How to Create a YouTube Channel

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and provide a step-by-step guide on How To Create a YouTube Channel so you set up your brand for visibility and engagement from the start.

Creating a YouTube channel is one of the simplest ways to build visibility, trust and long term value online. In my opinion YouTube is no longer just a platform for entertainment. It is a search engine, a learning platform and a powerful branding tool. People use YouTube to research services, learn new skills and decide who they trust before making a purchase. If you create your channel properly from the start you give yourself a strong foundation that supports marketing, SEO and customer confidence.

Many people put off creating a YouTube channel because they think it is complicated or time consuming. The reality is that setting up a channel takes only a few minutes. What matters more is how you structure it, how you present yourself and how clearly you communicate who the channel is for. This guide walks through the process step by step so you can create a channel that looks professional and is ready to grow.

Decide the purpose of your YouTube channel

Before you create anything I believe it is important to be clear about why the channel exists. A channel with no clear purpose quickly becomes inconsistent and confusing for viewers. Your purpose does not need to be complex but it does need to be defined.

Ask yourself:

  • Who is this channel for

  • What problem does it help solve

  • What type of content will I create

  • How does this support my business or goals

For a business this might be educating potential customers, building trust or answering common questions. For a creator it might be sharing expertise, documenting a journey or building a personal brand. When your purpose is clear every future decision becomes easier.

Create or choose the correct Google account

A YouTube channel is linked to a Google account. You can either use an existing Google account or create a new one specifically for your channel.

For businesses I always recommend using a dedicated business Google account rather than a personal one. This keeps ownership clean and avoids access issues later.

Steps:

  1. Sign in to Google

  2. Go to YouTube

  3. Click your profile icon in the top right

  4. Select Create a channel

You will then be asked whether you want to use your name or create a custom name. For businesses and brands choose a custom name so your channel matches your company name.

Choose a strong channel name

Your channel name should be simple, recognisable and easy to search. In my opinion the best option for businesses is to use your business name exactly as it appears elsewhere online. Consistency builds trust and helps people find you.

If you are creating a personal brand channel you can use your name or a name that clearly explains what the channel is about. Avoid clever or vague names that do not explain the value of the channel.

Your channel name should make it obvious who the channel is for.

Upload a clear profile picture

Your profile picture appears everywhere your channel is shown. It should be clean and recognisable even at small sizes.

For businesses this is usually your logo. For personal brands this is often a clear headshot.

Tips:

  • Use a square image

  • Keep the design simple

  • Avoid small text

  • Make sure it looks good on mobile

A strong profile picture improves credibility instantly.

Create a professional channel banner

Your channel banner is the first thing people see when they visit your channel page. It should explain what the channel offers at a glance.

A good banner includes:

  • What you do

  • Who the channel is for

  • A short value statement

  • Optional upload schedule

For example a business might say “Helping local businesses grow through SEO and digital marketing”.

In my opinion banners should focus on clarity rather than decoration. People should understand the channel within seconds.

Write a clear channel description

Your channel description helps both viewers and YouTube understand what your content is about. It also appears in search results.

Your description should explain:

  • Who the channel helps

  • What topics you cover

  • Why someone should subscribe

Write in plain language. Do not overthink it. This is not the place for marketing jargon.

For businesses it is also a good idea to include your website link and contact details.

Add links and contact information

YouTube allows you to add links to your website and social profiles. These appear on your channel page and can drive traffic to your main site.

I recommend adding:

  • Your website

  • One or two main social profiles

Avoid adding too many links. Focus on the most important destination.

Set up basic channel settings

Before uploading content spend a few minutes in YouTube Studio to configure your settings.

Key things to check:

  • Channel keywords

  • Default video descriptions

  • Upload defaults

  • Basic branding

  • Permissions and access

These settings help keep your channel consistent as you grow.

Plan your first few videos before uploading

One of the biggest mistakes people make is uploading one video and then stopping. I believe it is far better to plan three to five videos in advance so your channel feels active and intentional.

Your first videos should focus on:

  • Introducing who you are

  • Explaining what the channel will cover

  • Solving common problems

  • Answering common questions

These videos set expectations for viewers and encourage subscriptions.

Upload your first video

Uploading a video is straightforward.

Steps:

  1. Click Create in YouTube Studio

  2. Upload your video file

  3. Add a clear title

  4. Write a helpful description

  5. Choose a category

  6. Add a thumbnail

  7. Set visibility to Public

Your title should describe exactly what the video is about. Your description should expand on it and include relevant links.

In my opinion clarity beats cleverness every time.

Create simple but effective thumbnails

Thumbnails influence whether people click. You do not need complex designs. Simple thumbnails often perform better.

Good thumbnails usually have:

  • One clear focal point

  • Limited text

  • High contrast

  • Human faces where appropriate

Consistency matters. Over time viewers recognise your style.

Organise your channel with playlists

Playlists help viewers navigate your content and keep them watching longer.

Examples:

  • Getting Started

  • Common Questions

  • Tutorials

  • Case Studies

Playlists also help YouTube understand how your content relates to each other.

Stay consistent after launch

Creating a channel is easy. Growing it requires consistency. I believe consistency matters more than frequency. It is better to upload once a week for six months than five videos in one week and nothing after.

Choose a schedule you can realistically maintain. Even one video every two weeks is fine if the content is useful.

What to focus on after your channel is live

Once your channel is active focus on:

  • Improving video clarity

  • Listening to comments and questions

  • Refining titles and thumbnails

  • Tracking which videos perform best

Growth comes from learning what your audience responds to and doing more of it.

How to Use AI to Generate YouTube Content Ideas

Why content ideas are the biggest blocker for most businesses

For most businesses the hardest part of YouTube is not filming or editing. It is deciding what to talk about consistently. I believe this is where many channels fail before they even begin because people overthink originality or feel pressure to be creative every time. In reality your audience does not want something new. They want clarity, reassurance and answers to their problems. AI helps unlock this by organising what you already know into usable ideas.

When you stop relying on inspiration and start using structure YouTube becomes far easier to manage. AI provides that structure by turning vague thoughts into concrete topics you can plan and film with confidence.

Start by giving AI proper context

AI works best when it understands your situation. Instead of asking for generic video ideas I recommend giving it context about your business, your audience and your goals. For example explain what industry you are in, who your customers are, what problems they usually face and what outcome you want from YouTube.

When you do this AI stops producing surface level ideas and starts generating suggestions that feel genuinely relevant. In my opinion context is the difference between useful output and noise. The clearer you are the better the ideas become.

Use AI to turn customer questions into video ideas

One of the most effective ways to generate content is to focus on the questions your customers already ask. These questions exist whether you create videos or not. AI can help you list them quickly.

You can ask AI to generate common questions, concerns or objections people have before buying your service. Each question becomes a standalone video idea. This works extremely well because question based videos match real search intent and help build trust. I believe these videos perform better than promotional content because they feel helpful rather than sales driven.

Break one topic into a full video series

AI is excellent at expanding a single topic into multiple smaller ideas. For example if you want to explain how your service works you can ask AI to break that process into separate steps. Each step becomes its own video.

This approach creates natural content series which keep viewers watching more than one video. Series based content also makes your channel feel intentional and structured rather than random. In my experience channels built around series grow faster because viewers know what to expect.

Generate ideas based on mistakes and myths

Another powerful way to use AI is to focus on mistakes people make or myths that cause problems. You can ask AI to list common mistakes customers make before choosing a service or misunderstandings that lead to poor decisions.

These videos work well because they trigger curiosity and position you as an expert. They also allow you to educate without overwhelming. I believe myth and mistake based content is one of the easiest ways to build authority quickly on YouTube.

Use AI to plan content in advance

Consistency is critical on YouTube but it is difficult without planning. AI can help you create a weekly or monthly content plan so you are never deciding ideas at the last minute.

You can ask AI to build a four week plan with a mix of educational videos, behind the scenes content, story driven videos and FAQs. This removes decision fatigue and allows you to focus on filming. In my opinion planning in advance is one of the biggest productivity improvements businesses can make with YouTube.

Repurpose existing content using AI

If you already have blog posts, service pages or FAQs on your website AI can turn them into YouTube ideas instantly. You can paste existing content and ask AI to suggest video angles or scripts based on it.

This ensures your YouTube channel aligns with your website and SEO strategy. It also saves time because you are reusing knowledge you already have. I believe this is one of the smartest ways to use AI because it multiplies the value of content you have already created.

Use AI to reframe ideas when you feel stuck

When you feel stuck AI can help reframe ideas rather than replace them. You can ask for alternative angles, different hooks or new ways to explain the same topic. This keeps your content fresh without abandoning your core message.

In my opinion AI works best as a creative partner. It does not replace your voice or experience. It helps you organise, expand and repackage ideas so that content creation feels manageable instead of overwhelming.

Use Midjourney to Create Eye Catching YouTube Thumbnails

Thumbnails play a huge role in whether someone clicks on your video and I believe this is an area where AI tools like Midjourney can be extremely useful. Midjourney allows you to generate custom images that match the emotion, theme or message of your video without relying on stock photography. This gives your channel a more distinctive visual style which helps viewers recognise your content quickly.

When using Midjourney for thumbnails it works best to focus on simple concepts rather than complex scenes. Clear facial expressions, strong emotions and uncluttered backgrounds tend to perform better on YouTube. You can then take the generated image into a tool like Canva to add short text or adjust colours so the thumbnail remains readable on mobile devices. In my opinion Midjourney is ideal for creating bold visual hooks that support your story rather than competing with it.

Use Fiverr to Create Professional Channel Introduction Videos

A strong channel introduction video helps viewers understand who you are and what your channel is about within seconds. In my opinion this is one area where using a platform like Fiverr can save time and improve quality, especially if you are not confident on camera yet. Fiverr gives you access to freelance video creators who can produce polished intro videos with animations, voiceovers or branded visuals that reflect your business.

When using Fiverr it is important to keep the introduction short and focused. A simple 10 to 20 second intro that explains who the channel is for and what value it offers works best. This type of introduction sets expectations clearly and makes your channel feel more established from day one. I believe a professional intro created through Fiverr can be a great way to add credibility while you focus on producing your main content.

Key YouTube Legal Requirements and Rules

Copyright Laws

YouTube operates under global copyright law which protects original works such as music, videos, audio, images, scripts and more. You must have the rights to use any copyrighted content you upload.

  • If you use a song you do not own or licence YouTube can detect it and either block the video, mute the audio, give copyright strikes or monetise the video on behalf of the copyright owner.

  • Using short clips, samples or “fair use” does not guarantee protection. Fair use is a legal defence in court not a shield on YouTube. YouTube’s system (Content ID) will still claim it.

  • YouTube has automated systems that scan uploads for copyrighted material and automatically flag matches.

In my opinion the safest approach is to use only your own recordings, royalty free music with proper licences or music you have explicitly paid to licence.

Music Royalties and Licensing

Music on YouTube is heavily regulated.

  • You must licence music before you use it in videos, even if you only have it playing in the background.

  • Many creators buy royalty free music from stock audio platforms with clear usage rights.

  • If you upload a video with unlicensed music and it is detected, the video can be muted, blocked or demonetised. The copyright owner can also choose to monetise your video and collect revenue.

If you monetise your videos you must ensure you have the rights to keep the revenue. Unauthorised music means the revenue may go to the copyright owner instead of you.

Trademark Laws

You cannot use someone else’s trademarked name, logo or branding in a way that suggests endorsement or affiliation without permission.

  • If your thumbnail uses a trademarked logo to mislead viewers into thinking the trademark owner endorses your content you can receive a complaint.

  • You can mention trademarks for informational or commentary purposes but this must be clear and not misleading.

Right of Publicity and Privacy Laws

You must respect people’s rights to their image, voice and likeness.

  • If you record people in private places or share identifiable footage of a person without consent you can face legal issues.

  • In some jurisdictions you need permission to use someone’s image commercially.

For businesses publishing videos of customers or clients always obtain clear written permission.

Community Guidelines and Terms of Service

YouTube’s own rules are legally binding once you create a channel.

  • Content that promotes violence, hate, dangerous acts, harassment or unlawful behaviour is prohibited.

  • If your content repeatedly violates guidelines your channel can be demonetised or terminated.

  • These rules are separate from law but breaking them can be just as harmful to your channel.

Always read YouTube’s updated Terms of Service and Community Guidelines and make sure your content complies.

Advertising and Sponsorship Disclosure Rules

Many countries require clear disclosure when a video contains paid promotion or sponsorship.

  • If you are paid or receive free products for a video you should disclose it clearly at the start of the video and in the description.

  • YouTube has a built in “paid promotion” tag you can apply when uploading.

In my experience clear disclosure builds trust and keeps you compliant with consumer protection laws in the UK and other jurisdictions.

Consumer Protection and Misleading Claims

You must avoid making claims that you cannot substantiate.

  • If you make promises about results, earnings, health outcomes or services you must have evidence.

  • False or misleading claims can violate advertising standards such as those enforced by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) or similar bodies elsewhere.

Always be honest and transparent in your messaging.

Data Protection and Privacy Laws

If you collect personal data from viewers you must comply with data protection laws like the UK GDPR.

  • Examples include email addresses collected through forms, competition entries or newsletter signups.

  • You must have clear privacy policies and lawful legal basis for collecting and storing data.

Children’s Content and COPPA Rules

If your content is aimed at children or likely to attract children you must follow special rules.

  • YouTube requires creators to designate whether their content is made for children or not.

  • If your content is classified as made for children then personalised ads are restricted which affects monetisation.

  • You must also be careful with COPPA laws (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) in the US and similar regulations in other countries. These affect how you collect data or interact with minor viewers.

International Jurisdiction and Local Laws

Because YouTube is global you must be aware that content that is legal in one country may be restricted in another.

  • Some countries have stricter censorship rules, copyright laws or defamation laws.

  • YouTube may block content in certain regions if it violates local rules.

If you run an international channel you should consider this complexity.

Platform Monetisation Requirements

If your goal is to earn money on YouTube you must meet the YouTube Partner Programme requirements and stay in compliance.

  • You need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time (or equivalent Shorts criteria).

  • You must follow monetisation policies and copyright rules.

  • Repeated copyright strikes can make you ineligible for monetisation.

Copyright Strikes and Takedown Notices

YouTube uses a three strike system for copyright violations.

  • One strike may limit features like live streaming.

  • Three strikes generally result in channel termination.

  • You can dispute claims but only if you truly have the rights to the content.

In my opinion the best way to avoid strikes is to never upload other people’s content without permission.

Fair Use and Commentary Rights

“Fair use” is a legal concept that allows limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as commentary, criticism or review. However:

  • Fair use is a legal defence in court not a protection on YouTube.

  • YouTube’s automated systems do not honour fair use automatically. They will still flag and claim content.

  • You can dispute a claim on fair use but success is not guaranteed.

Be cautious when using clips from TV, films, music videos or other creators.

Bringing everything together

Creating a YouTube channel does not require special equipment, a large budget or advanced skills. It requires clarity, intention and consistency. When you set up your channel properly from the start you give yourself a strong base that supports growth, trust and visibility.

In my opinion YouTube is one of the most valuable platforms for businesses and creators because it allows you to build relationships at scale. A well structured channel becomes a long term asset that continues to work for you long after a video is published.

We have also written in depth articles on How Much Does YouTube Pay? and How to Advertise on Youtube as well as our YouTube Hub to give you further guidance.