Image credit: Unsplash
If there’s one great way to use your gaming passion to build a niche community and earn money, it’s starting a gaming YouTube channel. The idea of starting a gaming YouTube channel seems simple (and it is). However, there are several important factors you need to consider in order to make it a success!
Basics to get right for a successful gaming YouTube channel
Here are a few important factors (success mantras) to put on your checklist:
- Type of gaming channel
- Branding
- Gear
- Leveraging other channels/platforms
The type of gaming channel
A gaming YouTube channel is in itself a broad domain. This is because there are endless approaches you can take to make your channel stand out from the rest. Starting a gaming YouTube channel doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stick to just showcasing gameplays of yourself. If that’s what you have planned, there’s nothing wrong with it. However, there are plenty of other approaches you can take; here are some examples:
1. A gaming YouTube channel that curates the best gameplays of popular players
Some of the most popular types of gaming YouTube channels are ones that curate the best moments and gameplays of professional and popular gamers. By compiling the best highlights, you pre-package binge-watching entertainment for fans of popular gamers. Here are some of the popular gameplay/highlights compilation channels:
Squad Arena
Image credit: Squad Arena
GameSprout
Image credit: GameSprout
2. A gaming YouTube channel that offers game improvement tips
One of the best approaches you can take to make your gaming YouTube channel grow is to help other gamers, especially beginners, improve their gaming skills. You can do this by creating videos on gaming tips, tricks, and hacks. Here are some examples:
iFerg
Image credit: iFerg
itsJerian
Image credit: itsJerian
3. A gaming YouTube channel that demos gaming gear
A large percentage of gamers (beginners and experienced) buy new gaming gear every now and then. With a YouTube channel that demos gaming gear, you can help beginners build their first rig and offer experienced gamers the best rig options to help them make the right upgrade.
Initially, you have to bear the expenses of buying and demoing gear. Later on, as your channel grows, you can pitch gaming gear companies for sponsorships. Take a look at a couple of gaming gear demo channels:
randomfrankp
Image credit: randomfrankp
The Techne
Image credit: The Techne
4. A gaming YouTube channel that shows popular players’ settings
There’s no denying the fact that one of the most important aspects of a winning gaming strategy is to get the settings right. With a gaming YouTube channel that offers popular players’ insights by sharing their settings, you can help other gamers improve their gaming performance. Here are a few channels that show popular players’ settings:
BR Highlights
Image credit: BR Highlights
Best Game Settings
Image credit: Best Game Settings
5. A gaming YouTube channel for the latest gaming trends/news
One of the most interesting and attention-worthy approaches you can take for a gaming YouTube channel is to create videos about the latest gaming trends and news. Gamers are always excited about all-things gaming trends. Curate gaming news and trends in one single video or present them separately in each video, you don’t go short on options. Here’s how some popular channels present gaming news and trends:
Down To Top
Image credit: Down To Top
GameDaily Connect
Image credit: GameDaily Connect
These are just a few examples to help you get a good context as to how you can narrow down on any specific aspect of gaming and use it to build and grow your YouTube gaming channel.
Branding
Given the fact that there are now more number of gaming YouTube channels than ever before, it’s important to make your channel stand out. This is where branding comes in. With a good brand image, you can retain viewers and nurture them to become subscribers. Here are 4 elements to work on in order to give your YouTube channel a brand appeal and identity.
Channel name
Gaming YouTube channels that have a simple yet catchy name often do well. A catchy name does wonders for your channel’s brand presence. If you haven’t come up with a catchy channel name, one approach you can take is to list down important words associated with the gaming niche that you’re planning to leverage. Then try combing or rhyming those words to come up with a unique name.
For easy way out, you can try using these name generator tools:
Shopify Business Name Generator
Logo and Cover image
The logo is what helps your viewers remember your channel. Logos that are simple and catchy with minimal color combinations make the most impact in terms of branding. Having some level of knowledge about graphics designing helps you get a competitive advantage over others as well as save the expenses of hiring a graphics designer.
If you aren’t into digital art/graphics designing, you can use a YouTube logo generator tool to get started. Here are some options that we’ve compiled:
Intro
One of the best ways to make your viewers familiar with your new channel on a short period is to have an intro that is specific to your channel (similar to production houses). If you already have ideas about the specifics that you want your channel’s intro to have, it’s best to outsource the work to a professional video designer/editor.
However, if you don’t have the budget for it, you can use free online YouTube intro maker tools. These tools are some of the best ones:
Video presentation style
Many overlook the importance of having a proper video presentation style. In order to improve the brand aspect of your gaming YouTube channel, make sure to plan a video presentation style and consistently follow it in every video.
Check out this post from 99designs to learn about the different types of video presentation styles that you can choose from for your channel.
Gear
The gear you use has got a lot to do with the quality of content you put out. The better your gear, the higher your videos’ quality, and the faster your channel’s growth. Getting your hands on proper gear doesn’t necessarily mean you have to shell out a high budget. By making informed choices, you don’t have to risk breaking the bank. Depending on the type of gaming videos you want to create, here’s a list of gear/tools that you need.
Camera
If you want to appear in the videos fully or partially, you’ll need a good camera. There are endless options for cameras online at different price ranges. While DSLR cameras are hailed for their video reproduction quality, mirrorless cameras are now taking over as YouTuber-favorites.
Here are a few cameras that are available at entry-level, medium, and high price ranges:
Nikon D3500 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: DSLR
- Entry-level price
- Video resolution up to 1080p at 60 fps (Full HD)
- Nikon interchangeable lens compatibility
Image credit: Nikon
Canon EOS M50 Mark II – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: Mirrorless
- Mid-level price
- Video resolution up to 4K at 24 fps
- Eye detection autofocus
Image credit: Canon
Fujifilm X-S10 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: Mirrorless
- High price range
- Video resolution up to 4K at 30 fps
- Fujifilm lens compatibility
Image credit: Fujifilm
Video editing software
The next important investment to make is to purchase the right video editing software. As a beginner, there’s no harm is using a free video editing software. However, the features of free video editing sofware are capped at basic functionalities.
Here are few free online video editing software to get your started:
If you want to access advanced editing tools, investing in one of these premium video editing software is definitely worth it:
Microphone
If you are planning to post your gameplays, demo gaming gear, or do commentaries on other players’ gameplays, you’ll need a good microphone for high-quality audio. Below are some of the popular options YouTubers go for:
Shure MV7 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: Dynamic microphone
- XLR and USB outputs supported
- Auto level mode
Image credit: Shure
Rode PodMic – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: Dynamic microphone
- Internal pop filter
- Optimized for speech
Image credit: Rode
Samson C01 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Type: Condenser microphone
- Gold-plated XLR connector
- Well-suited for vocals
Image credit: Samson
Audio interface
Sound cards that come pre-installed with PCs do not suffice for converting analog audio (of microphones) into high-quality digital audio. This is where audio interfaces come into the picture. With an audio interface, you can improve the level of your vocals/voiceovers to studio-grade quality. Here are some of the popular audio interfaces:
Behringer UM2 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Entry-level price
- XLR/TRS combination input
- Direct monitoring
Image credit: Behringer
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Mid-range price
- Two high headroom combo inputs
- High-performance audio converters
Image credit: Focusrite
Steinberg UR22C – Check it out here
Feature highlights:
- Mid-range price
- Two combo inputs
- Latency-free DSP
Image credit: Steinberg
Audio editing/mixer software
If you purchase an audio interface, you generally do not have to spend extra on an audio editing/mixer software (also called DAW) as most interfaces include a free DAW. Behringer audio interfaces come included with Tracktion DAW, Focusrite audio interfaces come with multiple DAWs, including Ableton, Avid Pro Tools, and Focusrite plug-ins. Steinberg audio interfaces come included with Cubasis LE and Cubase AI DAW.
Screen recording software
For creating videos about your gameplays, you need to record your screen. And for that, a good screen recording software is a must-have. What’s interesting to know is that many video editing software include screen recorder as one of the primary built-in tools.
Here are a few free screen record tools that you can try:
Leveraging other channels/platforms
Once your gaming YouTube channel starts growing, you can direct your fan following to other platforms to build communities as well as improve revenue. Twitch is one of the best platforms to branch out to. You can direct your YouTube fans to your Twitch channel and improve its growth which, in turn, helps you build niche communities as well as add more revenue streams. You can also cross-post your Twitch streams to your YouTube channel.
Reddit is another platform you can use to create a niche gaming community and promote your YouTube and Twitch channel.
Image credit: Reddit
Lenovo Legion community is a good platform you can leverage for community-building
Image credit: Lenovo
ASUS ROG is now a broad and strong gaming community that you can leverage.
Image credit: ASUS