What not to do when starting a YouTube channel?

Asked by: Myrtie Johnston  |  Last update: May 27, 2026
Score: 5/5 (37 votes)

When starting a YouTube channel, don't skip defining your niche, ignore SEO, post inconsistently, neglect thumbnails/titles, focus only on monetization, copy others, buy views, or get discouraged by slow early growth; instead, focus on providing value, being consistent, understanding your audience, creating clear thumbnails, and using YouTube's analytics for data-driven improvement over time.

Do and don'ts of YouTube channel?

Develop a publication schedule for your videos – once per week, for example, or once per day if you've got tons of clips you want to upload – so that people have a chance to see your videos as they're posted. Putting up too many at a time can lead to people inadvertently overlooking your recent posts.

What is the 30 second rule on YouTube?

The "30-second rule on YouTube" refers to two key concepts: first, the crucial first 30 seconds of a video are vital for hooking viewers to get a meaningful view, and second, it's a guideline for creators to add visual or auditory changes (like B-roll, different angles, or on-screen text) every 30 seconds to maintain engagement and prevent viewers from clicking away. It's not a copyright rule, as using 30 seconds of a copyrighted song doesn't automatically make it fair use. 

How many YouTube views do I need to make $2000 a month?

To make $2,000 a month on YouTube, you generally need 200,000 to 500,000 monthly views, but this varies wildly depending on your niche (CPM), audience location, and content type, with some channels earning it with fewer views in high-paying niches and others needing millions in low-paying ones, often supplemented by sponsorships or affiliate marketing. Aiming for higher engagement and joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is key. 

What is the 10 minute rule for YouTube?

The "YouTube 10-minute rule" refers to two different concepts: a productivity technique for creators to overcome procrastination by working on content for just 10 minutes to build momentum, and an older, now less critical, idea that videos over 10 minutes (or 8 mins) get better algorithm favorability or monetization due to mid-roll ads. While longer videos do allow for more ad breaks (mid-rolls), YouTube now prioritizes viewer satisfaction and retention over length, meaning short, engaging videos can outperform forced long ones, though creators often aim for 8+ minutes for ad revenue potential. 

Starting on YouTube? Avoid These 5 Mistakes!

27 related questions found

What is the 80 20 rule in video editing?

The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) in video editing means 20% of your editing effort yields 80% of the results, focusing on high-impact areas like story structure, pacing, and clear audio over minor tweaks. It suggests prioritizing core elements like a strong narrative, rhythmic cuts, and good sound, recognizing that tiny improvements beyond this core get diminishing returns and can lead to perfectionism. Apply it by identifying the crucial 20% (e.g., mastering pacing/story) that drives engagement, and spend less time chasing the final 80% of polish, which often comes from excessive detail and doubt. 

Can 500 subscribers make money?

Yes, 500 subscribers can make money, not usually from YouTube ads (which need 1,000 subs), but through other methods like affiliate marketing, selling merchandise, getting brand deals, fan support (Patreon, Super Thanks), and leveraging new, lower thresholds in the expanded YouTube Partner Program for features like memberships and Shopping. Success depends more on niche, audience engagement, and diversified income streams than just subscriber count. 

How many views do you need on YouTube to make $5000 a month?

To make $5,000/month on YouTube, you generally need 500,000 to over 1 million monthly views from AdSense, but this varies wildly with your niche (finance pays more), audience location, engagement, and ad types; diversifying with sponsorships, merchandise, or affiliate marketing can significantly lower the required views to reach $5k/month. 

Is 7000 views viral?

7,000 views isn't typically considered "viral" on large platforms like YouTube or TikTok (where viral often means millions), but it can be viral for a small creator, representing a huge spike over their usual few hundred or thousand views, showing content is breaking through their normal audience bubble. Virality depends more on context and the relative growth (e.g., 4x or more than your average) rather than a single number, though generally, true viral content hits hundreds of thousands to millions quickly.
 

How do I get popular on YouTube?

When you are struggling to gain the initial fan base, these simple tricks can make the algorithm work for you!

  1. 1: Shoot longer videos. ...
  2. 2: Use keyword in your video filename. ...
  3. 3: Craft winning titles. ...
  4. 4: Write descriptions the right way. ...
  5. 5: Tag it! ...
  6. 6: YouTube Ranking Factors.

What happens if you watch your own YouTube videos?

The Impact of Watching Your Own Videos

When you watch your own videos excessively, you risk inflating view counts artificially, which YouTube's algorithm can detect and penalize. This can lead to reduced visibility, lower search rankings, and even potential penalties like reduced ad revenue or channel suspension.

What is not allowed to say on YouTube?

Hate speech, predatory behavior, graphic violence, malicious attacks, and content that promotes harmful or dangerous behavior isn't allowed on YouTube.

What is the 8 minute rule on YouTube?

The "YouTube 8-Minute Rule" primarily refers to the fact that videos longer than 8 minutes can have mid-roll ads (ads in the middle of the video) inserted by the creator or YouTube, unlike shorter videos limited to pre-roll/post-roll ads, which boosts creator revenue. There's also a separate "8-Minute Friendship Rule," a concept where just 8 minutes of focused connection helps someone feel supported during stress, used as a code word for needing help.
 

Is being a YouTuber risky?

Be careful of Phishers

YouTubers are often an easy target for potential scammers, their email is out in the open and they are constantly hoping to find the next brand to work with, or perhaps another YouTuber who would like to partner with them.

How much do small YouTubers make?

Starting a YouTube channel can be an excellent way to make money. A small YouTuber can make $50 –$100 initially. The average YouTube pay in the U.S. in 2025 is about $5,726 monthly. YouTubers do not simply rely on Ads.

How many views do you need on YouTube to make $2000 a month?

To make $2,000 a month on YouTube, you generally need 200,000 to 500,000 monthly views, but this varies wildly depending on your niche (CPM), audience location, and content type, with some channels earning it with fewer views in high-paying niches and others needing millions in low-paying ones, often supplemented by sponsorships or affiliate marketing. Aiming for higher engagement and joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is key. 

Is it hard to get paid on YouTube?

Anyone and everyone can technically make money on YouTube. That said, making money on YouTube is not a given. Simply creating a YouTube channel or account does not automatically monetize your content. As with most things, you need to meet specific criteria; creating income through YouTube takes effort and work.

Does YouTube pay on weekends?

Payment issued and a "Payment pending" line item should appear in AdSense for YouTube. If the 21st falls on a weekend or holiday, payments may be issued on the first business day following the 21st of that month.

What type of content is best for monetization?

What kind of content can I monetize?

  • Daily vlogs.
  • Home videos.
  • Do-it-yourself videos.
  • Tutorials.
  • Original music videos.
  • Original short films.
  • Shorts with or without remixed content.

How to get a YouTube partner?

To join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you need 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in the last year or 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days, plus follow policies, have 2-Step Verification, and link an AdSense account; then, apply via the "Earn" tab in YouTube Studio by accepting terms and getting reviewed. A lower-tier application also exists for fan funding with 500 subs, 3 uploads, and 3k watch hours/3M Shorts views. 

What are the 5 C's of editing?

The 5 Cs of editing in writing are Clarity, Conciseness, Correctness, Consistency, and Completeness, serving as core principles for effective copyediting, ensuring text is easy to understand, to the point, accurate, uniform, and comprehensive for the reader. While the exact list can vary slightly (sometimes including Cohesion or Conviction), these five cover the essentials of mechanical and stylistic refinement for clearer communication. 

How many hours to edit a 2 minute video?

As a rule of thumb, expect 30 minutes to an hour of editing time per minute of finished video. If you want to produce a vlog-style YouTube video, and send a concise amount of high-quality footage to your editor, you can expect a final result fairly quickly.

What is Pareto's law?

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) is a phenomenon that states that roughly 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes. In this article, we break down how you can use this principle to help prioritize tasks and business efforts.