How to Start a YouTube Channel - Beginners Guide (2024)

Introduction (0s)

• Over a thousand YouTube videos have been made in the last 7 years, resulting in a channel growth of over 5 million subscribers (5s).
• The goal of the video is to share the best advice for beginners who want to start a YouTube channel today, based on personal experience and lessons learned over the years (10s).
• Thousands of students have been taught in a part-time YouTuber Academy over the last four years, with amazing reviews (16s).
• A talk was given as part of an event run by Think Media, where questions from the audience were answered about growing an audience on YouTube (22s).
• The video will cover the best pieces of advice from the event, providing valuable information for beginners who want to start a YouTube channel (28s).

My 3 Part Framework (31s)

• A three-part framework for thinking about YouTube consists of level one, "get going," level two, "get good," and level three, "get smart." (34s)
• Level one, "get going," is for those with under 100 subscribers, where the focus is on starting to make videos without overthinking, and finding a niche is not a priority. (54s)
• At level two, "get good," the goal is to improve the art and craft of making YouTube videos, meeting both an internal Quality Bar, where one is no longer embarrassed by their own videos, and an external Quality Bar, where others start to appreciate the content. (1m18s)
• The internal Quality Bar is met when one is no longer cringing at their own videos and feels comfortable with others watching them. (1m31s)
• The external Quality Bar is met when comments from viewers start to come in, indicating that the content is good and helpful. (2m6s)
• Level three, "get smart," is the final stage, but before reaching it, there is a choice to be made between having a casual or serious relationship with YouTube. (2m17s)
• A casual relationship with YouTube means being inconsistent and not committing to regular uploads, while a serious relationship means committing to consistency and regularity. (2m31s)
• If one chooses a casual relationship with YouTube, they should not expect significant results or growth. (2m56s)
• Once at level two, another decision needs to be made: whether to treat YouTube as a hobby or a business, with no right or wrong answer, as a hobby is something done for fun and personal enjoyment. (3m13s)
• Business involves providing value to others and monetizing that value, and YouTube can be treated as a business if the goal is to make money and add value to others. (3m32s)
• On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is a hobby and 10 is a business, individuals should assess their relationship with YouTube to determine their approach. (3m43s)
• While having fun is important, it should be a secondary goal initially, with the primary focus on providing value, especially in the early stages of starting a YouTube channel. (4m0s)
• For those just starting, particularly with fewer than 100 subscribers, it is not necessary to worry about finding a niche. Instead, focus on creating content that is enjoyable and valuable. (4m27s)
• Educational channels can consider what knowledge they have gained over the past few years and what they can teach others. (4m40s)

Consistency and Time Management (4m49s)

• Consistency and time management are crucial for a successful YouTube channel, and finding time to create content can be challenging, even for full-time YouTubers with millions of subscribers and revenue (4m49s).
• Having a full-time job and creating YouTube content can be difficult, as it requires balancing work, commute, and personal life, leaving limited time for content creation (5m10s).
• Even after becoming a full-time YouTuber, finding time to create content can still be a struggle, as other responsibilities such as building a business and managing a team can take up a significant amount of time (5m50s).
• To manage time effectively, it's essential to break down the stages of video production, including idea generation, title, thumbnail, and hook creation, and scriptwriting (7m6s).
• The title, thumbnail, and hook should be created before writing the script, as they are crucial in grabbing the audience's attention and determining the video's success (7m27s).
• Having a clear idea of the title, thumbnail, and hook can make the content creation process feel more effortless and help with consistency (6m16s).
• Working with a business coach or executive coach can help with time management and productivity, as they can provide guidance on how to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively (6m23s).
• The story of meeting an executive coach from GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) outside a hospital, who offered free coaching sessions, highlights the importance of seeking help and guidance in managing time and consistency (6m30s).
• Before creating a YouTube video, it is important to plan the title, thumbnail, and hook, which refers to the first 30 seconds of the video. This planning should be done well in advance of writing, filming, editing, and publishing the video. (7m42s)
• Outsourcing video editing is highly recommended for those struggling with consistency or time management, as it can free up a significant amount of time. This allows creators to focus on generating new ideas, filming, or spending time on other activities. (8m30s)
• Even if a YouTube channel is not yet profitable, outsourcing editing can be valuable. It is important to consider the dollar value of one's time and whether it is more beneficial to spend time editing or on other tasks. (8m51s)
• Many creators hesitate to outsource editing due to concerns about cost, maintaining their unique style, or believing no one can edit like them. However, those who have outsourced often find it relieves stress and provides more free time. (9m40s)
• For those who succeed on YouTube and start earning money, investing in services like Trading 212, which offers commission-free investment in stocks and shares, can be a beneficial way to manage earnings. (10m26s)
• The social pies feature allows users to copy the investment strategies of successful investors and manage their own investment allocations. Users can browse different pies, view asset allocations, and copy them into their accounts. For example, a pie with 50% investment in Apple and 50% in Tesla can be copied directly. (10m41s)
• A new Trading 212 card offers 1.5% cash back on daily purchases and integrates with the Trading 212 invest account. It allows users to earn cash back and compound interest on uninvested cash in 13 currencies. The card is free with no hidden fees or subscription plans. (11m9s)
• For educational YouTubers struggling with video production, it is recommended to avoid scripting videos word for word. Instead, using bullet points can make the process quicker and help maintain consistency, especially for those with other commitments like a day job. (11m57s)
• Creating videos without a full script can lead to more confidence and comfort on camera, as it reduces the time spent on scripting and avoids issues with teleprompters. (12m26s)
• It is suggested to focus on three main points in a video, as audiences can struggle to absorb more than three to five pieces of information. This approach helps in structuring content effectively. (13m0s)
• A random video title is chosen to demonstrate the process of creating a YouTube video (13m43s).

The Process of Creating a Video (13m51s)

• The process of creating a YouTube video involves thinking about the title, thumbnail, and hook to increase the chances of getting views, with 80% of the value being in these elements (15m12s).
• Researching titles and thumbnails on YouTube can help determine the best framing for a video, such as using keywords like "self-esteem" or "confidence" (14m17s).
• Analyzing view counts of similar videos can help identify which framing is more effective, with videos about confidence seeming to get more views than those about self-worth (15m39s).
• Reframing a video about self-worth in the language of confidence can make it more appealing, such as titling it "How to Become More Confident" (15m57s).
• A potential video about self-worth or confidence could include points such as getting out of one's own way, recognizing that competence equals confidence, and using affirmations or mantras (16m4s).
• The idea that one should just love themselves as they are is not considered effective, as most people need evidence of their competence to build confidence (16m40s).
• A video about self-worth or confidence could focus on providing evidence and strategies for building confidence, rather than just promoting self-love (16m52s).
• The video creation process involves brainstorming and thinking out loud about potential points and framings for the video (15m52s).
• The goal of the video is to provide value and potentially grow the channel, which is why it's worth taking the time to think carefully about the title, thumbnail, and hook (15m25s).
• To create a YouTube video, a framework called the HIVEs framework can be used, which stands for Hook, Intro, Value, End Screen, and Sales Pitch, to structure the content and keep viewers engaged until the end (17m19s).
• The hook is the promise or the title of the video that creates an expectation in the viewer's mind, and for educational content, the hook can be as simple as the title of the video (18m10s).
• The intro should be brief and to the point, and the value section should provide the main content of the video, which is the educational information or tips being shared (17m21s).
• The end screen should have a sales pitch, rather than a generic "like and subscribe" message, to encourage viewers to watch another video or take a specific action (17m28s).
• A good example of a hook is a video title that promises to teach viewers something specific, such as "How to set up the perfect studio setup with a budget of under $100" (18m31s).
• The Part-time YouTuber Academy is an online course and community that teaches students how to build a successful YouTube channel, and it provides systems, processes, tools, and templates that can be copied and pasted (19m38s).
• The academy has thousands of students from around the world and is based on the knowledge and experience of the creator and their team in building a multi-million subscriber and multi-million dollar YouTube channel (19m48s).
• Omar Elor is mentioned as an example of someone who creates effective hooks for his videos, and his YouTube channel is used as an example in teaching sessions for the YouTuber Academy (18m27s).
• The Part-Time YouTuber Academy is a community that offers online workshops, shares useful content, and hosts in-person meetups throughout the year, providing a space for creators to connect and learn from each other (19m56s).
• An intro is optional for YouTube videos, but it's recommended to create one as it helps establish credibility and explains who you are and why the audience should care about your content (20m13s).
• The purpose of an intro is to welcome the audience to your channel, give them a sense of your credibility, and explain why they should give you their time and attention (20m32s).
• Audiences pay for videos with their time and attention, which is more valuable than money, so it's essential to make a good impression and establish credibility in your intro (20m48s).
• A good intro should include information about who you are, what you do, and what makes you credible, such as relevant experience or achievements (20m59s).
• Having real-world credibility for the topic you're teaching makes it easier to grow a YouTube channel, especially in the education niche (21m30s).
• You don't need to have major credentials to create a YouTube channel, but having one major credential, such as overcoming a struggle, can be enough to establish credibility (22m34s).
• It's essential to be authentic and not try to be a "guru" if you're not, as it's easy to come across as insincere on YouTube (22m47s).
• A guide on a topic is preferred over being a guru, as a guide shares personal experiences and what they've learned, making viewers feel more relaxed and trusting, and this approach can be applied to any video (22m53s).
• The structure of a video can include an intro, providing value to viewers, and an end screen or sales page, and this level of preparation is sufficient for most videos (23m14s).
• When preparing for a video, writing down key points, adding bullet points, and referencing relevant studies or research can be helpful, such as Bandura's self-efficacy theory (23m27s).
• Discussing topics such as affirmations, manifestation, and neuroscience, like Hebb's Law, can add depth to a video and make it more engaging (23m42s).
• Internal blockers, such as emotional issues, can be a significant obstacle in business and YouTube, and acknowledging this can be an important part of the video content (24m0s).
• The video creation process should be enjoyable, and over-researching can take the joy out of it, making it take too long, and a guide-style approach can be more effective and efficient (24m16s).
• The goal of a YouTube channel can be to provide guidance and share personal experiences, rather than being a guru, and this approach can be more relatable and helpful to viewers (24m30s).

What’s your niche? (24m41s)

• Identifying a niche is crucial for establishing a personal brand, as it allows individuals to be known for a specific area of expertise, with examples including Ryan Holiday as the "stoicism guy," James Clear as the "habits guy," and Mark Manson as the "subtle" guy (24m58s).
• Having a clear niche can be highly lucrative, as seen with James Clear's corporate speaking engagements, but it's essential to choose a niche that is both profitable and authentic (25m36s).
• To position oneself as a thought leader, it's helpful to determine what word or phrase they want to be associated with their brand, such as Cal Newport as the "deep work guy" or Tim Ferriss as the "4H hour guy" (26m7s).
• When selecting a niche, it's essential to consider what word or phrase will be associated with one's brand and whether it's something they can be passionate about and monetize (26m30s).
• The importance of choosing a niche is highlighted by the speaker's own experience, who wants to be known as the "productivity guy" and is exploring new ideas for a future book that still falls under the productivity umbrella (26m33s).
• The speaker is considering ideas such as "productive relationships" or "how to not waste your life" as potential topics for a future book that still aligns with their productivity niche (27m6s).

Why do some videos get 10k why do some get 500 views? (27m22s)

• The number of views a video gets can vary greatly, with some videos getting 10,000 views and others getting only 500, even if the format is the same, and the main reason for this difference is the topic of the video (27m24s).
• The concept of the video plays a significant role in determining its view count, with some topics being more viral and having more views than others (27m39s).
• The topic of a video can dictate the ceiling of how many views it can reasonably expect to get, and researching the view count of similar videos on YouTube can provide an idea of the potential view count (28m34s).
• The algorithm is not the sole determining factor in a video's view count, but rather the audience and their preferences, and content creators should focus on creating content that resonates with their target audience (29m15s).
• The algorithm can be thought of as the audience, and content creators should consider what real people want to watch and what would make them spend their time and attention on a particular video (29m35s).
• The YouTube algorithm team emphasizes that content is king, and creators should focus on producing high-quality content that meets the needs and interests of their target audience (29m17s).
• Researching and analyzing the view count of similar videos on YouTube can provide valuable insights into the potential view count of a video and help creators set realistic expectations (28m16s).
• The view count of a video can also depend on the current trends and interests of the audience, and creators should stay up-to-date with what is currently popular and trending on YouTube (28m51s).

My filming mantra (29m57s)

• The filming mantra is a personal reminder to focus on sharing a message worth sharing, rather than the performance of the video, and is read before filming a video (29m58s).
• The mantra emphasizes integrating the mind, heart, and soul into the video to share the message in an authentic and natural way (30m7s).
• The goal is to speak from the heart, with the mind providing structure and content, and the soul remaining connected to the purpose behind the video (30m17s).
• The mantra encourages enjoying the process and treating it with lightness and ease, rather than taking it too seriously (30m24s).
• It reminds the creator to keep in mind that they are filming YouTube videos, which should not be taken too seriously (30m38s).
• The mantra emphasizes that the creator is speaking to an individual who cares about what they have to say and wants to learn from them (30m45s).
• The focus is on serving that individual, rather than the creator's own ego, retention stats, or the algorithm (30m50s).
• The mantra helps the creator appreciate that the video is not about the views, algorithm, or outcome, but about potentially sharing a message that can help at least one person (31m4s).
• The mantra prioritizes the value of the message and the enjoyment of the process over secondary considerations like titles, thumbnails, and strategy (31m28s).

How do you outsource your editing? (31m38s)

• To outsource video editing, create a job description with a trial task, where applicants edit the first 60 seconds of a raw video in your style, allowing you to instantly judge their skills (31m41s).
• Share the job description with your audience through social media, newsletters, or community posts, or use platforms like ytj jobs.com, Upwork, Fiverr, or People Per Hour to find video editors (32m33s).
• People Per Hour is a recommended platform, as it's where the speaker found their first editor (32m54s).
• The cost of outsourcing video editing varies, with $50 per video typically getting a bad editor, $100-150 per video getting a reasonable editor, $200-300 per video getting a good editor, and $500 per video getting a very good editor (33m31s).
• The speaker currently pays $1,300 per video for world-class editors (33m59s).
• The cost of outsourcing video editing depends on the value of your time and the size of your business (34m35s).
• Finding a local video editor can be cheaper, but it may take longer to find someone with the right skills (34m55s).
• There's a balance between the amount you're willing to pay for an editor and the time you spend finding and working with them (35m12s).
• Most editors don't charge by the minute, and the cost of editing a 10-20 minute long video can vary (35m27s).
• The speaker pays $600 to their podcast video editor for a 2-hour long episode (35m37s).

How to find your style? (35m46s)

• When starting a YouTube channel, it's easy to try to be someone else, but it's essential to find your authentic style and be yourself, as seen in the example of trying to imitate Peter McKinnon (35m47s).
• Peter McKinnon is a significant influence, making photo and video tutorials fun by adding personality, which inspired the idea of bringing a similar vibe and personality to talking about medical topics (35m59s).
• The concept of "imitate then innovate" suggests that beginners should start by imitating people they admire, and over time, they can focus on innovation and developing their unique style (36m28s).
• Initially trying to imitate Peter McKinnon's style, but failing to do so, ultimately resulted in finding an authentic personality and becoming more confident on camera (36m37s).
• The process of trying to imitate someone else's style can help develop your unique personality, as seen in the example of trying to think how Peter McKinnon would talk about medical school admissions (36m52s).
• The failure to imitate someone else's style can lead to discovering your authentic personality, which is essential for creating a successful YouTube channel (37m1s).

Should you make longer videos? (37m9s)

• Making longer videos can be challenging, and it's hard to make them appealing unless they're really good, requiring more scripting, filming, and editing (37m20s).
• Generally, it's harder to make a longer video appealing, but there are exceptions, such as hyper-long-form content that's ridiculously long and packed with value (38m10s).
• For educational channels, a good video length is 8 to 12 minutes, but hyper-long-form content can also work if done well, as seen in Simon Sinek's 2-hour and 26-minute video that went viral (37m37s).
• The key to success on YouTube is often having an unfair advantage that's difficult for others to replicate, such as unique expertise or skills (38m34s).
• To find your unfair advantage, ask friends and family what you're good at and what they think you're good at, and consider what you can teach others based on your strengths and experiences (38m51s).
• Leaning into your existing advantages can help you grow on YouTube, such as teaching emotional intelligence or sharing expertise in a specific field like B2B sales (39m22s).
• To grow a YouTube channel, it's essential to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience, and to continually adapt and improve based on feedback and performance (39m29s).