTube a good platform to start a channel on?

Creating a YouTube channel is one of the most popular ways for video creators to build a brand and audience. But with so many creators on YouTube, how can you ensure your channel stands out from the crowd?
As of January 2019, there are more than 1 billion monthly users on Google’s video platform, who upload 300 hours of content every minute. With this much competition, it can be daunting to try and break through as an individual creator.

Before you launch your own YouTube channel -- or any other branded online presence -- it’s always best to do some research first. This article will explore why now is the perfect time to start a channel on YouTube, discuss whether or not that’s the right platform for you, and highlight some helpful tips if you decide to make that leap.

How to decide if YouTube is right for you

Before you start a YouTube channel, you’ll first need to decide if this is the right platform for you. If you’re not sure, these questions can help you decide.

•  What are your goals with this channel?
•  What type of content do you want to produce?
•  Do you have the tools and resources to succeed?
•  Is there a demand for your content?
•  Will you have the patience to see it through?

If you’re still not sure, don’t worry! YouTube isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. There are plenty of other ways to create content and develop a fanbase. Try out a few of these options to determine if YouTube is right for you.

•  Do you prefer visual or written content?
•  Do you have a certain niche or audience in mind?
•  What’s your preferred method of connecting with fans?

Start with a plan

Before you dive headfirst into creating content, it’s important to first sit down and create a plan. This will help you stay on track, avoid burnout, and ensure the channel has the best chance of succeeding.

•  What are your goals for the channel? What do you hope to achieve?
• What is your target audience?
• What type of content do you want to produce?
• What kind of tools and resources will you need?
• How will you monetize your channel?
• How often will you publish?
•  What is your plan for growing your channel?

Develop your content strategy

Once you’ve created a plan for the channel, it’s time to develop your content strategy. This will help you decide what type of content you want to publish and when.

•  What kind of videos does your audience want to see?
•  What type of videos are you capable of producing?
•  What are your strengths as a video creator?
•  What type of videos get the most views?
•  What type of content will help you build your audience?
•  What type of content will help you engage your audience?
•  What type of content will help you build your brand?
•  What type of content will help you acquire new subscribers?
•  What type of content will help you retain your current subscribers?
•  What type of content will help you monetize your channel?
•  What type of content will help you get discovered?
•  What type of content will help you stay authentic?

Produce quality video content

Even if you start with a modest, low-budget channel, you should always strive to create quality video content. Your videos should always be of the highest quality possible - even if you’re just starting out.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend thousands of dollars (although it is possible to spend that much starting a YouTube channel). Instead, you should strive to understand your audience, create content they will want to consume, and use the best tools possible to get your message across.

However, it’s important to remember that quality content doesn’t just happen overnight. It can take months or even years to create truly high-quality content. So, you should always strive to publish quality video content right away -- even if you’re just starting out.

Establish your brand and audience

Once you’ve published a few videos, it’s time to establish your brand and audience. This is where many creators tend to struggle. However, it’s actually fairly simple once you know what to do and have the patience to see it through.

Once you’ve published a few videos, it’s time to start engaging with your audience. This can be as simple as responding to comments, replying to emails, and interacting with fans on social media. You should also aim to create a consistent brand, complete with a logo and colour palette.

Once you’ve developed a consistent brand, it’s time to start building your audience. To do this, you need to understand who your target audience is, what they want, and how they consume content.
Once you’ve identified your audience, it’s time to start engaging with them. You can do this by asking questions, creating polls, hosting contests, and soliciting feedback from your audience.

Once you’ve started a channel on YouTube and followed these steps, you’re well on your way to creating an authentic, engaging, and profitable YouTube channel. However, remember that building a successful channel takes time and patience.

In order to stand out from the crowd and ensure your channel succeeds, you need to understand your audience, develop a content strategy, and produce quality video content at all times.