Q&A for How to Create Good Videos on YouTube

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  • Question
    What kind of lighting is best for videos?
    Beth Cormack
    Social Media Manager
    Beth Cormack is a Social Media Manager based in Washington, D.C. With five years of experience, she specializes in multi-channel social media marketing and storytelling. She earned her Master of Professional Studies from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies and her BA in Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
    Social Media Manager
    Expert Answer
    Natural lighting is the best! Just make sure that you (or whoever/whatever the subject of your video is) faces the light rather than stands behind it. If it's dark outside, use artificial lights with your phone or computer—some of them have adjustable settings (like making the light a warmer or cooler hue).
  • Question
    What's the best way to get people to click on my videos?
    Sarrah Souza
    Community Answer
    Make exciting thumbnails that go with your topic. Go for bright colors and vivid images, and avoid using sexual or copyrighted thumbnails, as this may get you reported.
  • Question
    What if I have a low quality camera? I'm not working yet, I can't afford to buy good cameras.
    Community Answer
    If you have a low quality camera, you can take two paths. Use the camera anyway -- if everything else is really good, it shouldn't matter. You could even use it to your advantage as a piece of "old camera footage." Or, you could borrow a better one from a friend or parents.
  • Question
    Do I need to have a good background, or can I use my bedroom?
    Community Answer
    You can use your bedroom as long as there is good lighting, you could by some cheap fairy lights and put them in your background. You could also make a creative DIY backdrop that's related to whatever kinds of videos you're making.
  • Question
    What do YouTubers typically do to the video when they edit?
    Community Answer
    They take out parts of the video that they don't want people to see, add text or captions to the screen, make adjustments to the audio levels, or change the brightness/color.
  • Question
    What if I don't know what to say in front of the camera?
    Community Answer
    Don't go in front of a camera until you've researched your topic thoroughly. Make notes, and refer to them whenever you need to. Once it's clear you know what you're talking about, people will keep watching and listening.
  • Question
    I can get a camera, but I do not have a computer, is there any other way for mobile devices?
    Community Answer
    If your phone has a micro SD card slot, buy an a micro SD card and use with an adapter (often included with the micro card) in your camera. Film your video, then insert your micro SD card into your mobile device and edit using an app such as Video Shop for Android, or iMovie for iPhones.
  • Question
    How can I use an external microphone and how do I get it in the video?
    Community Answer
    Start recording on the mic and the camera, then clap. Later in editing, you need to cut the audio and video tracks so they both start at the clap. It would also help to mute the video cameras audio as well after doing this, so there aren't any echoes. Once done, you now have aligned video and audio.
  • Question
    If I have a phone and a tablet but no camera how do I do them? I don't work. And which camera (not too expensive) is good to make videos?
    Photolexio
    Community Answer
    It doesn't matter if you don't have an actual camera, your devices have video recording functions. You can still make good videos as long as your ideas are good and you want to do it. Once you have made a few videos you may want to invest in a better camera or a relatively good HD camcorder. You could maybe look at Canon Leigara camcorders or try the Panasonic HC v770 or something related to that. Or if you have the money a Panasonic Lumix g7 or Canon t5i both have good video quality. Hope this helps
  • Question
    What are some good ideas for a YouTube video?
    Community Answer
    Make a video based on something that interests you. For example, if you are interested in makeup, you can do a makeup tutorial. You can also make a video based off of something that you are good at. For example, if you are good at singing, you can make a video of yourself singing.
  • Question
    How do I start it while staying in budget?
    Community Answer
    Use an iPhone camera if you do not want to spend money on an expensive camera. Buy cheap fairy lights for the background (white is the best option) and use them as an extra bit of light. In front of you, put some more fairy lights into a mason jar (this gives off a ring-light effect). If you can, look on Amazon or eBay for a small microphone to clip onto your phone. Use iMovie to edit.
  • Question
    How do I animate over a video or film - something like a DS or another device?
    Community Answer
    You need a capture card to record footage from a DS. But you can animate on Adobe After Effects or Photoshop. Both of these, however, cost money.
  • Question
    What is a good age to start making YouTube videos?
    Community Answer
    You can start at any age.
  • Question
    How can I get lots of subscribers?
    Community Answer
    You can upload good videos that interest a variety of viewers. You can promote your YouTube channel on other social media platforms, and encourage friends and family to spread your channel as well.
  • Question
    How do I cut some parts in my videos?
    Community Answer
    It depends on your editing software. You may want to use any internet search engine to find the right kind.
  • Question
    Do I still use all this information even if I'm not actually showing my face? I'm making a series and not an information video.
    Community Answer
    Yes, these tips are helpful regardless of the type of video you are creating.
  • Question
    How can I make a video without showing my face?
    Community Answer
    Wear a mask, film from a different angle or blur your face out using editing software.
  • Question
    How do I make a thumbnail?
    Community Answer
    For making thumbnails you can use some online tools such as Canva or Fotoget. If you have a mobile device then simply use Phonto or Textgram.
  • Question
    Where can I buy the equipment?
    Community Answer
    It depends what kind of equipment you want. If you're just starting out I'd recommend the Snowball or Snowball Ice microphone. Canon or Sony cameras are good, but it depends on what kind of videos you're making. All of this can be purchased on Amazon, and possibly also at your local electronics/appliance store, like Best Buy.
  • Question
    What should I do if my voice sounds creepy on video?
    Community Answer
    It could be that you have a bad microphone, so you may want to spend the money on a good quality one. However, it could also be that you're just not used to hearing your own voice on camera; this can often sound strange to people even if it sounds normal to everyone else.
  • Question
    How do I transfer my video from a DS to a Windows computer?
    Meatball89
    Community Answer
    If you have recorded a video file onto an SD card, transferring the file onto your computer so you can edit the video, burn DVDs, or upload the video files to the web is fairly easy to do. Plug the card into your computer, click on the "My Computer" icon on your computer's desktop, and find your card's icon. Then, just move the file to your computer.
  • Question
    Is it better to use a computer to edit, like does it affect the videos?
    Community Answer
    You can find better programs on computers that can produce higher video quality. However, there are some decent apps for phones or tablets, like Kinemaster. Note that most apps for phones and tablets have a watermark that is hard to remove.
  • Question
    What's the best video editor to have good-quality videos?
    Joris Joriukas
    Community Answer
    You should use Kinemaster and Powerdirector if you have an Android mobile device. If you want to use the computer instead, select Adobe After Effects, Photoshop or Sony Vegas.
  • Question
    I've seen lots of video titles in all caps. Does this attract an audience?
    HorsesAndCrafts13
    Community Answer
    Some people will use very complicated titles and titles in all capital letters, this is because longer titles have more keywords and will be picked up by the search system better. A title is usually put in all caps so it won’t go unnoticed in a long row of ordinary titles, however, it looks unprofessional.
  • Question
    I already have a very small channel but haven't uploaded in a really long time. How can I improve my videos to be like other YouTubers?
    Community Answer
    Just upload your best videos. There is no secret to gaining too many subscribers. Be careful about making being "like other YouTubers" your goal, though. Find your unique niche by focusing on what you love and are good at.
  • Question
    Is iMovie good for editing?
    Bailee Timmons
    Community Answer
    iMovie is mostly for the basic things, like putting videos together with smooth transitions. If you just want to put clips together, feel free to use iMovie.
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