Whether you’re running a personal or professional business, or just enjoy the world of social media, chances are you’ve considered giving YouTube a try as a creator.

With so many overnight success stories and viral channels making thousands (if not millions) of dollars via AdSense and sponsorships, it can be tempting to want to try your hand at this seemingly simple way to make bank. But is YouTube the right platform for you?

Before you get started on creating your YouTube channel, it’s important to take a few things into consideration in order to make the most of your content. Today we break down the basics of what’s required as a YouTube content creator, so you can decide once and for all whether you want to take the plunge.

Let’s get started!

How Much Time Do You Have?

Despite how effortless it may seem from the perspective of a viewer, creating content on YouTube takes time, energy, and resources that you may not have considered. Before you begin creating a YouTube channel, it’s important to take into account how much time you have in the day and how much you’re willing to commit to your YouTube channel.

In order to create a single video you’ll have to spend hours planning, scripting, filming, editing, troubleshooting, uploading, and promoting your content across platforms once it’s been posted. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, your YouTube channel may not break through the algorithm and reach your desired audience.

There are always ways around time constraints. If you have the resources, you can delegate the editing, uploading, and promotion processes to an assistant - but not everyone has that luxury.

Carve out some time in your schedule or calendar as if you were already a YouTuber. If it looks plausible, you’re good to go!

What Kind Of Content Do You Want To Create?

Once you’ve decided whether or not you have the time to spend on creating your YouTube videos, it’s time to decide what kind of videos you want to create. It’s a good idea to choose something you’re truly passionate about, or your lack of interest will be very obvious to your audience.

Passion is contagious! Pick a topic you love and are knowledgeable about, or that you intend to learn about while creating your content. You don’t have to be an expert, but you do have to provide some sense of value to your audience. So if you’re learning about the topic as you go, be sure to document your learning process so that others interested in it can follow along.

It’s also a good idea to look into your ideal niche to see what kind of videos are already out there. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel - if there’s a lot of content on the topic of your choice, you can improve on it with your own videos. Maybe there’s an area that people have glossed over, or something that no one else has considered before.

It’s time to think outside the box.

Are You Ready To Show Yourself To The World?

Now that you know what you want to create, it’s time to decide whether or not you’re comfortable with being seen on camera. It’s not a requirement - many YouTubers in various niches get away with hiding their faces (and even not speaking at all!). But you’ll have to make up for this with some editing skills and some interesting B roll. 

Explore videos in a variety of niches to see how other content creators get away with hiding behind the camera. Listen to different types of voiceovers to get familiar with how they keep their audience engaged. Take notes on editing styles, music choices, and the types of B roll that are used. And don’t be afraid to experiment!

You can always change your mind as your channel progresses, so don’t feel like you have to commit to anything right away. Committing to your audience, however, is non-negotiable.

Can You Commit To Your Audience?

A YouTube channel is nothing without its subscribers! As your channel grows and your content becomes more popular you’ll find that your audience can make or break your content. If your audience grows to expect a specific type of content from your channel, it can be challenging to break free from that should you want to down the line. 

That’s why it’s best to decide before you even begin: can you commit to your audience and what they want? Learning how to accept constructive criticism, deal with negative feedback or trolling, and drawing boundaries between your personal and professional life is key to long term YouTube success.

Just like with content, you might want to look into other YouTubers and see how they manage their audiences. There are plenty of videos for new YouTubers looking to get started, so take some time to research before you begin.

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