Starting a YouTube channel is an exciting and creative venture, but getting off to a strong start requires planning and strategy. One of the most important things to consider when launching a YouTube channel is your first 10 videos. These initial videos will help you establish your channel’s identity, engage potential subscribers, and give you the momentum you need to continue creating.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to plan your first 10 videos, what type of content to focus on, and how to make a great first impression on YouTube.
1. Why Your First 10 Videos Matter
Your first 10 videos serve as the foundation of your YouTube channel. They help set the tone for the content you'll produce, attract your first viewers, and showcase what your channel is all about. The right mix of content will establish your authority, build trust with your audience, and make them want to subscribe for more.
a. Establish Your Niche
Your first 10 videos should help you define your niche and show your audience what they can expect from your channel. Whether you're focusing on tech reviews, fitness, beauty tutorials, cooking, or educational content, make sure these videos reflect your channel’s theme and appeal to the audience you want to attract.
b. Introduce Yourself and Build Engagement
Your initial videos give you an opportunity to introduce yourself to your viewers, show your personality, and connect with your audience. Engaging with your viewers early on will help create a loyal following as your channel grows.
c. Experiment with Different Content
While your niche will help guide your content, your first 10 videos give you a chance to experiment with different types of content to see what resonates best with your audience. This can include tutorials, vlogs, product reviews, or challenges—everything that allows you to engage with your community and test which content generates the most interest.
2. Structuring Your First 10 Videos
Planning your first 10 videos involves a balance of introducing your channel, experimenting with different video types, and maintaining consistency. Here’s a breakdown of what types of videos you should consider creating:
a. Video 1: Channel Introduction and Who You Are
Your first video is your chance to introduce yourself, explain what your channel is about, and share what viewers can expect from your future content. This is the moment to make a good first impression, so it’s essential to be clear, confident, and engaging.
- Why you started the channel: Share your motivation and passion behind creating the channel.
- What content you will focus on: Let your audience know what type of videos you’ll be making and why they should subscribe.
- Personal touch: Show a bit of your personality, and don’t be afraid to be authentic.
b. Video 2: Value Proposition/How-to or Tutorial
Once you’ve introduced yourself, offer value to your audience right away. A tutorial or how-to video is a great way to show your expertise and give your audience something they can use. Choose a topic within your niche that is beginner-friendly and easy to explain.
- Educational content: Whether it’s teaching a specific skill, demonstrating a product, or showing how to solve a problem, tutorials position you as an authority.
- Engage your viewers: Ask them to comment with their thoughts or any challenges they’re facing.
c. Video 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Now that you’ve introduced yourself and provided value, showcase your expertise with a more in-depth video related to your niche. This could be a product review, a deeper tutorial, or an analysis of a specific subject.
- Build trust: The goal is to showcase your knowledge and provide additional value.
- Be informative: Go into detail about the subject matter, providing tips, tricks, or insights that your audience will find useful.
d. Video 4: Challenge or Trend Video
Take advantage of trends or challenges that are currently popular on YouTube. This type of video can help you gain visibility as it taps into something that is already gaining traction. Participate in viral challenges or make your own!
- Engagement: These videos tend to generate a lot of engagement, especially if you include a call to action, like inviting your viewers to join the challenge.
- Fun and creativity: These videos add an element of fun and creativity, making your channel feel dynamic and exciting.
e. Video 5: Personal Story or Vlog
People love connecting with YouTubers on a personal level. Share a story about your life, an interesting experience, or an obstacle you’ve overcome. This helps humanize you and creates a deeper connection with your audience.
- Authenticity: The more genuine and relatable you are, the more likely people will feel connected to you.
- Show your personality: Don’t be afraid to share your experiences, challenges, and successes in a lighthearted way.
f. Video 6: Product Review or Unboxing
If you’re in a niche where products are relevant (tech, beauty, fitness, etc.), creating a product review or unboxing video is a great way to showcase your expertise and offer valuable information to your viewers.
- Honest opinions: Be truthful about the product, highlighting both its pros and cons.
- Provide value: Give your audience insights into whether the product is worth buying and who it’s best for.
g. Video 7: Collaboration with Another YouTuber
If you can, try collaborating with another creator in your niche. Collaborations help you reach a wider audience and allow your viewers to see you interact with others in your community.
- Networking: Collaborations are a great way to network with other YouTubers and expand your reach.
- Cross-promotion: You can promote each other’s channels and create videos that appeal to both of your audiences.
h. Video 8: Q&A or FAQ
Once you’ve started to accumulate some viewers, a Q&A or FAQ video is a great way to engage with your audience and answer questions that they may have. This can be based on comments from your previous videos or direct questions from your social media.
- Engagement: It makes your audience feel heard and appreciated.
- Personal touch: It’s a great way to connect with your community and give them a glimpse into your personality.
i. Video 9: Behind-the-Scenes
Give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your video creation process, your workspace, or how you organize and plan content. This kind of video shows the effort that goes into creating content and makes your audience feel more involved.
- Transparency: Showing behind-the-scenes footage adds authenticity and shows the work behind your channel.
- Personality: This video is a chance to showcase your environment and introduce the personal side of your creative process.
j. Video 10: Milestone Video or Thank You Video
After you’ve created your first nine videos, create a milestone video to celebrate your achievements, thank your viewers for their support, and talk about what’s next for your channel.
- Thank your subscribers: Show appreciation for those who have supported your channel from the beginning.
- Reflect and look ahead: Share your future goals and what your audience can expect from your channel moving forward.
3. Planning Your Content Calendar for Consistency
Now that you have your first 10 videos planned, it’s essential to create a content calendar to keep track of your uploads. Consistency is crucial to growing your YouTube channel, and a content calendar helps ensure you stay organized and on track with your upload schedule.
- Set a regular upload schedule: Decide how often you want to upload (e.g., once a week, bi-weekly) and stick to that schedule.
- Plan ahead: Create a content calendar for at least a month in advance so you have a roadmap for what content to produce and when to release it.
- Track milestones: Use the calendar to track milestones like subscriber goals, video releases, and any special events or promotions.
4. Real-World Examples of Successful First 10 Videos
Let’s take a look at a few successful YouTubers who excelled in planning their first 10 videos and establishing their channels.
a. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)
Marques Brownlee, a tech YouTuber, started his channel by reviewing different gadgets and providing his insights into the world of technology. His early content was niche-focused and aimed at tech enthusiasts, which helped him attract a loyal audience. His first few videos were focused on product reviews and tutorials, building his authority in the tech space.
b. NikkieTutorials
NikkieTutorials, a beauty YouTuber, built her channel by starting with makeup tutorials and creating a consistent upload schedule. She connected with her audience by sharing personal stories and expert tips, which helped establish her brand early on.
c. David Dobrik
David Dobrik, known for his vlogs and comedic style, built his channel by mixing humor, challenge videos, and collaborations with other YouTubers. His early content was highly engaging and helped him build a strong, loyal fan base quickly.
By planning your first 10 YouTube videos carefully, you can set the foundation for a successful channel. These videos should showcase your unique personality, provide value to your audience, and help you experiment with different content formats. By staying consistent and creative, you’ll build momentum and keep your viewers engaged, ultimately helping your channel grow.