Record Your First YouTube Video

YouTube videos are a great way to demonstrate your expertise to potentially thousands of people around the world. While filming yourself can feel awkward at first, don't let that stop you.

Watch John's story in the video above to see how he overcame his obstacles and turned into a YouTube pro. Then, go through the checklist below to get started on creating your first video!

Now it's your turn to get behind the camera

Ready to record your first YouTube video? We've created this step-by-step checklist to help you get started. You can even check off your accomplishments and share them with friends!

Figure out what you want to say. 15 MINUTES

Are you giving a demo of a physical product? Showing a technique? Just talking? Decide what the purpose is of your video. Then find something that sets your video apart from the rest. You won't stand out if you do what everyone else has already done. Once you figure out what you want to say, create a script or outline to follow.

Plan out your video. 30 MINUTES

Creating a plan will make filming so much faster than trying to figure it out on the fly. Consider where you want to stand, what is in the background, what props (if any) you're going to hold.

Choose a camera. 15 MINUTES

When just starting out, using your mobile phone can provide a good quality video and is a great place to start. (Check out this video from our friends at Wistia on how to create a video using your iPhone.) What's important is the content of your video - will people find it valuable to watch?

While you can easily have a friend hold the camera, it's best to set it on a stable surface to minimize camera movement - a table or other flat surface will do.

Audio is another important thing to consider. If you're just using your iPhone, be sure to find a quiet place with no a lot of background noise.

Get good lighting. 30 MINUTES

Good lighting is key to a good video. No one like to watch a video of someone in the dark. The good news is you don't have to spend a fortune on lighting. (Check out this video from Wistia on how to create and use a DIY lighting kit under $100.)

You can also take advantage of natural lighting and use deflectors to control how the light appears on you, the subject. Lighting - Use the lights you have, position them so they don't create unflattering shadows - Be aware of using lights directly from above that can create odd shadows under your eyes - Don't shoot against a window, if your camera exposes for the window light, you'll be left in the dark - When using sunlight, be aware of shifting light clouds when shooting a longer video - Diffusing your hard light source will produce softer shadows and is more flattering to skin defects.

Start filming. HOWEVER LONG YOU NEED!

Recording yourself can be a bit awkward, especially when you watch yourself on camera for the first time. But don't let that stop you. The more you do it, the more comfortable you'll get. Every YouTube expert has felt that way when starting out.

The key here is to just do it (and check out these helpful tips to get started!). You're probably not going to be perfect the first time, but you'll get better with every video you create.

Edit your video. HOWEVER LONG YOU NEED!

There are a variety of editing programs available, some free and some pretty pricey. If you're just starting out, iMovie for Mac users and Windows Movie Maker for Windows users are two good options. You can also do some minor editing using your mobile device. If you're using iOS, check out the app iMovie. And if you're using Android, check out Andromedia.

Optimize your YouTube video for search. 15 MINUTES

With your video complete, it's time to post it on YouTube. But before you do, consider how to name it and what description to give it. This has a great impact on how people find your video on YouTube and on Google. Be sure to name your video the way people would naturally search for it (e.g., How to build a cabinet door).

Learn from your audience. 15 MINUTES

One of the benefits of using YouTube is the analytics. You can learn a lot about your videos by seeing how your viewers interact with them. Focus on audience retention. How long are they watching your videos? At what point do most people stop watching. This is a gold mine of information that can help you the next time you create a video.

Stay inspired

As you create your first YouTube video, check out these additional resources to help you translate your expertise into valuable video content:

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