How to become a youtuber: the guide

What does it mean to be a Youtuber?

A Youtubeur is a person who uploads content in video format to the Youtube website. These videos are available on what is called a "Youtube channel". 

His Youtube channel can be general, covering current affairs for example, or deal solely with a specific subject, such as video game development in C++, for example.

The aim is to offer content that is useful to an engaged audience. In other words, users who like your videos, comment on them, then subscribe to your channel. They'll give it visibility and help it grow. 

This is where the business begins. We'll talk about this in the last two parts of this guide, which are reserved forsubscriber growth and salary.

How do I become a Youtuber? 

None at all. The only thing you need to be a Youtuber is to be self-taught, and therefore to follow a lot of tutorials, on Youtube and elsewhere. 

However, it is possible to get a head start by completing CAP-type training or university courses in the following fields: 

• Audiovisual (editing, sound recording, directing, production), 
• Communication, 
• Digital marketing.

The preference is clearly for audiovisual training, because the core business of a Youtubeur is to publish a quality video. Today, Youtube has become highly professionalized.

In other words, if you come up with a video shot in a hurry in your living room, with echoing sound, no credits, and a camera that moves, it's likely to fall flat. 

Is it possible to be an independent Youtuber?

As we've just said, the Youtubeur profession has become highly professionalized. That's why many Youtubers call on the services of editors or agencies that offer them partnerships with companies to place products.

Is it possible to do without an editor on Youtube? 

So the question is, is it possible to break into Youtube the old-fashioned way, in your living room, with a computer, a microphone, a camera, and a few other items we're talking about here? The answer is yes. 

Why should you? Because the Internet lets you find everything you need, from tutorials on how to set up a real shooting location to open source video editing software. 

So yes, you can get started on Youtube with motivation, and don't lose sight of the fact that your first videos will certainly be laborious, but that practice makes perfect. 

Can you monetize your YouTube channel without an agency? 

Yes, it's perfectly possible to monetize your channel without a marketing agency. The purpose of the agency is to put you in touch with companies that want to do product placement. 

Two things need to be emphasized here: 

• The cost of placement depends on the size of your chain, 
• The bigger you are, the more you're approached. 

At first, you'll have to canvass companies to invest in you, and perhaps write hundreds of e-mails, but once you've gained a certain stature, it's the companies that will canvass you. 

Therefore, a marketing agency will only be useful if you don't have the time to canvass, or if you think an agency will be able to land you larger contracts. 

How do you go about becoming a Youtuber?

There are 5 important steps to follow: 

Step 1: Setting up your business. 

Here, status is of little importance. You can opt for either micro-entrepreneur or SAS status. The only thing that matters is that a micro-entrepreneur is exempt from contributions up to €5,000 in sales over 12 months.

However, if you exceed annual sales (calendar year) of €176,200, you automatically switch to sole trader status and lose the micro-enterprise tax regime. 

Step 2: Buying equipment

As we said in our article on creating a Youtube account, all you need is around 250 euros to buy what you're missing, namely : 

• Two light boxes, 
• A microphone stand, 
• A microphone, 
• A camera tripod.

The rest you already have, and what you don't have you can download in the form of free, relatively high-performance software. 

Step 3: Create your Youtube channel 

Google support explains it all, pointing out that you can create two types of chain: 

• A personal chain, 
• A professional channel.

With each Google Account, you can create and manage 100 different channels!

Step 4: Getting started

It's time to shoot your first video, find the tone of your Youtube channel and set the scene. A great moment! 

Step 5: Persevere!

Can't see the fruits of your labor? You've only accumulated five views in a month, no comments, no thumbs up. Evaluate the quality of your videos and their content. If necessary, start again, but above all, persevere! Those who fail on YouTube are the ones who stop. 

Ask yourself a simple question: when did you discover your favorite channel? Now go and see how long it's been around. We bet it'll be years before you discover it. So be patient. 

How do you grow your channel and make a name for yourself?

1. Advertising

The quickest way to promote your channel is to pay for advertising on Youtube. The platform offers a wide range of ads, for an average of 3 to 10 cents per view.

2. Publish your content on social networks

Attract as many users as possible by publishing your content directly on competing social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon or LinkedIn. The more visible your content, the more you'll exist.

3. Collaborate with other Youtubers in your sector

Get in touch with other Youtubers in your niche, and make joint videos, either together in the same place, or by editing them together. This technique allows each of them to make themselves known to the other's fans, and thus gain subscribers.

4. Create series 

Don't make one hour-long video, but 6 videos of 10 minutes each, making a series. By moving from one video to the next, users will help you rank higher with the Youtube algorithm, which will then offer your videos to the greatest number of people. 

5. Talk about your other videos, in your video

Your area of expertise will undoubtedly lead you to talk about other videos you've made, or are about to make. So don't hesitate to talk about them in your video, and add a link in the description so people can go and watch it. 

In this way, those who watch you and are interested in what you have to offer will move from one video to the next.

How much does a Youtubeur earn and how does it evolve? 

There are two types of remuneration: 

• Youtube, which pays by the number of views, 
• Sponsorship.

Youtube pays €1 to €2 for every 1000 views. To get a good idea of how much you can earn, simply use this calculator. After that, it's hard to know how much a Youtuber earns, because so many factors come into play. 

Youtubers like Squeezie earn between €204,000 and €3.3 million a year.  

Once you've managed to get the word out about your channel, using the five techniques we've just mentioned, you can start canvassing companies or going through a marketing agency to take advantage of sponsorship. 

How does it work? You promote a product or service for a company that, in return, sponsors you. This is what you see at the start of many Youtubers' videos, when they present a brand's product or service.

In terms of sponsorship, depending on your channel, you can ask your sponsor to pay you up to €1,000 if 10,000 people watch your videos.   

What career opportunities are there for Youtubers?

Many famous Youtubers have gone into show business, particularly one-man shows, like the famous Norman or Cyprien. 

If you know how to invest your money, and Youtube has worked for you, you could just as easily set up a real estate agency, or any other company operating in a sector that once made you dream.