Create a YouTube Channel


1. Sign Up for a Google Account

1. Go to youtube.com and click "Sign In" (top right).
2. If you don’t have an account, click "Create Account" > "For my work and business".
3. Enter your name, date of birth, and a new Gmail (recommended for brand separation).
4. Add a recovery email for security.


2. Create Your YouTube Channel

1. After signing in, click your profile icon > "Create Channel".

2. Choose a name (displayed publicly) and a unique handle (used for tagging).

    *  Tips for a Good Name:

        1. Easy to remember & pronounce.

        2. Unique (avoid trademark conflicts).

        3. Check availability using Chat GPT (for ideas) and business name checkers.

3. Upload a profile picture (800x800 px recommended).


3. Customize & Finalize

1. Skip unnecessary setup prompts (e.g., "Not Now" for extra features).

2. Access YouTube Studio (via profile icon) to manage your channel.

3. Enable Dark Mode (optional but easier on the eyes).


4. Bonus: Multiple Channels

1. To add another channel:

      *  Click profile icon > Switch Account > View All Channels > Create Channel. Now your channel is ready for uploading videos, creating playlists, and engaging with viewers!


Optimizing Your YouTube Channel Dashboard & Settings


1. Dashboard Overview


1. Videos Tab: Displays uploaded videos, ranked 1–10 based on performance.

2. Analytics Snapshot: Shows subscribers, views, watch hours, and top-performing videos (last 48 hours).

3. Customization: Essential for branding and discoverability.


2. Channel Branding (Banner & Profile Picture)

A. Banner Image

      *  Purpose: Enhances professionalism; visible on desktop, mobile, and TV.

      *  Design Tool: Use Canva (free templates available).

            1. Search for "YouTube banner".

            2. Customize text, colors, and layout (ensure key elements fit the "safe zone" for all devices).

            3. Download as JPG/PNG and upload via YouTube Studio.


B. Profile Picture

      *  Specs: 800×800 px (displays as a circle).

      * Design Tips:

          1. Use Canva ("YouTube profile picture" templates).

          2. Prioritize clarity (avoid text cutoff; center logos/icons).

          3. For advanced designs, consider Fiverr freelancers (~30–30–50).


3. Channel Description & SEO


      *  First Line: Hook viewers (e.g., "The latest waterproof teabag reviews!").

      *  Keywords: Use tools like ChatGPT for SEO-friendly tags (e.g. "waterproof tea,                      tea reviews, durable teabags").

      *  Multilingual Support: Add translations (e.g., Spanish) via YouTube Studio.


4. Links & Contact Info


      *  Social Media: Link Instagram, website, etc.

      *  Store Domains: Use .store for merch (e.g., DryDipDiaries.store).

      *  Contact Email: Use a separate email (not your channel’s login) for brand inquiries.


5. Advanced Settings


A. Monetization Prep

    *  Enable 2-step verification.

    *  Verify phone number for:

          1.  Longer videos (>15 mins).

          2.  Custom thumbnails.

          3.  Live streaming.


B. Upload Defaults

    *  Set new videos to Private/Unlisted (avoid accidental public uploads).

    *  Disable auto-chapters (YouTube’s AI is unreliable).


C. Comments & Moderation

    *  Basic Moderation: Filters spam/hate (recommended).

    *  Blocked Words: Add offensive terms (e.g., profanity).

    *  Approved Users: Whitelist trusted commenters.


D. Content Licensing

   *  Creative Commons: Allow reuse with credit (free promotion).


6. Permissions & Team Access


Invite collaborators with tailored access:

     *Viewer: Analytics access.

     *  Editor: Upload/edit videos (no deletion rights).

     * Manager: Full control (except channel deletion).


7. Final Checks


      *Homepage Layout: Prioritize Videos > Popular > Shorts (unless Shorts-focused).

      *  Earn Tab: Enable email alerts for monetization milestones.

      *  Audio Library: Use free music/sound effects for videos.


Key Takeaways


✅ Branding Matters: A polished banner/profile pic boosts credibility.

✅ SEO Optimization: Keywords and descriptions improve discoverability.

✅ Security: Enable 2FA and avoid linking your login email publicly.

✅ Monetization Ready: Verify early to unlock features.

Pro Tip: Revisit settings as your channel grows (e.g., hire moderators for large audiences).