![\"15](\"http:\/\/www.mominthecity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/15-YouTube-Tips-for-Bloggers-from-YouTubes-Creative-Insights-Expert.jpg\")
<\/div>\nLast year, I won a \u201cYouTube Creator Starter Package\u201d at a YouTube Kids app event<\/a> at the YouTube Space in downtown Manhattan. The package included an hour-long 1:1 training with Valerie Streit,\u00a0Senior Creative Insights Manager at YouTube. I want to share 15 YouTube tips for bloggers that I took away from our meeting.<\/div>\n
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\n<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>\nGeneral Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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General Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n1.\u00a0YouTube\u2019s Creator Academy is a great free online resource. <\/strong>Most of the questions that I asked Valerie (about good sound, lighting and cameras) were already answered on the Creator Academy site.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n2. Know your audience.<\/strong> Alas, there were no \u201ccookie cutter\u201d answers to my questions regarding the best days, times and frequency to schedule YouTube videos. It depends on your audience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. Don\u2019t let video editing concerns hold you back from creating videos.<\/strong> There are video editing options for a wide variety of creators. Valerie mentioned that beginners could use the\u00a0YouTube Creator Studio app to stitch together clips. Computer webcams plus their native editing programs (i.e. iMovie) are also good. When video creators are ready to advance, Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro are both great options.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n4. Consistency is key.<\/strong> Set a schedule and stick to it. It takes patience and dedication to build an audience so plan accordingly. While it is important to be flexible and adapt as you see your audience\u2019s preferences, be a steady presence.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n5. Leverage what you know.<\/strong> Make videos about what you like and on topics that you can sustain.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n6. If possible, put all of your videos on one channel<\/strong>. It takes a lot of work to build up an audience. Even many YouTube \u201cstars\u201d face challenges when they attempt to add new channels. Rather, you can organize related content into various playlists. (The playlists can match the main categories on your website.)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n7. When you first upload your video, make sure to give it a great title, description and keywords.<\/strong> It\u2019s important to get that medata correct from the start. Make sure that your keywords are accurate and relevant to what is in the video or you run the risk of getting \u201cdinged\u201d.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n8. Transcripts are good to include with your videos.<\/strong> However, they are not essential.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>\nBranding Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n9. Make sure that your banner and logo represent your brand well<\/strong>. Make sure that the images looks good across all devices \u2013 not just on your computer.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n10. Include a trailer\/intro video on the home page of your channel.<\/strong> Use it to let viewers know what to expect and when to expect new videos. Marie Forleo\u2019s channel<\/a> has a great trailer as an example.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n11. Include categories on your home page.<\/strong>\u00a0They\u00a0can match the main categories on your website.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n12. Feature other bloggers.<\/strong> Collaborations are great. Link your content and cross-promote.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n13. Fill out your \u201cAbout\u201d section as thoroughly as possible.<\/strong> Be detailed with your \u201cDescription\u201d. Also, be sure to include links to your website and social media accounts.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n14. Think about the thumbnail images for your videos.<\/strong> It\u2019s best to take an actual picture and upload it as your video\u2019s thumbnail instead of just choosing the default video captures.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n15. Be natural and authentic.<\/strong> Vlogging is powerful. It gives you a chance to talk to your community. Speak to your audience (not at them) and make your videos as engaging and interactive as possible. Also, ask for feedback from your audience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn addition to the training, the prize included the following: <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n-A Canon PowerShot S120<\/a>:<\/strong> This camera was recommended by YouTube star Judy Travis<\/a>. It really does create high quality photos and videos. The small size makes it great for mobile vloggers \u2013 especially those of us who have kids \u2013 because it\u2019s small enough to just throw in your purse.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2. Know your audience.<\/strong> Alas, there were no \u201ccookie cutter\u201d answers to my questions regarding the best days, times and frequency to schedule YouTube videos. It depends on your audience.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
3. Don\u2019t let video editing concerns hold you back from creating videos.<\/strong> There are video editing options for a wide variety of creators. Valerie mentioned that beginners could use the\u00a0YouTube Creator Studio app to stitch together clips. Computer webcams plus their native editing programs (i.e. iMovie) are also good. When video creators are ready to advance, Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro are both great options.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
4. Consistency is key.<\/strong> Set a schedule and stick to it. It takes patience and dedication to build an audience so plan accordingly. While it is important to be flexible and adapt as you see your audience\u2019s preferences, be a steady presence.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
5. Leverage what you know.<\/strong> Make videos about what you like and on topics that you can sustain.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
6. If possible, put all of your videos on one channel<\/strong>. It takes a lot of work to build up an audience. Even many YouTube \u201cstars\u201d face challenges when they attempt to add new channels. Rather, you can organize related content into various playlists. (The playlists can match the main categories on your website.)<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
7. When you first upload your video, make sure to give it a great title, description and keywords.<\/strong> It\u2019s important to get that medata correct from the start. Make sure that your keywords are accurate and relevant to what is in the video or you run the risk of getting \u201cdinged\u201d.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
8. Transcripts are good to include with your videos.<\/strong> However, they are not essential.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>\nBranding Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>\n
Branding Tips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n9. Make sure that your banner and logo represent your brand well<\/strong>. Make sure that the images looks good across all devices \u2013 not just on your computer.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n10. Include a trailer\/intro video on the home page of your channel.<\/strong> Use it to let viewers know what to expect and when to expect new videos. Marie Forleo\u2019s channel<\/a> has a great trailer as an example.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n11. Include categories on your home page.<\/strong>\u00a0They\u00a0can match the main categories on your website.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n12. Feature other bloggers.<\/strong> Collaborations are great. Link your content and cross-promote.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n13. Fill out your \u201cAbout\u201d section as thoroughly as possible.<\/strong> Be detailed with your \u201cDescription\u201d. Also, be sure to include links to your website and social media accounts.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n14. Think about the thumbnail images for your videos.<\/strong> It\u2019s best to take an actual picture and upload it as your video\u2019s thumbnail instead of just choosing the default video captures.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n15. Be natural and authentic.<\/strong> Vlogging is powerful. It gives you a chance to talk to your community. Speak to your audience (not at them) and make your videos as engaging and interactive as possible. Also, ask for feedback from your audience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn addition to the training, the prize included the following: <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n-A Canon PowerShot S120<\/a>:<\/strong> This camera was recommended by YouTube star Judy Travis<\/a>. It really does create high quality photos and videos. The small size makes it great for mobile vloggers \u2013 especially those of us who have kids \u2013 because it\u2019s small enough to just throw in your purse.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
10. Include a trailer\/intro video on the home page of your channel.<\/strong> Use it to let viewers know what to expect and when to expect new videos. Marie Forleo\u2019s channel<\/a> has a great trailer as an example.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
11. Include categories on your home page.<\/strong>\u00a0They\u00a0can match the main categories on your website.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
12. Feature other bloggers.<\/strong> Collaborations are great. Link your content and cross-promote.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
13. Fill out your \u201cAbout\u201d section as thoroughly as possible.<\/strong> Be detailed with your \u201cDescription\u201d. Also, be sure to include links to your website and social media accounts.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
14. Think about the thumbnail images for your videos.<\/strong> It\u2019s best to take an actual picture and upload it as your video\u2019s thumbnail instead of just choosing the default video captures.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
15. Be natural and authentic.<\/strong> Vlogging is powerful. It gives you a chance to talk to your community. Speak to your audience (not at them) and make your videos as engaging and interactive as possible. Also, ask for feedback from your audience.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In addition to the training, the prize included the following: <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
-A Canon PowerShot S120<\/a>:<\/strong> This camera was recommended by YouTube star Judy Travis<\/a>. It really does create high quality photos and videos. The small size makes it great for mobile vloggers \u2013 especially those of us who have kids \u2013 because it\u2019s small enough to just throw in your purse.<\/div>\n