Every Youtube account owner has access to a unique Youtube channel but the basic design and feel are very limited and lack the additional elements that will make it stand out and attract Youtube subscribers. This article will take you through every element of why you need a unique Youtube channel, how to get started with one and the additional opportunities it creates once you have one up and running.
Why Create a Unique Youtube Channel
Your Youtube channel is your opportunity to brand. Branding is extremely important in the web today because it’s what aids the building of communities and opens the opportunities to expand into new ventures with a solid backing from your followers; this can be toward anything such as a new website or product launch!
As noted, the basic Youtube channel is very limited and lacks a lot of design features that create the various elements that detail proper branding. A branded, unique Youtube channel allows you to show yourself off through killer design banners, links to your website, a variety of backgrounds and improvements to the organization of your videos. All the small branded elements of your Youtube channel adds up to a greater impact on your visitors and can have a lasting effect on the success of your Youtube presence.
How to Get Started with Youtube Channels
Upon logging into your Youtube account, click on the ‘Channel’ link to be taken to your Youtube channel. Once on your channel page, you will be given a variety of options for editing your Youtube channel including the design, messages, layout and more.
Here are some of the modifications you can make on your channel (apply those that are applicable):
- Post Bulletin – This is an option to post a bulletin to your Youtube channel such as when you release a new video or if you have something important to say to your Youtube followers.
- Settings – The settings tab allows you to set the title of your Youtube channel, add channel tags and select a channel type (other options are just for visibility and being found). Each of these options will let your channel stand out so name your Youtube channel something interesting, set your tags to describe the type of content you share and change your channel based on the information you offer.
- Themes and Color – This tab gives you the options of choosing premade templates for the design of your Youtube channel or enter the advanced options which gives you the chance to change almost every element of the page from the font family to the colors; you can also use this opportunity to upload a background image. To keep branding consistent, edit the Youtube channel design to match that of your website so there is congruency between the platforms.
- Modules – Change the modules which appear on your Youtube channel, such as friends, subscribers, recent activities and more, within this tab. Remove anything that isn’t necessary or add the modules you find will be helpful to your community.
- Videos and Playlist – This tab gives you the ability to set featured playlists and organize your videos. To promote a new video, you can use ‘Featured Video’ option to automatically display a select video (of your choice) to be shown when people land on your page (you can use this as a branding opportunity such as a personal ‘welcome’ video).
The other options you may want to change, when setting up your Youtube channel, are the profile options which can be found in the ‘Settings’ link or ‘edit’ next to your profile module; fill in your website URL and other information that matters that will help brand your Youtube channel.
Finally, take some time to play around with your Youtube channel. There are a lot of options to play with that you may find interesting and it’s always a good thing to understand how to use the platforms you’re actively on.
Additional Opportunities with/for your Youtube Channel
A Youtube opens up a wealth of opportunities for your brand, website or business. The channel you create can become an online hub where you reach a vast segment of your market (which may not be visiting your static website or blog). Additionally, Youtube videos create inadvertent channels or pushing your brand as a result of your activity.
Here are some of the additional opportunities with and for your Youtube channel:
- Search engine rankings – Videos show up in Google search results; if you have a popular video and it’s optimized for keywords you can bet that it will show up for those same terms in a very high spot. Your video can penetrate a tough keyword and send you loads of traffic where as your static pages may have trouble finding traction.
- Adding a “human” side – Writing can only go so far; emotion is told through words but humans are naturally adapted to read body language. Video opens up the face-to-face emotional connection with the audience that can’t be conveyed through writing alone. Your videos can create a “human” side to your website or business which it may be lacking.
- Earn some revenue – In time, with enough views, you’ll be given the opportunity to participate in Google Adsense for your Youtube account. Adsense ads will be displayed next to your videos and within the videos that can increase your online income dramatically if a video were to go viral or capture a high spot in search rankings.
As you can see, having a Youtube channel that you can call your own has many great benefits beyond just gaining viewers; the more work you put into Youtube the more you’ll be given in return, it’s definitely worth the effort when you consider you can brand yourself and even earn a bit of revenue on the side.
Conclusion
In this article, you’ve learned how to get started with a unique, branded Youtube channel and have also learned the additional benefits it grants you for doing the extra work. Your usage of Youtube can go well beyond gaining view counts; it can become a powerful channel to build a community and increase your web presence! Don’t take any more time debating the subject; get started on branding your Youtube channel today.
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