What You’ll Learn:

In this how-to article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know to join the leagues of content creators finding fame on YouTube. As you read, you’ll discover:

• Key steps to developing a YouTube channel 
• How to figure out your target audience and post videos they’ll enjoy
• What you can do to increase your chances of becoming a professional YouTuber

When you search for the top YouTube channels in the U.S., the list might just surprise you. In the top ten channels, you’ll find a pop music superstar, a channel featuring popular kids’ songs, and a preteen multimillionaire. To the untrained eye, it could seem like achieving YouTube stardom comes down to random luck – after all, those three wildly popular channels don’t even have anything in common… or do they?

As it turns out, the most successful YouTube creators have their fair share of differences, but they also share plenty of similarities. When you compare the channels with the biggest subscriber base and highest earnings, they all check a series of important boxes. And once you have this not-so-secret list of steps to building an all-star YouTube channel, you can start working towards your own claim to online video-sharing fame.

How Do I Become a Successful YouTuber?

If you’re hoping to be making money on YouTube one day – or achieving any number of other related goals – it’s going to take some time, effort, and skill. Of course, having an in-depth guide to establishing your YouTube presence definitely helps.

Here are the key steps that can help you start creating a YouTube channel that goes beyond viral trends to secure serious staying power.

1. Decide what “success” means to you.

Depending on what you’re hoping to achieve, your personal version of success can take many different forms. For some creators, success might center on the ability to make a good income from their videos. Other YouTubers might aim to connect with as many potential subscribers as possible or hit the milestone of one million views.

There’s no right or wrong way to define success; ultimately, it’s entirely up to you. Whatever you decide on, make sure that you keep it as your focus. Anything else you accomplish along the way will be icing on the cake.

2. Begin developing content for your channel.

In the early stages of your channel, you’re going to be defining its voice and personality. Look at it from a potential subscriber’s perspective: what is the channel, who is the person behind it, and what does it have to offer? 

First, pinpoint the specific type of content you want to center your videos around. For example, are you a fitness competitor that will be talking about healthy eating? Maybe you’re a movie and TV buff that’s going to discuss the latest entertainment news or a beauty guru in the making that will entertain people with advanced makeup tutorials. Whatever the specific niche is that suits you, your content should consistently align with it. From there, incorporate the personality – what makes your channel unique – to make it your own. 

3. Put together a detailed plan.

Now that you know what kind of videos you want to make, it’s time to prepare to execute your ideas. Create a plan that outlines exactly what you’ll need in order to build your channel, including equipment, specialty software, and any other supplies. You can also include a timeline for creating videos, details about anyone that will help with production, a content schedule, topic ideas, and more. 

4. Build an interesting and welcoming profile page.

An incomplete profile page on YouTube is a big no-no for anyone that wants to attract new viewers and solidify the success of their channel. Your profile is your chance to make an excellent first impression, so don’t waste the opportunity.

Take care with visual elements such as your profile photo and video thumbnails because the aesthetics of your page can have a major impact on subscribers. Simple details like image sizing can show your audience that you know what you’re doing (or that you don’t).

5. Be aware of the power of SEO.

You put significant time and effort into producing your videos, so why skip SEO? SEO (search engine optimization) is a crucial step in getting a new video discovered by your ideal audience. YouTube is a surprisingly advanced search engine, which has enabled many creators to use keywords to connect with users and build profitable channels.

You don’t have to be an SEO expert to conduct a little keyword research of your own; simply follow these steps:

• When you find videos that resemble a video that you’re interested in creating on your own, look at the words/phrases you entered in the search bar to receive those specific search results.
• Make small changes to the words/phrases, and observe how the list of results changes. 
• Assess the keywords that you’re considering using, and measure their popularity. Do the same thing to evaluate your competitor channels’ keywords to drive traffic to their videos.

6. Remember that consistency is critical.

Odds are, you’ve seen countless articles that tell you how important it is to post consistently – but we’re here to tell you, yet again, that it’s absolutely true. You simply can’t count on rocketing to stardom because of a single piece of viral content. That scenario is extremely rare, and the resulting fame is frequently short-lived.

Instead, you’ll need to debut your original content ideas on a reliable schedule. Plan a weekly schedule for your channel, and do your best to maintain consistency. Not only does a schedule make production easier, but it also tells your audience when to come to your channel for more videos.

7. Use YouTube analytics to their full potential.

Did you know that your YouTube channel is equipped with analytics that let you see exactly how your videos are performing? The data also breaks down who is watching your YouTube videos, which videos performed better than others, and more. Even the best YouTubers can learn from their analytics, so make data your go-to tool starting now.

Learn How to Become a YouTuber and Start a Career in Media

If you enjoy creating content and sharing new videos, you might be wondering if you can follow the path of other successful YouTubers and turn your passion into a career. With enough hard work, creativity, and talent – and of course, the right skills – you could be the next big YouTube star.

When it comes to figuring out how to make money on YouTube as a full-time creator, having a media-focused education can make a world of difference. Not only can you learn the practical skills you need to make good videos, use editing software, and attract more viewers, but you’ll also understand the foundational media principles that can help you secure a long-term career. 

Students in our courses and programs hit the ground running from day one at the Media Schools of Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio. Our Film & Video Production program will give you the tools to succeed both in front of the camera and behind the lens. From the fundamentals of production to the latest industry trends, you’ll be immersed in a broad range of course content and hands-on experiences. 

For more information about how you can become a YouTuber with the skills you learn at one of our campuses, contact us today.

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