Where rockstars and professional athletes used to be the dream career for many, YouTube has created a platform that allows everyday people to publish videos across every conceivable genre and become famous influencers. Doing what you love has the potential to be lucrative if you can get a sizable audience, but how do you get your channel off the ground?
There’s more to creating great YouTube content than just sitting in front of a camera and uploading raw footage, so if you’re setting yourself a subscriber goal or wanting to see your viewer numbers flying then are some easy steps you can take. Whether you’re looking to make money, friends, or simply give your skills a platform, we’re going to run through the five best tips to enhance your content to the professional quality you see published by your favorite creators.
Use InVideo to edit your videos
Just about every popular YouTube channel will have one thing in common, regardless of the theming or style – and that’s video editing. Professional editing skills typically take many years to master and use complicated programs and software, all of which can be intimidating for anyone wanting to start a YouTube career. Thankfully, InVideo is a user-friendly online video editing tool that allows you to make the same clean, quick edits to your video as seasoned YouTube influencers, from jump cuts to scene transitions. The InVideo editor will help you make professional-looking videos in as little as five minutes, with a plethora of features to take your raw footage to the next level. If you’re a complete editing novice then there are 3500+ templates you can use to make high-quality videos in a snap. You can add some flair that will become a brand identifier for your channel too by adding media (either your own or select from the huge library of free InVideo library content) and including a personal touch with animations, emojis, and even transition scenes.
The InVideo Video Editor is one of the most effortless ways to get your vlogs, tutorials, and digital content ready to share with the world, and you can create and publish your first video for free, so you have no more excuses to not get your ideas off the ground and pick up a camera.
Style your background
Okay, so creating content for YouTube isn’t viewed on the same level as elite Hollywood movies or shows, but there’s still a lot of crossover between the two to help you capture a loyal audience. Set dressing is used across both industries and setting a scene is an absolute must for making sure your videos look clean and professional.
Customizing the background that your audience will see is also a great way to indicate what kind of influencer you are – with gaming channels, you’ll typically see collectibles or memorabilia from a popular video game and funky RGB backlighting, beauty influencers are known for modern, neutral environments. Your background should be relevant to your content style of course (so maybe don’t try to film your cooking show in a garage), but this is all down to personal taste.
The main thing to consider is keeping things clean and tidy. A messy environment can make your scenes look unprofessional and may put off potential subscribers. If you don’t have a suitable space in your home then consider buying a pop-up green screen or backdrop if you have space.
Grab a camera …or three
To use video editing software like InVideo, you’ll need to have…well, video. Picking a suitable camera is much easier these days, with many Influencers opting to record vlogs and other content on a smartphone or webcam due to improvements in camera technology.
You should aim for 1080p, 60 frames-per-second (or FPS) video quality as this is now the standard resolution for high-definition videos, but many Android and iPhone mobiles will manage this with ease. If you have some cash to burn then a DSLR or mirrorless camera is considered the cream of the crop for YouTube stars as the professional video quality is much better than any phone or webcam device.
If you do decide to make the upgrade though, consider using your old webcam or mobile as a secondary camera for your videos. Having additional angles can make the content on your channel stand out, especially for any tutorials you might be filming.
Illuminate your life
Without a doubt, lighting is just as important as your camera. Movie studios are full of set lighting equipment and successful YouTubers were quick to pick up on how important lighting techniques can be. In fact, the more work you put into lighting your videos manually, the less time you’ll need to spend making adjustments to the footage in post-production.
A ring light is the usual go-to lighting tool for many influencers as it evenly distributes light onto a subject in a diffused way, helping to illuminate your face in the best possible way. They also create a ‘halo’ effect in the eyes that is seen as a desirable feature, particularly for style or beauty influencers.
Softboxes and other professional studio lights are also a fantastic way to make sure your environment is well lit, but for anyone on a budget, you can simply film in front of a window during the day. Natural daylight is often one of the better options when it comes to making sure you have enough light in your videos, which can save you a heap of cash on buying otherwise expensive lighting equipment.
Grab a dedicated microphone
While the microphone built into your webcam or phone may be sufficient for calling friends, it’s unlikely to match the quality of a dedicated mic. Watching videos with poor audio quality can greatly reduce the viewing experience of any potential subscribers, so YouTube veterans know that grabbing something like a cardioid condenser microphone only picks up sound in a singular direction, greatly reducing background noise and other annoying interferences.
You can get microphones suitable for a range of different interfaces now, from USB microphones for use directly with your computer, to mounted mics that connect to your camera or phone. Whatever you choose, make sure that any music or sound effects you include during your editing process don’t drown out your narration.
By following these five steps, you’re closer than ever to mastering content creation and becoming a YouTube influencer. Internet fame isn’t everything of course, but being recognized for your hard work and creativity and gaining an online following is incredibly rewarding. Enjoy creating!
