Overcoming Initial Hesitations
Starting a YouTube channel in Nigeria can be a daunting task. I have a few channels of my own, and for privacy reasons, I don’t even show my face in the channels. A lot of people may be uncertain about whether to show their face, they worry that friends might see them and tease them, or wonder if they’ll succeed. There’s a lot on your mind, and you’re unsure about even starting a channel. But you will have to make up your mind and just start.
Choosing Your Niche
Find Your Passion
Assuming you’ve moved past these initial hesitations and decided to start a channel, let’s discuss what you truly need for success. We won’t delve into the technical details like creating a Google account or setting up your YouTube channel, as I assume you’re already familiar with those steps. Instead, I want to focus on the essential factors for your YouTube journey.
The first step is idea generation, or finding your niche. Before choosing a niche on YouTube, consider what you’re passionate about and what you excel in. Whether it’s beauty, barbering, sports, military/defense or any other area, pick something you’re genuinely interested in. Your niche should align with your expertise and interests.
Embracing Originality
Next, let’s talk about the importance of originality and uniqueness. With thousands of YouTube channels worldwide, standing out is crucial. Even within Nigeria, you want to differentiate yourself and connect with your audience. You don’t have to be a comedian or an expert; you just need to be yourself. Embrace your unique style, whether it’s humor, authority on a topic, or a distinctive perspective. Authenticity is highly valued on YouTube, and being true to yourself will attract your audience. It might seem you are not winning initially, but over time, your own audience will find you, and you will even begin to wonder what is so special about you.
This is also something that YouTube looks out for when considering you eligibility for the youtube partner program.
Essential Equipment
Now, let’s consider the equipment you’ll need. You don’t have to invest heavily at the start. A basic Android or iPhone is sufficient for filming. Ensure good lighting and think about your background. While an attractive background is ideal, not everyone can start with one. Your audience cares more about your content than your video quality, so don’t worry too much about that initially. However, sound quality is crucial; ensure your audio is clear and free from noise.
Your audience will forgive a bad video quality but will never forgive a bad audio.
Editing and Post-Production
When it comes to video editing, you don’t need to be a pro. Basic skills in cutting clips and removing sound noise will suffice. There’s no need to learn complex software like Premiere Pro or Photoshop right away. You can start with free editing software, such as CapCut, which is user-friendly and offers great features. Remember, you don’t have to know everything about video editing; just get started and improve over time.
You can also use canva to create thumbnails. To be honest photoshop will produce the most eye-catching thumbnails but as a starter, you can use Canva. Besides this, I have seen a lot of great channels with rubbish thumbnails. If the content is solid, your audience will even associate you with that rubbish thumbnail and they will always click.
Building Your Audience Takes Time
Lastly, patience is a crucial aspect that’s often overlooked. Making money on YouTube, like any endeavor, requires patience. It’s common to start with low view counts but don’t be discouraged. Your videos may not immediately gain a huge following, but with persistence and consistent effort, you can attract an audience. Even older videos that initially didn’t receive many views can become valuable assets over time.
In conclusion, starting a YouTube channel in Nigeria is an exciting journey. It begins with finding your niche, being authentic, ensuring your equipment is suitable, and having the patience to grow your channel. Remember, success on YouTube takes time, but with dedication and the right approach, you can build a thriving channel. Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance along the way.
Author
Abbey Johnson has a Masters degree as an engineer and has over 3 years of teaching and research experience. He is happiest when on a bike and is also interested in electric energy and computer Science.