Creating a YouTube channel can pull in prospects, customers, and referral partners, and do a lot to build your brand. You can use it to demonstrate your knowledge, build relationships, showcase your successes, and share valuable information. Here are three tips from YouTube video experts on building a channel.

Start small with equipment and software. It only takes a modest amount of time and effort to get started. You don’t need to spend lots of money on professional equipment or lots of time editing. Today’s quality smartphones have impressive video capabilities, and there are easy-to-use programs, many of them free, for editing videos on your Windows or Mac computer. But viewers won’t tolerate bad audio. So, if your smartphone’s audio is less than ideal, invest in a good outboard microphone. 

Many of today’s YouTube stars began with entry-level equipment. You can always build up as you get more followers and gain more experience. Once your channel gains traction, you can also hire a professional video editor to polish things up, and a video assistant to help you shoot episodes. 

Create high-quality content. The most important thing when launching a YouTube channel is creating video content that pulls people in. Video is a powerful marketing tool, but high-quality content is essential. Cover aspects of your business that people want to see. Here are some ideas: 

• Take viewers through a typical workday
• Each week, give viewers an inside look into one of your projects
• Video a Q&A with someone you work with—a colleague, project partner, or supplier—or interview a business peer who works with the same customer base as you
• Share insights and ideas that can help people deal with the issues you address

You needn’t take all these approaches. Find the content niche you like doing—then get your videos out on a regular basis. Always invite viewers to subscribe and send subscribers regular updates about your content.

Brand for success. Just like you should be doing with the rest of your online presence, brand your YouTube channel. Branding your channel helps generate leads and interest in your other online brand platforms. Add a banner at the top of your channel homepage. You could include your headshot, company name, and contact info. 

After you bring your brand to your YouTube channel, bring your YouTube channel to your other online platforms. Put a link to it on your website and social media pages, and link to specific YouTube videos in appropriate blogs and social posts. All these links will keep your brand top-of-mind and have followers coming back.

Remember, we’re always here to answer your questions and help you take advantage of new opportunities! Feel free to call or email us if there’s anything we can do to help.