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Starting a YouTube channel is exciting, but it can quickly feel overwhelming. You've got the passion, maybe even a niche in mind, but then comes the big question: what videos do you actually make first? The fear of choosing the "wrong" topic or creating something nobody watches is a major pain point for aspiring creators. You might feel uncertain about what your potential audience even wants to see, leading to strategy development overwhelm.
The key to overcoming this is to start simple and strategic. Your first videos aren't about going viral (though it can happen!), but about building momentum, practicing your craft, and starting to understand what resonates with viewers in your chosen niche. Think of these initial videos as foundational pieces.
So, what kind of videos are easy to make and effective for a new YouTuber? Let's break down some beginner-friendly formats and ideas.
Focus on "Simple, Specific, Stupid Questions" (SSSQ)
One highly effective strategy for new channels, as highlighted by YouTube strategists, is to answer "Simple, Specific, Stupid Questions." What might seem basic or obvious to you could be exactly what someone else is searching for on YouTube. These types of videos are great for discoverability via search and require minimal production complexity.
Think about common problems or questions within your niche.
- Cooking: How to chop an onion without crying? What's the easiest way to cook perfect rice? (Channels like @foodyumaroma with 15.7K subscribers show that simple recipe guides can gain traction, achieving a 1.41 VS ratio). Videos like "Tasty Meals Made EASY" by 5-Minute Recipes (984K views, 9.9 outlier score) or "Delicious and easy recipe" by Alle Rezepte (1.2M views, 2.8 outlier score) demonstrate the massive potential in simple, accessible cooking content.
- Art: How to hold a pencil correctly? What are the basic shapes for drawing animals? (Channels like @madedrawingart with 2K subscribers focus on simple character drawing). A video titled "Easy flower painting" from easypeasy art gained over 2 million views with a 10 outlier score, proving that beginner-level art tutorials can be huge hits.
- Fitness: What's the correct form for a basic squat? How do I do a five-minute stretching routine? (Channels like @fitdown with 1.47K subscribers offer home workout tips).
These questions might seem "stupid" to an expert, but they are the entry points for beginners, which is likely a large segment of your potential audience. Answering them directly provides immediate value and helps you appear in search results.
Introduce Yourself and Your Channel (Briefly!)
While your very first video doesn't have to be a formal introduction, having an "About Us" or "Channel Intro" style video is a good idea early on. Keep it relatively short (1-3 minutes) and focus on:
- Who you are (briefly!)
- What your channel is about (your niche/topic)
- What viewers can expect (types of videos, upload schedule if you have one)
- Who the channel is for (your target audience)
- What problem you solve for them
This helps viewers quickly understand if your channel is for them. You can link to this intro video in your channel trailer spot and in the descriptions of your other videos.
Leverage Your Existing Knowledge and Skills
What are you already good at? What do you know how to do that others might not? Your existing skills are a goldmine for easy video ideas.
- Tutorials/How-Tos: Teach something simple. This could be anything from changing a car tire to tying a specific knot, using a software feature, or making a simple craft. Videos like "Beginners wood art tutorial" (96K views) or "Simple painting with homemade paint" (117K views) show the appeal of straightforward creative tutorials.
- Product Reviews (Simple): Review something you already own and use regularly – a kitchen gadget, a book, a piece of software, a workout accessory. Focus on your personal experience and whether you'd recommend it for beginners.
- Sharing Tips and Tricks: Offer quick tips related to your niche. "3 Beginner Tips for [Your Niche]," "My Favorite [Tool/Technique] for Beginners."
These types of videos are easy because you don't need to learn something new to create them; you just need to explain what you already know in a clear, beginner-friendly way.
Document Your Learning Journey
If you're learning something new related to your niche, take your audience along for the ride! This is incredibly relatable content for other beginners.
- "Learning to Cook: My First Attempt at Pasta"
- "Beginner Artist Tries [Technique]"
- "My First Week Following a [Fitness Program]"
Sharing your struggles and successes makes you authentic and can build a strong connection with viewers facing similar challenges. It also naturally targets other beginners who are searching for information on how to start or learn that same skill.
Answer Common Questions About Starting Out
Videos directly addressing the process of starting can perform well because they speak to a clear search intent. Videos titled "15 YouTube video ideas for 2018" (32.5K views, 6.1 outlier score) and "15 video ideas For Your First YouTube Video" (12.8K views, 4.7 outlier score) from Trena Little, or Think Media's "5 Simple YouTube video ideas for Beginners" (868K views, 5.1 outlier score) are great examples of this. Aprilynne Alter's video "how to make your FIRST YouTube video in 2025" (169K views, 2.7 outlier score) is a recent, high-performing example directly on this topic.
You can create videos answering questions like:
- What equipment do I need to start a YouTube channel? (Hint: Often, just your phone!)
- How do I pick a niche?
- How do I set up my channel profile?
These foundational videos not only help others but also establish you as a helpful resource from the start.
Simple Vlogs or "Day In The Life" (with a niche focus)
While open-ended vlogs can be hard for new channels, a structured "Day In The Life" video focused on your niche can work.
- "A Day In The Life Of A Beginner Gardener"
- "What I Eat In A Day As A Beginner Vegan"
- "My Simple Daily Drawing Routine"
This format gives viewers a peek into your world while staying relevant to the topic they subscribed for. Keep it focused and relatively short initially.
Why Start Simple?
Strategists agree that beginning with simple videos is crucial for building momentum. Your content value (the information and help you provide) is far more important than high production value when you're starting. You can literally begin with just a smartphone.
Focusing on easy-to-create formats helps you:
- Practice: You'll get better at scripting (even simple outlines), recording, editing, and uploading with each video.
- Build a Content Library: Having multiple videos gives viewers more reasons to subscribe and stay on your channel longer.
- Gather Data: You'll start to see which topics or formats get more views, likes, and comments, helping you plan future content.
- Overcome Inertia: The hardest part is often starting. Simple ideas mean you can hit record sooner.
Waiting for perfect gear or complex ideas will only delay your launch. Start with what you have and what you know.
Strategic Planning and Idea Validation
To move beyond just making random videos, even simple ones, you need a basic content plan. This addresses the "Uncertainty about target audience preferences and content desires" pain point.
- Define Your Audience: Who are you trying to reach? What are their problems? What do they want to learn or be entertained by?
- Define Your Channel's Purpose: What problem does your channel solve for that audience?
- Brainstorm Based on Problems: Once you know the problems, brainstorm simple videos that offer solutions.
Tools designed for YouTube creators, like Subscribr, can help systematize this. Subscribr's AI-powered features assist with idea generation and validation. Instead of guessing, you can use its Research Assistant to analyze trends and find topics that resonate. You can also use Subscribr's Intel feature to study successful channels and videos in your niche (even smaller ones like those we found in our research with under 100K subscribers, such as @chefdad2003 or @izamnaart1) to see what kinds of simple videos performed well for them (looking at outlier scores and view counts). This helps you identify proven content formats you can adapt.
Aim to generate an initial list of 10-12 video ideas using a mix of answering simple questions, leveraging your skills, and modeling successful (but simple) formats you see in your niche. Write these down – having a plan reduces the "Strategy development overwhelm."
Monetization Angle
While new channels aren't immediately eligible for monetization through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), the video types suggested here are crucial for reaching that eligibility. YPP requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid watch hours (or 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid Shorts views).
Videos that answer specific questions or offer simple tutorials are highly searchable. Getting found through search leads to views, which contributes to watch hours. Providing clear, valuable content encourages subscriptions. By focusing on these easy, high-value formats early on, you build the necessary foundation to qualify for monetization down the road.
What is a good first YouTube video?
A good first YouTube video is one that is simple to produce, provides clear value to a specific audience, and is relevant to the overall topic you plan to cover on your channel. It could be a basic tutorial, an answer to a frequently asked question in your niche, or a brief introduction to what your channel will offer. The goal is to get started, practice your workflow, and provide immediate value.
How do I introduce my channel?
You can introduce your channel with a dedicated "Channel Trailer" or "About Us" video. Keep it concise (under 2-3 minutes). Explain who you are, what your channel is about, who it's for, what kind of content you'll make, and when you plan to upload. Place this video in the channel trailer spot on your homepage and link it in video descriptions.
What content gets views for new YouTubers?
For new YouTubers, content that directly addresses specific problems or answers clear questions tends to get views because it's discoverable via YouTube search. Simple tutorials, how-to guides, beginner tips, and videos reviewing products for beginners are good examples. Content that is easy to consume and offers immediate value helps attract those crucial first viewers and subscribers. Focusing on quality content that truly helps or entertains your target audience, rather than chasing viral trends, is a more sustainable path to getting initial views.
Conclusion
Don't let the pressure of creating the "perfect" first video stop you. The best way to start is by making videos that are easy for you to create and valuable for your target audience. Focus on answering simple questions, sharing what you know, documenting your journey, and planning strategically. Use tools like Subscribr to help with idea validation and understanding your niche.
By consistently creating simple, valuable content, you'll gain momentum, practice your skills, and build the foundation for a successful YouTube channel. The most important step is the first one – choose an easy idea and just hit record.
