Realtors®- You NEED These 3 Essentials BEFORE Starting a YouTube Channel
In this blog, we’ll talk about some crucial topics that will help improve your YouTube game.
Experienced Creators: Essential Goals for Growing YouTube Channel
For those with experience, your goals might revolve around improving content quality, increasing viewer engagement, and optimizing monetization strategies.
Content Quality: As an experienced creator, you should constantly seek to improve the quality of your content. This could mean investing in better equipment, learning advanced editing techniques, or exploring new content formats that resonate with your audience.
Viewer Engagement: Increasing viewer engagement is crucial for channel growth. This involves interacting with your audience through comments, social media, and live streams. Building a community around your channel can turn casual viewers into loyal fans.
Monetization Strategies: Optimizing monetization strategies is essential for making your channel sustainable. This could include diversifying income streams through sponsorships, merchandise, and membership programs in addition to ad revenue.
New Creators: Essential Goals for Starting a YouTube Channel
New creators should focus on understanding their niche, building a consistent posting schedule, and learning the basics of video production and editing.
Understanding Your Niche: Finding and understanding your niche is the first step in starting a YouTube channel. This involves identifying what topics you're passionate about and what audience you want to reach. Research your niche to see what content is already out there and think about how you can offer something unique.
Consistent Posting Schedule: Consistency is key on YouTube. Decide on a posting schedule that you can realistically stick to and make sure to communicate this to your audience. Whether it’s once a week or twice a month, regular uploads help keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Learning Video Production Basics: As a new creator, take the time to learn the basics of video production and editing. This includes understanding camera angles, lighting, and sound, as well as how to use editing software. There are plenty of free resources and tutorials available online to help you get started.
Three Essential Pieces of Equipment to Start & Manage Your YouTube Channel
To make your videos look professional, you don't need to break the bank. You can download my Essential Gear Checklist here to get the links to all my favorite pieces of equipment and software tools
And here are three key pieces of equipment that will significantly improve your production quality.
Camera Source
First, you need a good camera. While high-end cameras are great, your smartphone or a basic webcam can suffice if you're on a budget. The key is to start with what you have and upgrade as you grow.
Smartphone Cameras: Many modern smartphones have excellent cameras that can shoot in high definition. They are a great starting point for new creators and can produce surprisingly good results with the right settings and lighting.
Webcams: If you’re doing a lot of live streams or face-to-camera content, a good quality webcam can be a solid investment. They are easy to set up and use, and many offer high resolution and good autofocus capabilities.
Upgrading Your Camera: As you gain more experience and potentially some income from your channel, consider upgrading to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. These offer superior image quality, better low-light performance, and more creative control.
Audio Source
Audio is crucial. Viewers are likely to forgive less-than-perfect video quality, especially when you’re just starting your YouTube channel, but poor audio is a dealbreaker. Invest in a good microphone. There are affordable options that offer great sound quality, such as lavalier mics or USB microphones.
Lavalier Microphones: These small, clip-on microphones are great for recording clear audio without much background noise. They are particularly useful for vlogging and interviews.
USB Microphones: For a simple and effective setup, a USB microphone is ideal. They plug directly into your computer and provide excellent sound quality for voiceovers, live streams, and podcasts.
Shotgun Microphones: If you prefer a more professional setup, consider a shotgun microphone. These are directional mics that can be mounted on your camera or a boom pole, capturing focused sound from a specific direction.
Lighting Source
Lighting can transform your video quality. Natural light is fantastic if you can utilize it, but having a portable light source like a ring light can make a huge difference, especially in indoor settings.
Natural Light: Whenever possible, use natural light. Position yourself facing a window to get soft, even lighting on your face. Avoid direct sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and overexposure.
Ring Lights: These are popular among YouTubers for a reason. Ring lights provide a soft, even light that reduces shadows and highlights your face evenly. They are affordable and easy to use, making them a great option for new creators.
LED Panels: For more control over your lighting setup, consider LED panels. They are versatile, can be adjusted for brightness and color temperature, and are useful for creating various lighting effects.
If you prefer to watch my tips on starting a YouTube channel, watch the full video below:
Using Affordable Gear: The Cost of Starting a YouTube Channel
Phone and Webcam Options
You can start with your phone or a decent webcam. Many smartphones have excellent cameras that can record in high definition. Webcams are also a cost-effective solution for streaming and face-to-camera content.
Budget-Friendly Microphones
Look for budget-friendly microphones that can easily plug into your phone or computer. Lavalier mics are discreet and effective, and USB mics provide excellent sound quality for a reasonable price. Don’t underestimate the power of good audio; it can significantly enhance the overall quality of your videos.
Portable Lighting
Portable lights, such as ring lights or LED panels, are relatively inexpensive and can dramatically improve your video’s appearance. They help eliminate shadows and provide a consistent look across all your videos. Good lighting can make a significant difference, especially if you're filming in a space with poor natural light.
Starting a YouTube Channel: Tips for Filming Outdoors
When filming outdoors, natural light is your best friend. However, managing lighting can be tricky. Make sure to shoot during the golden hours (early morning or late afternoon) when the light is soft and flattering.
Natural Lighting
Use natural light to your advantage, positioning yourself so that the light hits you from the front or side. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause harsh shadows. Overcast days are perfect for shooting outdoors as the clouds diffuse the light, creating soft, even lighting.
Managing Shadows and Brightness
If you're filming in bright sunlight, use reflectors or diffusers to soften the light and reduce shadows. Adjust your camera settings to manage brightness and contrast effectively. Experiment with different angles and positions to find the best lighting setup.
Keeping It Simple and Effective
Don't overcomplicate your setup. Start with the basics and master them before adding more gear. Too much equipment can be overwhelming and hinder your creativity. Focus on producing great content with the equipment you have.
Minimal gear setups are not only easier to manage but also force you to focus on the content, which is the most important aspect of your videos. Remember, your audience is there for your message and personality, not for high-end production values.
Confidence and Consistency
Stay confident and be consistent. Your audience will appreciate regular uploads, and your growing confidence on camera will keep them engaged. Consistency builds trust and helps your audience know what to expect from your channel.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed with all the advice and equipment options out there. Remember, the best way of starting a YouTube channel and improving is by doing. Start with what you have, learn from each video, and upgrade as you grow. Every video you make is a step towards becoming a better creator.
Enjoying this article? Sign up for our newsletter to get free weekly tips to improve your marketing, YouTube videos, and client acquisition strategies.
____________________________________________________________________________
Karin Carr has been a REALTOR since 2005 and real estate coach since 2018. Her YouTube videos have garnered more than 3.5 million views. She loves teaching real estate agents how to find real estate leads in a way that doesn’t require buying them from big corporations looking to put you out of business, or posting on social media all day just hoping to get a few likes and a couple of comments.
YouTube is Karin’s best method for attracting paying clients who see her value and happily hire (and pay) her to represent them in a real estate transaction. Coaching REALTORS is her true passion though and that’s where she spends the majority of her time these days. Her signature program, Video Boss Agent Academy, has helped thousands of real estate agents and mortgage professionals build businesses they love that are actually profitable.
Karin is the best selling author of YouTube for Real Estate Agents - Learn how to get free real estate leads and never cold call again.