[FAQ]

Hey everyone!

I’m super excited (and a little bit terrified!) to make my very first YouTube video, but I’m a total newbie and don’t really know where to begin with what I actually need.

For someone starting from scratch in 2025, what are the absolute basic essentials I must have or do? Can I just use my smartphone for everything at first, or is it really necessary to get a separate camera and microphone right from day one? And what about super simple editing software for a beginner?

Any advice for a complete beginner would be amazing! Thanks!

[Jeff Bullas]

For your very first YouTube video, the most important thing is to actually make a start. You genuinely do not need a lot of sophisticated equipment or complex software to begin.

There are a few absolute essentials. First, you need an idea and a basic plan. Decide what your video will be about and have a rough outline of the key points you want to cover or show. This does not need to be a detailed script, just enough to provide some structure.

Second, you will require a device to record both video and audio. For your first video, your smartphone is more than capable. Most modern smartphones have excellent cameras and can capture quite decent audio, especially if you record in a quiet environment and keep the phone relatively close to you.

Third, you will need some basic editing capability. You can often edit directly on your phone using built-in applications, such as iMovie for iPhones, or various free video editing apps available for Android. On a desktop, free software like CapCut is very user-friendly and popular, or you could look at DaVinci Resolve for more advanced features later on, though it has a steeper learning curve. For your first video, the main aim of editing is usually just to trim any unwanted sections at the beginning or end and perhaps cut out any significant mistakes.

Fourth, you will need a YouTube account and channel, which is straightforward to set up if you do not already have one. This is where you will upload your completed video.

And fifth, try to find a quiet space with reasonable lighting for recording. Minimise background noise as much as possible. Natural light coming from a window is often the best source of lighting; just ensure the light is facing you, not coming from behind you.

What you do not need for your very first video is an expensive camera, a professional-grade microphone, complicated editing software, or studio lights. These are all things you can consider investing in later if you decide that making YouTube videos is something you want to pursue more seriously and wish to improve your production quality.

The primary focus for your first video should be on your content and simply becoming comfortable with the process of creating and sharing. The key is to begin, learn from the experience, and build from there.

Cheers,

Jeff

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