Starting a YouTube channel today is very different from four years ago. I’ve been making a full-time living from YouTube for the last 7 years, so I’m going to explain how I would start a YouTube channel from scratch in 2024 with the goal of making a living from it.
Many people think it’s harder to become a YouTuber now and that it’s too late, but people have been saying that since 2016. On one hand, there are more content creators, making it more competitive. However, there are also more viewers on YouTube. While it’s challenging to become the number one YouTuber (you probably won’t surpass MrBeast), it’s actually easier to gain enough of a following to make a living because there are more people watching.
1. Pick a Niche
The first thing I would do is encourage you to pick a niche. This is a debated topic, some think it’s necessary, some don’t. But I believe if you want to grow quickly, picking a niche at the beginning is essential. Think about what you know a lot about, what you can provide exclusive information on, what you’re passionate about, and importantly, what people are searching for on YouTube. This could be anything, from dog training to making fancy cocktails. There are channels in every niche with over a million subscribers, so find something you are interested in, knowledgeable about, and that has a large audience.
When selecting a niche for your YouTube channel, it’s essential to not only choose an area you are familiar with but also to consider the potential income from that niche on YouTube. This is where understanding the concept of CPM (Cost Per Mille or cost per thousand views) becomes important. Different niches have varying CPM rates, which directly influence how much you can earn from AD revenue.
For instance, niches like personal finance, digital marketing, and technology tend to have higher CPM rates, often ranging from $10 to $12 or more per thousand views​ (TubeRanker)​​ (Spivo)​. On the other hand, more general or entertainment-focused niches might have lower CPM rates. Higher CPM rates are usually driven by greater competition among advertisers willing to pay more for ad placement in content that attracts high-value viewers.
By researching and understanding the CPM rates associated with various niches, you can make a more informed decision about which niche might not only suit your expertise but also provide a more lucrative revenue potential.
2. Creating a List of Video Ideas
Once you’ve identified your niche, make a list of videos to create. Look at what is already doing well within your niche. If you upload an “about me” video from scratch, it won’t get many views. Instead, look for topics people are searching for to drive traffic to your page. For instance, if your niche is dog training, search “how to train your dog to” on YouTube and see what populates. This will show you what people are searching for the most. Videos with multiple views over a million are good starting points. Identify 8 to 10 video ideas within your niche to create your launch plan.
3. Making a Good Video
Creating good videos is crucial. The concept, title, and thumbnail are important, but if the video itself isn’t good, people won’t watch or subscribe. Good video quality includes having good lighting and audio and shooting on a decent camera. Today, even an iPhone 11 or newer is good enough, but you should use an external microphone for better audio. Good lighting is essential; natural lighting from a window works well, or you can use inexpensive studio lights.
B-roll is also important to make your video more interesting. Use cutaway shots related to what you’re talking about. Additionally, ensure your information is helpful and relevant to the title, not just clickbait. Conduct thorough research and test things yourself to provide valuable and unique content.
Adding storytelling elements can make your videos more engaging. For example, in a video about getting your dog to stop barking, introduce the dog and explain why it’s crucial to stop the barking. Add drama and personal stakes to make viewers more invested in your story.
Next, inject personality into your videos. In 2024, there are many AI-generated videos and scripts. Stand out by writing your own script and showing your personality. YouTube isn’t TV, so it doesn’t have to be perfect. Leave in some jokes or outtakes to make your content more authentic and engaging. This will help transform you from a content creator to an influencer.
Finally, learn how to create effective thumbnails and titles. Thumbnails and titles are crucial as they are the first things viewers see. Make your thumbnails invoke curiosity or FOMO (fear of missing out). For instance, a thumbnail with your face reacting to something unexpected can make viewers curious about the video. Use keywords in your title to help with searchability. YouTube’s new feature that allows you to test three different thumbnails is very useful. Make three completely different thumbnail concepts and see which performs best.
In summary, starting a YouTube channel involves choosing a niche, creating quality content, injecting personality, and crafting effective thumbnails and titles. For monetization, consider Google AdSense, brand deals, and selling products or courses related to your content. YouTube is always changing, so keep learning and adapting. Remember, all it takes is one video to go viral and change your channel’s trajectory.
4. The Power of Consistency for YouTube Success
Consistency is a fundamental key to success for any YouTube channel. Regular uploads not only keep your audience engaged but also play a significant role in satisfying the YouTube algorithm. The algorithm favors channels that upload consistently, which helps in building crucial metrics like watch time, views, and average view duration more quickly. These metrics are essential for the growth and visibility of your channel.
Moreover, being consistent allows you to refine your content creation process, learn from your experiences, and improve over time. It’s important to approach this with a long-term mindset, as growing a successful YouTube channel requires sustained effort and dedication. By staying organized, planning your content, and maintaining a regular upload schedule, you can effectively manage the demands of content creation and achieve better results.
Consistency helps in algorithmic favorability, audience retention, and continuous improvement, making it a cornerstone of a successful YouTube strategy​.