Video content is taking off. It’s an engaging content medium perfectly optimized for on-the-go viewing. And, YouTube is the world’s leading video platform, with 1.7 billion unique monthly visitors, which is why leveraging this platform should be part of every marketing strategy.
Yet in 2022, it’s no longer enough to make YouTube videos, publish them, and hope for the best. There’s so much competition that you need to know how to create a YouTube video that cuts through the crowd.
We know how much of a challenge it can be to create a YouTube video that engages the audience. That’s why we’ve created this guide on how to make a YouTube video.
How to Create a YouTube Video
Starting your YouTube project begins not with your YouTube video maker but with planning. Producing the wrong content will nullify any production. What does your audience want to see? How will you reach that audience?
Proper planning is just as important as execution.
Step One – Formulate a Strategy
No matter who you are as a personality, every creator needs a YouTube strategy. Start by pinning down your target audience. Find out who they are and what they want to see.
Every video must add value to someone’s day. If your company is wondering, “How to make our own video on YouTube,” it has to begin with value planning.
Simply being funny and engaging is not enough. Ask these questions to determine what people want to see:
What’s the competition doing?
What are your customers saying on social media?
What are the big issues impacting your industry?
Your strategy will evolve over time. Track the trends in your industry and adapt to them. Dedicate a period every so often to review your strategy and make any changes.
Step Two – Create an SEO Strategy
Yes, SEO is not just for your website. Optimizing your videos for search engines is key to the success of your videos. After all, videos rank because they appeal to users and search engines, too. (Remember, YouTube is part of the Google corporation.)
The same principles you use to get your website found on Google apply to video SEO strategies. Your titles, descriptions, and tags must contain relevant keywords relevant to your video content. Use in-depth keyword research to discover the queries people are searching for and which topics are trending now.
Step Three – Research the Right Ideas
After defining your strategy and getting doing your keyword research, it’s time to develop ideas for your first series of YouTube videos.
Questions are an excellent place to start. What do people want to know, and how can you help them? Solving a pain point is always an excellent way to attract viewers. As a business, your personality and presentation are secondary to substance. People tune in because they want to leave with something of value.
Keep an ongoing list of ideas. Review your competitor's content and watch some of their videos for inspiration. Make a YouTube video that focuses on the aspects they failed to cover. There’s nothing wrong with creating content for a topic that’s already been covered. However, your video should have its own unique angle.
Identifying the subject matter that engages audiences is very much a trial-and-error process. Throw out some ideas and analyze the results. You’ll soon discover what appeals most to your target audience.
Step Four – Obtain the Right Equipment
Too many would-be YouTubers don’t get started because they don’t have high-end equipment. Even a low-end camera can produce HD footage these days. While it’s fun to have the best equipment, it’s far from necessary.
Here are the basics for getting started:
Microphone – A decent microphone amplifies the quality of any YouTube video. This is the best investment you can make and will separate you from the competition.
Screen Recording Software – Loom is the easiest way to record your video. Simply record your screen, camera, or both to quickly create a high quality video that you can easily upload to Youtube.
Lighting – Good lighting makes a huge difference to your video. You’ll need a backlight, key light, and fill light. If you understand lighting theory, you can substitute this equipment simply by using the natural light around you.
Camera – Obviously, you need a camera. High-end DSLRs are great to work with, but even an iPhone mounted on a stand can produce HD footage. Even an external webcam can deliver a high-performance video.
Figuring out how do you make a video on YouTube often stalls at the equipment. Contrary to what many people think, you can do a lot with even budget equipment. You don’t need to spend thousands on equipment to get started with video creation.
Step Five – Pick a Video Type
There are so many types of videos you can choose to create for YouTube. The best way to start is with an instructional video. A tutorial or how-to video is an excellent way to start and attract your first few subscribers.
Make your title a question and answer that question as an expert sharing your knowledge with others. It’s an excellent approach to take because 87% of Americans say YouTube is helpful for learning a new skill.
Step Six – Setup Your Recording
Now, it’s time to start recording your video. Write a basic outline of what you want to say and memorize it. Try not to have a word-for-word script, or it could leave you sounding robotic.
Find a place to shoot. A blank wall is best. Make sure you stay well away from windows. Align yourself and monitor your lighting—the more control you have over your production area, the better. You can always use Loom’s YouTube video maker for free in Creator Lite mode to run some rehearsals until you are comfortable with your delivery and feel confident in the production value of your video.
Step Seven – Review, Edit, and Publish
Play your footage back and review your performance. It doesn’t have to be perfect if you’re new to the game. Any problems you can clean up in editing. Cuts, trims, transitions, and annotations are all easy edits you can make.
Determining how to make a vid for YouTube is all about self-improvement. Use the built-in editing tools for Loom to fix these errors and add a touch of professionalism to your video.
Now you’re ready to upload your video to your channel and publish it. YouTube channels take time to gain traction, so don’t get disheartened if viewership is low when you initially start your video marketing. Success on YouTube is about consistency.
After your video goes live, wait for the analytics to roll in and figure out where you can make improvements. Every view is a clue.
Start Making Your YouTube Video Today
Wondering how to create a YouTube video on a budget? Your business doesn’t need a massive outlay to get started. By using a simple camera, some clever shooting tricks, and Loom, the world’s leading video capture software, you can begin building your presence on the platform.
Learning the secrets of making the most of your videos takes time and effort. Over time, you will improve. In the meantime, get started in minutes with Loom. It features all the tools you need to produce an impactful video.