5 Tips to Getting Started on YouTube
Hello everyone,
I decided to start some blogging again! I'm not sure how my current readers will enjoy a post like this, so please remember to leave your feedback down below.
Over the last year or so I have worked on creating a YouTube channel, where I release 2+ videos a day (http://www.youtube.com/TheIndieMG). While my channel has never started to boom like other channels do I do feel as though I can offer some help for people starting out their channels. Now, some of YouTube is a luck game; people will have to see your videos somehow.
So without further delay, here are my 5 Tips to Getting Started on YouTube
1. Channel Branding
When people come to your channel they need to see something new and exciting, otherwise they aren't going to say. This is going to be ruled largely by the channel background. Do not whip something up in MS Paint and throw it there, but also don't grab the first option off google images. If you are not an artist yourself then I highly reccomend asking a friend to help you design something. Anything eye-catching should do.
The other main thing that you can modify on your channel is your avatar. This is less important on your actual channel, but for when your channel shows up in the YouTube search. Lately I've realized a lot of channels have gone to putting out more of "character" as their avatar. Usually a vector of themselves or a game character. But remember, our goal here is to be original
2. Release Videos
Now that you've got all that boring starting stuff out of the way it's time to start releasing videos. Decide on what you're going to do and get some stuff prepared. I recorded all the videos for the first week on my channel before ever publishing a video.
Try to give your video replay value or carry the viewer onto another video. Some things, like game commentary are not good for replay value. A viewer is rarely going to re-watch a game commentary of yours unless you're extremely funny. Remember, you're working with "the iPod generation", you need to bring something new to viewers constantly otherwise they'll get bored and move onto something (or someone) different. I do game commentary, so one way I keep viewers interested is talk about things in other videos then provide annotations and links in the description for them so that they will be able to carry on watching my videos.
Don't be afraid to ask your viewers to do things for you. Even though at first you may feel like you're being a nag by asking views to "share with their friends" or "hit the like button" views actually enjoy it in a way. A large group of YouTube viewers wants to feel involved in a community sense, find ways to get your viewers involved always, even if it is smaller things like sharing with their friends.
3. Use Custom Thumbnails
Not too long ago YouTube released custom thumbnails to everyone, so even if you aren't a partner you can use them, SO USE THEM. I have found that videos with bright thumbnails (light pink and yellow especially) get almost 50% more views than those without bright thumbnails. Try to make it a habit to draw the viewer in by the thumbnail.
When watching a video a viewer will probably take a look at the related video. I cannot speak for everyone, but from what I've seen the viewer will look at the entire row in about 2 seconds. So you have about a tenth of a second of view time to draw in your viewer. That is a very short time, make it count. Some creators will put solid, neon colors behind some bright, neon text. Personally, I hate this, but admittedly, it caught my eye more than any other thumbnails, so you might choose to do this.
4. Collaborate and Contribute
One of the greatest ways to grow your channel is to collaborate with other creators. Keep in mind how small your channel is to start though, do not expect famous creators like freddiew, CaptainSparklez, or the BlueXephos to do a video with you, they get enough requests for that. Start small, and grow. Try to get in contact with other creators your size (give or take a few). Don't think this will be ineffective. I like to think of it like this: I have 100 subscribers, he has 100 subscribers. The chances of us having the exact same hundred is improbable. So, if I can send 10 to him and vice versa then we've both had a 10% growth. Do that 10 times and you've doubled in size.
Comment on other creator's videos. Do not comment on other creator's videos asking people to come to your channel, that is just rude. There is a proper way to do this though. Go to another creator's channel who's videos you enjoy and comment simple things, like "Awesome video" or "I like how you did (whatever) at (some part). It was so cool!". Other people (along with the creator) will read your comment and some will check out your channel eventually.
Leave video replies, there is a good reason they exist. Don't be spammy about it, and don't post it on random popular videos. For instance, going to the featured video on YouTube today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZUWEcP71Ag) and leaving a video reply with a game commentary would be a very bad idea. Now, if you want to do it right then go to a video that is similar to yours and post a video reply. Let's just say you did a Minecraft mod review of the pistons mod, and you saw another guy did it; this is an entirely appropriate time to leave a video reply. Leave video replies when relevant, don't be annoying.
5. Social Network
Use social networks like Twitter to connect with your videos and grow your audience. If you already have a large twitter following then you'll get a major kick-start on your channel! Same with Facebook and other social networks. Everyone tells you to do this because IT WORKS!
One awesome feature that YouTube provides is the autoshare to Twitter, Facebook, and Orkut. Basically, whenever you upload a video, like a video, comment on a video, favorite a video, subscribe to someone, or add a video to a playlist it will send out a message on any (or all) of these social networks, spreading the word to everyone (highly configurable).
I hope some of these tips will help you grow and be successful on YouTube. You are the next creator, you can be the next big thing that everyone is watching. Be different, be brave, and be patient, YOU CAN DO IT!
Thank you,
Nikc-Nack
I decided to start some blogging again! I'm not sure how my current readers will enjoy a post like this, so please remember to leave your feedback down below.
Over the last year or so I have worked on creating a YouTube channel, where I release 2+ videos a day (http://www.youtube.com/TheIndieMG). While my channel has never started to boom like other channels do I do feel as though I can offer some help for people starting out their channels. Now, some of YouTube is a luck game; people will have to see your videos somehow.
So without further delay, here are my 5 Tips to Getting Started on YouTube
1. Channel Branding
When people come to your channel they need to see something new and exciting, otherwise they aren't going to say. This is going to be ruled largely by the channel background. Do not whip something up in MS Paint and throw it there, but also don't grab the first option off google images. If you are not an artist yourself then I highly reccomend asking a friend to help you design something. Anything eye-catching should do.
The other main thing that you can modify on your channel is your avatar. This is less important on your actual channel, but for when your channel shows up in the YouTube search. Lately I've realized a lot of channels have gone to putting out more of "character" as their avatar. Usually a vector of themselves or a game character. But remember, our goal here is to be original
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| Channel in YouTube Search |
2. Release Videos
Now that you've got all that boring starting stuff out of the way it's time to start releasing videos. Decide on what you're going to do and get some stuff prepared. I recorded all the videos for the first week on my channel before ever publishing a video.
Try to give your video replay value or carry the viewer onto another video. Some things, like game commentary are not good for replay value. A viewer is rarely going to re-watch a game commentary of yours unless you're extremely funny. Remember, you're working with "the iPod generation", you need to bring something new to viewers constantly otherwise they'll get bored and move onto something (or someone) different. I do game commentary, so one way I keep viewers interested is talk about things in other videos then provide annotations and links in the description for them so that they will be able to carry on watching my videos.
Don't be afraid to ask your viewers to do things for you. Even though at first you may feel like you're being a nag by asking views to "share with their friends" or "hit the like button" views actually enjoy it in a way. A large group of YouTube viewers wants to feel involved in a community sense, find ways to get your viewers involved always, even if it is smaller things like sharing with their friends.
3. Use Custom Thumbnails
Not too long ago YouTube released custom thumbnails to everyone, so even if you aren't a partner you can use them, SO USE THEM. I have found that videos with bright thumbnails (light pink and yellow especially) get almost 50% more views than those without bright thumbnails. Try to make it a habit to draw the viewer in by the thumbnail.
When watching a video a viewer will probably take a look at the related video. I cannot speak for everyone, but from what I've seen the viewer will look at the entire row in about 2 seconds. So you have about a tenth of a second of view time to draw in your viewer. That is a very short time, make it count. Some creators will put solid, neon colors behind some bright, neon text. Personally, I hate this, but admittedly, it caught my eye more than any other thumbnails, so you might choose to do this.
4. Collaborate and Contribute
One of the greatest ways to grow your channel is to collaborate with other creators. Keep in mind how small your channel is to start though, do not expect famous creators like freddiew, CaptainSparklez, or the BlueXephos to do a video with you, they get enough requests for that. Start small, and grow. Try to get in contact with other creators your size (give or take a few). Don't think this will be ineffective. I like to think of it like this: I have 100 subscribers, he has 100 subscribers. The chances of us having the exact same hundred is improbable. So, if I can send 10 to him and vice versa then we've both had a 10% growth. Do that 10 times and you've doubled in size.
Comment on other creator's videos. Do not comment on other creator's videos asking people to come to your channel, that is just rude. There is a proper way to do this though. Go to another creator's channel who's videos you enjoy and comment simple things, like "Awesome video" or "I like how you did (whatever) at (some part). It was so cool!". Other people (along with the creator) will read your comment and some will check out your channel eventually.
Leave video replies, there is a good reason they exist. Don't be spammy about it, and don't post it on random popular videos. For instance, going to the featured video on YouTube today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZUWEcP71Ag) and leaving a video reply with a game commentary would be a very bad idea. Now, if you want to do it right then go to a video that is similar to yours and post a video reply. Let's just say you did a Minecraft mod review of the pistons mod, and you saw another guy did it; this is an entirely appropriate time to leave a video reply. Leave video replies when relevant, don't be annoying.
5. Social Network
Use social networks like Twitter to connect with your videos and grow your audience. If you already have a large twitter following then you'll get a major kick-start on your channel! Same with Facebook and other social networks. Everyone tells you to do this because IT WORKS!
One awesome feature that YouTube provides is the autoshare to Twitter, Facebook, and Orkut. Basically, whenever you upload a video, like a video, comment on a video, favorite a video, subscribe to someone, or add a video to a playlist it will send out a message on any (or all) of these social networks, spreading the word to everyone (highly configurable).
 |
| Sharing |
I hope some of these tips will help you grow and be successful on YouTube. You are the next creator, you can be the next big thing that everyone is watching. Be different, be brave, and be patient, YOU CAN DO IT!
Thank you,
Nikc-Nack
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