12 Tips to Start a Simple, Easy YouTube Gaming Channel

KNOWLEDGE – Dec 13, 2024 – Phương ĐH

YouTube Gaming is currently one of the most popular social media platforms among young people. But do you fully understand how to start a simple YouTube Gaming channel and how YouTubers take advantage of this platform to make money? Let’s explore everything about YouTube Gaming and tips to help content creators succeed in this article from TUBRR!

See also:

• Playables – Play game features on YouTube
• The return of the “Retrogaming” trend on YouTube
• 15 YouTube niches to make money in 2024

I. What is YouTube Gaming? How Creators Make Money from YouTube Gaming

1. What is YouTube Gaming?
   YouTube Gaming is a part of the social media platform YouTube, where users can watch content related to gaming as well as livestreams from gamers. Here, YouTubers can earn money in various ways, such as selling products, affiliate marketing, membership programs, and other methods.
2. How Creators Make Money from YouTube Gaming

• Donations from Fans: One way YouTubers can earn money from YouTube Gaming is through donations from their fans. The channel owner can create an account with Streamlabs, allowing fans to donate, and the YouTuber will receive the funds.
• Ad Revenue: Through livestreams, YouTubers can earn money from ads by partnering with brands. The amount of money from ads depends on the YouTuber’s popularity and the content they provide. However, YouTubers must meet certain requirements to qualify for ad revenue: they must be over 18, their channel needs at least 10,000 views, and the content must be trustworthy and friendly to receive brand partnerships.
• Affiliate Marketing: YouTubers can earn commissions by promoting products through affiliate links on their channels. However, each affiliate program may have different timeframes and formats, so it’s essential to research before accepting products to promote.
• YouTube Gaming Memberships: YouTube Gaming allows YouTubers to offer additional perks to their fans, such as extra videos, exclusive emojis, and more. YouTubers decide which perks to provide, and they receive 70% of the membership fee for their channel. However, to qualify for this, YouTubers must meet the following criteria: be a YouTube Partner, be over 18 years old, and have at least 30,000 subscribers.
• Super Chat: YouTube Super Chat allows fans to pay between $1 and $500 to have their comment highlighted. The YouTuber gets 70% of the payment, and YouTube takes 30%. To qualify, YouTubers must be over 18, a YouTube Partner, and live in a country where this feature is available.
• Selling Merchandise: YouTubers can also make money by selling merchandise to their fans. Although the products may not always appear in their videos, viewers can visit the YouTuber’s store and make purchases. The channel must meet the requirements: at least 10,000 subscribers, be a YouTube Partner, the country must support this feature, and the channel must comply with YouTube’s community guidelines.

II. 12 Tips to Start a Simple, Easy YouTube Gaming Channel

1. Focus on the Audience, Not Just One Game
   When starting a YouTube Gaming channel, don’t focus solely on one game. Limiting your content to just one game can restrict your channel’s growth. Instead, focus on a specific audience.

For example: You don’t need to commit only to playing or talking about Super Mario 64. It’s more optimal to target an audience of people who love 90s video games in general.

1. Focus on Watch Time
   When your channel has good watch time, it’s usually a sign that your content is meeting the needs of the viewers and keeping them engaged.

One of the biggest findings in the past year is that audiences tend to prefer longer videos. A small survey from the Space Cadet Rewind channel, which achieved over 100,000 views with a 2-hour video analyzing Wing Commander, shows how long videos can attract a larger audience. You can try combining several long videos into a marathon-style stream, like what Runescape or Settled have done.

1. Prepare the Right Equipment to Start Your Channel
   What equipment do you need to start your YouTube Gaming channel? Here are some tools that will help make your videos more engaging:

• Microphone: Many gamers add commentary to their videos, especially while playing. Invest in good-quality sound equipment to ensure your audience can easily follow along.
• Digital Camera: This can be a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or webcam. You will need a device to record yourself while gaming.
• Lighting for YouTube Videos: Create bright, attractive settings if you want to appear in your frame.
• Green Screen (optional): Many gamers use green screens for livestreams, removing the background so only the player’s image remains against the game backdrop.

1. Choose the Right Name for Your Channel
   Naming your YouTube Gaming channel is one of the most important steps when starting. Follow these guidelines when choosing your channel name:

• Pick a name that is easy to spell and remember.
• If possible, choose a name that reflects the game or game genre you’re playing.
• Keep your name under 70 characters.
• Use relevant keywords.
• Avoid using offensive language.

For example, many gamers name their channels after the games they play. Though not mandatory, it can help make your channel’s name unique.

Example 1: “100 Percent Zelda” – a channel that shares game guides for Zelda. Example 2: “Poke Daxi” – a channel offering tips for Pokémon Go.

1. Avoid Falling into the ‘Let’s Play’ Trap
   Many gamers enjoy posting “Let’s Play” videos on YouTube, and that’s completely understandable. However, the problem is that the “Let’s Play” genre is saturated with content, making it difficult for new channels to gain traction unless they’re already popular.

If your channel is still small, focus on creating unique, creative content that tells a story, as smaller channels with creative storytelling can still succeed.

1. Join Gaming Communities to Find Video Ideas
   Coming up with video ideas can be one of the biggest challenges when developing a YouTube Gaming channel. A great way to start is by immersing yourself in other gaming communities.

Try joining online communities like Discord or Facebook groups for gamers. Find a group centered around the game or genre you love, and listen to what others are discussing.

You’ll discover:

• Upcoming updates in the game
• Aspects of the game that excite people
• Common questions from new players

These three elements can lead to some great video ideas!

1. Post Videos Regularly on a Fixed Schedule
   Before starting your YouTube Gaming channel, commit to posting videos regularly. At least one video per week is a good starting point to build and grow an audience on YouTube.
2. Introduce Videos Briefly, Get to the Point Quickly
   It’s important to grab the viewer’s attention within the first 30 seconds of your video. If someone clicks on your video but doesn’t stick around for the first 30 seconds, it signals to YouTube’s algorithm that your video might not meet expectations, making it less likely to be recommended to others.
3. Create Engaging Thumbnails and Titles
   Video titles and thumbnails are key to attracting viewers. They encourage people to click on your content, so make sure they’re always optimized.

The title of your video also helps it rank higher in YouTube search results. Thumbnails should also encourage viewers to click more often.

Stay Up to Date with Gaming Trends
Trending topics provide a great opportunity to get more views on YouTube. You can capitalize on pop culture, holidays, gaming news, or anything that provides positive value to your channel.