You've probably heard time and again that the YouTube market is already saturated. So many people aspire to be creators and try to penetrate the competitive industry but end up getting frustrated. They've done everything in their power but could not meet their set objectives and goals. They feel discouraged to put out videos when they feel that they've continuously set themselves up for failure.
If you are an aspiring YouTube creator but are riddled with fear to even start, we'd like to give you some ounce of positivity to get yourself out there. You will be reaping a lot of benefits from a successful YouTube channel but if you don't even hit the Go signal, then don't expect rewards to go raining down from heaven. It helps that you know the benefits and that you've already imagined yourself as a successful brand. So yes, despite the stiff competition, we encourage you to go for your dreams and guide you on how you can navigate the world of YouTube.
So why should you start a YouTube channel?
If you have a business and want to expand and reach a wider market, having a YouTube channel would give your audience a chance to see more of what you offer. Of course, there is a big possibility that if you post consistent quality content, you would have a platform that can generate traffic for your brand or business. This of course can help you gain partnerships and collaborations with known brands from around the world. A YouTube channel is also another income stream wherein you can earn from every ad shown when someone is watching your vlog or you can directly get hired by big brands to market their products and services.
And since you'll be enjoying a lot of benefits, starting a YouTube channel is the way to go. It's fairly simplistic; what you need to start with is a Google account that you will use to log into YouTube. Once that's set, you may choose a profile and cover photo as well as say something that describes what your channel is. You can also include here your contact details on how they can reach you anytime, anywhere. After logging in to your new account and customizing your profile, it's time to start uploading videos. Make sure you use SEO titles, descriptions, and hashtags so that your video is easily accessible.
If you're the type who gets affected by criticism, both positive and negative, filter out what activities can be done in your channel. You set yourself who can comment, like a vlog in your channel, and eventually hit the Subscribe button.
You should make sure that your content is reaching your desired audience. You can make use of keywords and relevant search information to increase traffic to your channel. It's important that you allot time for thinking about what title you'll use, the tags you'll put, and the description of the video that you'll provide. Trust us, all of these help in making your video discoverable not only on YouTube but also in search engines like Google. Remember that Google owns YouTube so these two are very much integrated with each other.
And now, here are tips on how you can increase your engagement on your YouTube channel.
First off is to have a content plan.
People need something to identify your content with. When they think of this certain topic, they already know that your YouTube channel is where they want to go. So in order for your channel to have that cohesive direction, you must plan what videos you will be posting on schedule. This helps you as well to make your content interesting to your viewers as you have a clear file of what you have already done and what among your past videos clicked to the audience. There are others who don't follow a certain theme for their channel and they also click with their audience because of a distinct voice and style. You can opt for that or you can also have a strong theme to strictly follow.
Next is to invest in the right equipment. If you don't have the budget, you can always shoot using your phone. But if you want to take things up a notch, why not buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera that can upgrade the quality of your videos in an instant. Others also use basic studio lighting and a tripod for better quality and stability. You can also invest in a microphone to make your voice clear and easy to understand. In terms of your workspace, you can invest in ergonomic furniture to help you stay alert and focused while you're working on your videos. You will have long editing and planning days so you will most likely be sitting for extended hours. You’d want to protect your health by having an ergonomic office chair and a height adjustable standing desk.
Quality videos draw viewers and help you win loyal subscribers.
The third tip is to get inspired by other creators. Do your research and see what works for other vloggers, what's the trend, and what are people currently watching. Be inspired by these vloggers before you sit down and write how you can put your own twist on these viral concepts. You can also of course draw inspiration from other things as well such as your everyday sightings, films, documentaries, art, music, etc.
Over time, after you've been doing videos for quite a while, you'll get better at selecting what shots work for you. Make sure you always shoot more than one angle of a subject. Make sure you have many options and backups if you are doing a spiel. This would help make your YouTube videos of top-notch quality that will attract and engage viewers to your content.
Once the video has been uploaded, be friendly. Create a community from those who subscribed to your channel. You can create a private Telegram chat, Facebook group, or Discord server where you can connect with your subscribers. If you don't have that much time, you can still engage with them by replying to the comments that you received in your videos. They will get to know you more and you also get to know the type of audience that you attract. You will learn a lot from each other.
And of course, you should regularly update your channel by uploading videos consistently. You can even have a fixed upload schedule to help you manage your time and for viewers to visit your channel every time you have a new upload.
