How to Be a YouTube Star

Co-authored by Beth Cormack

Last Updated: January 11, 2023 References Approved

Want to become YouTube famous? The good news is that today’s laptops and tablets come with webcams, mics, and cool video editing software already built in. Unfortunately, there’s also some bad news: the hundreds of thousands of videos uploaded to YouTube everyday can bury a first-timer’s video. However, if you learn how to plan your content, optimize your channel, and grow your audience, you can boost your chances of attaining YouTube stardom.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Planning Your Video Content

1
Create a YouTube channel. First things first, you’ll need to set up a free basic account, and click the upload link (upward facing arrow) at the upper right-hand side of the page. After this, you’ll see a prompt to create a channel. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.^{[1]
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- If you have an account with Google, you're in luck, because you already have a YouTube account! Enter the same username and password you use to log into Gmail, Google+, etc.
2
Choose your camera. Any camera will work in the beginning, and you have tons of options. Webcams, cell phone cameras, or digital cameras are good choices. If you can afford it or want a higher quality image, consider buying something more sophisticated. Consumer-level video cameras can be found for under $300.^{[2]
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- If you’re really serious, invest in an HD video camera or even a high-end DSLR. These cameras produce crisp, high-quality videos that will have viewers coming back for more.
- Laptop, tablet, and desktop computers usually come with at least one free recording program installed. For Mac users, this is Quicktime. For Windows users, this is Windows Media Maker.
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3
Focus on your best qualities. Make a list of your best attributes. Don’t be modest--write them all down!^{[3]
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Research source} Use your amazing voice to become a singer. Take advantage of your debating skills to become an editorial presenter. Draw on your extensive knowledge of art history to become an online lecturer. Though it may be tricky, try to choose one quality to use as your brand.
4
Get a taste of what’s popular. Outsmart your browser by opening a window in Private or Incognito mode to see trending videos that aren’t based on your previous viewing habits. On the left-hand side of the page, click “Trending,” which is the second link. Videos listed under the headings “Trending” and “Shared and Liked” have the most views. Other ways of finding out what’s popular include:
- Asking your friends what they’re watching. Friends can be a great resource, and they’ll be happy to help.
- Checking your social media account to see what’s trending.
- Search phrases like “popular YouTube videos” using search engines like Google or Bing to see what pops up.
5
Think of something unique. Now that you know what’s out there, it’s time to take your YouTube game to the next level. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll have competition. Put on your creative thinking cap, and try to think of an angle that can make your channel stand out. Consider the age group and interests of your target audience. Ask yourself if your channel name is unique. Think about what you’d like to see on YouTube, but have trouble finding.^{[4]
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- Make sure you can make multiple videos on your concept. A one-video channel isn't much of a channel.
- Try to be unique, but also be authentic to yourself so your audience can feel a better connection with you.
6
Reach out to other YouTubers. Find YouTube stars whose channels are similar to yours, and ask them if they’d like to collaborate with you on a few videos. This can be pretty intimidating, but putting yourself out there is important to building your channel. You can do it! Tell them you really like their content, and that you’d like to work with them on a project. Pitch whatever ideas you have. You can send a private message like this:
- Click the username of the channel owner, which you can find below the title of the video.
- When you get to the channel page, click the “About” tab.
- At the upper right, click the “Send Message" button.
- Type your message, and click “Send.” Now, cross your fingers and wait for their response.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Optimizing Your Channel

1
Prepare to capture chance moments. Your smartphone or video camera should be your trusty companion--take it everywhere. Maybe you’ll get lucky and catch something hilarious that could eventually go viral. Maybe you’ll catch something more serious and help to bring justice to an innocent person. If the footage won’t work for your current project, save the file for later.
- Even if you don't have a plan, take the first step and just start posting content to your page so you can figure out what works and what doesn't for your audience.
2
Notice how popular YouTubers edit their videos. Good editing can take a channel to the next level. Pay attention to different camera angles, close-ups, and scene transitions. If your video focuses on your face for several minutes, mix it up with a few angle changes (from frontal to three-quarter, for example). If you’re doing a demonstration, get a nice close-up of the project you’re working on. Listen for background music or white noise in the soundtrack. Don’t stress about copying other YouTubers' editing styles exactly. Instead, they should give you an idea of where to put certain elements.^{[5]
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3
Set notifications. To keep your viewers updated on all the new and exciting content you’re producing, check your notification settings while you’re waiting for your video to upload. Set your channel to notify subscribers when you add new content. Click “Advanced Settings,” and scroll down to “Distribution Options.” The option “Notify Subscribers” should be checked automatically. If it’s not, check it! This way, everyone who subscribes to your channel will receive an email when you upload new content.
- On the other hand, if you decide to upload multiple videos at once, uncheck the notification box. Uploading 20 videos in one day will flood your poor subscribers’ inboxes with 20 emails. ^{[6]
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4
Fix the captions. After you upload your video, you’ll have the chance to set and edit automatic captions. Take it. You can be the clearest speaker in the world, and automatic captions will still contain tons of mistakes. This is unfair to your deaf and hearing-impaired viewers. Take the time to read and correct the captions after you upload your video.
- Use this opportunity for a little viewer engagement! Ask them to let you know if they see any errors.
5
Interact with your audience. If you’re already replying to comments on your YouTube videos, you’re one step ahead of the game. Still, you’ll need to do more. Take the conversation to social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Use specific hashtags on live chats to make it easier for your fans to find the discussion. Interacting shows your audience your care, plus all that social media activity can draw new viewers to your channel.
- You want to build a connection with people that actually lasts—the key is being yourself and never being the version of yourself that the world wants you to be.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Growing Your Audience

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Don’t expect instant success. Few YouTubers become an instant hit with their first video. Although there are some exceptions--and hey, maybe you’ll be one--most have to work hard just to get their viewing stats into double digits. Be patient, and use every opportunity you have to promote your channel. With time and effort, you may start to see results. Stick with it.^{[7]
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2
Share your videos on social media. Below every video on YouTube is an arrow with the word “Share” next to it. This button should become your new best friend. Click it, and choose the icon of which website you’d like to post to. A pop-up window with a summary of your video will open. You can either edit the summary or leave it as it is. Just don’t alter the link! Websites like Twitter and Facebook will play the videos without having to open a new window or tab.
3
Enter YouTube contests. YouTube contests are a great way to promote your channel, plus they can be a ton of fun, too. Search the web or YouTube to see which channels are running contests.^{[8]
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Research source} Find a contest that pertains to your channel, and read the rules. If the deadline gives you enough time to make a video, enter! Usually, viewers have to vote on how entertaining, educational, funny, etc. a video is. If viewers like your video, they’ll likely head over to your channel and subscribe.
4
Send an email. Contact all your friends and family members in your address book. Try something simple like, “Hey, everybody! Check out this video I posted to YouTube. Let me know what you think.” Chances are, they’ll forward the link to even more potential viewers.
5
Use tags. Tags make search engines use your videos as results when someone looks up certain terms.That funny cat video you’ve been watching likely has tags like “comedy,” “cats,” “cute,” etc. Make sure you stick to tags that accurately describe your video and channel. Don’t use inaccurate tags just to get more views. You’ll end up feeling dishonest, and disappointed viewers might leave negative comments.
6
Create your thumbnail. By default, YouTube selects three stills from your video to use as the thumbnail image. If you’re not feeling any of the stills, create your own image. Take a selfie, a screenshot, or any other image that gives an eye-catching visual description of your video. Include a few lines of text that elaborate the image and flesh out the video’s title.^{[9]
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7
Take constructive criticism seriously. No first-time video is perfect, and what fun would it be if it were? Each video is a learning opportunity for you to get better. If a viewer praises you for your script delivery but noted that the background noise was distracting, look for free and easy ways to erase unnecessary audio. Make small improvements to each video along the way, and before you know it, you’ll have a sleek, professional looking channel.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you get 1000 subscribers on YouTube?

Beth Cormack
Social Media Manager
Beth Cormack is a Social Media Manager based in Washington, D.C. With five years of experience, she specializes in multi-channel social media marketing and storytelling. She earned her Master of Professional Studies from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies and her BA in Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Beth Cormack

Social Media Manager

Expert Answer

Stay on top of things that are relevant and trending and then quickly make content that's related to those topics. That's a great way to gain subscribers on YouTube!
Question

I am too nervous to start making a video. What can I do?

Community Answer

Don't worry what other people think. If you don't want other people to know, don't tell them and let your channel grow naturally. Maybe you could have one friend who you trust and tell them about your channel.
Question

How can I be a star if i have no friends?

Community Answer

Don't let it get in your way. Despite what other might think, you DO have awesome qualities that you can use to your advantage! Once your channel is up and running, put the word out online. Someone is bound to notice.

Warnings

Don't post anything with copyrighted material. You cannot become a partner later on if your channel has copyrighted material on it.

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Helpful 16 Not Helpful 1
If you notice a comment that threatens you with violence, report it immediately. Chances are you’re not the only one this person has trolled and threatened. Not everyone is going to like your content, but you shouldn’t be made to feel unsafe by those who aren’t mature enough to accept this.

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Helpful 17 Not Helpful 2
Don't post anything obscene. It will be removed and your account will be deleted.

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