Starting a YouTube Channel on a Budget
There's no doubt that starting a YouTube channel looks expensive. The expensive video editing software's, the 4k 60FPS cameras, the expensive-looking Shure XLR mics you see in every interview. But it doesn't have to be that way.
In this article, let's discuss what I'd do if I had $100 to spend on a YouTube channel, and to be honest, $100 is on the expensive side of things. Nonetheless, I'll show you how to spend every dollar. By the end, you'll be ready to start sharing your videos with the world.
NOTE: I expect you to know starting a YouTube channel is free and easy to do, so I won't waste your time getting into that.
Let's begin!
Step 1: Choosing Your Camera
Your camera is one of the most essential tools for your YouTube channel. Fortunately, you don’t need an expensive DSLR camera to get started. You can use what you already have: your smartphone
Good lighting can make a massive difference in your video quality. Natural light in front of you will be your best friend. Note how I said in front of you. Bright natural light behind you can make you look like you're testifying against the sun in court.
Marques Brownlee started with his phone before moving into higher-end equipment, but he still uses his phone for certain shots.
If your content involves sitting in front of your computer, like gaming, tutorials, or commentary videos, a webcam is a great option. The best choice for its price by far is the Logitech C920. This is the same webcam JackSepticEye, PewDiePie and Nadeshot used and may still use today.
Step 2: Audio
Clear audio is just as important as good video quality. If no one can hear or understand you, no one is going to watch.
Even though your phone or webcam has a built-in microphone, the quality could be better. That's why the next thing going in our shopping cart is Boya BY-M1, which costs around $20.
There are a lot of better options on the market, but with the Logitech C920 and the Boya BY-M1, we have already spent 80% of our budget. Fortunately, we spent it on the two areas that needed the investment.
Step 3: Video Editing
Once you’ve recorded your video, it’s time to edit. The best part is that you don’t need to spend money on editing software. There are several good free options.
If you'd like to edit on your phone, CapCut is the best option. It's great for beginners who just need basic editing tools like trimming, cutting, and adding text. My favorite part of it all is the built-in effects and motion graphics you can add in 2 seconds, that would take 15 minutes in a software like Adobe After Effects.
For desktop editing, the best free option is DaVinci Resolve. DaVinci Resolve comes with great features like color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects. While it might take some time to learn, there are always YouTube tutorials.
Matti Haapoja uses Davinci in his videos, especially for big products.
Step 4: Thumbnail Design
Your thumbnail is the first thing people see when your video shows up in their recommendations. Luckily, though, this is another step we don't need to spend a penny on. That software being, you guessed it, Canva.
In Canva, you can choose from different templates, multiple fonts, and the free version includes a ton of stock images and icons that you can use. With the paid version, you get features that allow you to press a button and automatically cut out an image, upscale it up to 8x, and access hundreds of filters. Since Canva gives you a 30-day free trial, let's go ahead and access the full version.
YouTubers who use Canva for their thumbnails is 1of10, actually.
Many successful creators started with basic setups and small budgets. However, there are still thousands of channels with hundreds of thousands of subscribers who still use the equipment they began with.
For those who still have space in their budget, the BEST investment you can make into your channel is a way to think of incredible ideas that are bound to work. And the best site on the market for just that is 1of10.com!