How to Start a YouTube Channel Step-by-Step

Have you decided to start a YouTube channel, but you get overwhelmed with all the equipment and tool options you need for recording, editing, and posting your videos on YouTube? Let me simplify it for you, and share the best tips for launching your new YouTube channel step-by-step.

Why Start a YouTube Channel?

If you’re a pastor wanting to start your own business or online platform, or be an influencer of any kind, chances are good that you’re going to want to have a YouTube channel. 

For the simple reason that YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine, behind Google, of course. And so many people are now going straight to YouTube to find the helpful content they’re looking for:

• Answers to their questions
• Solutions to their problems 

So today we’re talking about how to start a YouTube Channel, and here's what you’re going to discover:

1. The 3 questions you must answer BEFORE you start a YouTube channel.

2. How to set up your new YouTube channel in just 7 easy steps.

3. What equipment do you need to get started?


Links for Today's Show

• Join our private Facebook community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebook
• Free PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for You
• Read My Last Post: How to Start a Podcast Step-by-Step
• Video Brand Expert Daniel Crandall

Demystifying How to Start a YouTube Channel

So have you wanted to start a YouTube channel, but you feel a little overwhelmed with all the details when it comes to recording, producing, and streaming your new show? I know just how you feel!

In fact, I dreamed of starting a YouTube channel a couple of years ago. But it just seemed too complicated and expensive to me, with all the equipment I figured I’d need, and the editing that had to be done for each video.

So I kept putting it off.

But in 2021, I attended a “Presenting Well on Video” workshop hosted by Daniel Crandall, as part of my membership in the 48 Days Eagles Community.

Daniel is a creative director, and he’s helped a lot of people design and build studios and write and produce videos.

The workshop was broken into four 1-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks. When I signed up, I decided that I was going to finally launch my YouTube Channel before the 4th and final session.

And that’s exactly what I did.

Daniel’s workshop gave me the confidence and motivation I needed to finally take action on starting my YouTube channel, creating helpful content on video, and growing an audience.

Since then I’ve really grown more comfortable in being in front of a camera, and I’ve recorded dozens of videos for my YouTube channel, website, and online community.

I can’t tell you how good it feels to overcome the things that kept holding me back. And to be honest, starting a YouTube channel was easier than I thought it would be.

So today I want to share the things I’ve learned about starting a YouTube channel.

First, I discovered there are 3 key questions to answer before starting a YouTube channel…

The 3 Questions to Answer Before Starting a YouTube Channel

1. Who is this channel for, and what problem does it solve? People come to YouTube because they’re looking for a solution to a particular question or problem they have. So before you start, get a clear picture in your mind of who you want to help, and what kind of help you want to provide.
2. How is your channel different from others, and why should people subscribe? Think about what makes you or your content unique, and press into that. People subscribe to channels and hosts that are interesting and share the same values that they do.
3. What does YouTube success look like for you? Is your goal to generate a certain amount of income through ads, feed people into your coaching program, get people to sign up for your list, or something else?

The answers to these key questions will help you stay focused on creating compelling content that serves your audience well, grows your channel and keeps people coming back for more, and achieves your YouTube success goals.

How to Set Up Your YouTube Channel

Now that you have clarity about the purpose of your YouTube Channel, you’re ready to actually set up your channel on YouTube.

Setting up a new YouTube Channel is simple to do. You’ll need to have a Google account, which will be linked to your YouTube channel. So if you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to do that first.

1. Sign in to YouTube with your Google account
2. Click your picture in the top right corner (desktop version)
3. Select “Create a Channel”
4. Decide if you want to use the name associated with your email address or create a custom name for your channel
5. Describe what your channel is about in the “about” section
6. Customize the look of your channel with cover art (there are lots of free templates on Canva and other apps) and a profile picture
7. Upload your first video.

5 Basic Equipment Elements for Creating Video for YouTube

1. Camera

One of the biggest things that held me back from starting my YouTube Channel was the expensive equipment I thought I needed.

Some of the YouTubers I followed used DSLR or mirrorless cameras and lenses that were in the $700-2,200 range. And some had super amazing looking backdrops…like they created a whole studio in their house.

Thankfully, I discovered that there are lots of low-cost ways to get started with YouTube. And we don’t need to look at where someone else is after 3 years and think that’s where we need to start. In fact, you can shoot, edit, and post a video to YouTube using just your smartphone.

• Webcam - There are a ton of webcams out there. Best to use 4K to give you the best look and still at an affordable price.( Logitech c920. 70- Logitech Brio, 130 )or Smartphone (and stand -
• Smartphone - Record my YouTube videos into my MacBook, using an app called Camo Studio. How it works is that I open the Camo app on my iPhone, then i connect my phone to my computer using the cable, then I open the Camo Studio app in my MacBook, and the video from my phone appears on my computer. There’s a free option which is great for getting started. I bought the lifetime license for $79.99 and it gave me a bunch of controls like zoom and blurring the background, which are nice options to have) for shooting video
• DSLR or Mirrorless  - 

2. Microphone 

Microphone for capturing audio (Dynamic mic placed in front of your mouth, like the Samson Q2U - same one I use for my podcast, or a shotgun mic above your head like the Rode NTG2

3. Editing Software

Editing Software Computer for editing and posting to YouTube (need video editing software. There are free ones like Windows Video Editor and Apple iMovie, and paid ones like Final Cut Pro.

4. Lighting

Start with a ring light. Use lamps, shop lights, or even those clamp-on lights can work great. There are different ways to light up

I use 2 Neewer lights with a soft box on a tripod and they’re great. They
Best lighting option is 3-point lighting: Key light, fill light, and back light.

5. Backdrop

• Simple is great to start. Actually, simple is great all the time!
• If you have bookshelves you can use them but thin them down and add plants and lighting to break it up and make it more interesting.
• Any blank wall can work, but especially if it’s a light gray, beige, or white, because you can accent the background with colored lights to make your background pop.
• You can even buy backdrops that you can hang on your wall or that come on a stand.
• Corners create a nice visual effect, with your face situated in the crease itself, or off-set a bit.
• Green plants are always a nice touch.
• Do something that fits your personality and what your show is about.

Ready to Start a YouTube Channel?

I hope this episode has been helpful in showing you easy and low-cost ways to start a YouTube channel today.

So, are you ready to launch your new YouTube channel? Who would it be for? And what problem would it solve? Let me know over in our private FB community at morethanapastor.com/facebook or email me at [email protected].

Well, that’s it for today’s show. Before we go, would you do me a favor and hit like, share, or subscribe if you haven’t already done so. Also, what topics would you like me to cover on a future episode? Please let me know.

Until next time, remember that you are more than a pastor. Saying yes to God’s call doesn’t mean you have to say yes to feeling stuck, broke, or unfulfilled in your life and ministry. Let’s work together to help you create the life, impact, and income you were made for.

Next time: If I didn't Achieve My Goal...am I a Failure? Join us next time to talk about how to define success.