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A UK Pregnancy, Parenting and Lifestyle Blog
September 25, 2017

10 Tips On How To Start a YouTube Channel

‘How to start a YouTube channel’ is something I get asked a lot about, via emails and messages across all social platforms, so I thought it was time I did a post to try and help anyone who is thinking about starting up their own YouTube channel. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think I am an expert (by any stretch of the imagination) but I have learnt a few bits and pieces along the way so far and thought it would be useful to pass them on!

1. Choose a name with longevity that sums up what you are all about – I made the mistake of just using a YouTube account that I’d had for years to start my channel. It has the nickname ‘Sairee09’ and makes it look like I’ve been vlogging since 2006, which is definitely not the case! I also changed my URL to my old blog name, when I hit the amount of subscribers needed to do that, and now regret that as I have a new name that I can’t change it to. Basically what I am trying to say is have a long, hard think about a name for your channel that you will still love in years to come and is also relevant to what content you want to produce. People seem to like using their real name at the moment which is a great idea. I just don’t because I don’t like my last name being too advertised out there. It comes down to personal preference and only you will know what is right for you.

2. Do an introduction video or make a trailer for your channel – on YouTube you basically have to sell yourself. You have to give people a reason to keep coming back to watch your videos. A channel trailer or introduction video are great ideas because they will give people the low down on what you are all about and why they should subscribe to your channel. Keep it short and upbeat and your audience will find you.

3. Make yourself a channel banner that will draw people in and have a relevant profile photo, which is the same across all your social medial platforms – the visual aspects of your channel are really important because they will attract people to your videos. Make sure your banner is fun and eye catching, but not too cluttered. The designer that designed my website made mine for me but you can easily make one yourself on sites and apps such as PicMonkey and Canva. The reason it is good to have a relevant social media profile photo that is the same across all platforms is so people can find you easily and associate you with all your accounts quickly.

4. Set yourself up with the right equipment – I’m not saying you need to run out and buy a Canon G7X for vlogging and a 5D for filming but making sure you have the right equipment within your budget will make your life easier when you are filming your videos. Most smartphones these days have good enough cameras to vlog on. Just make sure you do it in landscape, not portrait! You could always ask to borrow a friend or relative’s camera if that was an option. I would highly recommend getting a tripod to take away the stress of balancing cameras on books etc. Amazon have loads of good ones for a great price. Definitely try out YouTube for a while before investing in an expensive camera. It is a funny old world and not for everyone.

5. Do your research and plan your content – this is a really important one. You need to have an idea of what you want to post videos about and research what works well in that subject. You can look to other channels for inspiration but don’t completely replicate their content. Do research around the top keywords and searches on the topic you want to film and tailor your content to incorporate those. Planning your content in advance means that you will come across much more relaxed than if you are rushing to film a video just to get it up on a particular day. It also means you can avoid posting too many vidoes about the same thing if you plan everything out in advance.

6. Film videos on topics you are genuinely interested in – you need to be passionate. There are too many people in the YouTube world now for you to just film what is working for other people. Viewers get bored easily and can spot a copycat mile off. That sounds harsh! It wasn’t meant to but I just mean that you need to carve out your niche and engage your audience. That might mean doing the same sorts of videos as others, but in your own way, with your personality shining through. You also can’t start a YouTube channel just to make money. I would say 99% of successful vloggers I know started out doing videos because they genuinely wanted to and for personal reasons, not financial ones.

7. Choose the days that you are going to upload and stick to them – consistency is key. That seems to be the biggest factor in making a YouTube channel a success. You need to upload regularly and let people know when you are planning to do this. Sticking to the same days and times mean people will learn when to expect your videos and will get excited about them. It could also mean you will look reliable to people who might want to work with you on your channel in the future.

8. Have an upload checklist – pick a great title, fill in the description box, upload a custom thumbnail and…

9. Share your videos on other social media platforms – utilise every single follower and like you have on all your social media platforms. Spread the word. Use one platform in many ways. For example use Instagram for an Instagram post, a story, a link in bio and mini trailer video. Four ways to share your video on one platform!

10. Respond to comments and engage in the community – but don’t be spammy. No one likes a link dump!! It is a good idea to respond to all comments within the first 24 hours of your video going up. This is when people will want to talk about your video and your engagement rate will shoot up.

I really hope that helps! I have got a couple other, more technical, posts lined up which will be up soon…

Oh, one last tip – enjoy it! When it stops being fun then it’s not worth doing 

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Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫 Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫
‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in c ‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in creating a better world for our children.’ - Nelson Mandela ❤️
It’s not enough though, is it? We’ve always h It’s not enough though, is it?

We’ve always had diverse toys in our house (not enough, but I’m working on it ❤️), but when questioned ‘why do you buy your kids Black dolls?’, I’ve faltered and answered incorrectly. I would respond saying ‘because that’s the doll Isla liked the best. What does it matter? We’re all human’, rather than questioning why that person is questioning it in the first place.

In a massive learning curve this week, where I am actively trying to become an anti-racist ally, not just anti-racist/non racist in general, I have found so many shortcomings in my effort to educate my kids and in my own attitudes towards race. But this isn’t about me. So here are some resources I’d like to share on top of the ones shared in my stories.

Some books to read:
Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge.
How to argue with a racist - Adam Rutherford.
Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch.
White Fragility - Robin Diangelo.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo.

Diverse kids books:
Anti Racist Baby - X. Kendi.
Riley Can Be Anything -Davina Hamilton.
Look Up - Nathan Bryon.
Mae Among The Stars - Roda Ahmed.
The Mega Magic Hair Swap - Rochelle Humes.
Let’s Talk About Race - Julius Lester.
Welcome To Our World - Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas.
This Book Is Antiracist - Tiffany Jewell.
The Extraordinary Gardener - Sam Boughton.
Let The Children March - Monica Clark-Robinson.
Ruby’s Worry - Tom Percival.
A Kids Book About Racism - Jelani Memory.

Some things to watch:
When They See Us.
13th.
Who Killed Malcom X.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap.
Dear White People.
I am Not Your Negro.

My to do list:
- Sign more petitions.
- Donate to more causes.
- Listen to podcasts and share.
- Encourage changes in the school curriculum so that my children, and their classmates, get a better, much more rounded and diverse education.
- Call things out.
- Have honest/open conversations.
- Share content.
- To keep educating myself, whilst never expecting others to do it for me.

It’s just a starting point.

Thanks for listening x
Black Lives Matter. I can never pretend to unders Black Lives Matter.

I can never pretend to understand, but I will always stand.

I’ve been on a huge learning curve this week and have, shamefully, come to the realisation, which I should have a long time ago, that it’s not enough to just not be racist. We must also be actively anti-racist and do everything in our power to ensure our children are too.

Today is a day to stop, listen, support, educate ourselves, donate, sign petitions, take action in any way we can, big and small, to make sure that everyone knows we stand with our fellow humans, family and friends. But we can’t just do this today. We must do it each and every day going forward ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
And breathe! First day without both my babies for And breathe! First day without both my babies for the first time in 10 weeks today and it couldn’t have gone better. Both had wonderful days and were full of stories when they got home. I said over on stories last night, which got an incredible response so thank you to everyone who reached out, that I am completely comfortable with my choice to send the kids back to school and nursery but would never, ever judge anyone who felt different. We are all in different boats in this storm we’ve found ourselves in and what works for my family, might not work for yours. I have deliberately stayed out of the ‘are you sending your kids back or not?’ debate as it started to feel like another toxic discussion, in the media and on social media, that was resulting in yet another parenting divide.
I could have had the kids in this whole time, under key worker provision, but tried my best to hang on till the phased reopenings that I hoped would happen when they did. They were what I was aiming towards. Don’t get me wrong, I have LOVED having the kids at home together for such a sustained period, we have made lots of memories and learnt so much more about each other, but mixed in with the nature of my job and the fact that @thisdadalife is deployed and so I’m on my own with minimal support, I couldn’t have gone on much longer.
When I got in from dropping them off today, and as I went upstairs to work at my desk, I literally collapsed on the stairs and almost cried in relief. Relief that we made it through, as dramatic as that sounds. I don’t think I realised the toll it was taking mentally as I was constantly running on adrenaline.
I am so happy to get a bit more balance back and to, most importantly, feel like a better mum again. Not a snappy trying to juggle it all 24/7 with no break mum.
If you sent your kids back today, whether you wanted to or not, I’m with you and support you.
If you have kept them home in your bubble for longer, I’m with you and support you.
If you’re still unsure what to do and are undecided, I am with you and support you.
Nobody knows the full extent of someone else’s circumstances and we have to stop and realise that before we judge anyone else ❤️
Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅 Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅
This is the first year in YEARS that I have felt ok wearing a bikini. And I feel like it’s more down to how strong I feel, rather than how I look. Whatever it is, I hope it continues ❤️
On another note, how tanned does the @filterbymollymae fake tan make you look! 🙌🏻
(Both bikini and cover up are from last year).
#losingmyboobstho #youwinsomeyoulosesomehaha
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