YouTube influencer

Becoming an Influencer Becoming a YouTube influencer is not going to be a simple journey, but just as you've seen in the previous chapter, there are many people who have carved out a lucrative income by doing it, and so can you-it'll just take perseverance and determination. Start by creating a plan of action. This is where you'll lay out exactly what you're hoping to get out of building a YouTube presence. So, focus on your objectives and overall goals. This is going to help you figure out what sort of video content you should create, and help to determine who your target audience is. What you're looking for is clear direction and intent so you can lay down a strong foundation for your business. And that's exactly what becoming a YouTube influencer involves: building a targeted, flexible and rock-solid business. YouTube Influencer: Special Here are some steps you can take to get your YouTube influencer career off the ground: Step 1: Create a YouTube account and channel. This is an obvious first step, but you'd be surprised how many people leave this until last. It's wise to start with this so that you can begin to visualize your channel's overall brand, including your design as well as the type of graphics and thumbnails you'll use, and of course, your content. Set up an account and a channel name that is easy to remember and that reflects what you're doing. Use keywords that tell people exactly what your channel is about, or follow in the footsteps of influencers such as Marques Brownlee, who uses his initials plus the abbreviation for high definition to create his channel name: MKBHD. It's short handle that's instantly recognizable across all his platforms and memorable, which is key. YouTube Influencer: Special Report Brownlee reviews tech, so the high definition refers to his content and gives you a hint of what's to come. Step 2: Choose Your Niche. Next, you want to develop your channel's goals and content which starts by defining your target audience and niche. This isn't always an easy task, especially if you are thinking about catering to multiple markets. Step 3: Define Your Voice Defining the voice of your brand and your channel is one of the most important things you'll do, and it's always best to start once you've nailed down who your average subscriber will be. Many influencers have said that in order to figure out who their market is, they created what is called a subscriber snapshot, which includes example demographic information. This would include gender, age, location, interests, passions, employment, hobbies of those who would likely be interested in your content. YouTube Influencer: Special Report The better you know your audience-and the more you drill down into your niche by creating a subscriber snapshot, the clearer your path will become because you'll know exactly what kind of content you should create in order to maximize exposure. Then, once you get your voice down pat, you'll need to find content that matches that voice. The best way to develop your channel is just to be yourself. Above all else, it's your personality that will keep viewers subscribed (and tuning in!) to your channel, but you have to attract them there in the first place with solid content that they want to watch. Step 4: Create Engaging Content. Once you're comfortable in front of the camera, it's time to decide what sort of content you'll create, or broadcast. Some popular content styles include: how-to videos, product reviews, unboxing videos, and of course, gaming and makeup tutorials. YouTube Influencer: Special Report The possibilities are almost endless. Choose something that excites you so you will want to keep making more videos, and make sure it's something other people will see as entertainment or a solution to one of their problems (educational). You probably also want to give yourself some flexibility so you can cover trending topics in your niche. That way you can jump on the bandwagon if a big news story breaks and other YouTubers with similar channels are talking about it. Put your unique spin on the topic even if "everyone" is covering it. Brainstorm some ideas for your content before you jump right in. Make up a good, long list so you won't run out of video ideas before you even get started gaining an audience. Ask yourself what other YouTubers in your niche are doing and what content they are creating. Now, what's missing? Can you put a new spin on old content or a fresh twist to something they've already done? What do you have that some other (famous) YouTuber isn't offering? Ask what problems your audience is facing in their day-to-day lives. Aim to create content that solves those problems for them. Step 5: Create your videos. Often, what sets one influencer apart from the crowd is the quality of their videos. They're not just putting out a lot of content-it's good content. Many professional YouTubers have a specific team for such tricks as makeup, special sets, and shooting from multiple angles. They use the best cameras and microphones, and they invest in the best editing software. Your videos don't have to be professional quality at first, but you should make them the best you can. Your skills will grow with your experience, so expect your quality to improve over time. YouTube Influencer: Special ReportCan you put a new spin on old content or a fresh twist to something they've already done? What do you have that some other (famous) YouTuber isn't offering? Ask what problems your audience is facing in their day-to-day lives. Aim to create content that solves those problems for them. Step 5: Create your videos. Often, what sets one influencer apart from the crowd is the quality of their videos. They're not just putting out a lot of content-it's good content. Many professional YouTubers have a specific team for such tricks as makeup, special sets, and shooting from multiple angles. They use the best cameras and microphones, and they invest in the best editing software. Your videos don't have to be professional quality at first, but you should make them the best you can. Your skills will grow with your experience, so expect your quality to improve over time. YouTube Influencer: Special Report YouTube Influencer: Special Report You also don't need a bunch of expensive equipment to get a professional look. If you're just getting started, you can film on any decent mobile phone and edit the video using free apps. Just remember little tricks like using a tripod (or camera dolly) to minimize shake and give your video a more professional feel. You can also incorporate free footage into your videos. And remember the "rule of thirds" when framing yourself in the screen: mentally divide your image with a grid composed of two horizontal and two vertical lines, breaking each section into thirds (thus, the name). Many cameras (even on cellphones) have a setting that will do this for you as you shoot. The rule is to place your subject near or on top of one of the lines-or at an intersection-to create balance in the photograph. Step 6: Use the algorithms. In order for you to become successful at YouTube, obviously your content must be discovered by people who are interested in your topic. YouTube Influencer: Special Report And in order for that to happen, you must learn how videos get found and what you can do to optimize your own content. This includes tricks like putting keywords into your titles and video descriptions, finding the best name for your videos, and directing your audience to keep following your channel by providing buttons at the end of each video ("Subscribe now" or "Follow me"). Do a little research and see what keywords and phrases other YouTubers in your niche are using, then add those to your list. Think of what questions your audience might be asking and be sure your keywords are the answers to those questions. Also, remember to use compelling thumbnails, not just allow YouTube to select a random still frame from somewhere in the video. Select something eye-catching that will reflect your video's content and entice the reader to watch. Step 7: Post consistently. YouTube Influencer: Special Report When it comes to YouTube, consistency is the key. Develop a content calendar and post regularly. Two to three times a week seems to be the magic number that results in the best growth. Your viewers should come to expect-and count on--regular video content from your channel. Setting this expectation encourages them to pop in at specific times during the week. It also creates accountability on your end so you won't try to get away with skipping the video "just this once." A content calendar also keeps you from scrambling at the last minute to find something to post about. And finally, the bigger your library, the more time viewers will spend on your channel watching your videos. And that will only improve your algorithms. Step 8: Build a social presence. YouTube Influencer: Special Report It may seem obvious, but you need to create social media pages and profiles for your video channel on every platform where your audience hangs out. Sure, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram are the biggest platforms, but depending on who your viewers are, you may also need to target others as well: Snapchat, Twitch, or even Pinterest. Do your homework and find out which networks are popular with your audience, and which networks your competitors are using to advertise. Once you have the social media platforms, fill out each form as completely as you can. Your channel's profile page should have links to your playlist, your "highlight" reel, and your blog and/or website. The more descriptive and informative you are in your bios, the more potential viewers will see you as an expert and want to follow you to YouTube and watch your videos. And don't just create a bunch of profile pages and forget about them. Social media is meant to be...social. Create content that encourages viewers to comment. Start conversations with your followers by asking for their opinions or their help. And always try to respond to any YouTube Influencer: Special Report