Creating your own YouTube channel is a fairly straightforward process. Whether you’re a brand or a budding influencer, your YouTube account is the place to speak directly to your audience.
YouTube has simplified its account creation process in recent years to ensure everyone can get online. Now, you can get started and launch a new YouTube channel in a matter of minutes.
In fact, you don’t even need a computer. It’s possible to create and manage a channel all from your phone, using the YouTube Studio app.
A channel trailer is crucial for attracting new subscribers and introducing the type of content available on your channel.
This guide is designed for beginners who want to start a YouTube channel and learn the basics of managing their account. We’ll look at the simple steps to make your vision a reality and show you some tools that are designed to make the job as smooth as possible.
In this guide:
Why create a YouTube channel
Before we look at how to create a YouTube channel, it's worth taking a step back to assess why you'd want one. Brands don't always need YouTube, especially if they have other forms of social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok often do a better job at providing short-form videos and images that are easy to take.
YouTube, by contrast, requires a little bit of expertise to get right. That's why small brands often stick to a more malleable social network like Instagram.
However, they might be missing out by not having a YouTube channel. With YouTube, it's possible to house really great content in one place, use YouTube Shorts to create videos that can go on TikTok and Instagram, and provide a professional centrepiece to your brand.
The benefits of starting a YouTube channel
Indeed, YouTube is a hugely influential platform and most brands have a presence on there – even if they don't upload regular videos.
With YouTube, you can showcase your products and services, share knowledge, or entertain viewers worldwide. It's a platform for creativity and self-expression. Perhaps not as much as TikTok, but it's still a great place for your creative efforts to originate from.
What's more, YouTube forces brands and individuals to develop new skills like video editing, public speaking, and content strategy.
What's great about YouTube is it offers a sense of community. You can interact with viewers through comments and live streams, building relationships and getting feedback on your work.
Growing your brand or business through video content
Another big reason for creating a YouTube channel is to grow your brand. In many cases, a YouTube account becomes the face of a business. It’s more personable than a website and more professional than a TikTok or Instagram account. If you link it to your Google Business Profile then your brand looks ultra professional.
Generating and organizing video ideas is crucial to streamline the creation process and align with viewer search behaviors, increasing the chances of gaining views.
Video content, meanwhile, lets you show off products or services in action. You’re moving beyond traditional marketing and expanding into modern ways of accessing content.
With over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube offers massive reach and a really great level of engagement.
Monetization opportunities on YouTube
Of course, YouTube also gives you the chance to make money from the platform. Once your channel grows, you can join the YouTube Partner Program, where you can earn revenue from ads. You can also get a YouTube Shopping account and sell directly on the site.
Channel memberships are also a great way to earn money by offering subscribers exclusive content.
What's more, many creators use YouTube as a launchpad for other ventures like online courses, books, or speaking engagements.
Your channel can become the foundation for a thriving business empire – so long as you manage it correctly.
How to create a YouTube channel in two easy steps
Now let's look at the two simple steps you need to take to get a YouTube channel up and running. Just remember that you'll need a Google account to get started.
Step 1: Sign in with your Google Account
To create a YouTube channel, you first need a Google account. This can be a personal one or a business one. If you already have one, great! Just sign in to YouTube using those credentials. If not, it's easy to set one up:
- Go to youtube.com and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. You can also do this via the app.
- Click "Create account" if you don't have a Google account.
- Then follow the prompts to create your account. It can either be a personal account or a business account.
- Once done, you'll be signed in to YouTube automatically.
If you opt to create a personal account then you'll be able to launch a business page in the next step.
Step 2: Create your YouTube channel
Now that you're signed in, you can create your YouTube channel. Again, you can do this via the app or on your browser. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube.
- Select "Create a channel" from the dropdown menu.
- Choose to create a personal channel or a brand account.
- For a personal channel, just confirm your name and settings. You're now the sole content creator on the channel.
- For a brand account, enter a name for your channel and fill in more details. You'll be the administrator of the account and will be able to add others to it later.
- Click "Create" and your channel is ready!
Your new channel comes with a default layout, which is a good place to start if you want something simple.
Customizing your YouTube channel
Of course, it's likely that you'll want to move away from the default layout and create something that's visually distinctive for your brand. Below are some of the more simple customize channel options available when you're getting started.
Adding channel art and branding
You'll start with a blank channel, so it's important to create something visually appealing before you launch your first video.
Remember, your channel's visual elements make a big first impression. So, start by uploading a profile picture that represents you or your brand. This small icon appears next to your videos and comments.
Next, create eye-catching channel art for the banner at the top of your page. Use high-quality images that reflect your content and style. The recommended size is 2560 x 1440 pixels.
You can also add a video watermark to the bottom right corner of your videos. This small logo helps viewers recognize your content across YouTube.
Your YouTube branding needs to be consistent with your other channels. It's no good having a great brand identity on your website and products, only to create a different one for your YouTube channel. Consistency is key if you want people to recognize the channel as yours.
Writing an engaging channel description
There is quite a lot of metadata that you can place in your YouTube channel – and this all helps with search engine optimization. Start by creating a channel description that highlights your niche, your products, your purpose, or whatever it is that makes you unique.
Be sure to add in the same keywords that you use on your website and other marketing material, so as to better align with your overall brand.
Don’t forget to fill out your channel’s “About” section with more details about yourself or your brand. This helps build trust with potential subscribers. Creators can add up to five links to their social media accounts and other platforms in the ‘About’ section to enhance personalization and connect with audiences.
Setting up channel links
YouTube expanded its number of clickable links on a channel page to 14 back in 2023. It means account holders now have plenty of options to direct their target audience elsewhere.
Your links are crucial if you are to build a wider brand beyond YouTube. Places you can link to include:
- Your website or blog
- Your other social media profiles like X, Instagram, and Facebook
- Your merchandise store
- Your patreon or other support platforms
- Your latest video or playlist
Your link names don't have to be complicated. You could simply say "Our website" or "Buy online today". People who are interested in your brand account will click on the link options and explore what else you offer.
Uploading your first video
So, you've launched your profile, made some channel art to make it stand out, and are ready to create content. It's time to upload your first video.
This is really simple but don't rush into it. Your first video might not get a lot of views but it still needs to be on brand and set the tone for your future content. Let's walk through the key steps to get your video online and ready for viewers.
Preparing your content for YouTube
Before you upload, make sure your video is in a YouTube-friendly format like MP4. Ensure it plays smoothly and the audio is good quality. You can’t edit uploaded videos within YouTube itself.
You will need to add metadata to your video once it’s on the platform. So, make sure you have a video title, video description, and some tags ready. Incorporating keywords into video titles can significantly enhance the discoverability of your videos on YouTube.
You can also upload your own thumbnail. This is actually a really important part of your video, because the thumbnail is what people see before they click to watch. YouTube will take a screenshot if you don’t choose a thumbnail – but it’s worth being creative.
Just look at these thumbnails from World Rugby. The use of still graphics means each video type stands out and the brand isn’t reliant on a still image from the content itself.
Step-by-step guide to uploading a video
Now let's walk through the steps to uploading your first video.
- Sign in to your YouTube account online or open the YouTube Studio app
- Click the "+ Create" button at the top right of the page or the "+" button on the app
- Select "Upload video" from the drop-down menu
- Drag and drop your video file or click "Select files" to choose it
- While the video uploads, fill in the title, description, and tags that you prepared earlier
- Choose your thumbnail. If you don't choose one then YouTube will create one for you from a still image within your video
- Select the appropriate audience settings
- Decide if you want to publish right away or schedule for later
- Click "Publish" when you're ready
You can add captions, end screens, and cards to your video after it's uploaded. Don't worry if you make a mistake - you can always edit your video details later.
Optimizing your channel for growth
Having a presence on YouTube is one thing but you'll need to work on growing an audience if you want it to be a worthwhile venture. There are ways to smartly optimize your account without harming your brand. So, let's dive into some of these options here.
Organize your content with playlists
YouTube gives you the option to create playlists and the flexibility to move them around your channel page. Take advantage of this and group similar or themed videos together. Perhaps you have a product series that needs to be differentiated from your behind-the-scenes videos.
You could also create a "Start Here" playlist for new subscribers. This can showcase your top videos and give an overview of your channel.
Engage your audience
Audience engagement is crucial if you want to grow your channel. YouTube recognizes the interactions and the algorithm is more likely to champion your content. What's more, you can build a stronger community when you speak to users.
Responding to comments – be they positive or negative – is a great place to start. You can also host live streams to interact with your audience in real-time, which will help you build a stronger community around your channel.
Collaborate with other creators in your niche to grow the whole pie, expose your channel to new viewers, and capture a wider audience.
Use YouTube Analytics
The most successful YouTube accounts rely heavily on data to stay ahead of the game. You can use YouTube Analytics to understand your audience better and figure out your future content.
Look at which videos perform best and why. See what gets the most engagement, the most ad revenue, perhaps even the most clicks to sales.
Pay attention to your audience retention rates. If viewers are dropping off at certain points, consider adjusting your content strategy.
You can use YouTube's in-build analytics tool or try software like Brandwatch, which can house all your data in one place. This is a particularly good way of assessing traffic sources to your YouTube channel and where people go after they watch your videos.
Tips for creating a successful YouTube channel
Brands and individuals cannot stand still when it comes to their YouTube channels. The algorithm is always changing and new trends come around all the time. So, here are three ways you can remain successful on the platform.
1. Plan a consistent content schedule
Planning is vital for all brands and individuals who want to make their YouTube channel the go-to place on the platform. By setting up an upload schedule, it becomes easier to shoot, edit, upload, and market your content. What's more, your audience will get to know the times each week that your videos go out.
That means audiences may eagerly await a fresh video on Tuesday mornings, or know that you'll always do a behind-the-scenes video on a Friday afternoon.
If you sell on YouTube then you can schedule in product drops and give subscribers early access to the videos and shop links.
2. Use SEO to boost your video's visibility
Search engine optimization techniques are really important for YouTube videos – and not just because Google owns the platform! You need to ensure you have relevant keywords in your metadata, so YouTube understands what your videos are about.
It also helps you appear in users' search results on Google.
Could these keywords with a strong thumbnail – as we discussed earlier – and you're more likely to get clicks from those who are searching for videos like yours.
You can also write detailed descriptions with timestamps for longer videos as it helps viewers find specific parts they're interested in. This is particularly useful for "how to" guides and tutorials.
Finally, optimize your videos with end screens and cards to link to your other videos. This keeps people watching your content longer. Group related videos into playlists to boost watch time and session duration.
3. Promote your content on other platforms
YouTube isn't the only place for your videos. Make sure you edit all content so it suits portrait format for phone screens, and repost each video on your YouTube Shorts. Take the same video and place them on your TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram feeds. You'll soon discover whether you have a receptive audience on these social media sites too.
Very few brands rely on just one social media platform these days. You already have your content created for your YouTube channel, so it makes sense to distribute it further.
If you want to attract users back to your main channel then you can clip your videos into smaller segments and post them on other sites. Encourage users to "watch the full video" at your YouTube channel and provide a link to the full thing.
Tools to help you grow your YouTube channel
There are plenty of tools out there that you can lean on to improve and grow your channel. Not everyone has direct access to video editing software, analytics, and design tools. However, we all have a smartphone.
Shooting videos usually isn't the issue. It's the post-production process that trips brands up.
So, here are three areas where external tools can spruce up your videos and help your channel grow.
Video editing software for all levels
This is a big one. You don't need to be a pro to create great videos. Free options like iMovie (Mac) or Shotcut (Windows/Mac/Linux) are built into your computer. They offer basic cuts, transitions, and text overlays, making them perfect for small brands and beginners.
Adobe Premiere Pro is perhaps the best of the professional options, as it packs way more advanced features like color grading and motion graphics. However, you have a lot to learn here and it might be easier to employ someone to cut and stylize your videos for you.
Thumbnail design tools
We mentioned the importance of thumbnails earlier in this guide. If you haven't done graphic design before then Canva and Pixlr are popular free options with plenty of templates and easy-to-use features.
You can create pro-looking thumbnails in minutes, and subscribe to them for additional features such as AI design aids.
Adobe Photoshop is the go-to option for those who want to create custom thumbnails from scratch. It's costly and you'll need to train on the software, but it may be worth it in the long run.
You could also use a mobile app like PicsArt to edit photos and add text right from your phone. This is handy for quick thumbnail updates, especially on YouTube Shorts.
Analytics and keyword tools for optimization
YouTube Studio is a good place to start for channel analytics but a platform like Brandwatch is required if you want to dig deep into the data. You can get a far better understanding of your account and individual videos, as well as your audience and competitors.
Managers can use Brandwatch to oversee all their YouTube content and develop fresh strategies from the data they acquire. It's also possible to post videos from the calendar and track updates to the YouTube algorithm, so you're always one step ahead of the game.
Frequently asked questions
Every YouTube video carries a level of value that is hard to engage in isolation. However, as you build your YouTube channel you'll be able to understand what works and what doesn't. From here, you can create fresh content strategies and keep your channel looking professional and up-to-date.
Want to know more? Here are some answers to common questions we get asked about creating YouTube channels.
What are the steps to create a YouTube channel on mobile?
Creating a YouTube channel on your iPhone or Android is simple. Open the YouTube app or YouTube Studio app and sign in. Tap your profile picture, then "Create a channel". Choose to use your name or create a custom name. Fill in the details and you're ready to start uploading videos.
How can I make money with my YouTube channel?
The YouTube Partner Program is the place to be if you want to earn money through ads and sponsorship on the platform. This requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year. You can also create a YouTube Shopping account to launch merchandise sales on the site.
What's the best way to start a YouTube channel for my child?
Create a supervised account through Family Link for kids under 13. This gives you control over content and settings. Older teens can set up a regular account – just make sure to review safety guidelines and privacy settings together. You could even set a password that they can't access, so they can't tamper with the settings.
Can starting a YouTube channel be a free process?
Yes, starting a YouTube channel is completely free. Brands and individuals can get started with no cost whatsoever. You don't need to pay anything to create an account, upload videos, or build an audience. Your only costs might be for equipment like a camera or editing software if you choose to use them. You can pay for additional features and analytics, too, but there's no obligation.
