[FAQ]

G’day everyone,

I’m keen to start a YouTube channel but, to be honest, the whole process looks a bit daunting from the outside. I’ve got a few ideas, but going from that to actually having a video live on YouTube feels like a massive leap.

Could anyone share a basic roadmap for a beginner? Like, what are the main steps involved in planning, filming, editing, and then uploading a video?

Also, any recommendations for essential gear or software that won’t break the bank would be grouse. And any general tips for someone just starting out in 2025 to avoid common stuff-ups?

Cheers for any advice you can throw my way!

[Jeff Bullas]

Good onya for wanting to jump into YouTube! It can seem like a lot at first, but once you break it down, it’s pretty manageable. Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started:

Plan Your Attack (Ideas & Prep):

Niche & Audience: Figure out what your channel will be about and who you’re trying to reach.

Video Ideas: Brainstorm topics. See what people are searching for in your niche.

Outline/Script: Even just dot points will help you stay on track when filming. Keeps the “ums” and “ahs” down a bit.

Gear Up (Simple is Sweet to Start):

Camera: Your smartphone is a ripper for starting out. Don’t stress about fancy cameras yet.

Audio: This is super important, mate. Bad audio will make people click off quick smart. A cheap lavalier mic (clips onto your shirt) or a basic USB mic will be heaps better than your phone’s built-in mic if it’s too far away.

Lighting: Natural light is your best friend – film near a window if you can. If not, even a simple ring light can make a big difference.

Editing Software: Heaps of good free or low-cost options. DaVinci Resolve has a brilliant free version with pro features. CapCut is popular and easy to use. OpenShot is another free one, or Clipchamp (often on Windows) / iMovie (on Macs) are good starting points.

Lights, Camera, Action! (Filming):

Find a quiet spot to reduce background noise.

Keep your camera stable – a small tripod, or even a stack of books, works.

Do a quick test to check your sound and picture before you film the whole thing.

Try to be yourself and speak clearly. Don’t aim for perfection on your first go.

The Edit Suite (Putting it Together):

Cut out any mistakes, long pauses, or bits that drag on.

You can add text, simple graphics, or background music. YouTube has its own Audio Library with heaps of free music and sound effects.

Keep the pace up so it’s engaging.

Export your video in a common format like MP4. 1080p resolution is standard and looks good.

Upload to YouTube (Showtime!):

Title: Make it catchy and include keywords people would search for.

Description: Write a good summary. Use keywords here too. You can add links to your socials or other relevant stuff.

Thumbnail: This is your video’s “shop window.” Make it bright, clear, and eye-catching. Tools like Canva are great for this.

Tags/Keywords: Add relevant tags to help YouTube understand what your video is about.

Cards & End Screens: Use these to suggest other videos for viewers to watch.

Top Tips for Newbies:

Don’t get bogged down trying to make everything perfect straight away. Just start.

Consistency is gold. Try to upload regularly, whatever that looks like for you.

Watch tutorials – there’s a YouTube video for everything, including how to make YouTube videos!

Once you’ve got a few videos up, have a squiz at your YouTube Analytics to see what’s working.

The main thing is to get started and learn as you go. You’ll get better with each video you make.

Cheers,

Jeff

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