Tutorial for Creating a YouTube Channel

It's easy to make your own YouTube channel to start sharing videos online or even just to use YouTube as a storage container for your private videos. No matter what you'll use it for, it doesn't take long at all to get your channel live.

Once it's up and running, you can make changes to how your channel appears, edit your videos to make them perfect for your audience, and even organize your content into playlists.

Tip: If you want to make a YouTube account for your business or brand, follow the steps as shown below and then see how to make a YouTube brand/business account.

Create a Google Account

YouTube works through a Google account, so you might already have one. Google accounts are used to access Google products like Google Play, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, and even to save custom maps in Google Maps.

If you've ever done one of those things, then you don't have to worry about making a Google account. Otherwise, make sure to start by creating your own Google account.

Keep in mind that by default, your Google username will become your username on YouTube and will be what everyone sees when you upload videos. However, you can always change the channel name once you're on YouTube.

Already Have a Google Account?

If you sign on to YouTube from a Google account you already have, but it has yet to be used on YouTube, you'll be asked one simple question when you get there: to provide the first and last name that you want to be identified as on YouTube.

If this is your actual first and last name, then so be it, otherwise, you can pick a different name.

Type something in both text fields and then choose CREATE CHANNEL.

Customize the Channel's Appearance

Apart from your video content, the way your channel looks can sometimes make or break someone from subscribing to your channel or even liking your videos. It's the first impression for anyone who visits your channel directly, so it's important to spend some quality time making it look nice.

Some of the more basic things you can change are