Gaming is one of the most competitive niches. After all, over 3.09 Million active gamers worldwide play video games during their free time. On top of that, there are currently over 1 million unique gaming channels on YouTube alone. This platform has creators like KSI, PewDiePie, Mr Beast, and Ninja, who have dominated the space and amassed millions of loyal followers.
So, if you are just getting started, it can feel almost impossible to make a name for yourself. But the good thing is that there’s still room for new creators in the game live-streaming market. To help you become successful YouTuber and increase your chances of being seen, we’ve compiled this list of practical and effective tips to start a YouTube gaming channel.
11 Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel
Follow these tips to create a successful YouTube gaming channel and quickly gain subscribers in no time!
1. Find Your Niche
When starting a YouTube gaming channel, you need to decide your video style and niche. While it can be tempting to jump on every trending game, the niche you pick should mainly be determined by your strengths as a gamer and target audience. Pick the game you enjoy the most and follow closely, as well as a style and format for your channel.
That will focus your energy and establish you as an expert in a specific area, making it easier to stand out in the crowded gaming community. Also, this specialization will help you to cater to a specific target audience with common interests. As a result, you will likely attract a dedicated and engaged audience who share your passion.
2. Use the Right Equipment
Before you start creating videos for your YouTube channel, make sure you have the right equipment to produce high-quality videos. You need visually appealing gaming videos to attract and retain viewer’s interest in your channel. First, get a high-quality microphone to record crisp and clear voiceovers.
After that, get screen capture software to help you capture the action on your gaming console- PS5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox One. The most popular one is OBS. It provides high video resolution even for low-end PCs. Next, invest in a DSLR video camera and good lighting to create high-quality videos.
Something else worth considering is a green screen. It will help you remove your background and place interesting visual effects when editing your video post-production.
3. Optimize Your YouTube Channel
To be discovered by your target audience in the vast sea of gaming content on YouTube, you need to optimize your gaming channel. Pick an interesting name that reflects your gameplay, genre, or personal brand.
Then, provide a detailed description that tells your viewers more about your channel’s focus and content. When people know what to expect from you, they are more likely to subscribe to your YouTube channel.
Also, strategically use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to expand your reach and help your YouTube gaming videos appear in search results and recommendations. A well-optimized channel will achieve greater visibility and attract more subscribers.
4. Buy YouTube Views to Kick-start Your Growth
Building a loyal fanbase in the gaming niche takes a lot of time and effort. It’s not something that can happen overnight. That’s why buying YouTube views is the easiest and fastest way to grow your channel. When you buy views, the algorithm sees that your content has reached many people in a short time and, in turn, recommends it to more viewers.
That helps you tap into a much bigger organic audience. That said, buy YouTube views from Media Mister to maximize the performance and popularity of your channel.
5. Join a Gaming Community
Joining a gaming community comes with several advantages. First, it helps you stay updated with the latest gaming news, trends, and releases. You can use this knowledge to create relevant and engaging content for your YouTube channel. Also, it gives you an opportunity to connect with people who share the same interests as you.
That can lead to collaboration opportunities with like-minded creators, helping you reach a wider audience and further grow your channel. Additionally, being part of an online community for gamers allows you to gain valuable insights from other experienced players, ultimately enhancing your gaming skills.
6. Be Consistent
When you start uploading content to your channel, create a schedule and stick to it! This is the best way to build and maintain your audience. That’s because consistency signals to both your viewers and the YouTube algorithm that your channel is reliable and dedicated.
That, in turn, builds trust and encourages them to keep returning for more. So, aim to post content on your channel at least weekly or four times a month. These regular uploads will push your content to appear in searches and recommended YouTube videos to further expand your reach.
7. Use Click-worthy Titles and Descriptions
Your video titles and descriptions play a pivotal role in capturing viewers’ attention and fueling the growth of your channel. So, create captivating, concise, relevant titles that will grab the viewers’ attention and encourage them to click on your YouTube video.
In addition to that, ensure your descriptions provide context on what to expect from your content. And since Google uses your description to recommend your video to the right audience, ensure the first few sentences are clear and packed with keywords.
8. Hook Them from the Start
The truth is that most viewers only spend the first few seconds on a video to decide if it’s worth watching or not. That’s why it’s crucial to hook your audience from the beginning. The best way to do that is by keeping your video intros short, concise, and intriguing.
Most successful YouTubers start their videos with a question or by sharing some exclusive game stats. Also, they share an exciting segment of the video at the beginning to grab the viewers’ attention and encourage them to keep watching.
9. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails
In the crowded realm of YouTube gaming channels, your video thumbnails are your first impression on potential viewers. A compelling thumbnail can make the difference between a click and a scroll. To stand out, design eye-catching thumbnails that are visually appealing and reflect the essence of your gaming content.
Use high-quality images or screenshots from your gameplay, incorporate bold, legible text that teases the content, and make sure your branding is consistent across all thumbnails. Bright colors and high-contrast elements can help your thumbnails pop in search results and recommended videos.
Remember, a great thumbnail should pique curiosity, spark excitement, and convey the unique personality of your channel. Invest time in crafting attention-grabbing thumbnails, and you’ll increase the chances of drawing viewers into your gaming adventures.
10. Utilize Gaming Trends
You need to stay updated with the latest trends in the gaming industry to stay on top of your game. That will help you create fresh and relevant content that aligns with what gamers are actively seeking.
Gamers often search for the most popular games and gaming-related topics. So, when you incorporate these trends into your videos, you are likely to tap into a pre-existing interest and curiosity that can draw more views.
Also, it gives you a competitive advantage over other players by positioning your channel as the go-to source for timely gaming content. Not to mention, it attracts a larger audience and tends to increase the chances of your content appearing in search results and recommendations.
11. Experiment with YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts is a relatively new feature that has taken the platform by storm. These short-form videos offer an excellent opportunity for gaming channels to engage with a broader audience and boost visibility.
Shorts are concise, entertaining clips that can showcase your gaming skills, share quick tips, or simply entertain viewers with highlights from your gaming sessions. To make the most of YouTube Shorts, experiment with a variety of content formats.
Share memorable gaming moments, provide bite-sized tutorials, or create engaging challenges related to your favorite games. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and catchy titles to maximize your Shorts’ discoverability. By integrating YouTube Shorts into your content strategy, you can tap into a new and rapidly growing audience, building anticipation for your longer gaming videos.
Conclusion
Starting and growing YouTube gaming channels can be challenging. Gaming is a profitable industry, so naturally, the competition is also very stiff. Try out the different strategies in this article until you find what gives you the best results. Most importantly, be patient and give yourself time to grow.
Eventually, you will build a loyal fanbase on the platform and start monetizing your content. With the tips we’ve shared in this article, you now have a better idea of how to go about it.
