Do I Need an Account for YouTube?
If you haven’t used YouTube before or if you don’t want to link your YouTube account to your Gmail account, you can still participate on the platform without using your Google account. However, there are a few things that you’ll need to know before you can start posting videos on YouTube.
Create a Channel
If you’re ready to take your business to YouTube, it’s time to create a brand-named account. There are several different types of accounts on YouTube, each with its own set of features and benefits.
The first type is the basic YouTube account. You’ll need this to upload, comment on and rate your own videos and to subscribe to others’ content. It’s also a way to customize your experience on the site.
You’ll also need a personal YouTube account to create a channel, which is like the site’s version of a member page. You can use this to watch and share other people’s content, create playlists and befriend other members.
Creating a YouTube account is free and easy to do. The process is simple and takes just a few minutes, but you may need to provide your phone number for verification purposes.
It’s a good idea to have your personal phone number verified because it makes sign-in and verification easier, and it allows you to change your password quickly in case you forget it. It also allows you to receive verification codes via text or voice call, which you’ll find a little easier than trying to remember your username and password.
Make Your Own Banner
Before you post your first video, it’s a good idea to create a custom channel banner that aligns with your business goals and branding. A professional-looking banner will draw attention to your YouTube channel and entice viewers to watch your videos.
Your banner will sit at the top of your channel’s home page, right next to your profile image and video thumbnails. It’s a good place to add your company logo and other imagery that reflects your brand. You can even include a link to your website and social media pages for more traffic.
If you’re looking to increase your engagement, you’ll also need a description for your channel. A good one will explain why you’re creating your videos and what kind of business they represent.
You can also add links to your site, social profiles and any other places you’d like to direct traffic from your YouTube channel. These can increase your chances of driving new subscribers and long-term fans.
Sprout Your Community
Another great tool to help you grow your YouTube business is Sprout’s Advanced Listening feature. This feature tracks the topics that people talk about on YouTube and lets you customize filters to send them data that’s relevant to you.
Sprout helps you monitor the discussion around your business and the keywords that people are searching to learn more about you. It’s a valuable tool for any business on YouTube and an essential part of your marketing strategy.
