Top 7 tips to get started on YouTube

We often hear from various quarters that it is much more difficult to break into YouTube these days, and we must modestly say that we disagree. Any kind of success is difficult to achieve, and this also applies to YouTube. But perhaps the most important thing to realize is that YouTube is not a sprint, but a marathon, and you can't expect thousands of subscribers to suddenly appear on your fresh channel after two videos. With this, we would like to challenge you, don't be afraid to create, all you need is a good idea and courage. You can already find the rest in this article or learn it step by step.

Tip 1: Test yourself and learn how YouTube works

Tip 2: Create a channel strategy

Tip 3: Invest in audio technology

Tip 4: Create a video template

Tip 5: Create a graphic identity for your YouTube channel

Tip 6: Don't forget the channel description and trailer

Tip 7: Tell everyone about your YouTube channel

TIP 1: TEST YOURSELF AND LEARN HOW YOUTUBE WORKS

Try what it's like to be a creator on YouTube. Your own experience is the most valuable and you can only get it through practice. Therefore, turn on the camera and try. Make a few pilot videos and test yourself how you handle the entire video production process. How long does it take you to make a video? How many hours or days do you need to edit one video? Are you enjoying it? Before you post your first video on YouTube, look for answers to these questions.

It's very likely that your first video will also be your worst video you've ever made. But that's totally okay because we all have to start somewhere and no one he doesn't expect your first video to "blow up the internet". Although let's be honest, it would be a great start. But it's more important that you keep moving forward and make each video a little better.

So you've made your first video and now it's time to create an account and upload it to YouTube, but wait until you publish it. The worst thing you can do is blindly upload videos without knowing how YouTube works, this can cause even the perfect video to get lost in the algorithm and nobody will see it. Therefore, devote your time to learning e.g. how to write a greatvideo description how to optimize video, but mainly how YouTube works in generaland gather experience which is always more valuable than any advice.

TIP 2: CREATE A CHANNEL STRATEGY

The basic strategic pillars for any YouTube channel are regularity, experimentation and passion. Therefore, create a strategy in which you adhere to all three. Even though words like strategy or strategic pillars may sound intimidating, it's nothing you should really be afraid of. Many of you have already done it subconsciously in your head. When creating a strategy, it is only necessary to follow these steps and find answers to the questions:

1. STEP: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL?

What do you want to say?

What do you want to share with viewers?

Who are your favorite YouTube creators?

How can you influence other people?

2. STEP: PREPARE YOUR VIDEO RELEASE PLAN

How many videos can you release in a week?

On which days will you release the videos?

Will you have one or more content types?

Will you associate the content with a specific day of the week?

3. STEP: RESEARCH THE COMPETITION AND TRENDS

Who is your competition?

How are you different from your competition?

What is the current trend on YouTube?

How can I combine my content with the current trend on YouTube?

4. STEP: BE CONSISTENT

You publish content for a long time and regularly.

Notify your viewers of any pauses in your work in advance.

TIP 3: INVEST IN AUDIO TECHNIQUE

If you are just about to launch your YouTube channel and are wondering what technology you need to create quality videos, then we have the answer for you. You should make your first investment in sound. Bad audio is much more distracting for the viewer than lower quality video (plus nowadays you can record high-quality video even with a mobile phone in the living room) . So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a quality microphone, then definitely do so.

From our own experience, we can advise you on the Rode brand, but many YouTube creators also use Blue Yeti microphones of the same quality. For beginners, we would advise you to prefer USB microphones, as you do not need to buy another component, a sound card, and it will be easier for you to work with them. Microphones that guarantee you high-quality sound in videos range in price from 100 to 200 euros. If this is a high investment for you, we also have a cheaper alternative for you, such as the compact Rode SmartLav Plus lapel microphone, which you can buy for around 50 euros. We have also prepared a short list of quality microphones for you to start with:

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE:

MORE PROFESSIONAL ALTERNATIVE:

TIP 4: CREATE TEMPLATE VIDEOS

Videos need some structure, which means that when preparing your video, think about how to create an imaginary template that you can later use repeatedly for each new video. What do we mean? This does not mean that every video should be exactly the same. The point is that the video should have a logical sequence such as introduction, core, conclusion. A video template might look like this:

1. EDIT OF THE BEST MOMENTS

The very first seconds of the video decide whether the viewer will watch it or turn it off. One of the common practices to interest the viewer is to edit the top moments at the beginning of the video. Try to place one or two super moments from the video in the video, which would convince the viewer to continue watching the video. Remember that you are fighting against time, so the best moments montage should be no more than 10-15 seconds long. However, each creator starts the video differently, some with an interesting greeting or editing, you can find a completely different way to start your video, the most important thing is to interest the viewer and give him a "taste" of what awaits him in the beginning of the video.

2. GREETINGS WITH INTRODUCTION

Keeping the viewer's attention is difficult, but that's what you're after as a creator, and you have to do everything to keep them interested. Don't drag out the greeting with the introduction at all and try to squeeze it into just a few seconds. For inspiration, see how well-known YouTube creators start their videos.

3. WELCOME NEW VIEWERS

Don't forget brand new viewers who clicked on your video for the very first time. Welcome them naturally in the first half of the video and invite them to subscribe.

4. INTRODUCING CHANNEL

You can easily combine the introduction of the channel with welcoming new viewers. Again, it should only be quick and fresh information about your work that you can say in one or two sentences.

5. CALL FOR SUBSCRIPTION

Invite viewers to subscribe. It is free. A viewer who leaves you a subscription can later become a loyal member of your YouTube community. Don't forget to incorporate this challenge naturally into each of your videos. It doesn't have to be at the beginning or the end of the video, rather try to push this information to the audience during the main content, when you feel that the challenge fits there.

6. MAIN VIDEO CONTENT

The main content of the video is what you create, whether you are playing games, educating people on the Internet or doing various experiments. Try to create dynamic video content that engages the viewer.

7. FAREWELL

When viewers see that the video is at the end, they tend to leave before the video is completely finished. Therefore, try to say goodbye very quickly and succinctly together with a call for subscription. See how our YouTube partners end videos.

Creating your own template can take some time, so try to get inspired by your favorite creators. Think about YouTube videos and look for patterns in them. As random as some videos may seem, there is always a structure and a story behind each one.

TIP 5: CREATE YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL GRAPHIC IDENTITY

You can convince the viewer to stay longer on your channel and watch other videos with nice visuals. Also care about the appearance of your channel and create a nice channel art that will match your logo, video thumbnails and create a complete impression. You don't even have to be an expert in photoshop , so you can create nice graphics. For absolute beginners, we recommend the online platform for creating graphic material Canva, where you can find everything , what you need for an introduction.

TIP 6: DON'T FORGET THE CHANNEL DESCRIPTION AND TRAILER

We often encounter a situation where the description of a YouTube channel is too short and does not describe its content at all. Why does the description even matter? A good description can easily explain your story to the viewer, giving them an idea of who you are, what kind of content you create and what they can expect from your channel. By telling your story in the description, you can also convince the viewer to subscribe and become your loyal fan.

Just like a description, a trailer can tell your audience your story, which can convince them to subscribe. A trailer is a short video that starts automatically when a viewer arrives on your yt channel. In the welcome video, don't forget to welcome your viewers, tell them your story, why you started creating, what they can find on the channel and invite them to subscribe. The intro video is very important for new channels, but over time you can replace your trailer with your most successful video and reach new viewers directly with your great content.

TIP 7: TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Content is the king or content is always king. That's a rule that will always apply on YouTube. But what if you have great videos and no one knows about them? Especially with a new YouTube channel, it is important to share your creations on personal social networks. It is your friends and acquaintances who can help you spread your creation to other people at the very beginning. First and foremost, try to create great videos that your viewers will want to share, while also making sure to let your potential viewers know about your new videos.

Content is crucial when creating on YouTube, which cannot be replaced by any guaranteed tips and tricks, they can only help you on your way to a successful YouTube channel. And we will try to help you by regularly creating such guides. Remember that building a channel can take a long time and rely on building a long-term strategy rather than one-off trends and viral videos. We believe that with this article we have encouraged you to create and soon more new faces will appear on the Slovak scene.