11 Killer Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel in 2023
Gaming is a competitive YouTube niche, but there's still room (and time) for new creators to grow successful channels. All it takes is 11 powerful steps.
Starting a gaming YouTube channel is no easy feat. Millions of people play video games in their free time, so naturally, the competition is stiff.
You have famous creators like PewDiePie, Mumbo Jumbo, and DanTDM dominating the space with billions of YouTube views. The MrBeast Gaming channel has a whopping 31.4 million subscribers. Beyond that, you have thousands of small channels worldwide to compete with!
That makes it difficult for new creators to stand out, let alone go viral. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Is it worth starting a gaming channel in 2023? We’d say 100% yes. Here’s how to grow your gaming channel fast in 11 powerful steps.
1. Focus On Your Target Audience, Not a Particular Game
When you start your YouTube channel, it’ll be tempting to play every single game you own at home. You may upload some Fortnite videos because of the game’s insane popularity. Two weeks later, it may seem like a good idea to sprinkle in some Minecraft content.
2. Get the Right Equipment for Your Gaming Channel
What equipment do you need for a gaming YouTube channel? Not much, if we're being honest — but a few items will make your videos more enjoyable:
Microphone for YouTube videos:
Many gamers add voiceovers to their videos, especially when actively playing a game. Invest in quality audio so viewers can follow the action.
Screen-recording software:
As you play games, you need software to capture the action on your console's screen (PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, etc.).
Digital camera:
This can be a DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or webcam. You’ll need one to record yourself playing games.
Lighting for YouTube videos:
Don’t leave viewers in the dark. Create a well-lit shot if you plan to show your face!
Green screen:
Lots of gamers use a green screen for live streaming. It removes the background behind the streamer so only their body shows up against the gameplay..
3. Choose the Right Name for Your Gaming Channel
Naming your channel is one of the most important things you’ll do on YouTube. So regardless of your niche, try to follow these best practices as you narrow down your list of options:
Pick a name that's easy to spell.
Make your channel name easy to remember.
If possible, let your name reflect the game you play or the genre you're a part of.
Stick to 70 characters or less when naming your channel.
Use relevant keywords.
Avoid profanity and offensive language.
4. Avoid the ‘Let’s Play’ Trap
Many gamers love to post "let's play" videos on YouTube, and we honestly can’t blame them. They’re fun to make and easy to edit, unlike other types of videos on YouTube. All you have to do is record yourself playing a game while sprinkling in some commentary for your audience!
5. Join a Gaming Community to Find YouTube Video Ideas
Brainstorming video ideas is the most challenging part of growing on YouTube. But the solution is simple: Don’t try to go it alone. The best way to start a YouTube gaming channel is in the company of other gamers.
6. Upload Weekly Gaming Videos
Before you create a gaming YouTube channel, make a pact with yourself to upload consistently. You should post at least once a week to build and grow an audience on YouTube.
Why this number? YouTube has gotten good at serving content to the right audience. So whether you post four videos a month or one video a day, YouTube will recommend your content if its optimised well.
So don’t burn out by following an insane posting schedule. Go slowly. That way, you’ll understand how YouTube fits into your life, whether that’s striking a balance between school, work, or family time.
7. Make Your Video Introductions Brief and Entertaining
On YouTube, audience retention is everything. If someone lands on your video but doesn't get past the first 30 seconds, that sends a negative signal to YouTube’s algorithm. It indicates your video may not deliver on its promise and shouldn't be recommended to more viewers.
The goal is to make it impossible for someone to click away. The title of your video makes a promise to viewers, and you should deliver on that promise early and often.
8. Create Enticing YouTube Thumbnails and Titles
Video titles and thumbnails are what genuinely bring in viewers. They convince people to click on your content, so this powerful pair should be optimized 100% of the time.
A video title isn’t just for display; it can also help you climb YouTube search results. If you can find popular keywords on YouTube that aren’t too competitive, you’ll be one step closer to creating fantastic, click-worthy titles.
To do your best in this area, keep the graphic simple but eye-catching. It should be easy for viewers to understand in seconds, like this one:
9. Research Video Topics Before You Press Record
Before you make a video, brainstorm some title options. This may seem weird at first but trust us: You need this hack. You’re better off brainstorming titles and seeing which keywords are popular for that topic so you can increase your video's reach.
Plus, this plan forces you to make the best video without even knowing it. First, you’ll optimize your content for YouTube’s algorithm by finding valuable keywords. Then you’ll run some YouTube searches to see what other creators posted. All of that research will tell you if the video is worth making, and how you can improve upon what's already out there.
10. Turn Gaming Trends Into YouTube Videos
A trending topic presents a huge opportunity to get more views on YouTube. You can take advantage of pop culture, holidays, gaming news, or anything that adds something positive (but relevant) to your channel.
11. Experiment with YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are for people watching brief YouTube on their phones. They’re great for making funny videos, quick explainers, or anything that doesn't require a long, traditional video.
They’re also perfect for the gaming community. YouTube Shorts capture those hilarious, gut-busting moments that happen during gameplay, like when a character tumbles off a ledge or there's an unexpected glitch. Even when you have nothing funny to share, you can film 60-second tutorials.
When you’re ready, post a few Shorts to your YouTube channel. We've seen gaming channels grow with this content, and we’re not talking about small spurts here and there. It’s possible to gain 1 million subscribers in three months.
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