YouTube is different from fast scrolling apps. People often go there to search: how to fix something, learn a skill, compare products or hear a story in depth. A good YouTube video can keep finding viewers for years. Some remote editing adverts ask for YouTube uploads, search friendly titles and thumbnails, so these skills can lead to paid work.
Setting up a channel
You need a Google account to create a channel. Consider a brand channel if you are making it for a business or organisation, so others can help manage it without sharing your personal password. Then:
- Choose a clear name that says what the channel is about.
- Add a profile picture, a banner and a short description of who the channel is for and what they will get.
- Turn on two step verification to protect the account. YouTube requires it for some features.
The free YouTube Studio app lets you upload, edit details, reply to comments and see analytics from your phone.
Uploading well
When you upload, YouTube asks for details. Fill them in carefully:
- Title. Clear, honest and using words people search for, with the main idea near the start.
- Description. A few sentences on what the video covers, then links, contacts and credits. The first lines matter most.
- Thumbnail. A custom thumbnail with one clear subject and a few large words. Your account may need to be verified to upload custom thumbnails.