Step-by-Step Guide For Aspiring YouTube Creators

Ammar Sheikh
4 min readNov 13, 2023

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Why YouTube is the future for aspiring creators!

As per the global media insight, YouTube has more than 2.70 billion monthly active users as of 2023. YouTube Premium and Music together have more than 80 million subscribers in the world. More than ¼ of the world’s population uses YouTube every month. Around half of the internet users around the world have access to YouTube.

YouTube is a great platform for sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world. It can also be a great way to make money. But if you want to be successful on YouTube, you need to put in the time and effort.

Here is a step-by-step guide for YouTube creators:

Choose a niche.

The first step is to choose a niche for your channel. What do you want to talk about? What are you passionate about? Once you have a niche, you can start creating content that is relevant to your audience.

  • Create high-quality content.

This is probably the most important step. If you want people to watch your videos, you need to create content that is high-quality and engaging. Take the time to write good scripts, film your videos in a well-lit area, and edit them properly.

  • Promote your channel.

Once you have created some high-quality content, you need to promote your channel. Share your videos on social media, and reach out to other YouTubers in your niche. The more people know about your channel, the more successful you will be.

  • Be patient.

Success on YouTube doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep creating great content, and eventually you will start to see your channel grow.

Time Commitment for YouTube Success

To be competitive on YouTube, a new content creator should be prepared to allocate 15 to 25 hours per week exclusively to content creation. This is akin to treating it as a part-time job.

Serious competitors in the field invest approximately 40 hours or more per week, including the time spent by assistants and editors.

Video Production and Output

To achieve growth, a content creator should aim to publish one to three high-quality videos per week consistently. The quality of the videos should match or exceed the standards set by others in the same niche, particularly those with higher subscriber counts.

Video Length and Monetization

Aiming for videos with an average duration of eight minutes is advisable, as this contributes to better chances of monetization. Achieving a 30- to 50-minute average view duration is beneficial for the monetization process.

Time Allocation for Video Creation

The time required for video creation involves scriptwriting, filming, editing, and thumbnail creation. An assumption is made that an amateur might spend 30 minutes to an hour editing per minute of video and one to two hours filming an eight-minute video. Scriptwriting could take at least an hour for an eight-minute video. Thumbnail creation, for those without graphic design experience, may take around an hour.

Total Time Investment

Considering the above factors, the total time investment per video ranges from 8 to 12 hours for an amateur content creator. This includes scriptwriting, filming, editing, and thumbnail creation.

Advice for New Content Creators

Embrace the undertaking and commit to making at least a hundred videos. This allows for self-discovery, understanding of one’s style, and improvement in skills. Learning analytics, understanding the YouTube system, and figuring out the show concept are crucial aspects not to be overlooked. Focus on the output and improvement rather than comparing oneself to others in terms of subscriber count, as external factors like financial support or industry connections can influence others’ success.

Long-Term Perspective

Making 100 videos within a one- to two-year period provides valuable skills applicable beyond YouTube. Learning how long tasks take and optimizing the process can lead to more efficient use of time.

Subscriber Count Considerations

In the initial month, don’t overly focus on subscriber count comparisons. External factors like purchased subscribers or industry connections can skew these numbers. Concentrate on continuous improvement, gaining experience, and refining the content creation process.

Behind-the-Scenes Realities

External factors, such as a creator’s financial situation or personal circumstances, can significantly impact the time they can dedicate to content creation. This analysis provides insights into the time commitment, video production, and strategic considerations for new content creators on YouTube.

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Ammar Sheikh

I am passionate about self improvement, and through writing, I speak to my younger self. I have a passion for books and learning new things.