Internet Explorer doesn’t work well with our website. We recommend using a different browser like Google Chrome.

Learn how to create better videos for your YouTube, grow your audience and sell more online courses.

Want to learn how to grow a successful YouTube channel? In today’s training session, you will learn a 10-step process for creating high-quality YouTube videos that attract people that are interested in your online course topic.

Watch our free video with Rob Wilson, Content Strategist at VidIQ, on how to create better video content for YouTube.

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world (second only to Google), and the number one source of video content online. For that reason alone, publishing videos about your online course topic on YouTube is a great way to grow your audience online, increase your exposure and sell more online courses.

When it comes to creating a high-quality YouTube videos, Rob Wilson, Content Strategist at VidIQ is definitely an expert. He has personally created more than 1,500 videos that have collectively received several million views on YouTube. In this training session, he reveals his 10-step process for creating better YouTube videos.

Audience Research Workbook

10 steps to creating great videos for your YouTube channel:

1. Feel the fear and press record anyway!

For a first-time video creator, recording yourself in front of a camera can be intimidating, but don’t let nervousness stop you from recording. Most successful video creators are at least somewhat embarrassed by their first videos, but they didn’t let perfectionism get in the way of progress. So the first step to creating better videos for YouTube is to actually start creating videos.

2. Focus on a specific topic with a strong message

Don’t try to be all things to everyone. Be laser focused on a topic that you know passionately. Start by publishing 5-10 videos about your chosen topic and see if you start to build momentum. Over time, as you focus on one specific topic in your videos, YouTube will begin to recognize your channel as an authority on that topic and begin to rank your videos higher in search results for that topic.

3. Research keywords so you know what your audience is searching for

Before you create a video, you should already know what the title of that video is going to be. More specifically, you should already know which keywords your target audience is using to search for the topic, and use those keywords in your video title. This, among other things (such as the description of your video, video tags, and the content itself) will help your video to rank in the search results for your desired keywords.

4. Use the best microphone you can

Audio quality is a very important element of a successful video. Poor audio quality can discourage a viewer from finishing a video even when the video quality itself is strong. The built-in mic in your phone, camera, or computer is generally not very good quality. Using a high-quality external microphone helps to ensure that the audio in videos is as crisp and clear as possible.

5. Think about lighting

Depending on where and when you record your videos, you won’t always have bright, natural lighting to depend on. There is a significant difference in quality between a video with bright lighting and a dark video. A ring light is a great multi-purpose tool that will help you control the lighting in your videos.

6. Create custom thumbnails for your videos

Just because your video appears in someone’s search results on YouTube doesn’t mean that they will click on it. One of the most important things you can do to encourage someone to actually click on your video is to create a custom thumbnail for each of your videos. Use a compelling image that attracts attention, combined with some large text that helps describe your video (small text in a video thumbnail is hard to read on most screens and devices).

7. Edit your videos

Even professional video creators rarely record their videos in one take. Fortunately, this is why videos undergo an editing process before they are published. Switching camera angles, zooming in, zooming out, adding graphics, etc. can make the editing process easier. They also help to create what is known as a pattern interrupt for your viewer, which helps keep them more engaged with your video.

8. Become a friend in front of the lens

One of the most important keys to creating successful YouTube videos is to be authentic and personable. When you’re recording your videos, look directly into the camera (and therefore, into the eyes of your viewer). It is natural to feel somewhat awkward speaking directly to a lens. To become more comfortable with this, image that you are talking to a friend. Assume the role of their ally in whatever journey you’re trying to take them on with your content.

9. Encourage a conversation

Don’t treat your YouTube videos as a one-way conversation. In all of your videos, make a habit of asking your viewers to engage with your video. Ask them questions, encourage them to leave a comment below your video, share their own stories, visit your website, or reach out to you directly.

10. Self-audit your channel regularly

The final step in the process is to self-audit your YouTube channel. Get into the habit of analyzing the data that YouTube provides you with and using it to create better videos and identify topics that are more popular to your target audience than others. Important metrics to monitor include your total impressions, total views, and watch time. You can access your channel analytics by logging into the Creator Studio section of your YouTube account.


Are you a video content creator looking to get started with online courses?

Download our free guide on the first steps you should take to create your online course!