How To Become a YouTuber With Just a Phone

YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Millions of people use it to share their stories, news, music, and videos. 

If you have a phone and an internet connection, there’s a high chance you have already been exposed to YouTube. However, if you’re looking for tips on how to become a YouTuber from scratch, using your smartphone, read on!

In this post, we will show you how to create a YouTube channel from scratch using free tools and resources. We will also explain the basics of video hosting, video production, and monetization strategies.

You can definitely become a YouTuber with just a phone! Here are some tips to get started:

1. Choose a Niche

This, apparently should be the first step to becoming a Youtuber whether you're using a computer or smartphone as your office. Decide on a specific topic that you're passionate about and that you can create interesting and engaging content around. 

Areas of passion or interest could be anything from cooking, beauty, travel, or any other topic that you're interested in. PewDiePie with over 111 million subscribers is passionate about Comedy. Michelle Phan with interests in beauty, makeup, and fashion now has about 9 million sub count.

Speaking of the niches, it'll be wise to also research the competition. Look at other YouTube channels in the same niche and see what type of content they create. This can help you understand what's already out there and how you can differentiate yourself.

A point of warning though. The fact that you have an interest in an area doesn't guarantee success especially if the competition there is already impenetrable. And if the demand is low for the niche, you may not do well in the long run. Analyze the popularity of the niche by looking at search volume, social media engagement, and the number of subscribers on existing channels.

The final question to ask is, are you an expert in that niche area. If not, you can sacrifice time to learn. You can also acquire knowledge first before going on this adventure. Determining your level of knowledge and experience in your chosen niche. This will help you create content that provides value and establishes your credibility.

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2. Plan Your Content

Planning your content for YouTube with a phone is definitely possible, although it may require some adjustments compared to planning with a computer or laptop.

It takes brainstorming video ideas to start with. Use a notes app or voice memo app on your phone to brainstorm video ideas. Think about what types of videos would be interesting to your audience and fit within your niche. Write down as many ideas as possible, even if they seem silly or unrealistic.

While setting up to put up some good videos, you can use a writing app on your phone or paper notepad to create scripts or outlines for your videos. This will help you stay on track during filming and ensure that you cover all the important points.

Your phone's camera and editing apps are made for filming and editing your videos. There are many free and low-cost apps available that offer basic editing features like trimming, adding music, and applying filters e.g. Inshot, Filmora, Splice, etc.

As part of your video makeup, you optimize your videos. Use YouTube's video optimization tools (already available on youtube) to improve the discoverability of your videos. Add titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails that accurately represent your video and include relevant keywords.

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3. Use Good Lighting

Lighting should be one of the most focused areas in your video production if you're using a smartphone. Most smartphones are not capable of taking in more light. This is why you should work in a location with plenty of natural light.

Lighting is crucial for creating high-quality videos, and natural light is always the best option. Try to film in a well-lit area, and avoid filming in low-light conditions. Check out these tips.

1. Position yourself facing the light source: Position yourself so that the light source (e.g., a window) is in front of you or to the side. Avoid positioning yourself with the light source behind you, as this can create a silhouette effect.
2. Use a ring light or softbox: A ring light or softbox is a lighting accessory that can be attached to your phone to provide additional lighting. These accessories can help create even, flattering lighting and eliminate harsh shadows.
3. Avoid harsh shadows: Harsh shadows can be distracting and unflattering. Try diffusing the light by using a sheer curtain or white paper in front of the window, or position yourself slightly to the side of the light source to create a softer effect.
4. Adjust the exposure: Use your phone's camera settings to adjust the exposure if necessary. This can help balance the lighting and create a more even effect.
5. Film during the day: Natural light is often the best option for good lighting, so try to film during the day when there is plenty of sunlight.
6. Invest in a tripod: A tripod will help stabilize your phone and make your videos look more professional. You can find affordable tripods online or in a camera store.
7. Use a microphone: While your phone's microphone can work fine in some situations, investing in an external microphone will greatly improve the audio quality of your videos. You can find affordable clip-on microphones that plug directly into your phone.

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4. Edit Your Videos

There are many free video editing apps available for phones that allow you to add music, transitions, and other effects to your videos. InShot, Filmora and Splice had earlier been mentioned, you can still experiment with different apps until you find one that works best for you.

I've used a few before and now InShot comes to hand. Let's see how you can use this app to edit your videos. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use InShot to edit your videos:

1. Install the app: Download and install the InShot app from your phone's app store.
2. Import your video: Open the app and tap the "+" icon to import your video from your phone's camera roll.
3. Trim your video: Use the timeline at the bottom of the screen to trim your video to the desired length. Drag the edges of the timeline to adjust the start and end points.
4. Add music: If desired, tap the "Music" icon to add music to your video. You can select from the app's library or import your own music.
5. Add text: Tap the "Text" icon to add text to your video. You can choose from different fonts, colors, and styles.
6. Add filters: Tap the "Filter" icon to add filters to your video. You can choose from a variety of filters to enhance the look of your video.
7. Adjust brightness and contrast: If necessary, tap the "Adjust" icon to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of your video.
8. Save and export: Once you're happy with your edits, tap the "Save" icon to save your video to your camera roll. You can also tap the "Export" icon to share your video directly to social media.

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5. Promote Your Channel

Promoting your YouTube channel is an important step in growing your audience and increasing your views and subscribers. 

You may not be able to afford all available options though. Yet, let's see if you can start with any of the options below.

1. Optimize your video content: Make sure your video titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails accurately represent your video and include relevant keywords. Settings to do these are already on YouTube. This can help improve the discoverability of your videos on YouTube.
2. Share your videos on social media: Share your videos on your social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Encourage your friends and followers to watch and share your videos.
3. Collaborate with other YouTubers: Find other YouTubers in your niche and collaborate on videos or shoutouts. This can help you reach a new audience and gain new subscribers. This may not happen when you're just starting out. With time, it'll be nice.
4. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages from your viewers, and encourage them to subscribe, like, comment under and share your videos. This can help build a loyal audience and increase your engagement on the platform.
5. Run ads: Consider running ads on YouTube or social media platforms to promote your videos and reach a larger audience. This can be a more expensive option, but it can be effective in increasing your views and subscribers.
6. Participate in YouTube communities: Join YouTube communities and forums related to your niche, and engage with other members by sharing your videos and commenting on their posts. This can help you build relationships with other creators and gain new subscribers
7. Share your videos on social media and other online platforms to help build your audience. Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and creating a sense of community around your channel.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and be creative. With a phone and some determination, you can create high-quality videos and become a successful YouTuber!