How to Create a YouTube Channel
Video content accounts for over 82% of all online traffic — and YouTube is the most popular video platform with more than two billion active users.
Because video is an essential channel for marketers, it’s important to know how to leverage YouTube for your own business.
This article will cover everything you need to know about creating a YouTube channel so you can start uploading your own videos and growing your audience today.
Creating videos is only half the battle. You also need a place to publish them to be easily accessible to your audience. As YouTube is the most popular video hosting site, knowing how to create a YouTube channel is essential to get started on your journey.
It isn’t enough to upload and publish a video in two clicks. You also need to understand the inner workings of the YouTube platform to ensure that your channel presents your brand in the best light.
Why Should You Create a YouTube Channel?
YouTube channels are nearly essential for any business that is looking to ramp up its video marketing efforts. By setting one up, you have the perfect place to host your videos and share them with eager, relevant audiences.
But why are so many B2B businesses turning to video marketing? Well, video marketing has shown impactful results for their business. In 2021, approximately 87% of companies saw a positive return on video marketing.
For more information about YOUTUBE and the latest news visit the site.
How Do You Create a Successful YouTube Channel?
Many different factors contribute to the success of your YouTube channel. First, you need to ensure that your channel is set up correctly and optimized for viewership.
The adage “If you build it, they will come” does not necessarily apply to YouTube channels. You need to ensure that your channel has the necessary components to drive meaningful results.
The core components of a successful YouTube account include:
- A clear focus for the channel (i.e., designated for a specific business or organization)
- High-quality videos that engage audiences
- Optimized titles, tags, and descriptions
- Polished profile photos, headers, and playlists
- Traffic to the channel from other owned channels
Last but not least, you’ll need consistency. Just as with content marketing and SEO, you’ll need to know upfront that you’ll be required to publish several videos regularly to be able to collect valuable data and start seeing more views.
How to Create a YouTube Channel
Creating a well-managed YouTube channel with consistent content can help businesses grow better, but doing it right is just as important. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
1. Sign in to your Google account.
You’ll need a Google account to watch, share, create, and comment on YouTube content. Go to youtube.com and click “Sign In” in the upper right-hand corner. From there, you’ll be taken to a Google sign-in page.
- If you have a Google account, you’ll be prompted to sign in.
- If you have multiple Google accounts, be sure to select the one you want to be associated with the YouTube channel.
- If you do not have a Google account, click “Create Account” and follow the prompts to register for one.
2. Update Channel Name and Description
With your account created, it’s time to make your business or your personal account channel.
The first thing you need to do is update the channel name to something that reflects the subject matter of the type of content on the page.
By taking this step, you’ll ensure that the public will be able to find your channel by searching the name of your business or organization.
3. Upload Your Profile Photo and Logo
Next, it’s time to focus on branding your page to depict your company or personal account accurately.
You need to upload three important branding images: picture, banner image, and video watermark.
You’ll want your YouTube page to be an extension of your brand. Thus, this step is critical to ensure that all your digital properties carry a unifying message.
Channels with high-quality images as their picture, banner, and watermark look more inviting and professional for passive viewers. They might be lured in by a memorable profile picture or banner and stay to check out some of your videos.
4. Upload Your Videos
Now it’s finally time to upload your first video. It’s the “main event” when it comes to your YouTube page.
After all, your audience will only visit your page if it hosts engaging video content. Thankfully, the steps to upload a video are simple and easy to follow.
First, save your video file to an easily accessible place on your computer. It can be in your Documents folder, on your Desktop, or even in your Downloads. All that matters is that you can access it in a few clicks.
Next, go back to your channel and click the Create button in the corner of your screen.
After you’ve hit the Create button, a screen will pop up, inviting you to select the file that you want to upload:
Click Select Files to locate the video file you just saved to your computer. Then YouTube will automatically begin uploading it.
The upload part of the process is simple and only takes a few minutes. However, the steps after the upload (including the optimization) are critical.
5. Optimize Your Videos
What good is it to upload your video if no one can find it?
There are billions of minutes of videos uploaded to YouTube, and you need to ensure that your content stands out and that it’s easily accessible.
Optimizing your videos is a critical step to ensure your videos are properly tagged, so they will surface when someone types a relevant keyword into YouTube’s massive search engine.
Much like how SEO practitioners spend time ranking on Google, you should devote the proper time to ensure that you rank high on YouTube.
6. Set Your Channel Layout
Now that you have some videos on your channel, it’s time to customize the look and feel.
You’ll have control over how people move from one video to another. You should pay attention to this because it’s essential to hook your viewers to get them to spend a bit longer on your channel.
Make your channel work for your company by personalizing your channel’s page layout.
You have many options to customize this experience based on the type of visitor.
To get started, click the Layout tab in the menu at the top navigation bar on the Customize Channel page.
7. Create a Playlist
A playlist is a great way to compile similar videos and encourage continuous watching from your audience. You can group your playlists by a similar topic and feature them on your channel’s homepage.
Playlists engage your fans and customers on a deeper level, increasing their time on your channel watching your content. If your viewers spend more time on your page, they will develop a deeper understanding of your brand.
To begin, click the Playlists button in the left-hand menu. In the top-right corner, you’ll now see a New Playlist button.
