Chapter 2. Creating and Optimizing Your
Channel
Setting Up Your YouTube Channel
Set up your YouTube Channel when you set up the rest of your social media
profiles. Even if you are months away from posting videos! Put links to your
YouTube channel on your website and social media profiles to get people
subscribing to your channel before you post a single video. This will get
people excited about seeing more from you and help you start creating a
community while you’re building your strong foundation!
A. Choosing a Name: This should be the same as your website
address/name. Make it easy to remember, short, catchy and easy to spell.
B. Channel Description: Review your Brand, Purpose, Target Audience
and Difference, then write a bio for the “About/Description” of your
YouTube channel based on that information. Your description should tell a
story: who you are, why you’re making videos, why your target audience
would want to watch and what they will get out of watching. People like to
watch, follow and engage with other people. Make your description personal
— and make it real. Don’t forget to include your key words!
C. Header Image: Your header image should represent who you are, what
your channel is about and your purpose. Make it interesting and eye catching,
and make it stand out. A bold, clean image will cause viewers to pause and
want to learn more. Make sure it’s high quality. If you can’t create a high-
quality header image yourself, hire someone! (Check out Fiverr or
Thumbtack.)
D. Your Channel Icon: People are drawn to people, especially faces.
Putting your picture in your header image is optional, but it’s NOT optional
in your Icon. Your icon represents you in the YouTube universe. People
connect with people, not logos, vans, RVs, scenes, clip art or even pets. Your
channel Icon needs to be a picture of you (you can include your pet). Get a
quality photo of yourself in a setting that portrays what your channel is about
and use it across all your social media.
E. Put links to your website in your channel description: Once you