3 Reasons to Start a YouTube Channel and 5 Things to Consider

Jul 20, 2018

Of all the channels that a solopreneur like you should leverage, YouTube must be a priority. That is if you want to influence the buying decisions of your audience. If you’ve been trying to get people’s attention through blogging and sharing regular posts on Facebook but haven’t gotten much traction, now it the best time to create video content. Don’t worry, it’s not too late!

I’m here to tell you that you need to put yourself out there. But why? What makes YouTube the ideal solution? Here are three reasons…

YouTube content is shown in Google’s search results. Yes, Google search results now feature video content. YouTube videos are usually displayed in the top 10. Make sure to optimize your video to rank - I’ve found a guide that helps.
Video builds brand recognition and engagement. Create videos that educate and inspire others about your product or service and people will feel closer to you. True, it’s easier for people to trust someone they see.
Source of additional income for your business. YouTube gives you opportunities to make more money. If your videos perform really well (thousands to a million views), you may attract advertisers who’ll want to get their offer featured in your content.

5 Considerations When Starting a YouTube Channel

1. Content Topic

When you’re shooting online videos for your business, first of all, know what topics you’ll cover. Your topics should be what your ideal audience is interested in. Get to know your audience, figure out their pain points or what makes them smile. Tune in to their needs.

2. Basic Equipment Needed

Most people think that they need to spend much on video equipment. The truth is, you don’t have to buy some fancy tools to create videos. For a start, you can use your handheld camera, smartphone camera, or webcam. For video editing, use iMovie for Mac and Windows Movie Maker for Windows. Know that eventually, you’ll have to upgrade. But for now, make the most out of what you already have!

3. Your Business Goals

If you want to stay motivated and increase your chances for success, set actual goals. It’s also difficult to prioritize things without getting a sense of where you’re heading. Goals are the reason why your efforts become purposeful. For example, a goal can be putting out 3-5 YouTube videos in a month. Make sure that your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, and Time-Bounded).

4. Promotional Techniques

Your YouTube video can have the most valuable pieces of advice, but this doesn’t guarantee you a bigger audience. The saying, “If you build it, they will come,” isn’t true. Instead of waiting for people to find you, bring your content to them. There are many ways to do that:

Embedding the video in your WordPress blog post
Share it as a Facebook update
Tell your email list about it (include a screenshot of that video and link to it).
Run a contest or giveaway campaign
Participate in online forums or Q&A sites like Quora.

5. Optimizing Your Videos for Search

Optimization is a must if you want people to notice your videos. Research the keywords that your audience will use to find your video. Use the tool Keywords Everywhere to plan your YouTube video keywords. The tool shows you the monthly search volume and competition.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, YouTube is a great platform for growing your audience. Like most solopreneurs, you’re probably thinking that you can’t do it because of camera shyness. Don’t worry, just get started and I’m sure you’ll improve in no time. Good luck!