How to start a YouTube channel for Beginners

Learning how to start a YouTube Channel for Beginners should be free. That’s why we have created this comprehensive guide to getting you started on Youtube. You can even download a PDF copy to learn from and refer back to.
How-to-start-a-YouTube-Channel-for-Beginners-DMwithKarl Karl Oftebro
There are more than 1,3 billion people using YouTube. YouTube gets over 30 million visits per day. Every month YouTube users watch more than 3,25 billion hours of YouTube videos. As people start to spend more and more time watching videos on YouTube the opportunities to create a YouTube channel are just getting better and better. So what are you waiting for, let’s get your YouTube channel started today. Now wait a minute shouldn’t we go buy an expensive course that will teach us how to start a YouTube channel. There is no need for that, here at DMwithKarl we have created the most comprehensive free guide to getting your YouTube channel started the right way so that you will be set up for success without having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get your online business started.

How to create a YouTube channel for Beginners

To start a YouTube Channel you will need to complete these 5 steps:

  1. Create a Gmail Account
  2. Create a YouTube Account
  3. Register a Brand Account 
  4. Personalize your new YouTube Account
  5. Make a Good First Impression

Step 1 Create a Gmail Account

To create a Youtube channel you will need to have a Gmail account, if you already have a gmail account you can use then you can continue to step 2. Otherwise we are going to help you set up a new Gmail account for your YouTube Channel.

Go to Google.com and click on the top right where your account icon should be then click on add account or you can click on the link below and it will take you right there.

Google Create New Account Page

Step 1 Create a Gmail Account

Then you can click on Create Account. 

Add First name, last name and a relevant gmail address for your New Gmail account

Add a secure password and then click next
Google will then ask you to enter your phone number, so they can send you a verification code to verify your new gmail account. Enter your verification code and click on the blue verify button.
Creating-a-Google-Account-for-YouTube
You can agree to sign up for more google services with your number but we just skip this step.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions and you have completed the creation of your gmail account. In Step 2 we will show you how to use this Gmail account to Create an Account on YouTube.

Step 2 Create a YouTube Account

Go to YouTube.com and click on your channel icon in the top right of your screen
Click on My Channel then a popup will appear asking how you want to use YouTube
Create a YouTube Channel DMwithKarl
Now you can use YouTube as under your Personal name but we prefer to create a Brand Account for your YouTube Channel so click on “Use a business or other name”
Create a Brand channel on YouTube DMwithKarl
In Step 3 we will walk you through how to create your YouTube channel so that you are set up for success.

Step 3 Create a brand Account on YouTube

You will be taken to a screen to create a new Brand Account Next to Brand Account Name type in your channel name and click the blue create button
You now have the foundation of your YouTube Channel done in Step 4 we will show you how to personalize your YouTube Channel so that your channel can be unique and start out from the Crowd on YouTube.
YouTube Channel setup getting started DMwithkarl

Step 4 Personalize your new youtube channel

Now that you have your youtube account we need to personalize it so that people can start to connect with your brand right from the start.

Add a New Channel Icon

YouTube links your channel icon to the profile picture of your brand account on Google To change this from your YouTube channel page click settings.  Then click on the camera on top of your profile picture to upload your channel icon.
YouTube Channel setup getting started DMwithkarl
A pop up with Edit channel icon will appear Click on the blue edit button
Edit-your-channel-Icon-Add-a-Profile-Picture-to-YouTube
This will take you directly to the upload photo screen in your Brand account Click upload photo and choose a picture from your computer
Your picture should be in one of these formats JPG, BMP, PNG or non-animated GIF.  The best dimensions for your youtube channel icon are 800 x 800 pixels. Your channel icon will appear as a small icon in most places where your audience sees it on youtube so make sure it still looks good at smaller sizes. Taking into account it may be shown as a circle icon or as a square icon depending on where youtube is displaying it on their site.
Crop-and-add-channel-icon-to-youtube-account
Crop the image so that it is centered and will look good when it is in the small format and a large format. Click Done when you are happy. Now click on the grid on the top right and select YouTube to head back to our channel page.
Google-About-Me-Home-Page-for-New-YouTube-Channel
It may take a few minute for your profile picture to pull through from your google account. You can wait a bit and then refresh your page to check that it comes through. In step 5 we are going to show you how you can make the best first impression with your new YouTube channel.
New-YouTube-Channel-Home-Page-Channel-Art-setup-DMwithKarl

Step 5 Make a good first impression

Add a picture for your channel art

Adding a picture for your channel art is the best way for you to showcase what your channel is about. It is the first thing a new visitor will see when they arrive on your channel page and they are deciding whether or not to subscribe to your channel. This is your chance to make a good first impression. So make sure you create a compelling piece of channel art. The picture for your channel art needs to be at least 2048 x 1152 px as a minimum but YouTube suggests making the dimensions of your channel art 2560 x 1440 px for the best performance on all devices.
New-YouTube-Channel-Home-Page-Channel-Art-setup-DMwithKarl
When you are uploading your channel art YouTube will show you a preview of the image on desktop, TV and Mobile. Allowing you to adjust the crop if you don’t like the positioning of the image.
Channel-Art-accross-different-devices-DMwithKarl
You can adjust your channel art by clicking on the blue adjust crop button. Once you are happy how it looks on all three devices click the blue select button.
How-to-create-a-YouTube-Channel-for-Beginners-5-easy-steps
Now you have a great looking banner for your YouTube channel so that when people arrive to look at your channel it looks good so you can make a good first impression and explain to them exactly what your channel is all about.

want to learn more?

If you are interested in learning more about setting up your YouTube channel for success, creating awesome videos that get views and how to get more subscribers head over to DMwithKarl.com to learn more. We also have a great free course YouTube 1000 that will help you get your first 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours on your YouTube Channel. Please share this guide with any of your friends or family that you think would benefit from starting a YouTube channel.
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