8 YouTube Channel Tips for Beginners the Pros Would Rather Keep Quiet

Here are 8 YouTube channel tips for beginners who want to make money on YouTube — not just upload and pray.

If you’ve ever thought:

• “How do I grow a YouTube channel fast?”
• “What equipment do I need to start a YouTube channel?”
• “Is it even possible to start from zero and earn real money?”

…then take a deep breath. You’re in the right place.

In this guide, I’m going to walk through:

• How to set up and grow your channel
• How to create a YouTube channel and make money (without needing millions of views)
• YouTube tips and tricks that actually matter for beginners
• All the different ways to monetize (ads, affiliates, products, Kit tip jar, sponsorships, and more)

Think of this as your boss-babe starter manual for building a YouTube channel that can turn into a real income stream over time.

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1. Get Clear on Why You’re Creating a YouTube Channel

Before we talk cameras and cash, we need to talk purpose.

You’re not just “creating a YouTube channel.” You’re building:

• An audience
• A brand
• A future income stream

Ask yourself:

• Who do I want to help?
• What problems can I solve?
• What would I talk about even if I wasn’t getting paid yet?

When you know your “why,” every other decision gets easier: content ideas, offers, even how you eventually monetize.

This is the first and most important tip of all YouTube channel tips for beginners:

“Don’t just post random videos and hope something hits. Be intentional from day one.”

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2. Set Up Your Channel the Right Way from Day One

Let’s keep this simple and beginner-friendly.

When you’re creating a YouTube channel, make sure you have:

Channel Basics

• A clear channel name that reflects your niche or vibe
• A simple, clean profile picture (your face or a clean logo)
• A channel banner that says who you are and what your viewer gets from you
• A short, punchy channel description that explains:
  • Who your content is for
  • What you post about
  • How often you upload

You don’t need it to be perfect. But you do want someone landing on your channel to immediately think, “Okay, this is for me.”

What equipment do I need to start a YouTube channel?

Here’s the part where a lot of beginners overcomplicate things. You don’t need a Hollywood setup.

To start, you only need:

• A phone with a decent camera (most newer phones are totally fine)
• Natural light from a window or a cheap ring light
• Headphones or a simple external mic if your audio is echo-y
• Free editing software (like CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, etc.)

Later, when you’re ready to upgrade, you can grab:

• A camera
• A better mic
• A tripod
• Maybe a softbox light or two

If you want to keep it organized (and earn affiliate income later), you can create a gear list using a tool like Kit. That way, when people ask “What do you use to film?”, you can send them to one simple link — and earn a commission when they buy.

3. Learn How to Grow a YouTube Channel Fast (Without Selling Your Soul)

Let’s be honest: everyone wants to know how to grow a YouTube channel fast.

Here’s the unsexy truth: there is no magic “viral” button. But there are strategic YouTube tips for beginners that speed things up.

Start With Search-Based Videos

In the beginning, no one knows who you are. So instead of vlog-style “spend the day with me,” focus on:

• How-to videos
• Tutorials
• Step-by-step guides
• Product reviews

These show up in search and recommended videos, which is how new people find you.

Examples:

• “How to start a YouTube channel on your phone (step-by-step)”
• “Beginner home workout with no equipment”
• “Budget grocery haul for beginners”

These are also great for YouTube video making tips because they force you to be clear, structured, and helpful.

Be Consistent (But Not Unrealistic)

Choose a schedule you can actually keep:

• 1 video a week is plenty for beginners
• Batch record when you can
• Plan your upload days so your audience knows when to expect new content

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4. Understand How YouTube Pays Creators (So You Can Plan Ahead)

If you want to know how to create a YouTube channel and make money, you need to understand how YouTube itself pays.

The main built-in monetization comes from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

Basic Requirements for the YouTube Partner Program

To qualify, you currently need either:

• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months
  OR
• 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

You also need:

• To live in a country where the program is available
• To follow YouTube’s content and community guidelines
• An active AdSense account to actually get paid

Once you’re in, you unlock several monetization tools.

Ad Revenue & YouTube Premium

You can earn from:

• Ads that run before or during your videos
• Views from YouTube Premium members who watch your content

Is this “quit your job” money right away? No. But it’s a solid piece of the puzzle once your channel grows.

Channel Memberships

YouTube lets you offer paid memberships with perks like:

• Member-only videos
• Badges and emojis
• Exclusive live chats

This is recurring monthly income, and it works best when your audience is engaged and loyal.

YouTube Shopping

You can:

• Sell your own products
• Or promote other brands’ products directly on your channel

Depending on what route you take, YouTube has different eligibility requirements for subscriber count, views, and type of content. It’s worth looking at once you’ve got some momentum.

Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks

These allow your viewers to “tip” you inside YouTube during:

• Live streams
• Premieres
• Regular videos (with Super Thanks)

Your fans pay to have their messages or comments stand out. YouTube keeps a cut, and you get the rest.

5. Don’t Rely Only on Ads: Turn Your Channel into a Money Hub

Now let’s get into the boss-babe part of this: building income streams you control.

If you only rely on ad revenue, you’re depending on YouTube’s mood, direction, and algorithm. Cute for them, less cute for your bills.

Here are YouTube channel tips for beginners who want to build a more stable business around their content.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to start making money even when your channel is small.

• Talk about products you love and actually use
• Add affiliate links in your description
• Get a small percentage when someone buys through your link

This works extremely well with:

• Tech channels (gear, software, accessories)
• Beauty channels (makeup, skincare, tools)
• Productivity and business channels (books, tools, apps)

You can also use a tool like Kit to create product collections (like “My filming setup” or “Beginner YouTube gear under $200”) and link to those instead of 25 individual links.

Digital Tip Jar with Kit

If you’re wondering how to grow your YouTube channel for free and still make some income, tips are a great option.

You don’t have to wait for YouTube to unlock features like Super Chat or Super Thanks. With a Kit page, you can:

• Set up a digital tip jar
• Link to it in your description
• Let people send you one-time support for helpful content

The fees are lower than some built-in platform options, and it works even when your channel is still small.

Patreon or Off-YouTube Memberships

For your ride-or-die fans, you can offer:

• Extra tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes content
• Monthly Q&A calls
• Printable resources
• Extended versions of your videos

This works especially well for educational, creative, or skill-based channels.

Brand Sponsorships

As your channel grows, brands may pay you to:

• Mention their product
• Create a dedicated video
• Include a sponsored segment

You don’t need millions of subscribers. What brands want is:

• A clear niche
• An engaged audience
• A topic that makes sense for their product

Pro tip: Always disclose sponsorships clearly. It builds trust.

Merchandise

Once your audience starts to feel like a little community (or fandom), merch becomes an option:

• Hoodies
• T-shirts
• Mugs
• Stickers

You can use print-on-demand services so you don’t have to buy inventory upfront.

Your Own Products and Services

This is where the real long-term money lives.

You can use YouTube to promote:

• Online courses
• Ebooks and guides
• Coaching or consulting
• Memberships
• Templates, presets, or digital downloads

This is one of the most powerful YouTube tips and tricks for actually building a business, not just a channel.

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6. Use YouTube + Email + Kit to Sell on Autopilot

If you want to go beyond “views = money,” this part is for you.

Here’s a simple system to turn a YouTube viewer into a long-term customer:

Step 1: Create a Lead Magnet

For your most important topics, create something your viewer would LOVE:

• A checklist
• A cheat sheet
• A mini eBook
• A simple spreadsheet
• A step-by-step guide

Example: If your channel is about YouTube growth, your freebie might be “30 Video Ideas for Beginners” or “YouTube SEO Checklist.”

Step 2: Set Up a Landing Page

You need a simple page where people can:

• Enter their email
• Get the free resource
• Start hearing from you regularly

You can use Kit to build landing pages and connect them to your email list.

Step 3: Promote It in Your Videos

Every time you make a video on that topic, mention your freebie:

• Talk about it in the video
• Show it on screen
• Link it in the description and pinned comment

This is how you grow your list while you grow your channel.

Step 4: Use Email Automations to Sell

Once someone grabs your freebie, you can:

• Send them helpful follow-up emails
• Share extra tips and stories
• Introduce your paid offers when it makes sense

This is how you move from “just YouTube” to an actual mini business that doesn’t depend on the algorithm.

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7. YouTube Tips and Tricks to Grow Your Channel for Free

Let’s rapid-fire some practical YouTube channel tips for beginners that don’t cost a thing.

Optimize Your Titles and Thumbnails

• Use clear, specific titles with keywords
• Avoid vague titles like “New Video” or “Life Update”
• Use high-contrast thumbnails with 1–5 words max

Hook Viewers in the First 10 Seconds

• Don’t waste time on long intros
• Tell them what they’ll get and why it matters
• Then deliver quickly

Ask for Engagement (But Make It Natural)

Instead of “like and subscribe” try this:

• “If this helped you, let me know in the comments.”
• “Tell me where you’re at on your YouTube journey.”

YouTube notices when people like, comment, and watch longer.

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8. YouTube Channel Making Tips for Total Beginners

If you’re nervous about being on camera, that’s normal.

Here are a few basic YouTube video making tips to get you rolling:

• Start with shorter videos so the whole process feels less overwhelming
• Outline your main points instead of writing a full script
• Film in a quiet room with decent lighting
• Don’t refilm every tiny mistake — editing exists for a reason
• Focus on helping the viewer, not looking perfect

Remember: messy action beats perfect ideas every time. 😉

FAQ: How to Grow a YouTube Channel and Make Money

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Related: 300+ YouTube Video Title Ideas

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You Don’t Need to Be Famous to Start Earning

You don’t need a studio.
You don’t need a perfect voice.
You certainly don’t need permission.

You need…

• A clear niche
• Consistent content
• Smart monetization
• And some courage to start before you feel “ready”

But what’s the biggest takeaway from this post, you ask? Easy.

Follow these 4 YouTube beginner tips below and you’ll skip half the mistakes most new YouTubers make:

1. Learn how to grow your YouTube channel fast the right way
2. Set up your monetization options early
3. Add affiliate links and a Kit tip jar
4. Build an email list and sell your own offers over time

And while you’re here, check out yesterday’s post. If YouTube video title ideas are the thing that makes you want to throw your laptop out the window, relax my dear — I built a giant list you can copy, tweak, and use right now. You’ll save yourself hours of stress.