… my YouTube channel, that is.

Well, I’m not exactly changing my YouTube channel (that just made for a catchy title), but I decided to put more focus into my abandoned channel, 2createawebsite.

You are probably already subscribed to my original YouTube channel, lisa3876. But a year ago, I registered the 2createawebsite username.

Umm… yeah. Don’t ask why I didn’t use that name originally on YouTube.

Apparently my marketing brain was in the OFF position when I started creating YouTube videos a year and a half ago. I guess branding was a foreign concept to me back then.

So I decided to use this channel for tutorials specifically related to coding, design, using various Web tools, etc.

Right now there are only four videos on this channel and my immediate goal is to add more.  So if you haven’t subscribed, make sure you do so on YouTube or via the RSS feed.

In fact, to kick off the fact I will be posting more videos on that channel, I just created a tutorial that shows you how to create a very simple header in Photoshop.  I’ve been getting a lot of requests for Photoshop tutorials so I will be posting more here in the near future.

Nothing is really changing with my original YouTube channel.  I’ll continue to publish my “keepin’-it-real/ in-your-face” videos about marketing, making money online, etc.  I just wanted to spend more time building up more “techy” tutorials for 2createawebsite.

Errr… maybe I should say “semi-techy” because I don’t really consider myself a technical person. But I know there are enough of you who want to learn to be as semi-technical as me.

Suggestions Please!

As always, I am open to suggestions for video ideas. If there’s something you’d like to learn and you have an idea for a video (related to programming, coding, design, etc.) please feel free to leave a comment here or on the channel page.

I’m also open to widening the scope. Tasks like installing forums, uploading scripts, using cpanel, etc. are all options for videos. Don’t be shy. Start posting those ideas and suggestions folks!

And I’ll see ya on YouTube!

The e-mails have been pouring in regarding the recent changes to my YouTube Channel, so I thought I’d address them on my blog.

I always wondered why some YouTube channels had small banners over the profile names and others didn’t. So after doing some research, I found out about the YouTube Partner program.

I just got accepted last week and I’m pretty excited about the added perks…

1) A customized banner (875×75) at the top of my Channel homepage

2) A customized banner (360×55) above the “Video Info” box

3) Ad revenue sharing for “InVideo” ads and other ads along the right side of the video

4) An HTML-enabled text box at the top of my Channel homepage that I can use to promote my sites, blog, forum, etc.

5) Recognition for being on YouTube’s Top 100 list for “Most Subscribed Partner” of the week

6) More space for video descriptions

Payments are made through AdSense, so you must have an active AdSense account before you can get accepted into the program.

I really like that YouTube rewards members for high-trafficked channels.  Hopefully this is just the beginning of more opportunities.

My YouTube Channel homepage now has a PageRank of 5. And while I’m not one to put much emphasis on PR, I still keep track of it.

Now being able to add links to my sites and blogs from this page may be beneficial since this channel is considered pretty reputable in Google’s eyes.

Getting The Kinks Out

While I’m excited about the YouTube Partner program, it’s obvious there are still a few kinks.  I tried adding the “InVideo” ads to one of my videos about WordPress, and suddenly an ad for Playtex Bras scrolled across my face.

Ummmm…. hopefully YouTube is working to target these ads a little better.  Or maybe there’s a WordPress bra out there that I am not familiar with? 

I also noticed the Google ads that display are often unrelated to the title or description of the video.  So I’ll continue to experiment with different videos to check for relevancy, etc.

Making Your YouTube Debut

OK, enough about me.  Let’s talk about you!

If you haven’t thought about putting yourself on YouTube, now’s a great time.  YouTube continues to add revenue and branding opportunities that will only get better over time.

And if you’re not comfortable putting your face on camera, remember you can also record ScreenCast tutorials with software like Camtasia.

If your site is related to computers or there is some relevant software you can demonstrate for your audience, you can also upload this type of video too.  You can see an example with my CSS tutorial.

I’ve definitely learned one thing in the past year…  People absolutely love video.  They provide a nice break from reading and they give your site personality, uniqueness and depth.

So hopefully you are putting some thought into how you can use YouTube to grow your brand awareness, traffic and even make a little revenue on the side.  Before you know it, you’ll be the next YouTube celeb in your niche!

Go here for more details about becoming a YouTube partner.