The Ultimate Guide To Youtube: Everything You Need To Know
Starting a Youtube career can be intimidating and often seem inaccessible, but it doesn’t have to be. I conducted a ton of research and tested countless products and services in order to efficiently start my Youtube ventures. I am now very happy with my channel, and I want to extend this knowledge onto you lovely readers. In this Ultimate Youtube Guide I will take you through the process of having a Youtube career from start to finish.
Every product mentioned within this article I own and actively use, and I did so on a tight budget. Any product on this list is an affordable option that still delivers on quality. So while there may be cheaper options available, these products are the biggest -bang-for-your-buck.
By the end of this article you will have everything you need to start a Youtube channel, and you’ll know how to grow and monetize your channel to the point of success. Excited yet? Let’s jump on into the Ultimate Youtube Guide!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links where I earn commission from qualifying purchases. However, I will never recommend a product or service I don’t have 100% faith in. Enjoy!
Content
Why Start A Youtube Channel?
Before I jump into my product recommendations, I want to explain why I encourage readers to start a Youtube channel. Honestly, anyone can – and should – have a Youtube channel. There isn’t a niche or hobby that can’t benefit from posting video content to Youtube.
Heck, these days you don’t even have to show your face if you don’t want to (although for the purposes of this article, I will be assuming you will be). The site has countless types of creators and I promise there is a content creation style that fits your comfort zone. This flexibility is exactly why I find Youtube channels to be a great addition to any brand.
How Does Youtube Help My Brand?
The reason I advocate for Youtube content creation is that it is the best way to gain a personalized fanbase that really connects with you. This is especially true for those who do show their face on the platform. I would even say this is the best and most powerful way to gain a dedicated audience.
These valuable viewers are far more likely to follow your links and engage with your other forms of content than the audience from more impersonal platforms. Youtube is a great way to gain a following that genuinely trusts you and your opinions / recommendations.
Add in Youtube’s generous ad compensation – which does vary from niche to niche – along with some well placed affiliate links, and Youtube can be a great way to further monetize your brand. By now you’re hopefully convinced about the power of Youtube, so let’s jump on into the logistics of starting up a Youtube career.
What You Need To Get Started
- Webcam (logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam 1080P Camera for HD Video Streaming & Recording)
- Microphone (Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone)
- Video Editing Software (Videopad)
- Lights (Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light with Adjustable Tripod Stand and Color Filters)
- Green Screen (Elgato Green Screen – Collapsible Chroma Key Panel For Background Removal)
- Photo Editing Software (Pixlr)
- Laptop/Computer (XPS 15)
Now I will describe each product I recommend and why I think they make great additions to any Youtube setup.
Microphone
A decent microphone is necessary for anyone who wants to venture into the domain of Youtube. Whether you do reviews, video narrations, reactions, voice-overs, you name it, you’ll need a decent mic. It is unlikely that any webcam you use (especially affordable ones) will record your audio effectively.
Now the microphone I use is technically not the cheapest you can find from online retailers, but it is my personal favorite. The Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone (as of current pricing) is the best bang-for-your-buck deal out there. I also got my own during an equivalent deal.
The Razer Seiren X Is A Great Mic For Youtube And Streaming
At $72.66 (typically retails for $99.99) the Razer Seiren X is priced only slightly above less desirable mics, and down right cheaper than rivaling mics. This is why I chose it when starting off my Youtube channel.
The mic itself is quite impressive. It connects to the computer through a simple USB connection, and it sits upon a nearly flat round stand. The microphone is incredibly easy to use and just sits in front of the monitor or laptop (I use a laptop for work myself).
The sound quality is perfectly fine especially for any beginner. I have yet to feel the need to upgrade, and I intend on using this product for a while. I couldn’t recommend the Razer Seiren X more for any starting Youtuber.
Additionally (as the name suggests), the Razer Seiren X USB Streaming Microphone is a great mic for streaming too. Streaming is a great way to grow your Youtube community, and I highly recommend trying it out sometime.
Webcam
This one is technically optional if you are working on a laptop like I am. My XPS 15 comes with a decent camera built-in. In fact, I initially tried starting my Youtube career without buying a separate webcam. However, after toying with the quality of my content, I decided to make a worthy investment, and I am glad I did.
I ended up purchasing the Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam. My recordings were not high quality enough to stand out, and if I am not impressed, I can’t expect any other viewers to be either. I also realized that a high quality webcam can help me create worthy thumbnails for my content.
The Logitech C922 Pro Makes Beginners Look Professional
Long story short, I encourage even new Youtubers to invest in the quality of their content and their recordings. Now this is why the Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam is the perfect investment. The webcam works exceptionally well despite the affordable price tag. My thumbnail pictures are top-notch and the video content comes out crisp and clear.
As I mentioned earlier, I was on the fence about even purchasing a webcam at all, but I am really glad I grabbed this one. If you really want to save some money, you can skip out on a decent webcam for now, and just work with what you have available. However, I personally think a solid webcam is worth having even from the start, and I highly recommend getting one.
What About A Camera?
A high-quality camera is a great choice for Youtube! However, I do not recommend running out and buying a camera when first starting off. In fact, I would say this is the last thing you should do. I wouldn’t buy a high-grade camera for Youtube until you are making decent money from your channel.
An impressive camera will cost hundreds of dollars more than a fitting webcam. Additionally, it is very convenient to just record a video from your webcam and go straight into editing. The Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam costs only a fraction of the price of any suitable camera, so I would highly recommend sticking to the webcam for now.
The best part about starting a Youtube channel is that it can be affordable at first if you play your cards right. Stick with what works for now, and upgrade as appropriate. Treat your Youtube channel like an expanding business and you’ll be just fine.
Lighting
Lighting is a lot more important than you might think. In my opinion, lighting can make all the difference in how high-quality your videos look. Even a great webcam can’t make up for shooting in a dim environment.
It can be a bit difficult to find the perfect lights because lighting varies so much from place to place. One light that may work wonderfully for someone else might not end up helping someone that lives in another area. Keep this in mind throughout this portion of the article.
When I first started Youtube I lived in an apartment that had little natural lighting and poor quality indoor lighting. I used the same product then that I do now, so I hope this can help the majority of readers solve the same issues I had. Let’s now jump on into my lighting recommendations.
Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light
Green Screen
A green screen is one of the most handy tools for any Youtuber. With a green screen you can establish a consistent background that always gets the job done. This is especially useful if filming in a bedroom or small apartment. With a green screen you can easily separate your living area from your video recording settings. Even if you don’t use a green screen as a background when filming, you can use it for taking high-quality thumbnail images.
The tough part is finding a good green screen because this is something you can’t test until it arrives. Due to their large size they can be difficult to test and return, so it is really convenient to get this right the first time. Fortunately for you I have already tried out many green screens, and I believe I have found the perfect one I would recommend to anyone.
Elgato Collapsible Green Screen
Is The Elgato Collapsible Green Screen Worth The Price?
Picture Editing Software
Now that you have a great webcam (built-in or external) and green screen. Now it is time to find a picture editing software that can help us create click-worthy thumbnails for upcoming videos. Honestly, you can’t go wrong here. If you already have a program like Photoshop, you’re already in a perfect spot.
However, if you don’t have a go-to picture editing software already, I highly recommend using Pixlr. The photo editing application is completely free and I have used it to create every single thumbnail I have ever made. It is easy to use, easy to learn, and you can create professional grade thumbnails that are perfect for your videos.
Beginners shouldn’t need to upgrade to the premium version of Pixlr, as the free version has everything you’d need to get started. However, if you want to get more out of Pixlr you can click here to check out premium plans.
Video Editing Software
You won’t be using this until after you record your first video, but you’ll definitely be needing video editing software. I wanted to take the time to talk about video editing software in this section so you can at least have a decent idea on where to head after filming. I recall being pretty lost here, and it was somewhat frustrating to finish recording a video and then not knowing what to do next.
While there are plenty of incredible video editing software tools on the market, I wanted to find something with a generous free trial that gave me everything I needed to get started on Youtube. After doing some research I ended up using Videopad Video Editor.
Videopad Video Editor
I chose Videopad Video Editor for my video editing because after testing it out I felt that it had everything I needed for the purposes of my Youtube channel, and it had a generous free trial that allowed me to give it a fair shot. I never heard of Videopad Video Editor until that day, but I am glad I know of it now!
Thanks to the trial, I was able to fully edit my videos without paying a ton of money. This was a safe way to get started with my Youtube career, and for that I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Once you try out Videopad Video Editor for yourself, you’ll able to make your own judgement call on whether you want to update to the pro version for permanent access. You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a shot, so I highly recommend it.
Laptop / Computer
Last thing you’ll need – but certainly not least – is a laptop or computer. I imagine most readers already have access to some type of computer if they are reading a guide about starting a Youtube channel, however I want to be thorough with this guide, so I will take some time to discuss computer options for anyone interested. If you want to skip to the next section, click here.
While smartphones are more powerful and accessible than ever, I don’t recommend using one for Youtube. Maybe a smartphone is fine for Youtube if you are running a very personal channel for yourself, but if your channel represents your brand or business, I highly recommend having a decent laptop at the very least.
I personally prefer – and recommend – a laptop for Youtube because you just have more freedom with it. I like video editing at coffee shops or at travel destinations, and a laptop can accomplish anything needed for Youtube.
Additionally, I often record in different areas, and since I use a webcam I always have my laptop with me for recording. If you are like me and enjoy working from a laptop, I have a couple of recommendations for you!
Laptop Recommendations
My laptop is the Dell XPS 15 and I love it! I have never had an issue with it and every program I’ve tried runs flawlessly. This is easily the best laptop I have ever used.
However, an aspiring Youtuber doesn’t need to jump into a laptop this fancy. I already had this laptop for work, and I wouldn’t have purchased it just for Youtube.
If you need a new laptop I would recommend the Lenovo Ideapad 3. I had four of them for business purposes and they worked great with everything we needed them to do. The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is an incredibly affordable option that will get the job done for sure. It isn’t a perfect laptop, but this is a great place to start if you’re just trying to get into Youtube.
Alright! That is everything you need to start a Youtube channel! I hope you were able to get some great deals and some bang-for-your-buck purchases! Let’s now jump on into creating a Youtube channel.
How To Start A Youtube Channel
Now that we have everything we need to start a Youtube channel, let’s go over the channel creation process.
The first step is to simply create your Youtube account. If you already have a personal account, I would recommend just creating a new one so that you can start fresh. To create a Youtube channel just go to the Youtube homepage and click the profile logo in the top right-hand corner.
From there you will just follow the standard account setup procedures such as filling out personal information, contact information, channel title, channel type, and more.
After all of that fun stuff is all filled out you’ll be immediately able to post content! I advise putting up a fitting profile picture and banner photo before posting content though. From my experience, a channel can grow much quicker when it looks legitimate and professional.
Now that your account looks snazzy it is time to move on to the content creation process! This is where the fun really begins.
Creating Your Youtube Content
The hardest part about Youtube content creation is breaking out of those mental blocks and getting started. I think it is tough to get started because the content just never feels good enough. Trust me on this main point: Just try your best and post your content.
You will get better at creating quality content over time, and if you really want to you can delete your old content when the time comes. If you never post you’ll never learn. Youtube is just like any real job, you have to learn on the job, and no amount of teaching can truly prepare you for the work ahead.
With all this said, it is important to try your best every single time. Don’t just post bad quality content thinking you’ll magically get better. You have to put in the work. So there is a fine line here between posting imperfect rookie content and bad quality content, and your task here is to find a good standard to reach and perfect as you go.
Now that we have an understanding on standards of content creation, let’s get into some ideas and content creation styles.
Content Styles And Ideas
I previously mentioned that there are countless ways to go about creating Youtube content. Here is a list of styles I can think of just on the top of my head.
- Social Commentary
- Product/Service Reviews
- Live Reaction Videos
- Compilation Videos
- Personal Vlogging
- Advice/Tips
- Tutorials
- Comedy Skits / Routines
- & Much, Much More!
That was just what I could think of at the spur of the moment, but I am sure you get the idea! There are nearly no bounds to what you can do with a Youtube channel. The best part is, almost all of these ideas work within ANY niche. Let me prove it. I will use the topic of one of my other blogs as an example. That topic is metal music.
- Social Commentary
- Product/Service Reviews
- Live Reaction Videos
- Compilation Videos
- Personal Vlogging
- Advice/Tips
- Tutorials
- Comedic Skits
- Discuss the latest scene trends
- Review the latest albums by current bands
- Film initial reaction to popular songs/albums
- Compile top 10 lists for songs/albums/concerts/etc.
- Film experiences at popular tours or festivals
- Share tips on how bands can utilize SEO and social media to gain fans
- Teach bands how to use these skills and platforms to extend their reach
- Create funny skits relatable to other metalheads
By now I am sure you are convinced of the power of Youtube! I encourage you to toy around with some of these ideas as well as some of your own. I promise you can come up with a near endless stream of content if you put your mind to it.
When in doubt, do some research and see what other Youtubers are doing. There is always a creative way to make these trends work well within your niche. There is nothing wrong with looking around and gaining some inspiration!
Publishing Your Youtube Content
You just finished editing your first Youtube video! Congratulations! However, we have one last chore to do, and that is going through the uploading procedures. Here you will upload your thumbnail, write your post title and description, select your video tags, and more. Once you do this correctly once, you’ll have it down forever! With that said, I recommend putting a bit of work into this the first time.
To optimize your Youtube video you should have a hooky title that informs the reader of the video’s material, an informative description that utilizes three relevant hashtags, a high-quality thumbnail that shows off the quality of your channel before anyone even watches a single video, and more relevant tags in the tag section.
Youtube Video Title and Tags
Think of your tags as a keyword for a blog article. If this article was a video I would likely use tags like Youtube Tutorial, Youtube Complete Guide, How To Start A Youtube Channel, Youtube On A Budget, Youtube For Beginners, and etc.
Like Google, Youtube is a search engine. You can match searcher’s intent by answering search inquiries with your video’s title and tags. In the next section we will touch more upon this concept, and how you can utilize it to grow your channel.
Congratulations! You just posted your first video! I highly recommend creating a consistent posting schedule that you can realistically follow. After that, make sure you take it seriously and keep the content rolling. However, we still need to figure out exactly how we can get attention to our Youtube channel and maximize its growth. Fortunately there are incredible tools that can help with this exact problem.
How To Grow A Youtube Channel
Your channel is up and running, and the first video is now live! You have already accomplished more than most people do, so good for you! Now it is time to get into the marketing side of owning a Youtube channel. Everything covered in this section will allow you to develop and grow your Youtube channel to where you want it to be.
Keyword Research
Keyword research is an effective way to know what topics you should create content around, and how well you can expect to perform within such topics. With keyword research you can attempt to match search intent and create content that answers search inquiries.
Why do this? Because you already know there is a demand for these answers, and you already know people are actively looking it up. By utilizing keyword research you are able to answer questions nobody has personally asked you, but you know people are asking somewhere.
There are many reasons why this is important, and I will go over a few of them.
- If a keyword is over saturated, your content won’t easily found
- If a keyword has no search inquiries, there is no demand for that topic
- Keyword research can increase SEO and help your videos rank on Youtube
- Naming videos is easier when you know what people are searching for specifically
- Search Engines like Google and Youtube prefer content that answers search inquiries
- Matching search intent is an easy way to secure clicks and sales, thus improving click-rate
Those were some direct ways that utilizing keyword research can help grow your channel, and this doesn’t even include the countless ways it indirectly helps your channels. More clicks means more views, more views means more subscribers, more subscribers means more consistent views, and so on and so on.
Now that we understand the importance of keyword research even on Youtube, let’s discuss the best way to conduct your own keyword research.
Youtube Growth Tools
If you want to take your keyword research to the next level, I highly recommend investing in a Youtube Growth Tool. These tools are powerful additions to your repertoire as a Youtube content creator. With Youtube Growth Tools you can know a video’s potential before you even post it! This can save you a ton of time, and help grow your channel to new heights.
Today I will discuss two of the best Youtube Growth Tools that I recommend to any and all Youtube creators. Beginner or pro it is never too late to get started.
TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is one of the most popular Youtube Growth Tools and for good reason! TubeBuddy has an accessible and clean interface that makes Youtube content creation easy and convenient. The tool has everything you’ll need and more to improve your keyword research game, maximize SEO, and conveniently manage your Youtube channel.
TubeBuddy really does it all, and I am very impressed with all of its features. Speaking of TubeBuddy’s features, let’s break down everything TubeBuddy can do for you.
Tubebuddy Features
- Keyword Explorer
- SEO Studio
- Title Suggestion And Tag Finder
- Thumbnail Generator
- Publishing Checklist
- Best Time To Publish Tool
- Video Topic Planner
- A/B Testing
- Sponsor Evaluation
- Brand Alerts
- Competition Comparisons
- Channel Health Reports
The above table is a list of some of the greatest features found within TubeBuddy.
I highly recommend TubeBuddy for anyone who wants to up their keyword research game and optimize the growth of their channel. You can give TubeBuddy a try by clicking the link below.
In the near future, I will write up a full review and break down each and every feature TubeBuddy has to offer. In this review I will go into more depth on what each of these features entail and how they can help your channel grow.
For now I will move onto another viable Youtube Growth Tool.
VidIQ
VidIQ is another great option when it comes to Youtube Growth Tools. I would recommend VidIQ for those that have a mind that loves numbers and analytics. Many users consider VidIQ to be the definitive Youtube Growth Tool when it comes to the statistics interface.
Other than that, I would recommend Tubebuddy. I personally use TubeBuddy as I find the tool more charming, and I enjoy some of the bonus features such as A/B testing. However, everyone is different so take a look at the features of VidIQ and see for yourself!
This is a tough comparison as both tools are incredibly useful and you really can’t go wrong with either of them.
VidIQ Features
- Keyword Tools
- SEO Feedback
- Daily Ideas Through AI
- Thumbnail Generator
- Channel Optimization Checklist
- Productivity Tools
- Trend Alerts
- Real-Time Stats Bar
- Tags Suggestion
- Video View Velocity Comparisons
- Competition Comparisons
- Channel Audits
The above table is a list of some of the greatest features found within VidIQ.
VidIQ is a fantastic alternative to TubeBuddy. As I mentioned previously, some prefer VidIQ over Tubebuddy, so I would recommend looking into VidIQ just incase it is more your style. You can try out VidIQ by utilizing the link below.
Like with TubeBuddy, In the near future, I will write up a full review and break down each and every feature VidIQ has to offer. In this review I will break down exactly what makes VidIQ different from TubeBuddy, and why some people may even prefer it.
I may even put TubeBuddy and VidIQ up against each other in a more in-depth comparison article. I hope to be able to further illuminate the differences between these great tools.
Enough about future content though, let’s jump into one last important tip to having a successful career on Youtube.
Monetizing Your Youtube Channel
You now have an awesome Youtube channel that is destined to grow more and more with each passing day. Now it is time for the step that changes Youtube from a hobby to an amazing source of income. The last major component of starting a career through Youtube is to monetize your channel. There are several routes you can take when it comes to monetization, but today I will focus on two primary ways.
First I will quickly discuss Ad revenue. This is probably the most well-known way to make money on Youtube, but it is also the least consistent. Ad revenue heavily fluctuates from year-to-year and from channel-to-channel, so while it is a great way to passively earn some income, it is not the best way to make money on Youtube.
You can apply for ad revenue once you have 10,000 subscribers, 400 watch hours, and 100,000 channel views. This is a great milestone to reach, and a great way to gain some income while also utilizing the two primary methods I will be discussing today.
Now that we have ad revenue out of the way, let’s jump into one of the best ways to monetize a Youtube channel.
Affiliate Programs
Affiliate Programs are easily one of the best (if not the best) ways to monetize a Youtube channel. Here is a quick list of why I love affiliate programs.
- You can start affiliate marketing right away at 0 subscribers (however this varies from program to program)
- You can provide a service to your viewers by recommending fantastic products and services
- There are several affiliate networks that make finding affiliate programs easy
- Affiliate income adds up exponentially the more content you create
- Many affiliate programs pay on a recurring basis
- Your own services and products you use can become a source of income rather than an expense
How To Get Started With Affiliate Marketing
When To Start Utilizing Affiliate Marketing On Youtube
Video Sponsors
Another way to monetize your Youtube channel is by creating sponsored content. How video sponsors work is that you (or your management team) negotiate plans with a company to advertise their product/service. In return the business will sponsor your video, and compensate you for creating an ad spot within the video.
Terms and rules vary between each sponsor deal, but expect to discuss ad length, do’s/don’ts, compensation, and more.
Sponsored content is a great way to get paid for making a video. Regardless of ad revenue or affiliate sales, you’re guaranteed to be compensated should your ad be approved. Another plus is that sponsored content and affiliate sales are not mutually exclusive. You can do both, and more often than not, your video sponsor will provide you with an affiliate link. This will allow you to make commission on any sales directly made due to your video.
Sponsored content is a great way to get paid for your video, all while receiving recurring commission for any sales made. By utilizing both sponsored ads, affiliate links, and Youtube ad revenue, you can turn your Youtube channel into a glorious source of income.
How To Create An Ad For A Sponsor
There are many directions you can take with creating a sponsored ad for a Youtube video. I personally prefer finding sponsors that are relevant to the content of your channel or video. This can ensure that the product or service you are promoting will actually be useful or interesting to your viewers. This can also help boost sales through supplied affiliate links, as your reviews are more likely to actually want or need the product or service.
This is not a rule though, as many Youtubers promote mobile apps, mobile games, and other entertainment media not relevant to the overall theme of their channel. This is easier when you’re a large Youtuber or if you have a channel that discusses a large array of topics. These types of sponsors can feel less out of place within these types of channels.
Regardless of the sponsor, it is always best to be transparent. Always disclose when a video is sponsored, and discuss why it is sponsored with your audience. Don’t shill a product or service you dislike, and do your due diligence when seeking out products or services to sponsor. If the sponsor reaches out to you first, definitely research the business before making a decision.
By practicing good sponsor habits, you can gain all the benefits of having sponsored content while retaining the trust of your fanbase and the integrity of your channel.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You made it through the Ultimate Guide to Youtube! This was a huge and comprehensive article, but I hope you learned a lot of valuable information.
Now you should know why you should have a Youtube channel, what you’ll need to get started, how to make a Youtube channel, how to publish content, how to grow your channel, and how to monetize your channel. If some of the material was lost on you, you’ll be able to check back in as you progress your channel! Isn’t the internet great!?
This may all seem like a ton of work, but this is a rewarding venture that allows you to create the content you are passionate about, and earn some income while doing so. No one ever said being a Youtube creator was easy, but hopefully this guide can help make it as easy as possible.
If you have any further questions, feel free to spark up a conversation in the comments. I will answer any and all questions you have, and I look forward to helping you create your Youtube channel!
Was this Ultimate Guide to Youtube helpful? I hope so! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments as well. Best of luck!
Want To Learn More About Blogging Next?
If you enjoyed my complete Youtube guide and want to learn more about blogging next, check out my article on 12 amateur blogging mistakes to avoid and how to solve them. Thank you and see you next time!