How Much Does It Cost To Start A YouTube Channel?

After working for years with personal brands, small businesses, and large corporations to create video content for YouTube, I can vouch firsthand for the value a healthy YouTube channel can bring. I am often shocked at the apathy around starting and growing a YouTube channel in the small business world. The hesitation usually surrounds the costs or time needed to create the video content to support a YouTube channel. Even as a video professional who knows better, I’ve lacked the necessary dedication to allocate resources to my own channel. However, I realize that not everyone has access to the equipment or software you feel you need to maintain a healthy YouTube channel. Assuming you already have a content plan, I would like to share the costs of starting a channel and give you some options that cost nothing.

First Question: How Much Should You Spend?

A common question is cost: "How much should I spend on starting a YouTube channel?" The great news is YouTube is completely free to use! There is no need to buy a channel or pay a subscription to post your videos. Stop and let that sink in for a moment: with over 122 million active daily users and 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, YouTube is a massive platform full of potential. That's many eyeballs looking for something to watch, and you can get started without spending a dime—at least not right away.

Equipment: What Do You Need?

Camera

The days of viewers tolerating subpar video quality are gone. However, there is no need for an expensive camera right away. Your smartphone is literally all you need to get started. Most new phones can shoot in 4K, and free apps like iMovie (iPhone only) or Capcut are easy enough to navigate that you’ll be editing your footage in no time.    

However, once you're ready to upgrade from a smartphone, you'll want to look for a camera with good autofocus and microphone input. The Canon Rebel series is a solid entry-level choice, costing almost $400 for the new T7i model. I've used the Canon T2i for over ten years as a backup camera, and it's still going strong. If you've got a bigger budget, the Canon 90D is a fantastic option with excellent autofocus that is more than enough for most businesses.

Microphone

Audio from a camera or phone is only so good, and sound quality can make or break a video. While you can start with your phone's built-in mic or the one on your camera, upgrading to a good microphone should be a priority. For smartphones, search “Wireless Lavalier Microphone” on Amazon and find an option compatible with your model phone. If you have a camera with a microphone jack, look for Rode Video Mic. It’s an excellent option to clarify your audio and will only cost you about $200. If you can't afford a mic right now, consider using Adobe's free Speech Enhancement tool to clean up your audio.

Lighting

Good lighting elevates your video quality significantly, making content more visually appealing and professional. While the complexity of lighting setups can vary, a primary light is all you need to get started. Depending on your setup, and if you just need to illuminate a face, you can get by with a dimmable ring light. Also, a shop light from Home Depot pointed at the ceiling is a low-cost solution to light up an entire room.  

Editing Software

Editing software is crucial to refining your videos, and the cost of editing tools varies widely. As mentioned above, Capcut is a free entry-level solution. If you have time to learn a pro tool, I’d suggest DaVinci Resolve, although be advised that it tends to be a resource-heavy program if you are trying to run it on a basic laptop. Once you get the hang of it, editing is not as daunting as it may seem, and good software can make the process smoother. I prefer Final Cut Pro, but I’m hesitant to recommend it because it depends on having an Apple laptop. Recently, Apple released a version for iPad that is about $5 per month, although I have not yet tried it out. Adobe Premiere Pro is also an option; however, it will set you back $30 per month and has a sharp learning curve, but there are lots of tutorials available on YouTube to help you along the way. 

Budgeting: How Much Will It All Cost?

So, how much do you need to get started? Let's break it down:

Camera: $500 (optional at first)

Microphone: $200

Lighting: $50

Editing Software: Free or $5–$30/month

Conclusion: Time to Start

Your total investment should be at most $800, which is more than reasonable for most marketing budgets. The best part? You can begin with your smartphone if you need more time to justify the expense. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars to start. Just start! All you need to do is take the leap. As a seasoned video professional, I can help you navigate the costs and provide tailored advice about creating great content without breaking the bank.

How Effective Is Video Marketing?

Scientifically it has been proven that information is accepted much easier visually than through any other method.  So, it’s no surprise how effective video content can be for marketing your business. Over 70% of all marketers confirm that videos are more effective at converting customers than any other form of online marketing.

Having a YouTube channel where you talk about your products or services will allow you to connect with your target demographic much more intimately. Allowing your business to grow a following and eventually reach more people. 

I have been in the video content creation space for quite some time now. I’ve had the privilege of helping small business owners develop strategies and produce valuable content. I’ve seen marketing videos build a brand effectively when they can convey helpful, clear, consistent messages.

How Video Marketing Can Boost A Small Business

Small businesses are usually reluctant to invest in the start-up costs associated with creating video content. Big companies build their brands through flashy advertisements, spending millions of dollars on a single campaign. Why? Because video outperforms every other medium! 

While you may not be able to afford elaborate ad campaigns, creating solid video marketing content is a lot more affordable than you may think. The truth is, you can’t afford not to do it. The demand for video content grows every day, and the businesses that commit to creating that content now will be way ahead of their competition. Even if you choose to do it on your own, the cost to get started is nothing compared to what ad agencies would cost. 

Besides, there are ways to create video content that serves multiple business objectives.

Often, a small business’ customer service or support team may only consist of one or two people or may not exist at all. Video content is a solution here. 

If you create tutorial-type videos, they can serve as your customer service by teaching the public about your product. People can post problems or questions about the product online. You can make a video providing answers and solutions. You establish your business’ expertise while creating video marketing content to publish on your YouTube channel. These types of video can go a lot further to build trust than a TV advertisement; besides, who’s even watching television nowadays?

Should Small Businesses Have a YouTube Channel?

At face value, it may not be as obvious how much marketing potential YouTube has. A massive portion of the internet population is on YouTube right now. Every month, over one billion people on the planet spend time there. As a search engine, YouTube holds the second position right below Google, which happens to own it, by the way.  

There are countless examples of small businesses finding recognition and success with only a YouTube channel and a website. They didn’t have a brick-and-mortar store or large staff. Adding value to their customers and maybe entertaining them in the process was the only thing they had.

Marketing videos on YouTube would help rank better with Google search results. Existing on Google’s first page is essential for any business to be a success.   

Having a YouTube channel can also increase your website’s authority. Authority means which website seems more trustworthy to Google on a specific topic. Increased authority means more appearance in search results. 

When you put links to your website in your YouTube video descriptions, it’s considered a backlink. When Google sees backlinks from reputable domains, it believes your site holds some level of authority on the topic. Of course, you need to have a properly built website that is SEO friendly but in place but in practice creating helpful video marketing content should drive organic traffic to your site.

Get Help Creating Video Marketing Content

Creating video content might seem easy. Just open your phone’s camera and start recording. That definitely can be part of the equation, but to develop effective high-level video content, you’re going to need to invest time and resources. 

I realize the frustration of small business owners who don’t have a large company’s resources. They are already under a lot of pressure, with plenty of fires to put out daily. Making creative content is no part-time job, and adding video content to the mix complicates things even further. No one should expect you to pick up a camera, start recording and expect a great video.

 If you’re serious about getting started with video content creation, take advantage of a free 30-minute consultation. And remember, half-hearted video marketing will only waste your time and add frustration to your already crowded plate. Worse, it’ll be a bad reflection on your business . . . to the few people who see it anyway.

How To Use Video For Business

What does it mean to use video for business? You’ve heard that your business needs to invest in video, and on the surface, you can’t disagree. Most business owners and marketers who have yet to take the plunge into video struggle with the same issue. Getting started.

It can be overwhelming when you Google certain terms around creating video, from the initial range of cameras and other video equipment available on the market today to the different production companies trying to convince you that it’s just too hard to get started and you should just pay them to do it for you. It’s understandable how year after year, those who said this is the year for video find a way to put it off once again. 

Types Of Videos For Business

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but can hopefully serve as a practical springboard for the types of videos your organization should be creating. 

Demo Videos - This type of video showcases your product’s features or the service benefits that set you apart from your competition. 

Brand Videos - Speaks to the character and tone of your business and highlights the culture surrounding your product or service and mission statement.

Event Videos - Promote or feature a company-sponsored event or outreach, one that benefits your community and, when distributed on social channels correctly, can increase engagement. 

Expert Interview Video - Show off the human capital at your organization and let their expertise educate your future customers. 

Educational or How-To Videos - This can be a great asset for your service teams or could potentially serve as an introduction to your products. 

Explainer Videos - Important as part of driving awareness of your product or service, can be a great first step in the customer buying journey.

Case Study and Customer Testimonial Videos - Let your customers tell the world how awesome you are. An awesome customer support experience told from their perspective can do wonders in fostering trust in your organization. This can also be a great tool for salespeople.  

Use Video For Your Business’ Existing Marketing  

When planning out your video projects, keep in mind that your audience could be anywhere in the sales journey spectrum. The video content your business uses should complement your traditional marketing, meaning these goals should serve as guidelines when developing your video strategy. 

Video Creates Awareness: Here, a challenge or opportunity is defined and the viewer realizes they have a problem. Videos in this stage should attract users and introduce your brand to a new audience.

Video Fuels Consideration: The viewer is now considering how he or she will solve the problem they’re faced with. They’re researching, asking for recommendations, watching product reviews, and trying to find cost-effective solutions.

Video Drives Decision: The solution has almost been found and you want to remain top of mind. Present your prospect with proof of customer satisfaction and prove why your product or service should be chosen over your competition.

Video can be a powerful marketing tool when executed correctly, and it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. However as with any business endeavor, be mindful of your budget, timeline, production process, and the metrics you’ll be looking at to make decisions about your video marketing efforts. Need help getting started? Contact me today and let’s talk about your video content goals and how they fit into your current business strategy.

How to Optimize Your Video’s Searchability

As the number two search engine in the world, YouTube enjoys a spot second only to Google itself, which it conveniently happens to own. How you optimize your video’s searchability is the difference between if it ever gets seen or not. If you’re producing any video that will live there, it’s important to know how to set it up for success by covering the basics of YouTube SEO. Since Google owns YouTube, its results show up in 70% of the top 100 Google, often listed before a traditional blog post or website.

Video Searchability

The average American spends around six hours every day watching videos on the internet; what exactly will make any of them watch yours? Every second, people search for products or solutions to problems solved via Google; they do the same on YouTube. And with over 500 hours of videos uploaded every minute, the brutal truth is that your video has about the same chance of going viral as you do of winning the lottery.

Try it for yourself; look up any product or “how-to” on Google, and you’ll almost always get something from YouTube on the first page. But how do those video results get there?

Video SEO Basics

When people search for a product or subject, they want to know what your video is about from the get. Always remember that you’re creating content for people, not search engines, but you should always be mindful of YouTube SEO when you’re planning your videos. Here are some of the basics of optimizing your YouTube content:

Titles and Description: Include target keywords in your titles and descriptions, and make sure it’s engaging. You can use a tool like this to help you find keyword ideas. YouTube video titles should be somewhere between 40 and 70 characters.

Engagement: YouTube is technically a social media platform, so engagement (likes, comments, views) helps to determine a video’s ranking in search results. Be sure to “like” and respond to comments on videos. If you already have videos uploaded to YouTube, take a look at your analytics in the YouTube Studio. There you’ll get detailed info about your audience’s demographics, location, and watch time.

Categories: Categories like “Automotive,” “How to, and style” help YouTube get a better sense of who may want to watch your video.

Tags: You can also add tags to your videos to give YouTube extra context about your video content. They let you use a lot so add as many as you can think of; just make sure they’re relevant to the subject you’re covering.

Mention Keywords In Your Video: Believe it or not, just saying your target keywords in your video can also help YouTube understand what your video is about.

Thumbnails: Customize your video’s thumbnails. Be sure to use a font and style that is consistent with your brand. It should be easily recognizable to your audience and give them a compelling reason to watch your content.

Playlists: The more content you create, the harder it becomes for people to navigate your channel. Creating playlists helps to organize your videos and YouTube treats it as though you created another set of searchable content.

The ability to create videos has never been easier from both a financial and time-consuming perspective. Be sure you have a plan to optimize your video’s searchability once your content is posted online. If you need help navigating all this, or you’d like an audit of your YouTube channel, contact me, and let’s discuss what’s involved in taking your content to the next level.

How Do I Market My Video On Social Media?

First off, I’m assuming you have a video. A video that is well thought out and properly shot and edited. If you do, then congratulations! You made a video - so now what? Before you ask all your friends and followers to share your video content, here are a few facts you should be aware of. The number one search engine in the world is Google, of course; everyone knows that. Number two is YouTube, which Google happens to own. Every 60 seconds, over 500 hours of video are uploaded to the site alone. Data shows the average American spends around six hours every day watching videos on the internet. What exactly will make any of them watch yours? How you market a video on social media and, more importantly, how you optimize your video’s searchability may be the difference between if it ever gets seen or not.

Market A Video On Social Media With Ads

Here’s the brutal truth: your video has about the same chance of going viral as you do of winning the lottery. For most businesses, marketing in general on social media has become a pay-to-play game. Although the option of paying to market a video on social media exists for every social site, I’ll just stick to YouTube for now. Here are a few possible video ad formats you could get started with.

Bumper Ads: These are the six-second videos that must be watched before you can watch the video you actually came for. Yes, six seconds is the maximum length, and it goes really quickly.

Skippable and Non-Skippable Video Ads: These ads can show up before, during, or after a video. The skippable ads can be skipped after five seconds, but for the non-skippable ones, you have to watch till the end before you can see the video you came for or happened to already watch.

The key to using these video ad options is always to be the context in which they appear. If you are watching a cat video and an ad for a first-person shooter pops up, it’s probably going to get skipped. The subjects, videos, or channels you use as your target audience will determine whether they are more likely to skip your video or watch to the end and take action. 

Market Your Video With Email 

If your business has an email list, consider adding video to your email marketing campaigns. By just adding the word “video” in your email subject line, you can, on average, boost open rates by up to 19% and click-through rates by 65%. 

Share In Social Media Groups 

If you’re a business or marketer for your organization, you should be actively engaging in online communities. When you produce video content, you should be prepared to share it when relevant. If you’re in a LinkedIn or Facebook group centered around the industry or cause, it would be a good idea to post your video content as long as it would be helpful to the members. Also, keep in mind that most groups discourage self-serving “marketing” of any kind as a condition of membership, so sharing something that is obviously promoting your business would probably be considered bad taste. Remember that context is everything, if you’re part of a group that is for car enthusiasts, you wouldn't share a video about how to upgrade your computer’s RAM. Some in the group may find it interesting, but most members aren’t there for that type of video content.

Maybe you have a dormant YouTube channel, or perhaps you’re unsure where to start. Don’t worry, content creation and marketing a video on social media doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Contact me today and schedule a free no-obligation consultation, and get started with video tomorrow.