With the threat of a potential TikTok ban looming in the US and the highly saturated nature of Instagram, it is becoming more and more clear that creators need more than a few viral 15-second videos to find longevity in this career.
That’s why I’m such a big fan of YouTube. It serves as a great compliment to short-form content and helps creators build know, like and trust with their audiences.
The RPM’s (revenue per thousand views) are also substantially higher on long-form video content than what you can earn on a short-form platform too.
I started my YouTube channel back in 2017 and to be clear…I had pretty much zero clue what I was doing.
My first few videos were echo-y, backlit and often took a while to get to the point.
But I learned SO much just by starting, and I’m here to encourage any of you who have not yet started a YouTube channel to make 2025 the year that you finally do.
Launch Your YouTube Channel in 2025 With This 4-Week Plan
In this post, I’ll walk you through the exact 4-week game plan I’d follow if I were starting my channel from scratch today.
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or tons of experience—just a willingness to dive in and try.
Let’s do this.
Week 1: Big Picture Brainstorm + Basic Setup
Start by figuring out what your channel will be about and getting the essentials set up.
Decide on your niche and topics
Think about the type of videos you want to create. Are you passionate about beauty, tech, vlogs, or tutorials? Pick a focus area that excites you and can attract an audience.
In general, you will grow faster on YouTube if you stick to one particular topic or theme.
This is because YouTube likes to quickly learn how to categorize your content and who to recommend it to.
Vlog and lifestyle channels can be successful too, but it may take longer to build that recurring audience.
Choose your format
Will you focus on long-form content, short-form videos, or a mix of both?
Long-form content has been key to my growth and I strongly recommend working on creating some long-form videos for your channel.
If you already have short-form videos from other platforms and you’re just looking to get started quickly, you can try uploading videos up to three minutes long to YouTube shorts.
Plan your filming setup
What device will you use to record, and where will you film?
I currently have a few different cameras depending on what I’m filming, (I’ve linked most of my stuff here) but remember I’ve been doing YouTube for 7 years and have invested in my gear over time.
You don’t need fancy equipment to get started these days.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try filming facing a window and prop your phone camera up. This way you can allow the natural light to do most of the work.
Set up your channel basics
Fill in your name, profile photo, banner, and description. I have a video all about how to optimize your channel here.
Use tools like Canva to create your banner for free and preview how it will look on desktop, mobile and TV.
Make a list of video ideas
Set a timer for 10 minutes and brainstorm as many ideas as possible. Try not to edit yourself (I know, so much easier said than done) and keep an open mind.
Once the 10 minutes are up, choose 8 topics you’re excited about! This will give you two months of video ideas to start filming if you plan to publish weekly.
Week 2: Content Planning + Outlining Videos
Now it’s time to validate your ideas and prepare your first few videos.
- Validate your topics
Search for your video ideas on YouTube and see what’s already out there. In an ideal world you’re looking for a topic with a good amount of monthly searches and low competition. - Outline your videos
After lots of trial and error, most of my videos (excluding vlogs) consist of these four key elements:- A 10-second hook to grab attention
- A quick introduction to share your expertise and explain what the video will deliver as the viewer watches.
- The main content, broken into clear, actionable points.
- A call to action, at the end of the video such as asking viewers to subscribe, comment, or check out a resource.
Pro tip: I don’t usually script my videos word-for-word to make them more conversational, but I like having bullet points on hand to make sure I hit all of my key points.
Week 3: Filming + Editing Videos
After you’ve got your first batch of videos planned out, now it’s time to bring them to life.
Remember, your few videos will not be perfect (mine certainly were not!) and that’s okay.
The goal with these first few videos is to go through the process of filming and editing and get a little more comfortable and confident with each piece of content you produce.
Plan out your filming and editing days
Dedicate one day to filming and another to editing. Before filming, record a quick test clip to make sure your equipment is working.
Trust me—this will save you a lot of time and trouble!
Batch your video filming
Save time by filming multiple videos in one session.
Have a few outfit changes ready to keep things fresh—usually I can just get away with swapping out my top. Don’t forget to take a still photo or a screen grab for your thumbnail!
Start simple with editing
Use free tools like iMovie or CapCut to cut out silences and “ums.” Some paid AI tools can even do this now too.
Basic edits, like zooming in to emphasize points, are all you need to get started. I literally still use iMovie to edit most videos because it’s simple and easy.
Week 4: Scheduling + Uploading
Your channel is almost ready to go live! This week, you’ll focus on getting your videos out into the world. I can’t wait to publish this blog post iv and hear what everyone thinks about it because
- Pick a consistent upload day
Posting weekly videos will help you build an audience and establish a routine. - Optimize for YouTube SEO.
Pay attention to your title, description, and tags. These help your videos get discovered. - Create a thumbnail
Use the still image you shot earlier and edit it with bold text or overlays to grab attention. Avoid stock images—viewers want to see you!
Pro tip: I create all of my YouTube thumbnails in Canva! Try a 30-day free trial of Canva Pro here.
Ongoing Checklist for Success
Once your channel is live, keep these tips in mind to grow and improve:
- Choose an upload day: publish videos consistently to keep your audience engaged.
- Check your analytics: pay attention to where your traffic comes from, how long viewers are watching, and which videos convert subscribers.
- Engage with your audience: respond to comments and save viewer questions for future video ideas.
- Hone your style: Experiment with your on-camera presence. Will your tone be funny, cinematic, helpful, or casual? Let your personality shine!
I hope this has given you some actionable steps to launch your YouTube channel next year!
I really believe in the importance of content creators diversifying the platforms they create on and the type of content they produce.
YouTube has been a super rewarding platform for me that has helped me generate thousands of dollars in passive income thanks to ads from over the years.
What’s the first video you’re excited to create? Let me know in the comments below!
yours,
Austen
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