What Videos Should I Make First? (New YouTube Channel Ideas)

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What Videos Should I Make First? (New YouTube Channel Ideas)

Starting a YouTube channel is an exciting step, but it often comes with a big question: What videos should I actually make first? The blank canvas of a new channel can feel overwhelming, leaving many aspiring creators stuck before they even hit record. You might be struggling with a lack of content ideas or a sustainable plan, unsure where to even begin with your niche, content format, or the tech involved.

The good news is you don't need to reinvent the wheel. The key is to create content that not only aligns with your channel's purpose but also has the potential to connect with your very first viewers. Your initial videos are crucial for setting the tone, testing different concepts, and starting to understand what resonates with your audience.

Why Your First Videos Matter More Than You Think

Think of your first few videos as your channel's introduction to the world. They tell potential subscribers who you are, what your channel is about, and what kind of value they can expect. These early uploads help you:

• Find Your Voice and Style: You'll learn by doing. The more you create, the more comfortable you'll become on camera and the more your unique personality will shine through.
• Test Content Concepts: You might have a niche in mind, but your early videos are perfect for experimenting with 3-4 different content genres or formats within that niche. As YouTube strategist JeremyB suggests, don't just look at immediate views on these early tests. Qualitatively assess: Does the content fit your niche? Is it feasible to produce consistently? Is it engaging?
• Attract Your Ideal Audience: By creating videos on specific topics, you start signaling to the YouTube algorithm and potential viewers who your content is for.

Finding Your First Video Ideas (Beyond Just Brainstorming)

Instead of staring at a blank screen, let's use proven strategies to generate video ideas that have a higher chance of success, even for a brand new channel.

The Power of Proven Concepts

Successful YouTube channels aren't built on random ideas. They're built on ideas that resonate with an audience. As educator and creator Dan the creator emphasizes, great videos begin with great ideas – it's an "ideas business." Actively seeking out and developing concepts is crucial.

You can find these proven concepts by looking at what's already working on the platform.

Method 1: Model Successful Videos (Idea Transfer)

One of the smartest ways to come up with ideas is to see what types of videos are already popular within your chosen niche or related areas. This isn't about copying, but about understanding which topics and angles have proven appeal.

Search YouTube for channels in your niche and sort their videos by "Most popular." The topics covered in these high-performing videos are clear indicators of audience interest. For example, if you're starting a cooking channel, you might see that simple weeknight meal tutorials or beginner baking guides consistently get high views on channels like @Kenna's Kitchen (33.6K subscribers) or @Chef Dad (30.5K subscribers), which have built audiences around accessible cooking content. A DIY channel might find that quick craft ideas or upcycling tutorials perform well on channels such as @ava crafts diy (26.5K subscribers) or @Holic Unknowns (44.7K subscribers).

Identify topics that appear repeatedly in popular videos across several channels. These are strong candidates for your first videos.

Method 2: Understand Search Intent (Keyword Research)

Many people come to YouTube with specific questions they want answered or problems they need solved. By creating videos that directly address these needs, you make your content discoverable through YouTube search.

While traditional "keyword stuffing" is outdated YouTube SEO advice, understanding what people are searching for is still vital for idea generation. Use the YouTube search bar itself – its autocomplete suggestions can reveal popular queries. For more in-depth analysis, tools like Subscribr's Research Assistant can help you explore topics and see what kind of content is performing well around those searches.

Videos that function as tutorials or step-by-step guides often perform well because they directly satisfy search intent. For instance, videos like "how to make your FIRST YouTube video" by @Aprilynne Alter (168K views) or "How to Create a YouTube Channel for Beginners" by @Marcus Jones (234K views) directly answer common beginner questions and have accumulated significant views. Similarly, tutorials on software like Canva or basic makeup guides like "how to get a FLAWLESS base" by kelly (21K views) or "My Makeup Tutorial!!!" by Princess Amelia (680K views) show that beginner-focused how-tos have strong evergreen potential.

Method 3: Analyze Successful Channels Similar to Yours

Look at channels that are slightly ahead of where you are now – perhaps those with a few thousand or tens of thousands of subscribers in your niche. What kind of videos did they start with? What types of content helped them get their initial traction?

Channels like @FitLife Insights (9.8K subscribers) in fitness or @Art craft idea (5.1K subscribers) in DIY show that consistent content around a specific theme, even simple execution, can build an audience over time. Analyzing their early video topics can provide realistic, achievable ideas for your own starting point.

Subscribr's Channel Intel feature can help you analyze channels in your niche, providing insights into their content strategy and performance patterns, making it easier to identify what worked for others as they were starting out.

Types of First Videos That Work Well

Based on successful patterns and what new viewers look for, here are some types of videos that are perfect for launching a new channel:

1. The Channel Introduction/Trailer:

   • Purpose: Briefly explain who you are, what your channel is about, who it's for, and what viewers can expect. Keep it concise (under 60-90 seconds is ideal).
   • Why it works: It quickly orientates new viewers and helps them decide if they want to subscribe. You can set this as your channel trailer for non-subscribed visitors.
   • Examples: While some creators opt for a dedicated trailer like the one on @The AI Pulse (74K views), others use their first content video as a soft introduction, like "I'm new here" by @Dad (16K views). Even established creators like @Dr. John Campbell (5.3M subscribers) sometimes create simple "Channel intro" videos (201K views) to welcome new audiences.

2. Beginner Tutorials or "How-To" Guides:

   • Purpose: Solve a specific, simple problem for your target audience.
   • Why it works: Directly addresses search intent, provides immediate value, establishes you as a helpful resource.
   • Examples: Think about basic skills in your niche. How to make a simple recipe, how to do a basic exercise, how to use a fundamental tool in your craft, how to set up something simple. Videos like "MASTER CANVA IN 15 MINUTES!" by @Aurelius Tjin (491K views) or "Linktree Tutorial 2024 | Full Guide For Beginners" by @KnowledgeBase (136K views) show the power of clear, beginner-focused tutorials.

3. "My Journey" or Why I Started This Channel:

   • Purpose: Share your personal story, passion for the topic, and what you hope to achieve.
   • Why it works: Builds a personal connection with viewers and helps them understand your motivation. Authenticity resonates.

4. Simple Project or Demonstration:

   • Purpose: Showcase a basic skill or create something simple related to your niche.
   • Why it works: Visually demonstrates what your channel is about and provides a tangible example of what viewers can learn or see. A cooking channel could demonstrate making a perfect fried egg, a fitness channel could show proper squat form, or a DIY channel could build something simple from cardboard, like channels found in the DIY search results.

5. Addressing a Common Question (Mini-FAQ):

   • Purpose: Answer a question you know your target audience frequently asks.
   • Why it works: Directly serves your audience's needs and can be easily found via search.

How Many Videos Should I Upload When Starting a YouTube Channel?

There's no magic number, but consistency is more important than quantity initially. Starting with around 3-5 videos can give new viewers enough content to binge and decide if they want to subscribe. This also allows you to test different ideas or formats as suggested by YouTube strategists.

Once you've launched, aim for a consistent upload schedule you can maintain, whether that's once a week, twice a week, or even daily if you're creating short-form content. The YouTube algorithm favors channels that upload regularly.

What Type of YouTube Channel is Most Popular?

Instead of focusing on what's "most popular" overall (trends change constantly!), focus on what is viable and engaging within a specific niche. The most successful channels are those that deeply understand their target audience and consistently provide value to them.

Our channel searches revealed thriving communities around diverse topics like cooking (e.g., @Culinary Recipe Creations with 32.8K subs, @Kenna's Kitchen with 33.6K subs), fitness (e.g., @Prime Health with 32.6K subs, @train with Adira with 17.5K subs), and DIY crafts (e.g., @avacraftsdiy with 26.5K subs, @Holic Unknowns with 44.7K subs). These channels demonstrate that success comes from serving a specific audience well, not necessarily being in the "most popular" category overall.

Find a topic you are passionate about and knowledgeable in, identify an audience who shares that interest, and focus on creating the most valuable content you can for them.

Planning Your First Videos with Subscribr

Tools built for creators, like Subscribr, can significantly streamline the process of planning your first videos and developing a sustainable content strategy.

• Research & Ideation: Use Subscribr's Research Phase tools to gather information from successful videos and channels in your niche. Analyze transcripts from top performers or import content from relevant webpages to understand popular topics and formats. The AI Chat & Research Assistant can help you brainstorm ideas and get insights based on current YouTube trends.
• Defining Your Content: Utilize the Frame Development feature to clearly define the angle, goals, and target audience for each of your first videos. This ensures every video has a purpose.
• Structuring Your Video: Subscribr's Outline Generation helps you structure your video logically, ensuring a smooth flow from hook to call to action.
• Scripting: Once you have your ideas and structure, Subscribr's Script Building Pipeline can assist you in writing your script, helping you stay on track and create engaging content.

By using these tools, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by the blank page to having a clear, strategic plan for your first videos.

Getting Started: Taking Action

The biggest hurdle for many new creators is simply starting. Don't wait for perfect equipment or a perfect idea. Use the strategies above to identify a few solid concepts, plan them out, and just begin creating. Your first videos won't be perfect, and that's okay! Focus on providing value and learning with each upload.

Starting to create content is the essential first step towards any future monetization goals on YouTube. Whether you dream of AdSense revenue, selling your own products, or securing brand deals, you need videos published to make it happen.

Conclusion

Deciding what videos to make first doesn't have to be a daunting task. By understanding your target audience, analyzing successful content in your niche, and leveraging tools designed to streamline the process, you can generate compelling ideas for your channel launch.

Focus on creating a few high-quality videos that introduce you and your topic, solve a simple problem, or demonstrate a basic skill. Prioritize consistency over quantity as you build momentum. Remember, the "most popular" channel type is less important than finding a niche you're passionate about and serving that audience well.

Take action today. Plan your first videos, hit record, and start building your presence on YouTube.