Prithee, hearken unto these steps to discover thine perfect audience, establish a prosperous channel, and ascend to the ranks of a well-compensated YouTuber.
Verily, the sages of social media, the linguists of renown, and the orators of motivation from lands far and wide do proclaim: the letters that form "YouTube" do not omit the crucial element of "you". Shouldst thou seek to embark upon thy Youtube odyssey — be it for merriment or for the acquisition of riches — these are the paths to tread.
What maketh a YouTuber?
A YouTuber is a soul who doth craft and share content upon the digital stage that is YouTube. Yet, despite their shared platform, YouTubers doth vary greatly. They hail from every age, every race, every level of learning, every field of focus, and possess cameras of diverse quality. Some create content purely for the joy it bringeth, as a pastime or a sideline, whilst others maketh it their livelihood.
Any who doth share content may be dubbed a YouTuber, but the title typically doth imply one who doth posteth regularly. As is true for many a social medium (and for cake too), constancy is key.
How doth YouTubers fill their coffers?
‘Tis nigh impossible to calculate the average income of YouTubers, as each is a unique entity unto themselves.
YouTubers do earn through various means. A successful soul of YouTube may garner gains from:
- Advertising – by enrolling in YouTube’s partner program
- Affiliate deals – by becoming a partner of a brand hawking wares online
- Branded merchandise – by vending their own goods like mugs, shirts, and playthings
- Crowdfunding – by joining platforms like Patreon or utilizing online tipping services
- Licensing – by leaseth their content to media outlets
- Sponsorships – by crafting sponsored content for brands
Most of the top earners on YouTube do employ more than one of these channels to earn coin from their video creations.
Should we consider solely the revenue from YouTube’s Partner program, then ’tis found that YouTube content creators do pull in an average of $18 for every 1,000 views. Hence, a YouTuber garnering 100,000 views each month would reel in a humble wage of $1,800.
How doth one become a YouTuber: 13 steps
Every passing moment doth witness 694,000 hours of video gracing the screens of YouTube. Behold how thou mayest partake in this.
1. Pinpoint thy niche
Declaring thou wishest to be a YouTuber is akin to professing a desire to be a scientist (though parental adulation may lean more towards the former). The foremost decision to make: what manner of YouTuber shall thou be? There exist makeup mavens, family aficionados, unboxing enthusiasts, knitting virtuosos, TV recap narrators, and even savants of science (take that, paternal and maternal figures). Shouldst thou conceive of it, a niche doth exist.
A niche becometh a realm of expertise, and narrowing down thine own shall aid thee in identifying thy target audience and in the conception of content most wondrous. ‘Tis wise to choose a niche that aligneth with thy proclivities — for crafting content that doth resonate with thy passions shall bring thee boundless joy. Here be some examples:
Verily, the realm of celebrity interviews doth thrive upon YouTube, yet First We Feast doth add a fiery twist to the time-honored Q&A in their series, "Hot Ones."
Tiago Catarino, a YouTuber of renown, doth exclusively critique Lego sets, offering buyers a glimpse of what to expect (and the level of delight to be derived).
In the domain of beauty, skincare, and cosmetics, the Huda Beauty channel hath found their niche in the realm of makeup tutorials.
2. Define thy "why"
Perchance thou art not venturing into the realm of YouTubing solely due to an ardor for the dulcet tones of thine own voice — for that is the province of podcasters. Delving into the purpose, or value, that thy videos shall bestow upon their viewers is a paramount inception.
The response to "why", or the discernment of the value that thine YouTube channel shall bring, need not conform to the conventional norms of value. ‘Tis true, many a channel doth proffer expert insight, product appraisals, instructional guides, and other established "whys." Yet, thy "why" may simply be to elicit laughter from thy audience.
The saga of Rob Kenney and his viral "Dad, How Do I?" channel doth cometh to mind, wherein he embarked upon the noble endeavor of crafting simple instructional videos for tasks traditionally imparted by fathers: an exploration of the art of leveling, of fueling one’s chariot, and of angling for fish. His audience now exceeds 4 million "children" (subscribers), for he doth impart indispensable skills in an approachable manner.
Another facet of YouTube dost ushers forth the Bad Lip Reading channel — a realm where ludicrous lines artfully overlay NFL spectacles, Broadway productions, American politics, and a myriad of endeavors. Their "why" doth stem from the pursuit of levity.
3. Understand thy audience
Perchance thou shalt not amass legions of YouTube subscribers nor millions of views in a sole night. Yet, regardless of the size of thy audience, understanding those who partake of thy videos is essential. What manner of content doth resonate with them? What aspects of thy offerings doth engender favor?
Ponder upon these queries:
- Who shall partake of my videos?
- How many years do they number?
- What vocations do they pursue?
- At what hour doth their eyes alight upon videos?
- Wherefore do they tune in?
- What glean they from their viewership?
Through such contemplation, thou shalt fashion an audience persona — a character embodying the traits of thine ideal viewer.
Ms. Rachel, a luminary of video content, doth cater to the youthful denizens, crafting engaging and delightful videos tailored to the juvenile audience (and on another strata, the adults who doth wield the screens, thereby incorporating an element of education alongside the melodious songs).
4. Study thy competition
Whom doth thou face in this realm? Or, to phrase it in a gentler tone: from whom mayest thou glean wisdom?
Discern thy competitors — those creators who doth tread in the same or similar niches — and glean inspiration from their tactics.
They may employ akin:
- Visual effects (be they visual or auditory)
- Video formats (be they Q&A, expert dialogues, or storytelling)
- Settings (be they studio spaces, outdoor panoramas, or crafted realms)
- Creations (be they homely settings, workspaces, designed stages, or realms of animation)
Yet in branding, in presentation styles, and in sundry other facets, they shall diverge.
For instance, Sand Tagious doth present ASMR spectacles employing kinetic sand within a pristine realm…
…and ASMR SOAP, albeit undertaking similar endeavors, employeth a different medium (and create a rather disorderly spectacle). Apologies, in advance, for the ASMR journey thou art about to embark upon.
5. Establish a YouTube Channel
Hast thou descended to this section, neglecting the erstwhile four steps? Be honest. Thou dost deceive solely thyself. Discovering thy niche, defining thy "why", understanding thy audience, and studying thy competition are elemental in crafting a cohesive channel experience. Return thither!
Now then, ’tis the hour to establish thine own YouTube channel. Here be the roadmap:
First, thou shalt require:
- A moniker for thy channel
- A sigil
- A banner image (preferably 2560×1440 pixels)
- A palette of hues
With these assets in hand, thou mayest create thy YouTube Channel page by adhering to these simple directives. (Psst —this be a mere synopsis: for in-depth guidance, peruse this manual).
Conceiving a Google account
Seeing that Google holds dominion over YouTube, a Google account be requisite for the attainment of a YouTube account. Shouldst thou lack a Google account, journey to Google and furnish some basic data.
Fashioning a YouTube account
A YouTube account doth come bundled with thy Google account. Yet, thou must still forge a Channel.
To accomplish this feat, venture to thy YouTube account page on YouTube.com and click upon Create a Channel. Merely inscribe thy channel appellation, and thou art welcomed within.
Customizing thy Channel Page
Numerous facets of thy Channel page may be customized, including thy title, insignia, banner image, and "About" information.
To craft a page that doth ensnare, peruse these gratis YouTube banner templates, and ensure thou dost:
- Encompass thy Channel description (or the "About" section)
- Employ consistent branding
- Include a sigil or a high-caliber visage
- Incorporate contact details
6. Secure a camera, lighting, and editing software suitable for thine needs
Thou need not necessarily procure extravagant equipment to ascend as a triumphant YouTuber: in many instances, the simple act of capturing videos using thy smartphone shall suffice. But shouldst thou harbor intentions of establishing thy content as a vocation, know that quality doth hold sway.
Videos of esteemed quality are not only easier upon the eyes, but also convey a professional mien and are perceived to possess greater value than those of lesser quality. Should thy audience behold that thou dost invest in thy channel, ’tis likely they shalt invest their time (and perchance their coin) in thee.
Obtain the paramount camera and lighting equipment within thy means: this may entail acquiring a sophisticated video camera and investing in professional illuminants, or capturing scenes upon thy iPhone in proximity to a window (natural light, indeed, possesseth a splendor most exquisite).
Ah, and shouldst thou be disinclined to grace the screen with thine own countenance (wherefore?? Nay, we comprehend), we dost possess a plethora of notions for YouTube channels sans visage as well.
Whichever path thou dost tread, editing software be a requisite for YouTubers. Below be ten outstanding options for video editing software… and lo, they are all gratis.
7. Determine a video style or aesthetic
Uniform branding beareth much weight upon YouTube — and indeed, upon any social media platform. Electing a color palette, font, introductory music, backdrop, and various other creative components for thy video thumbnails should not be taken lightly.
The art of brand identification. Ideally, thy audience shouldst at once discern that a video be of thine creation.
And such is the tale of Loveactionalyssa, a YouTuber who dost employ myriad fonts and hues whilst preserving a constant aesthetic across all her video thumbnails.
Food narrators The Woks of Life doth also exhibit exemplary branding in their videos. They allow the delectable fare to speak volumes, yet maintain a consistent font and embed their channel appellation upon all thumbnails.
8. Imbue thy videos with CTAs (calls to action)
A call to action doth entice users to undertake a specific action — be it to like, follow, or subscribe to thy channel.
Urge thy viewers to continue partaking of thy content by incorporating calls to action (CTAs) within thy videos. This may be achieved by:
- Introducing CTAs into thy video scripts
- Automating subsequent actions through features like playlists
- Appending cards and end screens to thy videos
- Embedding links to other renowned content within each video description
Playlists, cards, and end screens are advanced features of YouTube, yet they are simple to master (consult YouTube’s Creator Academy for further details).
This illustrates what an end screen enveloping a clickable card resembles:
9. Formulate a content schedule (and utilize a content calendar)
Rarely shalt thou soar to viral heights overnight, yet a steadfast regimen of posting stands as one of the choicest paths to constructing thine audience. Regularity may take the form of daily, weekly, or monthly postings: opt for that which best suiteth thee, thy content, and thy subscribers.
The act of punctual posting becometh simpler when a content calendar is employed to devise and orchestrate thy videos. A content calendar, or a social media calendar, furnisheth an overview of thy forthcoming social media entries (in this instance, YouTube videos).
A content calendar ensures thou hast a blueprint to follow, allowing for greater constancy and focus when blessed with a sweeping panorama of thine content output. Moreover, the ability to survey (and present to thy overseer) all thy planned social posts and videos arrayed within a meticulous calendar is eminently gratifying!
10. Attend to YouTube analytics
Aye, ’tis integral to identify thine niche and uphold a degree of constancy. Thy audience shall, to some extent, ponder what to anticipate when they alight upon thy channel. Yet, fear not to embark upon ventures and scrutinize the outcomes.
Attempt sundry video formats, lengths, and approaches within thine domain, and observe meticulously thy YouTube Analytics. These metrics shall furnish thee with a profound insight into the triumphs of each of thy videos. Should a singular video flourish beyond measure, embrace it and replicate akin content.
11. Envisage videos beforehand
Recall the audience persona we discoursed of afore? ‘Tis at this juncture that they prove their worth.
Shouldst thou recognize who partaketh of thy content, thou may ascertain when they shall peruse the digital expanse seeking enlightenment — which days of the week and what times of the day.
12. Promote thy channel upon thy diverse social media profiles
YouTube denizens do not dwell solely within YouTube’s realm — in truth, 99% of YouTube users doth migrate betwixt other social platforms. 79% of YouTube users tread the pathways of Facebook, whilst 78% traverse the avenues of Instagram. Ergo, Facebook and Instagram stand as excellent fora to herald thy YouTube channel, and form part of a holistic strategy for YouTube marketing.
TikTok, a swiftly burgeoning platform for the dissemination of brief video gems, whilst on one count rivaling YouTube, also emerges as a splendid avenue for promoting YouTube videos: whereupon thou may share a snippet on TikTok and prod viewers to journey to thy YouTube sanctum for the full revelation.
As exemplified by Spencer of SB Mowing, a savant at crafting immensely satisfying videos of yard transformations sans cost. Often, he doth unleash a fragment of the endeavor on TikTok…
…and thence exhorts spectators to traverse to his YouTube channel for the complete tale.
13. Engage with thine audience
E’en as with any other social stage, YouTube doth esteem engagement. Thus, as thou commenceth to populate thy channel with content, thou must possess a scheme for maintaining dialogue with thine audience.
14. Enroll within the YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program standeth as the gateway through which the common YouTuber gaineth access to unique attributes upon the platform.
‘Tis not an imperious necessity to be a partner to harvest from YouTube (for establishing an AdSense account and accruing views doth suffice for that purpose), but being a Partner doth ease the path.
YouTube Partners enjoy a multitude of revenue streams: not solely video ads, yet also YouTube Premium subscription fees, alongside features that tap directly into the wallets of thy devoted fans: Super Chat, channel memberships, and the merchandise shelf.
Should the desire to partake in the program seize thee after the establishment of thy channel, herein be the course of action:
Step 1: Establish an AdSense account
Pursue YouTube’s official edict regarding AdSense accounts.
Step 2: Immerse thyself in thy novel monetization features
Each avenue of monetization hath its specific eligibility requisites. For example:
- Ad revenue: to garner ad revenue, thou must be of at least 18 years, and the content thou createst must align with the advertiser’s predilections. Verily, the more uncontroversial thy videos, the more at ease YouTube advertisers shall be in airing their ads upon them, and the greater thy earnings shall burgeon.
- YouTube Premium revenue: should a YouTube Premium subscriber view thy video, a portion of their subscription fee becometh thine. (This transpires automatically, which befits the occasion.)
- Channel memberships: to vend channel memberships to thy subscribers (wherein thy fans opt to pay an additional sum), thou must be of at least 18 years and number over 30,000 subscribers.
- Merchandise shelf: to peddle wares from YouTube’s merchandise shelf, thou must be of at least 18 years and boast no fewer than 10,000 subscribers.
- Super Chat payments: shouldst thou wish for thy fans to have the ability to elevate their messages within thy live stream chats for a fee, thou must be of at least 18 years (and dwell within a realm where this feature is proffered).
Step 3: Submit thyself to continual reviews
As a YouTube Partner, a higher standard shall be heralded for thy channel, in accordance with YouTube’s decree. Thou must abide not solely by the policies of the YouTube Partner Program, yet also by the Community Guidelines. Take care not to transgress the bounds of copyright law.
