Getting Started On YouTube

One of the FAQ's I get is 'How do I start a YouTube channel?' and 'How can I make it successful?'. Honestly there is no definitive, all powerful answer I can give you, I haven't fully mastered it myself! What I can do though is give you some tips to send you on your merry way. 

Getting Started

First of all you need to get set up, create your Google account and make sure you have thoroughly thought your URL name through. The URL name will be with your channel forever and it's usually the most common thing all YouTuber's wish they could change later on. You can change your channel name (the name that appears under your videos), just change your username on Google+ and oila! But the URL, that guy sticks with you. 

Equipment

You don't need a big fancy DSLR if your just using it to film the odd video, but if you are looking to really get stuck in and love photography as well, it's always a good thing to save up for. If you have a slightly smaller budget, then a good compact and a tripod will do you proud. If your looking for a good quality compact, let me point you in the direction of either Canon or Sony, both have amazing video functions on their compacts. As for lighting, if you are filming somewhere with very low light it's best to invest in a cheap lighting kit, you can get a good cheap box light from Ebay these days. If you have access to a direct source of natural light however (directly in front of a window) then you're good to go. 

When it comes to editing, it gets a little trickier. Setting up a camera and filming is pretty straightforward, but if you want good quality videos that will keep a viewer interested then editing is vital. Most computers will come with a default video software like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie but you can also take a look at Final Cut if you want to invest or Adobe.  Make sure you're cutting out any 'ums' and pauses, keep in mind what you can and can't edit out when you're filming and it will be so much easier.

Promotion

Once you've filmed, edited and uploaded you're ready to start telling the world. In this situation social media is your best friend. Join as many blogger and YouTube groups as possible and promote your videos on their walls. Post your links to Twitter utilizing every hashtag ever invented. Also make a note of the regular twitter chats that happen every week and really get involved with the community, they're your target audience.

Other social media tools are Instagram, post a thumbnail and include the link to that video on your profile page. Pinterest is also handy, pin your videos to Pinterest, people will re-pin and then your video will be well and truly out in the world wide web.

If social media just isn't cutting it on its own, get involved with other YouTubers, organize collab videos through Facebook and Twitter. It helps their channel and yours in gaining more traffic. 

It basically comes down to community, get involved with the other YouTubers out there, talk to your viewers through social media and most importantly, enjoy yourself. Everyone is nervous in front of the camera at first, but after a few goes you oddly get used to talking to yourself.