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You can start a YouTube channel today for almost nothing. All you need is a phone, a Google account, and an idea. This guide shows you how to pick a niche, film and edit your first videos, grow your audience, and reach monetization in the YouTube Partner Program (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days). Be patient: most channels need 6 to 18 months of steady uploads to take off. If you are under 18, you need a parent's help for AdSense payments.
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Next up: Choose your niche and name
You do not need a certificate to run a YouTube channel in the US. You must be 13 or older to have your own Google account. If you are under 13, use a Google Family Link account with a parent. To get paid you need a Google AdSense account, which requires you to be 18 or have a parent or guardian own it. Earnings are taxable income (IRS), and once you earn real money you may need to report it as self-employment income or register a business (optional LLC, state rules vary).
Can I start right away? Today: open youtube.com, create your channel, and write down 10 video ideas for one topic you love. Then film a 30-second Short with your phone.
Choose a topic you enjoy and can make 50+ videos about, like gaming, tech, cooking, study tips, or fitness. Check what already works by searching YouTube and noting video titles with many views. Make your angle specific, for example 'budget meals for college students' instead of just 'cooking'.
Hook viewers in the first 5 to 10 seconds. Tell them what they will get, then deliver it without long intros. Film in landscape (16:9) for regular videos and vertical (9:16) for Shorts. Use natural light, keep the camera at eye level, and get close to your mic.
Your title and thumbnail decide whether people click. Keep titles under 60 characters, include a clear benefit or curiosity, and use a bold thumbnail with a face or one clear object and 3 to 4 words at most. Make the title and thumbnail honest. Clickbait that disappoints hurts retention.
Post on a schedule you can keep, like once a week. Check YouTube Studio analytics for click-through rate and average view duration. Make more of what works. Shorts can help people discover you, but long videos build watch time.
The YouTube Partner Program has two tiers. Early access (500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in 90 days, 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days) unlocks fan funding. Full ad revenue needs 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. You can also earn from sponsors, affiliate links, and merch.
Do not use copyrighted music, clips, or movies without permission. Follow the community guidelines and disclose sponsorships (FTC rules). Never share your address, school, or private info. Mark your videos as 'made for kids' correctly (COPPA). If you film other people, ask permission.
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