I started a YouTube channel after many failed attempts to begin: here's what I've learned about starting out as a content creator
Ever since the Y2K nostalgia of iCarly, I think most of us have wanted to have some internet and web presence. I decided to start a YouTube Channel. Please keep reading to discover why I decided to take this leap as part of my desire to remain fearless and step out in faith.?
Shonda Rhimes wrote a bestselling book called "The Year of Yes." I'm in my era of yes - this is far beyond a year. I'm saying yes to my childhood dreams - to be an entrepreneur, writer, motivational speaker; and ultimately impact others. Sounds idealistic - yes, but a YouTube channel is a small step in that ultimate goal and direction. For many of us, YouTube is our Google - it's where we find knowledge, inspiration, tutorials, and much more. I wanted to join the ranks of creators on that platform and pursue another avenue for impact that way. This impact will build on and document my current journey rather than contradict it - sharing the realities of life as an entrepreneur. I'm a fan of building in public, of not waiting until you are successful or 100% polished to put your message out there and share with others.?
My YouTube channel is just another step in that direction.?
I do many things, from podcasting to writing to entrepreneurship, but I need help integrating them into a cohesive image and brand. I love talking and writing about pop culture, socio-political moments, faith, motivation, inspiration, etc. I wanted a place where I could pursue creative rest while still hitting my goal - to integrate my existing projects and give them a home. That's why I decided YouTube would be an excellent fit for me - it gives me what I need to create impactful content while reducing the pressures of an app such as TikTok, which often requires hopping on trends proactively to build a solid presence. YouTube favors longer-form content than TikTok (sans YouTube shorts), which can lead to a better experience for expressing more complex ideas and perspectives.
Through The Surayyaverse, I want us to unlock the multitudes within us all - including discovering how to leverage our voices to create inspiring and compelling content. Now is the time to become a content creator; we all have voices and perspectives that others can relate to and be used to touch someone's life. Whether you enjoy cooking, talking about finance, mentoring, coding with friends, or even commenting on your favorite sports games and teams - you can turn that into content. Whatever you are passionate about is an excellent basis for building a brand as a content creator - passion is the energy that attracts us to individuals and makes us listen to what they say. Passion trumps eloquence for attracting attention and being memorable and impactful; hence, passionate content often performs well.?
Through The Surayyaverse, I want us to unlock the multitudes within us all - including discovering how to leverage our voices to create inspiring and compelling content.
Envision yourself as a content creator
I only saw myself becoming a content creator once I realized that the things I do naturally - discussing popular culture, socio-political crises, and current events at the dinner table, could propel my digital presence. My foray into entrepreneurship has continuously called me to be bolder and braver with each day. I stopped merely dreaming about the life I wanted and go ahead and take the reins in shaping my life the way I see fit. What do you do naturally? What conversational topics or even events are innately attractive to you? Some of us are naturally curious and enjoy asking questions. Others are naturally whimsical and creative; we can make ordinary experiences extraordinary and fun. The possibilities are endless when we look at what we do naturally and build our content on those pillars.?
To help you with your content creation and decide if a YouTube channel might be in your distant future, I've mapped out my process for starting a YouTube channel, with high-level steps, product recommendations, and myth-busting along the way.?
Choosing the platform: YouTube vs. TikTok vs. Patreon??
I chose YouTube because I'm a bit wordy at times. I also feel more comfortable with longer-form content. TikTok relies heavily on trends, and I sometimes need more time as an entrepreneur. YouTube gives me the time to think about things and respond with a thorough analysis, which I prefer. It's essential to begin your content creation process by considering which platform suits your personality, goals, and time commitment. There are various avenues for content creation; some of my favorites are YouTube, TikTok, and Patreon. It's all about finding what works best for you. Considering the norms of each platform and the type of audience you are likely to build on each is a good idea.
Finding a filming mechanism: Streamyard or Amazon for cameras
Streamyard is the very best investment for someone who wants to center their content around current events. With Streamyard, you can easily create and post TikTok from your YouTube / longer-form video content. Now is the time to work smarter, not harder. If you prefer to use a camera, look for affordable cameras on Amazon.com, such as the Sony ZV-1F I purchased. I recommend starting with an inexpensive camera or a streaming platform to reduce the great barrier to entry that larger, more expensive setups create. Content creation is about the content; great visuals are essential but a secondary aspect of your overall success. Some faceless channels and podcasts do well, so focusing on the content first is a great way to break through and launch your presence.
Selecting editing software: Final Cut Pro, close second: Adobe Premiere Pro?
From my perspective, Final Cut Pro is the best and easiest way to edit YouTube videos. For those familiar with iMovie, the ultimate beginner video editor platform, Final Cut Pro is a step above that and is produced by Apple. This is a significant investment for your content creation career if you have an Apple computer. Apple is great at making intuitive video editing platforms that are easy to learn and edit. Final Cut Pro is also great for creating thumbnails, and tutorials on YouTube can teach you new video editing skills in a short amount of time. Adobe Premiere Pro is another excellent platform, albeit with a much steeper learning curve. Whatever platform you choose, you need to be willing to invest the time and effort into learning the ins and outs of its capabilities.?
Creating thumbnails: Purchase thumbnail templates on Etsy?
You may not be the most artistic or creative, and design can be complex. I have a tip and trick for those who want on-theme and on-brand thumbnails. Etsy has a beautiful collection of on-brand templates that you can use for videos and recycling. While I initially considered using Canva to make thumbnails, Canva's wealth of design choices can be distracting for someone who wants a streamlined process. Etsy's YouTube kits will provide you with anywhere from 20 to 50 video thumbnails, so you limit your creative process to working with those constraints.?
Editing and shooting videos: create frameworks to streamline the process??
Speaking of streamlining, it is so important to have clarity in your video creation process. Creating videos can be creative, but providing structure can make it seem more manageable. First, you want to write notes/guidelines. An excel or Google sheets file can be good for ensuring videos keep a certain predictable momentum while keeping room for individuation in content. For research-based videos, make sure to always fact-check before making any absolute statements. To research video topics faster, I habitually get my sources together as I create my video outlines, saving time. Even within the video editing software, you can create presets for your outro and intro, making videos more streamlines and cohesive.?
The myth of a niche: you are the niche!?
What prevented me from starting a YouTube channel was believing I needed a niche. Then I realized - I'm the niche. Beyonce told us that we are the visuals, right? I created Surayyaverse to be a hub for everything I work on and am passionate about - from entrepreneurship to writing to personal growth to faith and spirituality. It is all-encompassing and allows me to try different things until I find my stride and then narrow down my content based on what types of content I find most enjoyable to make or which content gets the best results. Whatever I decide, I wanted this experience to be fun, so I loosened the reins a bit on being strategic for this experimental period.
Things you don't need to start a YouTube channel - that I thought I needed:
The above things are great if you have the resources to build a high-quality setup. However, they can hinder us from getting our voice out there and taking the first step. This goes back to one of my favorite concepts: the abundance mindset. When we operate in abundance, we focus on what we have versus what we do not have. The above items are what more mature content creators tend to use. However, their beginnings were most likely humbler and motivated my passion. Over time, as the resources funneled in, they updated their technology and setup to prepare for more tremendous success. The point is that you don't have to start with the most impressive technology or setup. Start where you are and remain consistent; the rest will handle itself.?
Are you ready to start your YouTube channel this year? Stay tuned for The Surayyaverse YouTube channel reveal, with video summaries coming soon.