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Content Creation

How I built my YouTube channel and website: the steps, and the tools and gear I actually use.

How I built my channel and website, step by step

If you're a creator like me, this is everything I used to grow: my videos for each step, and the tools and gear I actually use. Pick where you are and jump straight to it. Your progress stays on this device.

0 of 8 steps done

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Where are you now?

  1. Step 2 of 8

    Make your videos: editing, thumbnails and sound

    Edit in Filmora, make thumbnails for free, and get clean audio and legal music.

    Ready when you are

    Filmora: The editor I use for my videos.

    Use it if:

    • You've tried the free version and want to remove the watermark
    • You edit videos regularly
    I'm ready: show me the link

    I use this

    Filmora

    The editor I use for my videos.

    Visit Filmora (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

    Ready when you are

    Elevenlabs: AI voiceovers I use in my videos.

    Use it if:

    • You need a voiceover or narration
    • You've tried the free plan
    I'm ready: show me the link

    Partner

    Elevenlabs

    AI voiceovers I use in my videos.

    Visit Elevenlabs (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

  2. Step 3 of 8

    Film better: my camera, mic, teleprompter and tripod

    The gear I film every video with, and how I set it up.

    My kit

    I use this

    My camera (Fujifilm X-T200)

    The Fujifilm X-T200 I film my videos with.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

    I use this

    My microphone (DJI Mic)

    The wireless mic I use for clear audio.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

    I use this

    My teleprompter (Desview T3)

    The teleprompter from my setup videos.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

    I use this

    My tripod (NEEWER)

    The NEEWER tripod I use.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

    I use this

    My dummy battery charger (for the X-T200)

    Keeps the X-T200 powered for long recordings.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

  3. Step 4 of 8

    Grow: research, analytics and automation

    Find what your audience searches for, read your analytics, and automate the repetitive work.

    Ready when you are

    vidIQ: The research tool I use for titles, tags and ideas.

    Use it if:

    • You upload regularly
    • You've tried the free version
    I'm ready: show me the link

    I use this

    vidIQ

    The research tool I use for titles, tags and ideas.

    Visit vidIQ (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

    Ready when you are

    Make: I use Make to automate tasks.

    Use it if:

    • You repeat the same steps every upload
    • You're ready to connect your apps
    I'm ready: show me the link

    I use this

    Make

    I use Make to automate tasks.

    Visit Make (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

  4. Step 6 of 8

    Set up a creator business (optional)

    Many creators in Canada earn from US companies, and some open a US LLC and get an EIN. This is how I did it from Canada as a non-resident, state by state. Check the rules for your own situation with a professional.

  5. Step 7 of 8

    Your website

    Build a website, host it, and move it if you need to.

    Ready when you are

    SiteGround: The host my website runs on.

    Use it if:

    • You've picked a domain name
    • You're ready to launch or move your site
    I'm ready: show me the link

    I use this

    SiteGround

    The host my website runs on.

    Visit SiteGround (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

    Ready when you are

    Bluehost: I hosted my website here before moving to SiteGround.

    Use it if:

    • You want a beginner-friendly WordPress host
    • You've compared a few hosts
    I'm ready: show me the link

    Partner

    Bluehost

    I hosted my website here before moving to SiteGround.

    Visit Bluehost (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

  6. Step 8 of 8

    Earn beyond ads: storefronts, affiliates and getting help

    Ad revenue is only one part. This is how I earn from my Amazon storefront and affiliate programs, where I get expert help, and what it all adds up to.

    My storefront

    Partner

    Amazon storefront

    Everything I use, in one place on Amazon.

    View on Amazon (affiliate link)

    Ready when you are

    Fiverr: As one person working on many things, this is where I find experts to work with me and help me grow.

    Use it if:

    • You have a specific task you want done (editing, thumbnails, design)
    • You know your budget
    I'm ready: show me the link

    I use this

    Fiverr

    As one person working on many things, this is where I find experts to work with me and help me grow.

    Visit Fiverr (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

    Ready when you are

    PartnerStack (join the program): Run a SaaS or software business? This is the platform many of my affiliate programs run on.

    Use it if:

    • You run a software or SaaS business
    • You want creators to promote your product
    I'm ready: show me the link

    Partner

    PartnerStack (join the program)

    Run a SaaS or software business? This is the platform many of my affiliate programs run on.

    Visit PartnerStack (join the program) (affiliate link)

    Take your time with the guide first. Click the button only when you're ready to sign up. Most sign-up offers stay linked to your click for a limited time, often 30 days. So if you click today and sign up much later, any welcome bonus may not apply, and my referral may not count. No rush: bookmark this page and come back when you're ready. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission or referral reward at no extra cost to you.

Guides in this category are being added. In the meantime, watch the videos on YouTube.