YouTube is a key piece of my overall business strategy. As I upload weekly videos, I add to a library of evergreen content that ranks in search and pushes my email list opt-ins for years to come. Plus, I earn thousands of extra dollars each month. Learn more about how to start a YouTube channel in 2024 in this video!

Are you starting a YouTube channel in 2024? If I was beginning my channel, these are the things I would consider. We’ll cover how I would monetize my channel from the beginning, how I would come up with video ideas to grow my channel, and what my gear would look like.

Monetize Your Channel

Decide if you’re looking to be a YouTuber, hoping to get sponsorships and use Adsense, or if you’re more focused on selling your existing products and services. My channel is about the latter, as I have an established digital product-based business. I use YouTube to point people to my offers and grow my audience. 

Using YouTube as a business owner has helped me earn thousands of dollars in passive income, grow my audience, and create a library of long-form, evergreen content (content that will be found in search for years to come).

YouTube content has a long shelf life (unlike other social media platforms such as Instagram). While Instagram is a powerful marketing platform, I love YouTube because I do not have to show up every single day.

Once you know how you hope to monetize, get specific on what your niche is. What topics will you create videos about, and do they make sense for your products in the end? If you want to learn more about how to use YouTube to grow your business specifically, sign up for my free YouTube class happening on January 11, 2024! After January 11, the replay will be available at the same link.

What Type of Videos Should You Create

First, consider your ideal client. What do they want and what are they searching for? Attract the right person with the videos you create. To take it a step further, consider the trending or seasonal topics, or even what is “big” in your industry. Although we ultimately want our videos to be evergreen, creating content around a trending topic is a great way to gain traction.

Reserve time to have a brainstorming session. Consider what comments and messages you have gotten from ideas clients, and what problems your business solves, and ask yourself how you can make videos about those things. 

If you’re still unsure, do some market research. Learn more about who your ideal client is, what their pain points are, and what they want to learn. Look online, at your conversation, join Facebook groups, look on Reddit, or even put out a survey.

Your Filming Setup 

If you do not already have a DSLR, use your smartphone! Get a microphone that plugs directly into your phone, such as the Rode Video Mic Me (in lightning port or USBC). Face the mic towards you as you record your video. If your front-facing camera can record in 4K, I recommend using that camera. If not, use your back camera. You won’t be able to see yourself, but the quality will be better!

I also use this mic for recording Instagram content to uplevel my audio quality. 

Do not let the lack of “fancy equipment” prevent you from starting your channel. Use what you’re comfortable with, and you can upgrade later! 

When I started my channel, I had a Canon M50. It’s about $1,000 for the lens and camera setup. I used the Rode Video Mic Pro with this camera. 

Editing Your Videos

Start with free software! I recommend iMovie if you’re an Apple user. You can upgrade to Final Cut Pro for $299 (one-time fee). Adobe Premier Pro is another option, and it’s subscription-based. Descript is another option, too. 

I used iMovie for a long time. I recommend using what’s free and committing to getting consistent before you invest in more equipment and programming. 

Encouragement

If it feels intimidating, know that everyone starts somewhere! Imagine where you’ll be in 1-5 years if you start now. My early videos are a little cringy, but I’m just so glad I STARTED because now, YouTube has done so much for my business. 

The more you create videos, the better you get at doing it. Start now, and you’ll be exercising that muscle for the future. Today, I can film twice as many videos in one sitting as I could when I first started, but it took a lot of practice and repetition to get there. Also, I have a team now, to whom I can hand off a lot of the process. Once I film the videos, it’s out of my hands!

If you haven’t already, sign up for my free YouTube class! Learn how to create content for your business that is sustainable and has longevity. Available live on January 11, 2024, and as a replay after!

See you next Tuesday at 8 AM!