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In the past few years, there has been an increase in blogging, especially travel blogging and travel YouTube channels. This is likely because travel has become more accessible than ever before.
With the advent of cheap flights and affordable accommodation, more people can travel to different parts of the world.
And one of the best ways to share your travel experiences with others is via video. By creating engaging travel videos, you not only can share your adventures with others but also give them a glimpse into different cultures and locations.
Yet, starting a travel YouTube channel is not as easy as it may seem. It requires a good deal of planning and preparation.
In this post, we will give you a quick rundown on how to start a travel YouTube channel. We will also give you tips on making videos for your channel.
8 Tips To Make A Successful Travel YouTube Channel
1. Pick A Sub-Travel Niche
There are a lot of YouTube channels out there. So, how do you make your videos stand out from the rest?
By picking a niche!
When you focus on a specific topic, you can become an expert in that area and build a loyal following of viewers who are interested in what you have to say.
Your channel’s niche will serve as its focal point and dictate the kinds of videos you produce, the viewers you draw, and the channel’s general tenor.
You only need to ask yourself three questions:
- A topic you are passionate about: When you are passionate about a topic, it is easier to come up with ideas for videos and to keep your channel updated.
- Your audience: Who do you want to attract to your channel? Is it for travel enthusiasts, business travelers, casual travelers, and country explorers?
- Your desire to shoot videos: Do you desire to create blogs that highlight your unique experiences? The audience will be more interested in your perception of your surroundings than in how everything is being depicted.
Still not sure what kind of travel niche to pick? Here are some ideas to help you begin:
- Travel food niche
- Travel vlogs
- Travel guide videos
2. Start Creating Content
Once you have decided on a niche, it is time to create content. Remember to focus on quality over quantity; your channel will be on its way to success in no time.
Ensure your videos are informative, providing viewers with knowledge about the places you visit. Share your travel experiences with others and inspire them to explore new places.
3. Set The Foundation of Pre Production
Creating a travel video is not as difficult as you may think. With planning and effort, you can create a video that will be enjoyable for viewers to watch.
Choose an Interesting Location
When selecting a location for your travel video, be sure to choose a place that will be appealing and interesting to watch.
Are you referring to travel for enjoyment? Then you will need to concentrate your videos on fun locations, delicious restaurants, activities, and unrealistic locales.
Do you focus on business travel? Then, you should focus on which streets and locations to avoid.
Explore which transportation options provide the quickest route from neighborhood hotels to your office buildings. Also, explore the hotels that offer the most value for the money and restaurants that are appropriate for dining with clients.
Story Comes First
You would need a story for your videos even though you are traveling. Nobody wants to see your 10-minute point-of-view videos of you strolling through Dutch streets.
What is your day’s aim? Make it an adventure and enjoy it!
Also, do not be ashamed to display your suffering. Did something not go as planned? Inform the audience of your feelings. They want to know that you are a genuine person and that traveling is not only about bling and glamor.
4. Video Cameras And Equipment Decide The Quality of Your Video
Consider the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, the Sony ZV-1, or even the Sony ZV-E10 if you do not mind small cameras while shooting. They are handy and give you quality shots.
Show your viewers what the camera can show them rather than what you can say.
Use on-camera microphones while filming for content, but prepare to create a voice-over track in the post-production of videos. Or you can use a real-time YouTube video editor that compiles your video and audio in one place without requiring you to go through many software programs.
5. Film Travel Videos The Right Way
Watch your autofocus when moving around a subject that requires close attention, such as food or a lengthy instruction, and follow focus if necessary.
Remember, an excessive focus lengthens the take and annoys your audience.
Take pictures of sharp edges in powerful light and dull edges in dim light. Particularly when the sun is low yet sharp, in parks, on the streets, and from the outside of buildings.
Shooting in gloomy, indirect, soft, or light-filled environments should highlight people, food, and cozy textures.
Mix wide shots and linear pans with medium and close-up details, different signage, or cultural icons to give the setting, architecture, and landscapes more depth.
Always allow 3-5 seconds for established starters and hold the same shots for 3-5 seconds at the finish to give yourself a tail for effects in post-production.
Besides, ensure the videos are short but impactful. Being brief at first is essential since people will stay for longer as time goes on.
6. Edit Your YouTube Videos
Ensure your videos are well-edited and engaging. A travel video that is boring or edited poorly will not be successful. Use YouTube templates that will help your audience grasp what you are doing. You can mask poor video clips with cuts or other images while editing.
Before processing and editing YouTube videos, shoot at the highest resolution possible. Full HD will slow down a device that is not configured for large video files unless you have a supportive computer.
Even if you forgot to shoot the intro and outro for your videos, you have customized intro video templates and outro video templates to help you create one in minutes!
7. Optimize Your YouTube Videos
While Google owns YouTube, the two are still separate entities with different algorithms. This means that you need to optimize your videos for YouTube if you want them to be successful.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Use keyword-rich titles that describe your video content
- Use tags to help YouTube classify your video
- Create transcripts of your videos so YouTube can index the spoken word
- Improve the quality of your thumbnail image
- Use a mix of text, audio, and visuals to keep viewers engaged
- Provide closed captioning
8. Engage With Creators In Travel Community
Get along with other travel YouTubers. It will strongly impact your channel. Besides, you will learn a ton from traveling with other like-minded individuals.
Why invest hefty bucks in courses when you can learn everything from your co-YouTubers? Attend workshops to connect with like-minded people and to get off well with your newbie travel YouTube journey.
Conclusion
There’s never going to be the perfect time to start your travel YouTube channel. Kick off your YouTube journey with the above tips. Never miss out on uploading videos consistently because you never know which video will land you big opportunities.
