How To Create a YouTube Channel

As a small business owner, there are several reasons why you might consider creating a YouTube channel. You might be brainstorming ideas for ongoing training while you and your team are working remotely. Maybe you’re looking for ways to connect with existing clients. Or perhaps you’d like to boost your social media presence and promote your brand to new audiences. You might even be attempting to tackle all of the above.

As the internet’s largest video-viewing platform, YouTube is a great choice for your content creation and distribution needs. Here are four easy steps that will teach you how to create a YouTube channel in under ten minutes.

Before we get started, it's important to think about your reasons for starting a YouTube channel. Having a clear focus on what you want your content to do for you is a great way to ensure that your channel is useful to your viewers. Additionally, it’s smart to designate someone specific to keep up with the channel and ideate on the content that you will push.

With this in mind, let’s dive in. 

Step #1: Sign in to your YouTube account

You will need a Gmail account to log in to YouTube and to create a channel, respond to comments, like and save videos, get personalized recommendations, and subscribe to other channels. Your Gmail account is essentially your passport to all things YouTube.

This screenshot shows two places you can sign in to YouTube

Don’t have a Gmail account? Create one here.

Step #2: Create a YouTube channel

Once you’ve logged into YouTube, click the user icon in the upper right corner and select "Create a channel.” 

If you do not already have a profile picture associated with your Gmail account, you will be prompted to upload one now. This will serve as your channel icon. You will also be prompted to name your channel. Your picture and name will determine how you appear to your viewers, so choose wisely.

Then, click “Create Channel.”

This screenshot shows you where to go to create a channel. [All screenshots were taken with the author’s personal YouTube account.]

Here is where you upload a picture and type your name before creating your channel.

Step #3: Upload a YouTube video

Welcome to your new YouTube channel! Now you can upload your first YouTube video.

If you have a video that's ready to upload, click the blue “Upload Video” button to get started. You can drag or drop a video file, or click on “Select Files” to browse files stored in your local drive.

This screenshot shows you where to click to upload a video.

Make sure that any video you’re uploading is your own; don’t simply repost content from other channels. If you're in need of a video idea to get you started on your YouTube journey, check out this guide on from scratch.

Step #4: Customize your YouTube channel

Once you’ve uploaded one or more videos, you can take further steps to ensure that every aspect of your channel reflects your brand. Click on “Customize Channel” to spotlight an important video at the top of your homepage, upload a YouTube banner, add channel art, edit your channel description, or organize your homepage into sections. 

This is a great way to steer viewers toward videos that are best suited for them, whether they are employees, existing clients, or new to your brand. You can also click “Manage Videos” to see your views, comments, and likes.

This screenshot shows you how to customize your channel or manage your videos.

You are now well on your way to maintaining a successful YouTube channel for your business. However, if you’d prefer to have multiple people managing your business’s YouTube channel, you might consider connecting your YouTube channel to a Brand Account.

A YouTube Brand Account is an account that is specifically for your brand. While you will be designated as the owner of your Brand Account, it is not associated only with your Gmail account or personal YouTube channel. You will be able to invite others to manage the account without having to share your password. Additionally, you will have control over the amount of access given to each person on your account. 

Below, we'll talk about the steps for connecting your YouTube channel with your Brand Account.

Step #1: Access your YouTube account settings

You can access your account settings by clicking on your user icon in the upper right corner and selecting "Settings.”

This screenshot shows you how to get to your account settings.

Step #2 Create a new YouTube channel

Click "Create a new channel."

This screenshot shows you what to click to create your Brand Account.

Then, create your brand channel name, and click to acknowledge the disclaimer underneath. Then, click “Create.”

This screenshot shows you what pops up when you click “Create a new channel.”

Step #3: Use channel permissions in YouTube Studio

Make sure you're logged into your Brand Account; you will be able to tell by clicking on the user icon in the upper right corner (in the screenshot below, you’ll notice that it says “Lauren’s Brand Account” rather than “Lauren Spiller”). Access the YouTube Studio by clicking on the user icon and selecting "YouTube Studio.”

This screenshot shows where to access the YouTube Studio.

From here, you'll go to your YouTube Studio settings, found in the menu to the left.

This screenshot shows you where to access your YouTube Studio settings.

First, you'll select "Permissions," then "Manage Permissions."

This screenshot shows you the permissions settings in YouTube Studio.

You can now invite users to run the Brand Account with you as well as change roles and remove users. The YouTube Studio also allows you to check your YouTube analytics, create a playlist, and learn more about monetizing your YouTube channel. 

If you have more than one person running your social media accounts, a YouTube Brand Account is a great option for your business.

We hope this guide has prepared you to turn your content into a cash cow. And if you’ve found this article helpful, there’s even more resources for your YouTube channel on our site:

• A Guide to YouTube Thumbnail Images (Dimensions, Best Practices, and Examples)

• How To Change Your YouTube Channel's Name

• How To Upload Unlisted YouTube Videos

• How Much Can You Make From YouTube?

• Here’s Everything You Need to Know About YouTube Demonetization Rules

• How To Delete a YouTube Channel in Under Five Minutes

• How To Create a YouTube Playlist in Minutes

• What is YouTube Premium, And What Does it Mean For My Business?

• How to Make Training Videos in 6 Easy Steps

We also recommend taking a look at the tools in our video making and video editing software directories, where you can compare tools’ functionality and usability, as well as read reviews from real users like you.