In today's world, video has become the most important form of online content.
And with YouTube being the most popular video platform, the competition is fierce – knowing how to create high-quality videos that stand out can be challenging.
This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to creating high-quality videos that stand out from the crowd and eventually grow your YouTube channel.
If you're starting from zero and this is your first YouTube video, this step-by-step guide will provide instructions on the process of video creation and tools to make a YouTube video: from planning and scripting to filming and editing, as well as YouTube video ideas, video editing tips, and tools for optimizing your videos for SEO to boost views and engagement.
How to create YouTube videos
With over 2 billion active monthly users, YouTube is a platform that holds immense potential for marketers, influencers, and brands alike. But as more content creators enter the space and millions of video creators upload videos every day, the competition becomes stiffer.
So, how do you make your videos stand out in such a crowded field?
The answer lies in high-quality video production, video editing skills, and effective video search engine optimization (SEO).
Also, using the right tools is pivotal for producing high-quality videos from scratch.
Proper equipment and video editing software ensures crisp visuals, clear audio, and seamless video editing.
This elevates the production value, capturing your audience's attention and providing a professional veneer that boosts credibility, engagement, and, ultimately, your YouTube video's success.
Let’s go through the main steps of producing YouTube videos:
Pre-production of a YouTube video
Before you even get your hands on your first video and start filming, pre-production lays the groundwork for the quality of your final video.
It’s essential to plan every aspect and learn how to make a YouTube video before starting.
Here's a step-by-step guide to pre-production when creating video content for Youtube.
Determine the purpose and message
Define the purpose and message of the video.
- Why are you creating this YouTube video?
- What is the main theme or message you want to convey after people watch this video?
- Knowing this will help you to stay focused throughout the production process.
Write a script
The script is the foundation for your video.
It should be well-written, clear, and concise. It is also essential for the script to flow well and keep viewers engaged.
Use storytelling techniques to make the video more captivating. This will work even better if you're creating an instructional video or comedy skits, for example.
Here’s a quick review of the tools you can use to write the script for your video:
- Final Draft: Widely used in the film industry, Final Draft offers specialized formatting options perfect for scriptwriting. It's robust but comes with a higher price tag.
- Celtx: This is a cloud-based scriptwriting tool that allows for easy collaboration. It also offers pre-visualization features to help plan your shots.
- WriterDuet: This is another cloud-based solution that specializes in real-time collaboration. It has a free version with limited features and a paid version with more robust offerings.
- Fade In: This is a less expensive alternative to Final Draft, but it still offers comprehensive features, including the ability to write, edit, and manage screenplays.
- Google Docs: For those on a budget, Google Docs can be configured for scriptwriting. It allows for real-time collaboration but lacks specialized script formatting features.
- Microsoft Word: With a little adjustment to formatting settings, Word can also serve as a simple tool for scriptwriting.
- Trelby: This is a free, open-source scriptwriting software that's a good starting point for beginners. It is available for Windows and Linux.
- Scrivener: While not solely a scriptwriting tool, Scrivener offers a scriptwriting mode and is excellent for managing large writing projects with various components.
Outline the storyboard
Once you’ve written the script, it’s time to create a storyboard.
A storyboard visually represents your script, showing what will happen in each video scene.
This will ensure you don't miss any crucial shots that will matter later in post-production.
Decide on equipment
Before getting your camera rolling, establish your video purpose, sketch the storyboard, and decide which equipment to use.
Although there's no mandatory YouTube equipment, you may require a camera, microphone, tripod, lighting, and other accessories.
The equipment quality can make a significant difference in the quality of the final product.
Production of a YouTube videos
After creating the storyboard and sourcing your equipment, it's time to start filming – this is the beginning of the production process. Please note that not all of these steps apply to live streaming, which is another way to grow your YouTube channel.
Record your video and ensure that everything is well-lit with good sound quality. Here are a few tips to help you during the recording process:
- Pay attention to continuity to make editing easier later.
- Ensure the microphone audio works.
- Set up your equipment and lighting.
- Shoot ample B-roll footage or cover shots. Even if you don't use this for your own videos on YouTube, you can use it for social media sites.
- Shoot multiple takes and angles. You can use a phone camera to complement the recording and get plenty of video content.
- Pro tip: A screen recorder or screen recording software can help you with additional digital footage.
Post-production and video editing tips
Edit the video
Once filming is done, you're ready to edit your own video. The editing process involves selecting the best shots, trimming scenes, adding effects, and sound design to make a YouTube video more interesting.
- Edit your footage using a video editor like Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Add music, sound effects, and graphics to your video file.
- Optimize your video for search engines and YouTube' search engine.
- Add subtitles and closed captions.
Once you’ve edited your own YouTube video, the post-production process comes next.
This stage focuses on adding elements that will take the video to the next level. The critical sections of post-production are:
Color grading
Adjust the video's color and contrast and ensure the colors reflect the emotions and message. Here are some tips to make the most of your color grading process:
- Maintain consistency: For a coherent and professional look, it's essential that the color grading is consistent across all scenes and shots. Use color correction to standardize clips before applying stylistic grading. This helps in achieving a unified visual experience for the viewer.
- Work with high-quality footage: Always try to shoot in the highest resolution and in a flat or log profile, allowing for greater post-production flexibility. High-quality source footage will result in better grading outcomes, making adjustments more natural and less forced.
- Use LUTs sparingly: Look-Up Tables (LUTs) are presets that can expedite color grading, but should not replace manual grading. Use them as a starting point or for inspiration, and then customize the settings to suit the specific needs of your video.
Audio and sound effects
The sound enhances the video, and it is essential to get it right. Add background music or sound effects that will complement the video.
Visual effects
Consider using an AI animation generator to add animations, text, or graphics to your videos. This will make it more engaging and informative to the viewer.
Tips for YouTube channel video optimization
Now that you've learned about video editing, it's time to talk about search engine optimization.
YouTube video optimization isn't just about making your videos more accessible to your target audience.
It's also about understanding the intricacies of YouTube's algorithm to ensure your content reaches as many people as possible.
From how you craft your video titles and descriptions to the quality of the video itself, every detail matters in maximizing your video's reach and impact, standing above all the videos that appear on search results.
When you combine high-quality video production with an effective YouTube SEO strategy, you're setting your own video and your YouTube channel up for success.
Needless to say, you'll have to create your own YouTube account to create content and upload your videos as a creator and use YouTube Studio as well.
1. Conduct keyword research
Conduct keyword research to identify your video topic's most relevant and popular keywords that rank well for search results and have good search intent.
You can produce a good video, but if you miss this part of the process, your video may not be visible on search results, diluting your efforts.
Here are some tips to conduct comprehensive research that enhances your YouTube video's visibility and reach:
- Utilize YouTube's search suggest: Start by entering a keyword related to your video content into the YouTube search bar. The platform will auto-suggest popular search terms. This gives you direct insights into what viewers are already searching for.
- Competitor analysis: Look at channels that produce similar content and are successful. Examine their video titles, descriptions, and tags to identify the keywords they are targeting. SEO tools can make this task easier.
- Use keyword research tools: Specialized tools Use tools like VidIQ or Surfer to identify high-volume keywords with low competition that are also popular and relevant keywords. These platforms often provide search volume and competition data, which can help you make more informed decisions to create and promote your own video.
- Consider long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific and generally less competitive. For example, instead of targeting "digital marketing," you could aim for "digital marketing tips for small businesses." These are easier to rank for and usually yield a more engaged audience.
- Check search volume and competition: Once you've compiled a list of potential keywords, assess their viability by looking at search volume and competition. You want a keyword with a high enough search volume to attract viewers but low enough competition to give you a shot at ranking.
Once you identify keywords, include them in the video title and description.
2. Optimize your video title and tags
Optimize your title, description, and tags with your target keywords. Use descriptive, keyword-rich titles and descriptions to help search engines understand the content of your video.
Ensure the video title accurately reflects the video's content and includes relevant keywords. Also, use appropriate tags that match the video content.
3. Write a compelling video description
Summarize the key points of your video concisely and engagingly. Use relevant keywords to improve search rankings and include a call-to-action to encourage viewers to take action. Add navigation timestamps and links to appropriate resources or additional content.
The video description is where you give detailed information about the video, including the main points covered, links, and call-to-actions. It must be brief, captivating, and include relevant keywords.
4. Use closed captions
Use closed captions and transcripts to make your video more accessible and to provide engines with text to crawl and index.
Most videos on YouTube don't have captions, which lessens their engagement with hearing-impaired viewers. Including closed captions makes the video more accessible, and YouTube rewards videos with captions.
5. Create an eye-catching thumbnail
To create an eye-catching video thumbnail, use vibrant colors, bold text, and compelling imagery that accurately represents the content of your video. Keep it simple, visually appealing, and easy to understand.
A thumbnail image is the first impression that your audience gets of the video. Ensure you use a custom thumbnail that accurately portrays your video and entices viewers to click.
6. Use cards and end screens
Use annotations and cards to encourage viewers to act, such as subscribe to your channel or visit your website.
A card links to related video clips that could interest viewers, while the end screen promotes engagement, subscriptions, and paid content. Utilizing these features is a great way to keep viewers engaged with your channel.
7. Cross-promote on social media
Promote your video on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and other social media platforms to increase views and engagement. Social signals can also signal that your video is popular and valuable.
For added efficiency in managing your social media campaigns, you might find it helpful to explore content scheduling tools, which can simplify the process of planning and publishing your content across multiple platforms.
Youtube best practices to rank your videos
Here are a few ideas and best practices to make your YouTube SEO strategy more effective and benefit your own channel's metrics:
- Longer video length: Longer videos often rank higher as YouTube prioritizes watch time. Make a YouTube video that is both enticing and insightful.
- Engagement metrics: Encourage likes, comments, and shares, as these metrics impact your video ranking. Paying attention and engaging in the comments section can benefit your own video.
- Consistent posting: Consistency in posting can lead to more channel subscribers and higher-ranking videos. Posting more videos can mean significant channel growth, especially if you have just started making videos.
- High retention rate: Ensure your content keeps viewers watching; higher retention rates improve your video's ranking. Create videos that are interesting and keep users engaged.
- Niche-specific content: Stick to your niche for better authority and relevance. Offer them your own YouTube videos that offer more valuable content than other videos.
- Local SEO: Use location tags if your content is relevant to specific geographic areas.
- Quality over quantity: Instead of frequently posting content, focus on video quality, even if that means fewer videos.
Best SEO tools for video
Utilizing SEO tools for optimizing your YouTube videos is crucial for gaining more relevant traffic and enhancing your channel's performance. Besides using the best editing software to produce high-quality videos, SEO tools offer data-driven insights that enable you to make informed decisions.
For instance, once you make a YouTube video, they can help you identify high-performing keywords, evaluate the competition, and understand viewer behavior, allowing you to tailor your content strategy effectively.
SEO tools can also help with tracking and analytics, enabling you to measure key performance indicators like click-through rates, viewer retention, and conversion rates.
Data helps you fine-tune your YouTube video content and make adjustments for your own videos in the future, ensuring they align better with what your target audience is seeking.
Furthermore, SEO tools can assist in optimizing video descriptions, titles, and tags, thereby improving your videos' visibility in search rankings and giving it a boost among an ocean of YouTube channels.
Visibility is key for attracting a more relevant and engaged audience, as opposed to random views that do not convert into long-term subscribers or customers.
The tools we're about to explore can give you a roadmap to what works and what doesn't, saving you time and resources while maximizing the impact of each YouTube video you publish on your own channel.
Ready to level up your game? Here are some of the best SEO tools for videos that can help you optimize your content:
1. Surfer - Conduct keyword research
Surfer is an SEO tool that helps optimize page content, including video. It offers a comprehensive analysis of on-page ranking factors. With its data-driven insights, you can optimize video descriptions, tags, and even the surrounding content on your landing pages. This leads to better search visibility, attracting a more targeted and intended audience to your videos.
2. HubSpot - Content marketing strategy and analytics
HubSpot is not strictly a video SEO tool but has several features that help with video optimization. It provides comprehensive inbound marketing capabilities, including SEO optimization for pages and content.
3. Google Trends - Explore topics and trends in detail
Google Trends tracks the popularity of search terms and insights. Use it to identify trends and the best keywords for your video content. You can also use the YouTube search bar or even the YouTube app to explore what users are looking for.
4. VidIQ – Optimize your YouTube videos
VidIQ is a YouTube SEO tool used to help optimize videos for search and visibility. It also offers analytics, and other features for optimizing videos for YouTube channel owners.
Wrapping up
Creating high-quality video content that stands out requires a strategic blend of compelling storytelling, technical excellence, and savvy SEO optimization. By planning your content carefully, investing in the right equipment and editing software, and leveraging robust post-production techniques, you set the stage for a compelling video, even if this is the first time you make a YouTube video.
However, integrating well-researched keywords and utilizing SEO tools are essential to make your YouTube video stand out. These help you target a relevant audience and improve your video's search visibility. By employing this multi-faceted approach, you'll start creating video content that captivates viewers and ensures they reach the widest yet most targeted audience possible.
Hopefully, this step-by-step guide served you with the right mix to skyrocket YouTube channel fame, so don’t underestimate any step in the process.
