If you’re looking for the best tips for starting a YouTube channel, you’ve probably noticed everyone seems to have an opinion. Buy this camera. Upload every day. Post Shorts. Don’t post Shorts. Chase the algorithm. Ignore the algorithm. OMG. It’s enough to make your head spin!
Let’s simplify things.
Because starting a YouTube channel can feel super overwhelming. Suddenly you’re wondering if you need an expensive camera, fancy editing software, a perfect niche, or a personality that’s somehow more interesting than your own.
The good news?
You don’t need any of those things to get started.
What you do need is a plan, a willingness to learn, and the courage to upload that very first video, even if it isn’t perfect.
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time learning how YouTube works, both through my own content creation journey and by watching my son build an incredibly successful channel from the ground up. I’ve seen what actually moves the needle and what simply wastes time.
Some of the lessons were exciting, some were frustrating, but all of them reinforced one simple truth:
Most people don’t fail because they aren’t talented enough. They fail because they never start in the first place.
The truth is YouTube isn’t just a place to upload videos, it’s one of the biggest opportunities on the internet. Period.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy. It doesn’t mean you’ll upload one video on Friday and quit your job by Monday. But it does mean that ordinary people, with ordinary phones and ordinary lives, are building extraordinary businesses every single day.
That’s exciting, isn’t it? But at the same time though it’s also a little bit intimidating.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably convinced yourself you need to learn just one more thing before you start.
- A better camera.
- A better microphone.
- A better logo.
- A better idea.
- A better…EVERYTHING!
Meanwhile, someone else is filming on their iPhone, editing on some Free app, and quietly building an audience while the rest of us are still comparing tripods on Amazon!
Well, I think one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that we need to be “ready.”
WAKE UP CALL: it’s called procrastination girlfriend!
I don’t know a single successful creator who looks back at their very first video and thinks…
“Oh wow…I absolutely nailed it.”
Absolutely not.
Most of them cringe. Most of them laugh. And they ALL want to delete their videos because they can’t bear to watch them or hear their “omg I don’t sound like that, do I?” voice.
But yet, those “imperfect videos” were the beginning of something incredible.
If they had waited until everything was perfect…none of it would’ve happened. NONE of it.
So if you’re here because you’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel, I want you to know something before we go any further.
- You don’t need permission.
- You don’t need expensive equipment.
- You don’t need thousands of followers.
- You don’t even need confidence.
You only need to be willing to begin. Because your first video isn’t your legacy. Nope. It’s simply your introduction.
I’m gonna let you in on a lil’ secret, ok?
Sometimes I hide behind “research” because it feels productive. I watch another YouTube tutorial. I read another blog post. I compare another camera. And I tell myself that I will start next month.
I’ve done that with more projects than I’d like to admit.
Research is important…but eventually it turns into procrastination wearing a very convincing disguise.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally start, this could be it.
If I could sit down with you over a coffee and share everything I wish I’d known before creating content online, these are the tips I’d start with.
TL;DR
If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel, don’t wait until everything feels perfect. The most successful creators learn by doing, not by endlessly researching. In this guide, I’ll share the biggest lessons I wish every beginner knew, from choosing the right niche and creating content people actually search for, to making money, avoiding common mistakes, and building a channel that can grow for years instead of months.
What are the Best Tips for Starting a YouTube channel?
The best tips for starting a YouTube channel are to start before you feel ready, choose one clear niche, focus on helping viewers solve problems, stay consistent, and learn how YouTube monetization works early. Success rarely comes from one viral video. It comes from improving with every upload.
1. Nobody Cares…And That’s Actually the Best News You’ll Hear Today
This might sound a little harsh at first, but stick with me.
One of the biggest reasons people never start YouTube is because they’re terrified of what everyone else will think.
The funny thing is, when you’re just starting out, hardly anyone is watching your videos.
And honestly? That’s one of the biggest advantages you’ll ever have.
It gives you the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and figure out what works without feeling like the whole internet is watching. You can try different editing styles, test thumbnails, and even laugh at yourself a little along the way.
Think about it this way. Would you rather make your beginner mistakes in front of 37 people… or 3.7 million? I’d take 37 every single time.
Your first videos are NOT supposed to be perfect. That’s just how YouTube works.
Every video teaches you something the last one couldn’t.
Maybe you write a stronger title. Maybe your editing gets a little faster. Maybe you finally figure out what kind of thumbnails people actually click. Even the comments can teach you what your audience wants to see next.
Little by little, you get better.
You don’t become a YouTuber by waiting until you’re ready. You become a YouTuber by uploading enough videos that one day you look back and realize, “Wow…I’ve actually gotten pretty good at this.”
Stop worrying about your first hundred subscribers. Start thinking about your first hundred uploads. Subscribers are a result. Uploads are a choice. And you get to make that choice every single time you hit “Publish.”
2. Stop Waiting Until Everything Is Perfect
Can I confess something?
I have a terrible habit of convincing myself I need one more thing before I can start a new project.
- A better planner.
- A better notebook.
- A prettier office.
- A different coffee mug. (Because apparently that’s the missing ingredient to success. 😂)
It’s funny how our brains work, hey? We tell ourselves we’re “preparing,” when really…we’re just scared.
Well, starting a YouTube channel is really no different…..
People spend months (sometimes even longer) researching silly things like microphones and logos. Meanwhile…someone else grabs their phone, hits record, and uploads a video that ends up changing their life.
Is it fair? Maybe not. Is it true? Absolutely.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from watching successful creators is that they didn’t become successful because they had better equipment.
They became successful because they kept showing up.
You can always improve your lighting. You can upgrade your microphone. You can redesign your channel banner.
But none of those things matter if you never actually upload!
Here’s something I want you to remember….
Perfection doesn’t create momentum.
Action does.
If you’re trying to decide between buying a fancy new camera or making ten more videos, I’d tell you to make the videos.
Don’t get me wrong. Good equipment is nice to have, but it’s not what makes someone a successful YouTuber.
The experience you gain from creating content, learning what works, and improving with each upload is far more valuable than another gadget sitting in your Amazon cart.
Think about it this way. Imagine there’s two people who both decide to start a YouTube channel. One spends the next 6 months researching cameras, watching tutorials, and waiting for the “perfect” setup. The other uploads one video every week using the equipment they already have.
6 months later, who do you think is further ahead? I’d bet on the person who kept hitting “Publish.”
But before you worry about cameras, editing software, or subscriber counts, nothing gets you more pumped to start than picking your very own YouTube channel name. If you’re still brainstorming, I put together a huge list of cute YouTube names to help get the ideas flowing. 🙂
Done has paid more bills than perfect ever will.
3. You Don’t Have to Show Your Face
This might be one of the biggest myths about YouTube.
“I don’t want to be on camera.”
Well…guess what? You don’t have to be, seriously! Not anymore.
Some of the biggest channels on YouTube never show the creator’s face.
Think about all the videos you’ve watched over the years.
Videos like:
- Cooking videos filmed from above.
- Screen recordings.
- Whiteboard animations.
- Relaxing music.
- Nature videos.
- History documentaries.
- Tutorials.
- Product reviews.
- Travel compilations.
- AI-assisted videos.
- Slideshows.
- How-to guides.
I could go on….but chances are you’ve watched dozens of videos just like those ones, called faceless channels, without even realizing it.
If being on camera is the only thing holding you back…
Take a deep breath, because that so-called obstacle might not actually exist. 😉
When I first realized how many successful creators never appear on screen, it completely changed how I thought about YouTube. It opens the door for people who are shy, value their privacy, or simply feel more comfortable letting the content take center stage. The important part isn’t whether viewers see your face. It’s whether they leave your video feeling like it helped them.
If you can:
- Answer someone’s question
- Teach them something
- Make them laugh
- Or inspire them
You’ve already given them a reason to come back!
Don’t let fear of the camera steal an opportunity that could genuinely change your future.
If you would like to record your screen instead of filming yourself, OBS Studio is one of the most popular free screen-recording programs used by YouTubers around the world.
But there are hundreds of ways to create great (faceless) videos. All you have to do is find the one that feels right for you. Your audience cares far more about the value you provide than whether they see your face.
If being on camera is the only thing holding you back, don’t miss my favorite faceless YouTube channel ideas. You might be surprised how many successful creators never appear on screen.
4. Pick One Topic…Even If You Love Twenty
This one is hard. Trust me.
When you’re excited about YouTube, suddenly every idea feels like “the one.”
Monday…you want to start a travel channel.
Tuesday… you’re thinking maybe budgeting would be fun.
Wednesday… you’re convinced you’ll become the next big cooking creator.
Thursday… you’re researching gardening videos.
By Friday… you’ve started absolutely nothing.
Ask me how I know. 😂
Well, here is what I have learned over the years.
Your first channel doesn’t have to cover every interest you have. It just needs to solve one type of problem for one type of person.
Think of it like opening a bookstore.
People know exactly what to expect when they walk through the front door. Your YouTube channel should feel the same way.
When someone subscribes, they should immediately understand why they’re there.
That’s what builds trust. That’s what keeps people watching. And that’s what makes YouTube much better at recommending your videos to the right audience.
Can you branch out later? Absolutely.
But in the beginning, clarity beats variety. ALWAYS.
I know narrowing your focus feels scary. It almost feels like you’re saying “no” to all your other interests. But don’t worry, you’re not. You’re just deciding where to start. That’s way different.
A clear channel grows faster than a confusing one.
5. Stop Trying to Go Viral. Start Trying to Be Helpful.
Can I share something that completely changed how I think about YouTube?
The videos that make the biggest difference in people’s lives usually aren’t the flashiest ones.
They’re the ones that answer a question, solve a problem, or teach someone something they didn’t know yesterday.
Think about your own YouTube history.
How many times have you searched “How do I…”. You know the ones.
Those are the kinds of videos people search for every single day. And unlike trends that disappear next week, helpful videos can keep bringing in views for years. That doesn’t mean you can never make entertaining content. But if your goal is to build a business, educational content has a superpower.
It builds trust.
And trust is what eventually leads to subscribers, email signups, affiliate income, course sales, and loyal readers. Helping someone once is nice, but helping someone consistently is how you build a brand.
Whenever I’m stuck wondering what content to create, I ask myself this one simple question:
“What problem can I help someone solve today?”
That question has never let me down.
The internet doesn’t reward people who know the most. It rewards people who help the most.
6. Stop Comparing Yourself to Creators Who’ve Been Doing This for Years
I think social media has tricked us into believing everyone started out amazing.
We see polished videos, beautiful studios, fancy cameras, and hundreds of thousands of subscribers. What we don’t see are the first 50 videos that barely anyone watched, the awkward intros, or the editing mistakes that made those creators cringe.
One of the best things you can do when starting a YouTube channel is stop comparing your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty.
When my son first started making YouTube videos, there wasn’t some magical moment where everything suddenly clicked. He learned by uploading, making mistakes, and trying again. Every creator you admire has gone through that same process, even if those early videos have disappeared from their channel.
The goal isn’t to be better than another YouTuber. The goal is to be a little better than you were last week.
I always laugh when people say, “I wish I’d started YouTube five years ago.” Me too! But five years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d started today. Funny how that works.
The only creator you should compete with is yesterday’s version of yourself.
7. Learn Basic YouTube SEO Before You Upload
Creating a great video is only half the job. If nobody can find it, it doesn’t matter how helpful it is.
That’s why I think every new creator should spend a little time learning the basics of YouTube SEO. It sounds intimidating, but it really comes down to understanding what people are already searching for and creating videos that answer those questions.
Instead of uploading a video called “My Thoughts on Budgeting,” try something like “How to Start a Budget When You’re Living Paycheque to Paycheque.” See the difference? One is about you. The other is about helping someone solve a problem.
Before I write almost any blog post, I spend time researching keywords because I want to create content people are actually looking for. YouTube works the same way.
If you can combine helpful content with titles and thumbnails that make people want to click, you’re giving yourself a much better chance of being discovered.
If keyword research sounds overwhelming, tools like TubeBuddy can help you discover what people are searching for, optimize your titles, and improve your video’s chances of getting discovered.
Another tool worth exploring is vidIQ, which offers keyword research, trend alerts, and channel insights to help you make smarter content decisions.
Great content deserves to be found.
8. Your Thumbnail Matters More Than Your Camera
This one surprises a lot of people….
A $3K camera is not going to help you if nobody clicks on your video in the first place!
Think about how you use YouTube. You’re scrolling through dozens of videos, and in a matter of seconds you’re deciding which one to watch. Most of that decision comes down to two things: the title and the thumbnail.
That’s why I’d rather see you spend an extra 15 minutes creating a thumbnail than an extra $1K upgrading your camera!
Keep it simple. Use large, easy-to-read text if you include words at all. Make sure the image is clear, and avoid cramming too many elements into one design.
The best thumbnails create curiosity without being misleading.
Once you’ve nailed your thumbnails, don’t forget about the rest of your branding. A professional-looking banner helps new visitors immediately understand what your channel is about. If you’re stuck, check out my guide to YouTube banner ideas for beginners for inspiration before you design yours.
My son used to tweak thumbnails over and over, changing tiny details that most people would never notice. Looking back, the biggest improvements usually came from making the message clearer, not making the design fancier.
People can’t watch the video they never clicked on.
9. Don’t Try to Copy Someone Else’s Personality
It’s completely normal to have creators you admire. We all do.
The problem starts when you try so hard to sound like them that your own personality disappears.
The internet doesn’t need another copy of MrBeast, Ali Abdaal, or whoever your favorite creator happens to be. It needs your perspective, your experiences, and your way of explaining things.
One of the reasons people subscribe to channels isn’t just because they learn something. It’s because they enjoy spending time with the person behind the camera.
That doesn’t happen overnight. Your personality usually becomes more natural the more videos you make, so don’t force it.
Just focus on being yourself. That’s a lot easier to maintain than pretending to be someone else.
Your personality is something your competitors can never copy.
10. Think Bigger Than AdSense
A lot of people start YouTube dreaming about that first AdSense payment.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think it’s important to understand that ads are only one piece of the puzzle.
Many creators eventually earn more from affiliate marketing, digital products, sponsorships, memberships, coaching, or selling their own courses than they do from YouTube ads.
That’s one of the reasons educational content can be so powerful. When you consistently help people solve problems, they naturally begin to trust your recommendations.
You don’t need to worry about all of that on day one, but it’s worth keeping in the back of your mind. If you build your channel around helping people instead of simply chasing views, you’ll create far more opportunities to earn income later.
Maya Moment: I think this is true for blogging too. Some of my favorite income streams started with simply helping someone answer a question they were already searching for.
Remember this….views are great, but trust is better.
11. Stop Chasing Every New Trend
If you’ve watched more than a handful of YouTube videos about growing a channel, you’ve probably noticed a pattern.
Every few months there’s a new “secret” to success.
One week it’s Shorts.
The next week it’s AI.
Then someone claims long-form videos are dead… until another creator proves the exact opposite.
It can get overwhelming fast.
Personally, I think it’s better to spend your energy creating content people actually want than trying to chase every new trend. If a new feature fits your channel, great! Give it a try. But don’t feel like you need to reinvent your entire strategy every time YouTube rolls out an update.
Some of the best-performing videos on YouTube are years old because they answer questions people are still asking today.
If you can create content that’s genuinely helpful, it has the potential to keep bringing in views long after the latest trend has disappeared.
Trends come and go, but helpful content never goes out of style.
12. Let Your Audience Tell You What to Make Next
One of the biggest mistakes new creators make is thinking they have to come up with every video idea on their own.
You don’t.
In fact, some of your best ideas will come directly from your audience.
Pay attention to your comments. Are people asking the same question over and over? That’s probably your next video.
Look at your analytics too. If one topic consistently gets more views or watch time than everything else, that’s your audience telling you they want more.
Whenever I’m planning content, I always try to think about the questions people are already asking. Whether it’s for a blog post or a YouTube video, I’d much rather answer a real question than guess what people might want to hear.
Some easy places to find ideas include:
- Your YouTube comments
- Google search suggestions
- Reddit discussions
- Facebook groups
- Questions friends and family ask you
- The “People Also Ask” section in Google
Your audience is constantly giving you clues. You just have to pay attention.
If you’re debating between two video ideas, Google Trends can show you which topics people are searching for more often and whether interest is growing over time.
If you’re planning educational content, Google Keyword Planner is another free tool that can help you discover search terms your audience is already looking for.
13. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert
I think this is one of the biggest myths on the internet.
Somewhere along the way, people started believing they needed twenty years of experience before they were qualified to teach anything.
I don’t buy it.
Think about the last time you learned something new. Did you only listen to the world’s leading expert? Probably not.
Sometimes the best person to explain something is the one who just figured it out themselves. They still remember what it felt like to be confused, which often makes them better at explaining it in simple terms.
That doesn’t mean pretending you know everything. If you don’t know the answer, say so. If you’re still learning, bring your audience along for the journey.
People appreciate honesty a lot more than fake expertise.
Some of my favorite creators are the ones who openly admit they’re still learning. It makes them feel like real people instead of someone trying to pretend they have all the answers.
You don’t have to know everything. You just have to know enough to help someone who’s one step behind you.
14. Think Beyond AdSense
When most people picture making money on YouTube, they immediately think about ad revenue.
While that’s definitely one way to earn money, it’s far from the only one.
Many creators eventually make more through things like:
- Affiliate marketing
- Digital products
- Online courses
- Brand sponsorships
- Memberships
- Coaching or consulting
- Driving traffic to their blog or website
That’s one of the reasons I love educational content. When you consistently help people solve problems, you’re naturally building trust. Later on, if you recommend a product you genuinely use or create something that helps your audience even more, people are much more likely to support you.
Don’t worry about monetizing everything right away. In the beginning, your job is simply to create helpful content and build relationships with your audience.
The income usually follows.
15. Build an Ecosystem, Not Just a YouTube Channel
One of the smartest things you can do is think beyond YouTube.
Your channel shouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting on its own.
Imagine someone watches one of your videos. They enjoy it, so they visit your website. While they’re there, they join your email list and read a few more articles. A week later, they click a link in your newsletter and watch another one of your videos.
See what’s happening?
Everything starts working together.
That’s exactly how I think about Maya Waters. My blog, YouTube channel, Pinterest account, and email list all have different jobs, but they’re working toward the same goal: helping people while building a business that isn’t dependent on one platform.
Social media platforms change all the time. Having multiple ways to connect with your audience gives you much more stability in the long run.
Don’t build your business on rented land.
16. Just Hit Publish
If you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing there’s at least a small part of you that’s thinking about starting a YouTube channel.
So let me ask you something.
What’s really stopping you?
Is it your camera…or is it maybe fear?
Because if I’m being honest, I think fear holds back far more creators than bad equipment ever will.
- Fear of looking silly.
- Fear of failing.
- Fear that nobody will watch.
Those feelings are completely normal.
The important thing is that you don’t let them make the decision for you.
Your first video won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. Nobody expects it to be. What matters is getting started, learning as you go, and trusting that every upload is helping you become a better creator.
Five years from now, you probably won’t remember the camera you used or the editing software you started with.
But you’ll definitely remember the day you finally stopped overthinking and clicked “Publish.”
That’s a Wrap!
Starting a YouTube channel isn’t about having the perfect setup or knowing all the answers.
It’s about being willing to begin.
You’ll make mistakes. Yes, probably a lot! But that’s ok, every creator does!
You’ll probably create a few videos that barely get any views, and that’s okay too. Those videos aren’t failures. They’re called stepping stones.
The creators who succeed aren’t always the most talented or the funniest. More often than not, they’re the ones who simply refused to quit.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “right” time to start your YouTube channel, consider this your sign.
So go and grab your phone, think of a video idea that could genuinely help someone, and hit record. That’s all there is to it.
You never know where that first upload might lead.
Whenever I’m stuck for ideas, one of the first things I do is start typing my topic into YouTube’s search bar. The autocomplete suggestions are based on real searches from real people. Then I’ll usually double-check those ideas with Google Trends to see if interest is growing or slowing down. It’s a simple habit, but it’s saved me from creating content that nobody was actually searching for.
One last thing before you go….
If this article has done anything, I hope it’s convinced you to stop waiting for the “perfect” time to start. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that perfection usually shows up after you’ve begun, not before.
Your first video probably won’t be your best. Mine wouldn’t have been either. But every creator you admire started with one upload that nobody remembers anymore.
So don’t worry about making the perfect video. Just focus on making your first one.
Who knows? A year from now, you might be looking back at today as the moment everything started.
And honestly…I hope you are. ❤️
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to start a YouTube channel?
Not at all. In fact, I think this is one of the best times to start. Millions of people use YouTube every day to learn new skills, solve problems, and discover new creators. While YouTube has been around for years, there are still countless opportunities to build an audience by creating helpful content that answers questions people are already searching for.
Can I start a YouTube channel with just my phone?
Absolutely. In fact, I’d encourage it.
Modern smartphones record excellent video, and many successful creators started with nothing more than the phone they already owned. As your channel grows, you can always upgrade your equipment later. Right now, your focus should be on creating content, not collecting gear.
How often should I upload YouTube videos?
There’s no perfect schedule, but consistency matters much more than frequency.
If you can realistically upload one quality video every week, that’s a great place to start. If your schedule only allows two videos a month, that’s okay too. Pick a schedule you can stick with instead of burning yourself out trying to upload every day.
Do I have to show my face on YouTube?
Nope!
There are thousands of successful YouTube channels that never show the creator’s face. Screen recordings, tutorials, animations, cooking videos, product reviews, and slideshow-style videos can all perform extremely well. If being on camera makes you nervous, don’t let that stop you from getting started.
How many subscribers do I need before I can make money?
You don’t need thousands of subscribers before you can start earning money online.
While YouTube’s Partner Program has its own eligibility requirements for ad revenue, many creators earn income much earlier through affiliate marketing, digital products, freelance services, sponsorships, or by driving traffic to their blog or website.
Since YouTube occasionally updates its monetization requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the latest eligibility rules on the official YouTube Partner Program page.
What type of YouTube videos get the most views?
There’s no single answer, but videos that solve problems tend to perform well over the long term.
Think tutorials, how-to guides, product reviews, beginner tips, comparisons, and videos that answer common questions. Evergreen content can continue bringing in views for months or even years after you publish it.
What if nobody watches my videos?
Honestly? That’s normal.
Every creator starts somewhere, and most channels grow slowly in the beginning. Instead of worrying about getting thousands of views right away, focus on improving with every upload. As your skills improve and your library of content grows, your audience usually grows with it.
Should I start a blog along with my YouTube channel?
Personally, I think it’s one of the smartest things you can do.
A blog gives you another way to reach people through Google, build an email list, and create additional income streams through affiliate marketing and digital products. Your blog and YouTube channel can work together to help grow your audience instead of relying on just one platform.
I put together a free 7-Day Blogging Blueprint that walks you through starting a blog from scratch. It pairs perfectly with YouTube because the two can grow together (very well I might add!)
