Starting Your Youtube Channel: The First Steps!

Welcome to my YouTube Camp! I am excited that you are joining me in learning how to start AND grow a YouTube channel. I have been a YouTube content creator since 2021, and my own channel has almost 2k subscribers while also being monetized!  This class is designed for those who do not have a channel yet, but want to start a channel soon. This class is also designed for those that may have started a channel, but need some more assistance in growing your channel. 

What you will need before the start of class (with a grown-up's help):
-Canva account (Free)
-Wondershare Filmora (Free download before class starts)
-Screencastify (Free)
-Filming equipment (if you have it): Camera (or a phone that can film is fine), ring light, microphone, a designated area for filming content, and a tripod for your camera or phone.

**Disclosure on Online Safety: I will be screensharing YouTube, Canva, Wondershare Filmora, and Screencastify during class sessions. Throughout the class, I will be sharing and reminding everyone about protecting your personal information online and what to do about cyberbullying. A grown-up's help will be required when creating the channel on your own, uploading videos, reacting to positive/negative comments, etc. 


Day 1: The "Brainstorming Your Channel" Phase:
This is the first day of the class where we collaboratively work together to discuss what kind of videos and topics you want to talk about on your channel (finding your niche). We will also be discussing what kind of theming you want to have for your YouTube channel. I will be showing in class how to use Canva to explore theming background to creating your YouTube channel banner and profile picture. I will also share the steps of how to create a YouTube channel account for those who do not have an account yet. Of course, there is no pressure during our class sessions to create an account if you do not want to yet, and you just want to see what it takes to start a YouTube channel. 

-Project before next class: Sharing your niche and sharing your channel's theming. You don't have to create a YouTube channel yet if you don't want to. 

Day 2: Creating your channel's content phase:
The second day of class will be about filming content for your channel. This will be a discussion about what type of lighting to use, what your background for videos should look like, camera equipment (or recording with a phone), microphones, what to say/what not to say in videos, how to start and end your videos (and the why behind it), consistency used for each video, etc. We will also discuss about what topic you want to talk about on your first video. 

-Project before next class: Record your first content video unedited (it's okay to make mistakes!).

Day 3: Editing your video phase:
The third day of class will be about how to edit your video. I will be sharing how to use Wondershare Filmora and also Screencasitfy (for tutorial/gaming videos). I will show you how to cut unnecessary clips and mistakes out on videos, adding images to video, adding sounds and effects to your video, and if time permits, how to use Canva to create intro and outro videos for your channel to add to ALL of your videos. 

-Project before next class: Edit your content video to your liking (with cut clips, sound effects, music, anything you think will spice up your video). Make sure the video is also downloaded onto your computer for uploading later. 

Day 4: Thumbnails, titles, and uploading your video phase:
For the final day of class, I will be demonstrating how to use SEO to find keywords for titles of videos, and then I will show you how to create a video thumbnail on Canva. Once the title and thumbnail are completed, I will demonstrate how to upload a video onto YouTube. After this class is finished, you can have a grown-up's help in uploading your first video to your channel! We will also share at the end of class about interacting with your viewers and the importance of interacting within your channel's community. 


***Need some more individualized help or assistance after camp is over? Make sure to sign up for my weekly YouTube Channel help meetings where we meet 1:1 to discuss what more you can do after this camp! We can talk about monetization, growth on your channel, or anything else you are curious about regarding having a YouTube channel! Make sure to also message me on Outschool for your availability on meetings!