Starting a Crafting YouTube Channel? Do These 12 Things
If I was starting a crafting YouTube channel today, I would do these 12 things!
There has never been a better time to start a crafting YouTube channel.
Maybe you’ve heard that it’s too late to start a crafting YouTube channel. Or maybe you’ve thought about starting a channel of your own to teach the crafting skills you know and love, but the thought “Someone is already doing that†keeps you from taking that leap.
But there has never been a better time to start and today I’m going to share the 12 things that I would do if I were starting a crafting Youtube channel today.
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Starting a Crafting YouTube Channel? Do These 12 Things Video!
1 – Get Over the Fear – Do It Scared
If I were starting my YouTube channel today, I would stop listening to that little voice that kept telling me what a crazy idea it was to start a YouTube channel. When I started in 2018, I literally had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know anything about cameras, filming videos or video editing.
Not only did I not know how to do these things, but I believed that I had some kind of a block for learning techie type things. I didn’t think my brain was “wired†that way.
So my number one tip is to realize that you can do this. You just don’t know how yet.
But the great news is that you can learn! I promise, because I’m proof that if I can do it, anyone can!
2 – Niche Down
Sometimes when people start a YouTube channel they want to make videos that everyone will like. But let’s take a look at some of your favorite YouTube channels. I bet that most of them have a very specific niche.
For example, if I go to TL Yarn Crafts channel, I can see right away that she is a crochet channel.
From the name of her channel to each one of her thumbnails you know exactly what you’re going to get.
You’re not going to find her doing videos on the best way to plunge a toilet. That may be a great topic that could get a lot of views but it doesn’t fit her niche at all.
3 – Show Your Face
It may be tempting to keep yourself hidden from the camera and exclusively do tutorials only showing your hands. There are a lot of channels that do that, but some of the very best combine the two.
Always remember that a human being is watching your videos. Humans connect with other humans. Seeing another human’s face creates a bond that will keep people coming back to your videos.
I totally understand why it feels weird to film yourself on camera, it feels much more vulnerable than just showing your hands. But your audience wants to see you.
You don’t have to be 25 and an Instagram model to do well on YouTube. Perhaps some of your favorite channels are of people in all different ages, colors, and sizes. It’s about the content, not if someone’s makeup is perfect and they are a size 2.
4 – Choose the Right Name for Your Crafting YouTube Channel
Oh boy, this is one that I kind of regret. Although the name of my channel, Le Petit Saint Crochet means so much to personally, it probably wasn’t the right choice.
First of all I don’t speak French, so I always mispronounce the name.
Second of all, it’s hard to spell. It makes it more difficult for people to find.
Thirdly, it can make people confused if my channel is English speaking or French speaking. I’ve actually had some people comment that they were surprised that my channel was in English since they saw the name and assumed I was French.
If I could go back, I would think long and hard about my channel name and I would do things differently. I would definitely want the word “crochet†in the name of my channel but the rest of the words would be English.
Make it easy for your audience. Don’t make it hard for them to find you, spell your channel name or remember your name.
5 – Content Buckets
In the beginning of my channel I was making videos in anything I could think of or that I was interested in.
But eventually I came across this idea of content buckets.
Since you already have your niche now it’s time to create different content buckets for you to make videos about.
Let me give you an example of my content buckets.
I make videos about crocheting, knitting, amigurumi, granny squares and running a handmade business.
These are my content buckets and I don’t make videos about anything else.
Jenna Kutcher, who is the creator of the Goal Digger podcast and (empire) helped me see content buckets in a whole new way.
She said to think about your YouTube channel (insert any social media platform) like this. Imagine picking up your favorite magazine. There wouldn’t be just one type of article in there. There will be interviews, tutorials, opinions and advertisements.
You want to have a variety of content within your niche.
You can create a content bucket list and write out video ideas for each content bucket.
6 – Commit
Now that you’re pushing past the fear, you’ve niched down and you’ve created your content buckets, it’s time to make a commitment.
You need to decide how often you can publish videos on a consistent basis.
Consistency is rewarded on YouTube, but being realistic about how many videos you can create is really important.
If you’re a retired person and have a lot of free time, maybe you could do two videos per week. Or maybe you’re a young mom with three little ones running around, maybe you can only put out two videos per month.
That’s ok. Find what works for you and make that commitment to yourself.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth YouTube course, that goes through all the steps you need to create a YouTube channel, please check out the YouTube Success Academy by Lisa Bass from Farmhouse on Boone.
Lisa has built a very successful YouTube channel all while raising her young and growing family. Lisa’s course takes you through each and every step to starting and growing a YouTube channel from the very basics all the way to how to get monetized.
I took this course not long after I began my own YouTube channel and I believe that I would never have gotten monetized without it.
Check Out the YouTube Success Academy Here
One of the best things about the course is the private Facebook group where students are able to support one another as well as ask questions related to their YouTube journey.
The YouTube Success Academy is one of the most affordable programs I’ve found and I’m so glad I took it near the beginning of my journey. You’ll find a link to it in the description box below.
7 – Audience
Start each video with your audience in mind. I began my YouTube channel thinking about what videos I wanted to make, not what people might want to see.
Make a list of video ideas and start doing a little recon, a little investigating.
What are the topics people in your niche really care about? What questions are they asking? What can you help them with?
Then come up with your own ideas related to those topics.
8 – Titles and Thumbnails
Titles and Thumbnails are excellent ways to get your videos noticed.
Canva is a free service and there are hundreds of YouTube thumbnails that you can customize to make them look professional. You don’t have to search for the best fonts or layouts, it’s already done for you.
And for Titles I’ve really been enjoying the Creator Hooks weekly email. Every Monday Josh shares tips for how to write the best titles to get views on YouTube. He gives examples of successful titles and how you can apply them to your own topic.
He also shares a video that failed on YT and how the title contributed to it.
Check Out the Creator Hooks Newsletter Here
9 – Batch Videos
If I could go back and do it all over again, I would batch a handful of videos before I published my first one.
The reason behind this tip is that it can be really hard at the beginning (or even when you’ve had a channel for several years) to be consistent and publish consistently.
By having a 3-4 videos scheduled you will be giving yourself the gift of time to figure things out as you go.
Making videos takes a long time, but it takes even longer when you’re first starting because everything is new.
Giving yourself a buffer so that you can stay consistent is something I would definitely do if I were starting a crafting YouTube channel now!
10 – Don’t Worry About Views or Analytics
A big time waster in the beginning is to worry about views and analytics.
That will become important as your channel grows because those metrics provide great information about how your videos are performing and what you can do about it.
Most of us won’t be an overnight success on YouTube and it takes a lot of hard work to start to see results.
When you first start a channel YouTube is learning as much about you as you are about the platform.
They are figuring out your niche and finding the right audience for your channel. That all takes time.
I wasted a lot of time being worried about my video views, when I should have been focusing on making good content.
11 – Make the Best Videos You Can
Your focus should just be on making the very best videos you can. That’s the surest way to success on Youtube and is the strategy of some of the biggest YouTubers on the platform.
If you make great videos everything else will come.
You may be wondering, how do I make good YouTube videos??
That’s something that will take time and research. Make sure you’re watching other successful channels in and outside of your niche. See what they are doing. Don’t copy their content or thumbnails, which you already knew. But do get inspiration.
Watch Youtube as a student, not just for entertainment.
12 – Find Encouraging Resources
One of the things that keeps me motivated to keep making videos is finding encouraging resources.
I am a big believer in being student of YouTube and learning new things actually is a big motivator for me.
Remember to get your free 30 day Skillshare trial and take advantage of all it has to offer.
There are also some wonderful podcasts out there for YouTube creators and my hands down favorite is Erika Viera – she interviews women creators on YouTube and dives deep into their stories.
I always find something that encourages me and helps me to get better.
And if you’re looking for something more in depth, check out the Zero to Influence Bootcamp and get on the waiting list. Make sure to let Erika know that I sent you (Le Petit Saint Crochet)
Check Out the Zero to Influence Bootcamp
This course is better suited to someone who has had a YouTube channel for a while, but you’re ready to take it to the next level.
The only regret I have is not taking this course sooner. It’s so in depth and has helped me feel reenergized and confident about making the best videos possible.
Another great resource on YouTube is Vanessa Lau, she has so many fantastic tips about creating content for YouTube! I’m finding her videos very informative (and pretty entertaining as well.)
Finally, make sure to check your local library for Derral Eves bestselling book, The YouTube Formula. It’s an in-depth look into YouTube as a whole and how you can grow a channel as well.
Starting a Crafting YouTube Channel (My Story)
I understand how overwhelming starting a YouTube channel can be. But trust me that it is possible. I’m proof that an old dog can learn new tricks.
Be patient with yourself as you’re learning something brand new! It takes time to master new skills, just like you did with your own crafting.
And contrary to popular belief, it’s ok to grow slow on YouTube. There are a lot of channels that blew up after only publishing a handful of videos, but for most of us it is going to take time.
I’m currently not making a full time income, but I am making a nice part time income that helps my family (plus I can buy any yarn that I want, lol).
You CAN DO THIS! I mean you, yes, you.