Everything You Need To Know To Start Your YouTube Channel in 2026

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/Na8rto6X_M0We share a practical plan to get your channel ready for the new year, built on audience intent, packaging strategy, and consistent execution. Along the way we dig into collabs, AB testing, hooks that buy watch time, and how to turn strangers into fans without burning out.• why understanding audience intent drives topics and tone• packaging as title, thumbnail, and topic working as one promise• simple thumbnails with a single focal point• hooks that match the promise and buy more time• consistency as a repeatable format, not a rigid schedule• using collab tools to expand reach responsibly• intentional AB title tests and when to use them• deepening connection with comments and voice replies• a focused checklist to clarify niche, value, and category• answering why a stranger would watch with a sharp pitch

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/Na8rto6X_M0We lay out a practical plan to revive a stalling YouTube channel by shifting with audience interests, refreshing formats, and resurrecting older videos with smarter packaging. We share how to read AVD, CTR, and cadence, design for strangers, and adapt to policy shifts you can’t control.• busting the shadowban myth and reframing blame• spotting audience drift and competition pressure• reading average view duration and click-through rate• tracking channel cadence and views per hour• testing topics to avoid fatigue and when to pivot• using content buckets to build coherent variety• flipping formats and finding unique angles• mapping viewer intent from discovery to action• applying the Lazarus strategy to old uploads• reuploading, retention-led edits, and packaging• onboarding new viewers with quick context• navigating policy changes on reuse and AIHit the link in the show notes or the description below. Check out our Discord, we have a lot of helpful people there. We literally have one-on-one coaching with experts that'll help you grow your channel. There's a link in the description and in the show notes. Hit that subscribe button, leave us a five star audio review, and we'll see y'all in the next one.

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/Na8rto6X_M0We break down five core reasons channels stall and show how to restart growth with viewer-first strategy, stronger hooks, and a system you can sustain. We share practical fixes for niche confusion, retention drop-offs, and perfectionism while offering accountability tools to keep you moving.• redefining consistency as creator accountability not algorithm worship• building realistic schedules for full-time workers• defining a clear viewer and choosing three to five content buckets• becoming the through line so topics can broaden over time• matching title and thumbnail promises in the first 15 seconds• rehooking through sections and removing early ending cues• using shorts to practice hooks and pacing• planning story in pre-production to raise quality faster• shipping, measuring, and improving one lever per video• committing to a no-quit window and pivoting with purpose• joining community for feedback and accountabilitySubscribe if you like it. Email us your questions at [email protected]. Join our free Discord to meet other creators and get feedback. We have one-on-one coaching linked in the show notes. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts.

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/Na8rto6X_M0We bring John back to unpack leaving a staff role for creator life, why viral shorts didn’t feel like success, and how a mission to help creators beat “slop” changed everything. We answer audience questions on TV viewers, brand ROI, streaming strategy, and AI editing’s limits.• redefining success from views to impact and mission• separating formats when shorts overshadow long form• subtitles, metadata and clarity reviving old stories• outside perspective as the only reliable “metric”• cutting ego, tightening hooks and payoff discipline• TV watch time depressing sub conversion on travel content• pitching brands with ROI proof and affiliate data• multi‑streaming pragmatics and YouTube‑native packaging• repurposing landscape to vertical without bad crops• AI editing as assistant, not storyteller• simplifying platforms to avoid burnout and ship moreJohn's Instagram - https://instagram.com/HeyJohnScottJohn's Creator Advice - https://youtuber.help/John's Viral Shorts Course - https://viral.school/

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/Na8rto6X_M0vidIQ India: https://www.youtube.com/@vidIQIndiaWe test YouTube’s collab feature with real data, compare two collaborations with opposite discovery patterns, and share how vidIQ India used a single launch to stand on its own. We also tackle shorts vs long‑form conversions, time sacrifice, and cultural insights that change how you read subscriber counts.• Why audience fit beats audience size for collaborations• How the collab feature seeds subscription feeds and triggers recommendations• VidIQ India launch results and sustaining views without a collab boost• SPEED vs Nomad Push case studies and what made one “stickier”• Turning shorts viewers into long‑form viewers with bridges and expectations• Practical time sacrifices, prioritisation, and avoiding burnout• “Hyper subscribe” in India and what subscriber counts really mean• Future tools: sponsored segments, detection, and creator controlFeel free to subscribe on YouTube. If you’re listening to the audio podcast, leave us a five star review

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/0RE0fZkIbI4We trace Robin’s wild journey from a struggling skate channel and homelessness to a thriving English-language travel vlog built from internet cafes, $11 nights, and relentless challenges. Skating Japan, crossing Korea, riding a gifted moped through 47 prefectures, and now vanlife—each arc stacks story, skill, and momentum.• why the skate channel rose during Olympics then collapsed in a niche market• partner exit and the choice to livestream a seven-month Japan crossing• super chats as temporary fuel and the need for durable formats• creating Nomad Push and targeting English speakers with honest travel• life inside Japan’s internet cafes and how to live on night packs• filming for serendipity, editing for pace, and using quiet well• budget Japanese food, prices, and practical tips for safe travel• the 2M-view shoutout, riding the wave, and sustaining growth• moped journey across 47 prefectures and DIY map graphics• launching vanlife to prevent a post-challenge slump• creative mindset: have fun, do something extreme, avoid burnoutCheck out Robin’s channel, links in the description

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/42BclmoqbB4We walk through how the guys left Donut, built Speeed from scratch, and learned to balance inspiration with packaging without burning out. We share what worked, what flopped, and why authenticity is the only sustainable strategy on YouTube.• lessons from High Low and big-budget production• why we left and how we kept it respectful• first upload panic and the rebound• the “magazine” model beyond cars• experiments that outperformed expectations• packaging rules: idea first, thumbnail second• what the algorithm gets right and wrong• analytics traps with the 1–10 ranking• tools, sponsors, and weekly ops pressure• small-channel shoutouts and influences• live two-minute channel pitch challengeIf you're new to Speeed, you can check them out. There'll be a link in the description as well as the show notes if you're listening to audio podcast.

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/0RE0fZkIbI4We break down how to grow on YouTube by thinking like a viewer, from using the collab feature without breaking the promise to designing for lean-back TV audiences. We also answer listener questions on mixed-format channels, browse vs search, accessibility, and naming your channel.• why the algorithm serves viewers, not creators• how to use the collab feature to meet expectations• where collabs fit in your content mix• TV viewing habits and lean-back packaging• AI upscaling and higher-res thumbnails for TVs• playlists and targeted end screens for binges• browse vs search and “scary” analytics• separating podcasts from produced videos• accessibility cues that boost retention• naming a channel for memorability and growthYou can subscribe if you feel like it. Or even better, watch another podcast. If you’re on the audio podcast, leaving us a five star review is always amazing and appreciated.

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video version here: https://youtu.be/s4dQbeDH0VsWe dig into YouTube’s AI push, the underrated power of the new collaboration tool, and why understanding human behavior beats chasing algorithm lore. Listener questions take us from reptile care positioning to audio-only let’s plays to the collector mindset that turns variety into a focused channel.• AI-enabled creation vs policy enforcement tension• Collaboration tool benefits and onboarding friction• Entertainment vs education packaging for animal niches• On-camera energy: the 130 percent rule• Audio-only let’s plays limits and visual repackaging• Titles that trigger curiosity through specificity• Collector through lines that enable channel variety• Search intent, answer-first structure, and personality layering• RPM realities for shorts and likely AI feeds• Hype feature timing and practical CTAsIf you’re listening and you want to send us an email, you can send it to theboost at vidik.com

Send us a textAuto-clip your long form into viral shorts- https://link.vidiq.com/podcast-to-shortsGet the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/-PzSEl2E2UoWe put YouTube’s new Collab feature through a real test and watched first-day impressions jump from 2,800 to 58,000 on a new channel. We dig into analytics, tradeoffs, and how smaller creators can partner smart without changing their format.• How the Collab feature expands distribution into partner subscriptions and browse• Why launch timing matters more than retroactive collabs• What to expect when CTR and AVD dip but total watch time soars• Practical steps for small-channel collaborations and shared analytics• When to separate education from entertainment to avoid audience confusion• Diagnosing big impression drops with traffic sources and seasonality• Using AI to lift scripts, audio, and ideation without losing your voice• Positioning in saturated niches and when identity should inform brandingSubscribe on the podcast channel for weekly Q&A and leave us a five star review on Apple if you’re enjoying the show