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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
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Where are you now?
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Step 1 of 8
Start your channel
Create the channel the right way from day one, as a brand account, with the settings most people miss.
Watch first
How to start a YouTube channel the right way (avoid costly mistakes) (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- Create a YouTube brand channel without the hassle (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Move your personal channel to a brand account without losing views and subscribers (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to customize your YouTube channel for growth (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to customize your YouTube channel efficiently (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Show 4 more videos
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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.
Watch first
Filmora 13: the best editing software for beginners (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- How to make your videos look better (Filmora effects tutorial) (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to add video transitions in Filmora (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Filmora transitions: fade vs dissolve explained (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- The best Filmora filters and how to use them (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Show 8 more videos
- The hidden tricks behind Filmora effects (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Fixing 'unable to record audio' in Filmora or any app (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to free up disk space when Filmora eats storage (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Create YouTube thumbnails for free using Photopea and Canva (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to create a high-CTR thumbnail for free (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Crop and resize your photos in Canva (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Best free audio enhancer, with transcript and music (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Get 100% legal music for your videos from YouTube Studio (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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.
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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.
Watch first
Setting up the Desview T3 teleprompter for your DSLR camera (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- Desview T3 teleprompter setup for DSLR and mobile (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to set up a teleprompter (Desview T3) (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to keep your DSLR or mirrorless camera powered forever (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Vlog like a pro with your phone camera (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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)
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Step 4 of 8
Grow: research, analytics and automation
Find what your audience searches for, read your analytics, and automate the repetitive work.
Watch first
Boost your CTR: how vidIQ can help you grow organically (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- How the YouTube dashboard makes you a better creator (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- YouTube's new feature to explore and brainstorm ideas (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to use YouTube's automatic dubbing (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Turn a YouTube video into a podcast with one click (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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.
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Step 5 of 8
Get paid: AdSense, tax info and staying monetised
Set up AdSense correctly, fill in the US tax info as a non-US creator, and handle policy problems if they come up.
Watch first
Changing your AdSense account from individual to business (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- Change your AdSense account in under 5 minutes: individual to business and back (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Guide for non-US creators: YouTube AdSense tax info (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to update AdSense tax info and claim the tax treaty (non-US creators) (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Update your Google AdSense tax info every 3 years (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Show 6 more videos
- Get your YouTube channel ready for maximum earnings (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- YouTube Shorts ad revenue explained (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Appeal YouTube demonetization successfully (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- YouTube policy changes for banned creators (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- YouTube changes and suspension appeal update (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- My channel received a YouTube policy violation (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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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.
Watch first
How to get your EIN as a non-US resident for free, without an SSN (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- How to get your EIN without paying anyone (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Get an EIN for a US business from abroad (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to open an LLC in the United States as a non-resident (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How I registered a US LLC online in 3 hours (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Show 9 more videos
- How to set up a US LLC as a non-resident in Wyoming (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Starting an LLC in New Mexico as a non-resident (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Why New Mexico is a popular state to open an LLC (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to set up a Florida LLC as a non-resident (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to set up an LLC in Delaware as a non-resident (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to set up an LLC in Nevada as a non-resident (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Why your LLC must have a registered agent (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to give written and verbal disclosure as an influencer or affiliate marketer (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Why every creator needs a video editor contract (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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Step 7 of 8
Your website
Build a website, host it, and move it if you need to.
Watch first
How to create a WordPress website: complete beginner tutorial (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- Clone any WordPress website for free in under 10 minutes (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- How to migrate a WordPress website from Bluehost to SiteGround (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Migrate a WordPress website to Bluehost (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Move your domain from Namecheap to SiteGround (opens YouTube in a new tab)
Show 4 more videos
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.
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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.
Watch first
Amazon storefront missing? Try these 2 simple steps (opens YouTube in a new tab)
More videos for this step
- The surprising truth about affiliate marketing nobody tells you (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- The best Amazon products to sell (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- My YouTube revenue and analytics, revealed (opens YouTube in a new tab)
- Guess my August payout: YouTube and other income revealed (opens YouTube in a new tab)
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.