How To Become A YouTuber In 2024 (Step-By-Step)

Digital content creation is a rapidly expanding market, with thousands of new channels emerging daily that explore various subjects.

Learning how to be a successful YouTuber and stand out from the competition requires the skills and planning to create videos that capture your audience’s attention.

This guide offers a complete primer on running a successful YouTube channel, from choosing the best cameras and video editing software to optimizing monetization strategies.

What Is A YouTuber?

A YouTuber records and publishes video content to the YouTube platform as pre-recorded videos or through live streaming.

While alternatives such as TikTok and Instagram allow for short-form videos, YouTube has cemented its status as the premier platform for content creators.

There are virtually no limitations on the topics that can be discussed on a YouTube channel, and many high-profile YouTubers have achieved international fame.

Subjects can vary from entertainment-related YouTube channels exploring gaming, music, and movies to educational channels for all experience levels.

Since all that’s required to produce videos for a YouTube channel is a camera and editing software, it’s a hugely popular solopreneur business idea.

A content creator can earn money through advertising revenue and sponsorships while redirecting their audience to merchandise platforms on their YouTube channel.

How Much Money Do YouTubers Make?

The amount of money content creators on YouTube can make varies wildly and depends on various factors, from subscriber count to sponsorship deals.

While a new YouTube channel will struggle to monetize content in the early days, this can develop into a full-time income over time.

On the top end of the earning spectrum, high-profile creators such as MrBeast and PewDiePie can earn millions annually through ad revenue alone.

Monetization directly through YouTube is based on various metrics, with a channel’s revenue per mille (RPM) indicating earnings per 1,000 video views.

While the average RPM sits around £3 to £5, some larger channels can earn significantly more, particularly when factoring in other revenue streams.

Additionally, factors such as the video’s length, the number of ads placed within the video, and the audience’s use of ad blockers can impact this revenue.

Content creators typically don’t publicly disclose their earnings through sponsorships, affiliates, and merchandise sales, so these must be considered.

With that said, if you’re hoping to become a YouTuber, the range of income streams makes it a great scalable business with impressive growth potential.

How To Become A YouTuber In 2024 (Step-By-Step)

Setting up and growing a successful YouTube channel requires a deep understanding of what your target audience wants and how you can deliver the best content.

Let’s break down the key steps to achieve this goal of delivering high-quality videos that bring in subscribers for a successful YouTube career.

Step 1. Understand Your Niche & Audience

Whatever the nature of a business, extensive research into your direct competitors and their audience is essential.

Before you do this, however, you should first break down your niche interest and the knowledge and experiences you can bring to the table.

The more you can offer value to your potential audience, the better your levels of engagement will be, delivering consistent long-term growth.

You can start by outlining your niche and brainstorming the potential sub-topics and how these can be translated into video content.

Once you’ve done this, you should research your competitors and audience to see what type of content delivers the best results.

Here are a few tips to consider when checking out rival YouTube channels and their followers:

• Channel name and branding. Choosing the best YouTube name is a vital aspect of your branding strategy, capturing the essence of your content in a few simple yet effective words. Creating a spreadsheet of your competitors will give you this information at a glance for easy reference.
• Most popular videos posted. YouTube’s categorization system includes the option to view a channel’s most popular videos, so you can use this to create a list of topics that gain the most views.
• Viewer comments. There are thousands of comments posted on popular YouTube videos that give you deeper insights into how the audience reacts to the content. Take the time to read through these comments and make notes on the feedback they provide.
• Related online content. Most YouTube channels link to external websites, from personal websites to various social media platforms. Note the commonly used sites and see which ones might be a good fit for your overall strategy.

This research can then be followed up by supplementary research, such as finding out who designed a website or choosing social media channels to set up.

Once your YouTube account is set up, return to the research process to see what content creation trends you can apply to future videos.

You should also pay close attention to changes in how the YouTube algorithm functions since the platform often updates these processes.

Step 2. Invest In The Best Equipment

Owning a video camera is necessary to create and share YouTube videos on the platform to build an audience.

You’ll also need to invest in video editing tools to cut your videos and add transitions, titles, effects, and sound design.

Here’s a breakdown of the essential hardware and software you’ll need to become a successful YouTuber covering various budget ranges.

Hardware

Fortunately, you don’t need to invest in high-end camera gear to get decent results. Many modern smartphones, such as iPhones, include crisp 4K cameras.

With that said, if you have the budget for a professional-level camera, your videos will undoubtedly benefit from this investment in terms of quality.

Likewise, if you’re hoping to host roundtable discussions in a podcast format, you’ll need to purchase multiple cameras and the relevant software.

If that’s the case, many YouTube channels use OBS Studio for multi-camera setups and editing, allowing users to add various devices.

Additional hardware you should acquire includes a microphone to record dialogue with good audio quality, and omnidirectional mics offer great flexibility.

If you’re shooting videos in a home studio, you may also want to invest in a pair of LED lights or use a ring light if you’re recording through a webcam.

Video Editing Software

As with choosing a camera for your recordings, you have many options when deciding on video editing tools.

For low-budget setups, you can try software such as Movavi or CyberLink’s PowerDirector, both of which have excellent features at an affordable price.

Alternatively, if you have some experience with professional video editing skills, you may want to invest in a suitable program to produce high-quality videos.

Professional editors use software including Adobe Premiere Pro, which requires a subscription, or DaVinci Resolve Studio, which is used for movies such as Avatar 2.

DaVinci Resolve’s free-to-use version is also a solid choice since it includes many features in the paid version, including impressive color grading tools.

Miscellaneous Software

In addition to video editing software, you may want to invest in other tools to help you manage your content creation pipeline and social media channels.

These tools can help you schedule posts and manage comments, creating a more streamlined workflow that optimizes your time.

Spend time investigating the best tools for your channel, and choose those that match your requirements and budget range.

As your YouTube channel grows over time and you branch out to other social media platforms for engagement, you can add more software to your list.

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Step 3. Research & Plan Content

Once you’ve set up your hardware and software and performed the necessary competitor research, it’s time to create a content plan.

This will help you effectively manage your time and effort to build the best content pipeline possible and create high-quality videos.

Whether you’re sharing insights into starting a makeup line or selling websites to businesses, this plan should be broken into a clear chronological schedule.

Your short- and long-term strategy should also cover the different types of content that you intend to share on your YouTube channel.

Some of the different types of content you can post include:

• Short-form videos. These short and snappy videos are ideal for quick breakdowns and recaps, as well as top ten reviews of products and other types of content.
• Long-form videos. Posting a lengthy YouTube video is a great way to engage the platform’s algorithm and retain viewers for extended periods.
• YT Shorts. A relatively recent addition to YouTube Studio, Shorts are the platform’s attempt to replicate the content approach of rivals such as TikTok and Instagram and capture audiences with a shorter attention span.
• Live streaming events. Live streaming on YouTube opens up new opportunities to engage with viewers in real-time and earn extra money through direct donations during the stream.

YouTube channels allow content creators to categorize their videos into playlists, shorts, and podcasts, so consider these categories when planning content.

You can also add a store to your channel and set up a community section where your subscribers can contact you directly.

If you plan to sell merchandise through your YouTube channel, consider including your release strategy in your overall content plan.

Step 4. Create Your YouTube Channel

Once you’ve laid all the groundwork with your research and content planning schedule, it’s time to set up the YouTube channel and start posting videos.

However, before you can begin uploading videos, you’ll need to ensure your channel has various features.

Here’s a brief overview of the various elements you need to address to get it up and running:

• Channel name and description. We’ve touched on the importance of choosing a catchy and memorable channel name that reflects the nature of the content you’re sharing. You must also include a concise description that captures what you’re about in a few words.
• Profile photo or image. Choosing a clear, high-quality photo or illustration is an integral part of your online branding that can be applied across your social media pages and YouTube channels. You can take a headshot or design a logo that fits your image and style of content.
• Banner image. This image, also called channel art, sits at the top of your YouTube channel. It should be designed in a consistent manner with your other branding elements, with text popping off the image clearly.
• Channel keywords. Keywords are a great way to help your potential audience find your content, and you can choose from a range of pre-determined words when setting up your YouTube channel.
• Video watermark. Another feature you can include is a video watermark, which will appear on all your videos uploaded to the platform. You don’t have to include this, but it’s an excellent way to reinforce your branding to viewers.

These elements should be fine-tuned throughout your channel creation process since they are important aspects related to the psychology of media interaction.

As you work on designing your channel logo and other branding elements, consider gathering feedback from friends to see which designs they prefer.

If you don’t have any design skills, you can use free platforms such as Canva to assemble logos and banners with little to no experience.

Alternatively, if you have a budget, consider hiring a professional graphic designer to complete these tasks to a higher standard.

You can always revisit these branding elements in the future and update them with fresher designs when time and money permit.

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Step 5. Post Videos Regularly

Now that your channel is up and running, you’re ready to start posting videos to the platform and building and engaging with your audience.

With a content schedule in place, this process can be easily managed, allowing you to get ahead of the curve and record several videos in advance.

As with setting up your channel, you should ensure your video description and video title always include relevant keywords for search optimization.

Video titles are particularly important since YouTube’s audience will see these as they scroll through the platform’s home page.

Consider using capitalized words for emphasis, and refer to your competitors’ video descriptions to see how they phrase theirs for maximum impact.

You can also manage your consistent upload schedule with a content calendar, with some of the tools you can use for this including:

• Asana
• Trello
• Google Sheets
• Microsoft Excel

These tools allow you to set up notifications and ensure new videos are live on time, keeping your YouTube journey on the right track.

The more efficiently you manage your posting schedule, the more time you’ll have to focus on producing new videos and polishing your presentation and editing skills.

This makes it a potentially lucrative side hustle to pay off debt and work toward becoming a YouTube success story with millions of subscribers.

Step 6. Promote Your YouTube Channel

While great content will increase your odds of gaining new subscribers, if you want to become an overnight YouTube sensation, you’ll need to promote it effectively.

You can work to increase your reach in many ways, from partnering with influencers on Instagram to paying for advertising directly.

Let’s break down a few of the leading promotional methods other channels use to build their audience and become a successful YouTuber.

Set Up A Website

Setting up a personal website is a great way to expand your online presence and create content that complements your YouTube channel.

You don’t need to be an experienced web developer, and many website builders offer an impressive selection of templates you can customize.

Websites are a great way to provide additional material that supplements the topics explored in your videos, including blog posts and eBooks.

They can also significantly improve your online branding through search engine optimization and help your platform rise through Google’s search engine ranking.

Thanks to their drag-and-drop user interface, website builders are easy to use and cover technical aspects such as web hosting and security.

They also support a wide variety of media formats, so you can upload additional videos, images, and other media to share with your audience.

Use Social Media Platforms

Most YouTubers have a presence on popular social media platforms to promote new videos to their fans and alert them about other activities.

When setting up your channel, you should include links to platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X in your basic description.

You can also consider setting up forums and Facebook groups where your audience can gather for ongoing discussions about your chosen niche.

Since most social media websites include the option to pay for ads, you can also use these for campaigns directly to your target audience.

Each social media platform has advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before using them for outreach.

Understanding how to maximize organic reach on each one will help you channel your promotional efforts effectively and achieve the best results.

Collaborate With A Successful YouTube Channel

Many successful YouTubers are part of a network of like-minded content creators who join one another on live streams and other collaborations.

While newcomers to YouTube might struggle to forge such connections early on, you should monitor this promotional strategy.

Small channels that create excellent content can quickly rise through the ranks and gain the attention of larger YouTubers willing to collaborate.

Indeed, the best YouTube channels frequently seek out up-and-coming stars and are happy to help them grow their audience and subscriber base.

You can write up a spreadsheet of potential YouTube influencers to partner with and message them to see if they’re interested in collaborating.

Collaborations are also great for brainstorming new video ideas for your own channel and making videos that deliver higher levels of engagement.

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Step 7. Build A Community

Building a lively YouTube community is fundamental to gaining a loyal following of subscribers to your channel who keep coming back for more.

You can adopt many strategies to build a loyal following, from regularly engaging with viewers in the comments to discussions on other social media websites.

Ultimately, the success or failure of your YouTube channel depends mainly on your subscribers and the ability to retain them over time.

Along with a consistent posting schedule, you can help foster this sense of community through live streams and other real-time events.

YouTube’s Live feature is a great way to host Q&A sessions with your subscribers, requesting they leave comments to help you plan future content.

Just as your social media presence can be used for promotion, it can also be a vital hub for community-building endeavors.

Many other processes we’ve covered in the promotional step above equally apply to online community engagement and retention.

For example, allowing open comments on your website’s blog posts fosters engagement by allowing followers to join the conversation.

This can be combined with forum discussions, email marketing initiatives, and even podcasts, which deliver a comprehensive community-building strategy.

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Step 8. Monetize Your YouTube Channel

YouTubers have various options to bring in revenue through their channel, from direct monetization through the platform to selling merchandise.

With billions of views annually, it’s also a rich resource for potential customers that can help businesses thrive and achieve their goals.

Here are some monetization strategies you can apply to your channel to develop a consistent revenue stream.

Join The YouTube Partner Program

Joining the YouTube Partner Program is the first option to consider when monetizing your YouTube channel and developing an income.

You need to be aware of some conditions to consider before doing so, and your channel won’t make money until these are met.

Firstly, your channel must have surpassed 4,000 watch hours within twelve months and have at least 1,000 channel subscribers.

If you pass these thresholds, you’ll be eligible to sign up for the YouTube Partner Program and start earning revenue through video views.

Be aware that your content must meet the standards of the YouTube Community Guidelines, and violating these terms may lead to a channel strike or complete ban.

You’ll also need to create an AdSense account to earn money through ads, whether running pre-roll ads or bumper ads mid-video.

Sign Up For Sponsorships

Another way to generate revenue through your videos is to partner with companies for paid sponsorships and promotions.

Many successful YouTubers work closely with businesses that sell products or services related to their channels’ topics, such as VPN services for tech-based content.

The fees you’ll earn for such sponsorships will vary depending on your channel’s subscriber count and video views so they can vary over time.

As your channel grows, you can renegotiate the arrangement to get a better deal and earn more money for these paid promotions.

You can also generate additional revenue by including promotional codes in your videos, which earn you a percentage of the revenue from sales.

Sell Merchandise

Additional income can be earned away from your YouTube channel through merchandise ranging from clothing to tech accessories.

These can be physical or digital products, with no limit on the selection of products you can offer your subscribers through your channel.

You can use many third-party websites, whether you’re aiming to sell art online or offer eBooks and other digital resources.

Alternatively, you can use your website to cut out the middleman and sell directly to customers from an e-commerce store.

This method will allow you to monitor your sales and consumer interest in more detail, making it easier to refine your product listings over time.

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Step 9. Monitor Your Analytics

Monitoring your channel’s data analytics is another crucial process to ensure you capitalize on your audience and deliver optimal content.

This can be accomplished directly through your YouTube channel, which provides up-to-date information on various metrics.

These metrics include:

• Total video views
• Hours of watch time
• Impressions click-through rate (CTR)
• Subscriber count
• Viewer demographics
• Traffic sources
• Viewer location

This information can then be leveraged to attract and retain additional subscribers who fit into the categories defined by your core audience.

It also includes metrics such as average view duration and the top YouTube search terms used to find your videos to help with keyword optimization.

You can also use third-party analytics tools to analyze your content and compare your performance to competitor channels.

The website Social Blade is a popular resource for data analytics, providing up-to-date data on traffic, subscriber counts, and more.

Step 10. Explore New Content Ideas

As your channel grows, you may struggle to keep your content schedule fresh and unique to keep up with your competitors.

Many successful YouTubers set up secondary channels, which allow them to branch out, cover new topics, and expand their horizons.

Your community engagement and performance data analytics are powerful resources to help you make the best decisions around new content strategies.

If there’s a topic that your subscribers often request, you can test the water with new videos and see how your audience reacts.

When exploring new content ideas, it’s vital to ensure you remain true to your original vision and avoid jumping on bandwagons and trends for the sake of it.

Starting a YouTube channel just for the money is a surefire way to fail, and the same principle applies to exploring new ideas.

Most importantly, you should have fun with the process and pay attention to your audience since authenticity is an invaluable asset to success.

Summary

Setting up a successful YouTube channel takes time and patience, but the personal and professional rewards are immeasurable once you have achieved this.

Whether you showcase your skills in a particular hobby or review the latest gadgets, the scope for new YouTube content is near-limitless.

As your channel continues to grow and bring in new subscribers, you can upgrade your gear and expand your content plan to earn a full-time income.