Youtube: What Is It And Why Use It As A Video Creator?

by kim Updated: July 18, 2022

YouTube is a video sharing platform that allows you to upload, share and view videos. It’s by far the largest video sharing site on the planet. And it’s also a great tool for video creators like us to use for marketing. You can use it for everything from business to hobbies.

As a video creator, you need to use every tool at your disposal to get your content in front of as many people as possible. YouTube is one of those tools. It’s a video sharing platform that allows you to upload, share and view videos. Plus, it’s also a social media site that lets you interact with other people in the community.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about YouTube as a video creator.

Creating a YouTube Video

Gather Your Supplies

• Get Adobe Express and open a slide-based editor
• Brainstorm a story and storyboard it
• Gather images, video clips, icons, and text

Assemble Your Video

• Place media in the slides
• Choose pre-designed layouts
• Add text to communicate key info or calls to action
• Add a theme and soundtrack

Share the Video

• Save the video to your device
• Copy the link to share online
• Post to social media, YouTube, or blog
• Text or email the video to friends

Step 1: Crafting an Engaging YouTube Video Strategy

Identify Your Audience

Before you start creating content, you need to know who you’re creating it for. That means understanding your audience’s problems, needs, and interests. Here’s how to get started:

• Listen to what your audience is saying: If you don’t listen to your audience, you won’t be able to serve them well.
• Narrow your focus: Once you have a sense of your audience, you need to create content that matches their needs.
• Get specific: When you’re just starting out, you want your audience to be as specific as possible.
• Focus on helping your viewers: Make sure your video helps your viewers achieve their goals.

Start Creating Content

Don’t let perfection get in the way of creating content. Here’s what to do if you find yourself stuck on making it perfect:

• Ask yourself a few questions: Will your audience not understand the purpose of the video if changes aren’t made? Will the video, as is, achieve your goal?
• Don’t overthink it: Focus more on the quality of the content and how you deliver it.
• Just start: Don’t worry about having all the right equipment or making sure every part is perfect. Just start creating content.

Step 2: Optimize Your Video for Search Engines

Making Content That’s Good For Users

If you want your video to be successful, you gotta make sure it’s seen! That’s why it’s important to consider Search Engine Optimization (SEO) when creating your video.

Here’s a few tips to get your content found:

• Focus on a specific topic and niche. This will help your content stand out and be more searchable.
• Make sure your content is helpful and answers questions your potential audience is asking.
• Match the search intent with what you’re selling.
• Provide more value than your audience expects.
• Have guests they wouldn’t expect to be on your program.

Making Content That’s Good For Search Engines

You also want to make sure your content is good for search engines. Here’s a few tips to get your content ranking:

• Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions.
• Include a transcript of your video in the description.
• Link to other related videos in the description.
• Share your video on social media.
• Encourage viewers to comment and like your video.
• Ask viewers to subscribe to your channel.

Finding YouTube Ideas and Topics

YouTube Search

• Looking for content ideas? Do a quick YouTube search and see what comes back.
• Check out the search results and decide if it’s a saturated area or if you can create a unique, valuable version.
• Pick topics that you’re passionate about and that are relevant to your audience.
• Type keywords into the search bar and use the auto-suggest/autocomplete feature to get additional ideas.

Comments Section

• Check out the comments section of videos and articles for additional topics and questions.
• Look at a competitor’s YouTube channel and start mining the comments.

Find a Community

• Join a Twitter, Facebook group, or membership group to get inspired and ask questions.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you don’t have to go at it alone!

Ask Your Audience

• If you already have an audience, ask them what types of content they’d like to see.
• This is a surefire way to figure out what your audience wants to know, learn, and watch.

Getting Started with YouTube Equipment

Step 1: Start with Your Phone

• Don’t stress about getting the fanciest gear right away – start with your phone!
• You can do a lot with just a smartphone and a bit of creativity.
• Brian Fanzo of iSocialFanz suggests taking baby steps: “start with your phone, then move to a web camera, then move to professional gear.”

Step 2: Get a Microphone

• Investing in a good microphone will make a huge difference in the quality of your video.
• You can get a decent mic without breaking the bank, and it’s well worth it.
• Look for a mic that works with your mobile device, camera, or digital recorder.

Step 3: Use Screen Recording Software

• Screen recording software can help you learn the basics of video creation and help you practice good techniques.
• Look for a tool with built-in recording, editing, and sharing features to save time.
• Camtasia is a great video editing software for beginners, and it has the power to grow with you as you gain more skills.

Step 4: Get Some Lights

• Lighting can make a big difference in how you look and the overall quality of your video.
• You don’t have to spend a lot of money on lights when starting out – a basic set will do the trick.
• Lighting is a combination of science and art, so experiment and have fun with it!

Step 5: Invest in a Camera or Webcam

• Cameras can be a big investment, but they can drastically improve the look of your video.
• An external webcam is a more affordable option and will give you better quality than a built-in webcam.
• Don’t forget that you probably have a great camera in your pocket – most smartphones can record in full HD or even 4K.

Creating Your First YouTube Video

Why Instructional Videos?

• According to a recent TechSmith study, over half of people watch two or more instructional videos per week – that’s a 152% increase compared to 2013!
• A tutorial video is a great way to get started on YouTube. It simply answers a question someone asked – whether it’s ‘How to Freeze Panes in Excel’ or ‘How to Change Your Oil’.
• 87% of people surveyed in a Pew research study said that YouTube is important for helping them figure out how to do things they haven’t done before.

Types of Videos to Make

• If you’re an expert in dog training, create a series of how-to videos to answer all the questions a dog owner might have.
• If you know Photoshop, make tutorial or training videos to help others get better.
• If you’re a business or entrepreneur, make product demo or explainer videos to show potential customers what your product or service does.

Examples of Instructional Videos

• Check out this video from TubeBuddy to get an idea of what an instructional video looks like:
• There are also tons of other instructional videos on YouTube – people look for video help every day, and learning and educational content drives over a billion views a day!

Step 6: Get Ready to Roll!

Clean Up Your Desk (and Desktop)

Before you hit record, make sure your space is looking spick and span:

• Clear away any clutter that could be seen in the shot. A blank, single-color wall is ideal, but if that’s not an option, just make sure your background is as distraction-free as possible.

• Close any unnecessary programs and windows on your computer screen. You don’t want your viewers to be distracted by all the apps and programs you don’t need!

• Avoid recording in front of windows. Position yourself next to the window or facing the window. This way, you won’t be washed out or become a silhouette.

• Tilt your webcam or camera so that it’s at eye level. Stick to the Rule of Thirds or position yourself in the center of the frame.

Lighting

Lighting is key when it comes to recording a great video. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• If you have access to lighting equipment, use it! It can make a huge difference in the quality of your video.

• If you don’t have access to lighting equipment, make use of natural light. Position yourself near a window or use a lamp to light up your space.

• Avoid recording in direct sunlight. This can wash out your video and make it hard to see.

• If you’re using a lamp, make sure it’s not too bright. You don’t want your viewers to be blinded!

Step 7: Capture Your Screen

Record Your Screen

Ready to make your YouTube masterpiece? Start by hitting the record button in the top right of your screen. Camtasia’s got you covered with all the recording settings you need.

Customize Your Settings

Choose whether you want to record your full screen or just a specific region. Then, decide if you want to add any extra inputs like a webcam or microphone audio. When you’re ready, hit start recording and get ready to show off your skills.

Finish Recording

When you’re done, hit the stop button in the taskbar. If you need to re-record, just hit delete and start over. Quick tip: press F10 to stop recording or F9 to pause/resume. On Mac? Press CMD+OPTION+2 to stop and CMD+SHIFT+2 to pause/resume.

Analyzing Your Channel’s Performance

Understand Your Viewership Trends

• Get to know your audience and their viewing habits by taking a closer look at your channel’s analytics.
• Check out Advanced Mode to get an even deeper look at trends like what type of content your viewers are into.
• Get the lowdown on when and how your viewers are watching your content by checking out Audience Analytics.

Spot Opportunities to Earn

• Use analytics to monetize your channel.
• Get the scoop on Cost Per Mille (CPM) and Revenue Per Mille (RPM) to understand how advertisers value your content.
• Check out videos and articles to learn more about ad revenue.

Revitalize Your Channel

Collaborate with Other Creators

• Get tips on how to choose the right collaborators and make the most of what you create together.
• Network with other Creators and learn new skills that can help you find more fans for your channel.
• Connect with other Creators and have fun with the content you create together.

Go Live on YouTube

• Qualify for YouTube Live and let your fans into your life in real time.
• Connect with your fans in more meaningful ways with YouTube Live.
• Share your life with your fans and make sure you’re doing it strategically.

Pivot Your Content

• Consider a pivot in your channel’s content if necessary.
• Make sure you’re doing it strategically to set yourself up for success.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new and experiment with different formats.

Start a Secondary Channel

• Create a secondary channel if you don’t want to change your main channel.
• Experiment with new types of formats without risking alienating your fans.
• Learn more about creating a new channel and how it can benefit you.

Have Fun and Take Breaks

• Creative burnout is real, so prioritize your well-being.
• Make sure you’re taking breaks and having fun with your content.
• Balance your work and down time to make sure you’re not overworking yourself.

Reaching Your Audience

Understanding YouTube Recommendations

Want to know why your recent video is blowing up? Understanding the way your viewers find your videos can help. Here’s the lowdown on YouTube’s algorithm and what factors influence your impressions:

• Our algorithm doesn’t pay attention to videos, it pays attention to viewers. So, rather than trying to make videos that’ll make an algorithm happy, focus on making videos that make your viewers happy.
• We track what viewers watch, how long they watch, what they skip over, and more. This helps us figure out what kind of videos they like best and what we can recommend to them next.
• Get Creator Tips on search and discovery and watch a video about recommendations to learn more.

Planning Your Programming

If you want to attract and entertain viewers, you need to plan your programming. Here are some tips on how to build a content calendar and best practices for programming:

• Get creative with your content. Think about what kind of videos your viewers would like to watch and what would keep them coming back for more.
• Schedule your videos in advance. This will help you stay organized and make sure you’re consistently posting content.
• Watch videos on programming best practices to get more ideas on how to plan your programming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, YouTube is an amazing platform for video creators to share their work with the world. It’s easy to use, free, and provides a great way to reach a wide audience. So if you’re looking to get your work out there, YouTube is definitely the way to go! Just remember to keep your content interesting, use catchy titles, and don’t forget to have a little fun with it. After all, it’s not called “YouTUBE” for nothing!

Hi, I'm Kim, a mom and a stop-motion enthusiast with a background in media creation and web development. I've got a huge passion for drawing and animation, and now I'm diving headfirst into the stop-motion world. With my blog, I'm sharing my learnings with you guys.