If you’re planning to grow a YouTube channel in 2026 as a business owner, you’re in the right place. This blog post walks you through how to set up your channel with a strategy that supports your paid offers, builds your email list, and actually grows your brand — not just your subscriber count. This isn’t about becoming a “YouTuber.” It’s about building a content marketing machine that consistently brings in new leads and sales for your business. And yep, the video version is available to watch directly below.
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Start with One Clear Audience
The first — and probably most important — step to growing your YouTube channel is to choose one audience to create content for. Not one topic forever, but one person. This makes a massive difference, especially if you’re using YouTube as a way to scale your business marketing, not just build a personal brand.
So who’s your person? In the video, I give the example of my own audience — business owners — and how I focused heavily on content about Instagram and Reels when I noticed that’s what they really wanted help with.
I didn’t only talk about that forever, but I doubled down on those topics when they started gaining traction. That’s when my channel really started to grow.
The key here is to focus on building a binge-worthy library of videos that all speak to the same person. Not random content about 10 different things. When you do this, YouTube understands who your videos are for and starts recommending your content to more people just like them.
You Don’t Need Fancy Equipment to Start
You absolutely do not need to spend thousands of dollars to start your YouTube channel. Your smartphone is more than enough to get started, and honestly, the quality is better than the DSLR camera I used when I started back in 2018.
What does make a difference is your audio quality.
Poor audio is one of the fastest ways to make someone click off your video.
I recommend a simple mic like the Rode VideoMic Me for your phone — it plugs straight in and instantly levels up your sound quality. Pair it with a basic smartphone tripod (linked in the description) and you’re good to go.
Lighting doesn’t have to be complicated either. Natural light from a window works wonders. If you’re filming at night, a simple ring light or compact LED light is a great upgrade, but not essential when you’re just starting out.
Ditch the Script – Use an Outline Instead
If you’re wondering what to say in your videos, don’t overthink it. You don’t need to write a full script — in fact, I recommend you don’t script it out word for word. YouTube in 2026 is all about conversational content that feels real and natural, like you’re talking to a friend.
That’s why I always stick to a simple outline. I jot down the main points I want to cover, along with a few supporting bullets under each one. Then I film one section at a time. It keeps things flowing naturally without sounding robotic.
People crave authentic, simple content. Especially now, when AI-generated videos and over-polished content are everywhere, the kind of raw, real video that sounds like a human being is what stands out.
Batch Record to Stay Consistent
If you want to stay consistent on YouTube without burning out, batch recording is going to be your best friend. I usually film multiple videos in one day so that I’m not having to film every single week.
Consistency doesn’t mean you have to be in creation mode 24/7. With a plan in place, you can stay ahead and still give yourself margin in your week. This is something I dive deeper into inside my free YouTube class, where I walk through my full workflow and how I scale my marketing with YouTube.
Repurpose Your YouTube Videos Into a Full Content System
YouTube isn’t just a video platform — it can be the entire foundation of your weekly content strategy. One long-form YouTube video can be turned into:
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A blog post (like this one)
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A weekly newsletter
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YouTube Shorts
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Pinterest pins
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Instagram Reels or carousels
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TikTok videos
I use tools like Opus Clip to easily create short-form content from my YouTube videos.
And because Shorts can be linked to your long-form videos, you’re giving your audience even more ways to discover and binge your content.
You can also take your video transcript and quickly turn it into a blog post (I show how to do this inside my free training). That blog post can then be pinned on Pinterest or optimized for SEO so you get found by people searching on Google — or even ChatGPT.
This repurposing method is how I show up consistently on multiple platforms without needing to create from scratch every week. It all starts with YouTube.
Why YouTube is Still the Best Platform in 2026
YouTube remains one of the best content platforms for business owners for two reasons — it’s searchable and it’s evergreen. That means the videos you create today can still be bringing in views (and sales!) months or even years from now.
And because people are actively searching for content like yours, your content is meeting them at the exact moment they’re ready to take action — whether that’s downloading your freebie, joining your email list, or purchasing your course.
This is exactly how I’ve been able to grow my email list by over 400 subscribers every month on autopilot through my YouTube channel. I’m not hustling every day on social — I’ve built a system that continues to grow with or without me.
Ready to Start Your Channel?
If you’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel but have felt overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, I created a completely free one-hour class where I walk through exactly how to start and grow your channel the right way — even with no fancy gear and just a few hours a week.
You can also get my mini course, Binge-Worthy Video Plan, for the first five videos you should film to start gaining traction and build momentum. This has helped hundreds of students confidently launch their channels with a plan.
Let’s Scale Your Marketing With YouTube
YouTube has been a game-changer for my business, and I’m so passionate about helping other business owners experience that same kind of growth. Whether you’re launching a new course, building your email list, or just want your content to work harder for you — this is your sign to start showing up on YouTube in 2026.
I’m cheering for you as you grow your channel and your business — let’s make 2026 your best marketing year yet.
