5 Tips to Finally Make a Successful YouTube Channel

By Jessica B

· 5 minutes read

Hey there, future YouTube star! Starting a YouTube channel can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. In this post, I’ll share some tried-and-true tips to help you kickstart your channel and make it a roaring success.

Just like Mr. Beast “James Stephen Donaldson” says, “Your first video is not going to get views…Stop sitting there and thinking for months and months on end and just get to work and start uploading.”

1. Post Shorts

If you’re new to YouTube, the best way to get those subs and views rolling in is by posting Shorts. Think of YouTube Shorts as TikTok’s little sibling—short, vertical videos that people love to watch on their phones. These quick, snappy clips are a fantastic way to grab attention and grow your audience fast.

Here’s the deal: even if you plan to focus on long-form content in the future (which is great for monetization), starting with Shorts can give you that initial boost you need. They have a higher chance of going viral thanks to YouTube’s dedicated Shorts shelf.

Tips for Creating Engaging Shorts:

  • Keep it short and sweet: Aim for 15-60 seconds.
  • Grab attention quickly: Hook your viewers in the first few seconds.
  • Use catchy titles and thumbnails: Make them irresistible.
  • Add engaging subtitles: Subtitles aren’t just for silent watchers—they keep everyone’s eyes glued to your video.
Collage of videos with subtitles on IPhone, done with ZapCap

2. Subtitles: The Underrated Superpower

Let’s talk about subtitles. Seriously, they’re a game-changer. Subtitles are not just for folks watching videos on mute; they’re for everyone. They help capture and retain attention, especially in a world where everyone has a short attention span.

Why Subtitles Rock:

  • Boost engagement: Keep viewers hooked, even in noisy environments.
  • Improve understanding: Great for non-native speakers.
  • SEO benefits: Makes your content searchable, helping you get discovered.

Check out the video below that uses ZapCap Subtitles. Instantly, the audience is reeled in and it keeps your attention, word by word.

Now, this is where ZapCap comes in. We offer super cool animated subtitles with emojis! Yes, emojis. They’re perfect for adding that extra pop to your videos, making them more fun and engaging.

The animations and emojis are automatic, so you don’t need to add them yourself. But you can still customize them by adding or removing as many as you like!


Why You’ll Love ZapCap:

  • Animated Subtitles: They’re not just static text—they move with your content.
  • Emoji Integration: Add emojis to your captions for that extra flair.
  • 26 Customizable Templates: From minimalist to dynamic, we’ve got you covered.
  • Supports 50+ Languages: Making your content accessible to a global audience.
  • User-Friendly: Easy to use, even if you’re new to video editing.
Font Tab of ZapCap that shows all the available subtitle templates

3. Use Creative Editing Tools

If you want to make your Shorts and videos even more eye-catching, you’ve got to try adding some crazy effects. I highly recommend using CapCut for this. It’s a free, user-friendly video editing app that’s packed with features. From cool transitions to AI effects, CapCut has got you covered.

Why You’ll Love CapCut:

  • Easy to Use: Perfect for beginners.
  • Rich Features: Trim, split, add filters, stickers, and music.
  • Free: Most features are free to use!

By combining CapCut’s editing power with ZapCap’s animated subtitles, your videos will be nothing short of amazing.

A screenshot showing CapCut's dashboard and its main features for video editing.

4. Collaborate with Other Creators

Another great way to grow your YouTube channel is by collaborating with other creators. This can introduce your channel to a whole new audience. Look for creators in your niche with similar or slightly larger followings. By working together, you both can benefit from each other’s audiences.

How to Reach Out:

  • YouTube About Me Page: Check their YouTube About Me page for contact information. Many creators list their email addresses or social media handles here.
  • Leave a Comment: Engage with their content by leaving thoughtful comments. Once you’ve established a rapport, you can propose a collaboration.
  • Social Media: Connect with them on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. A direct message can be a more personal way to introduce yourself and suggest working together.

Collaboration Ideas:

  • Guest Appearances: Feature each other in your videos.
  • Joint Projects: Work on a project or series together.
  • Shoutouts: Give each other a shoutout in your videos or social media.

5. Engage with Your Community

Last but not least, focus on building a community. Engage with your audience by replying to comments, hosting live sessions, and creating content based on viewer feedback. The more connected your audience feels, the more loyal they’ll be.

Tips for Building a Community:

  • Be Authentic: Show your personality and be yourself.
  • Engage Regularly: Respond to comments and messages.
  • Create Interactive Content: Polls, Q&A sessions, and live streams.

Remember, a strong community is the backbone of a successful YouTube channel.

Making a successful YouTube channel involves several key steps:

  1. Post Shorts: Use these bite-sized videos to quickly grow your audience.
  2. Use Subtitles: Engage viewers with eye-catching, animated subtitles from ZapCap.ai.
  3. Create High-Quality Content: Invest in good equipment and editing tools.
  4. Collaborate with Others: Expand your reach by working with fellow creators.
  5. Post Memes: Keep your content fun and relatable to connect with your audience.

By following these tips and leveraging tools like ZapCap, you’ll be well on your way to YouTube success. Happy creating!


Jessica

Jessica B

Jessica is the owner of Videolize and a seasoned video editor with 11 years of experience. She shares actionable insights on ZapCap, helping creators boost engagement with AI tools.

gradient colorgradient color