If you find comfort in watching YouTube videos, chances are you’ve already thought of becoming like your favorite creators and giving it a shot.

As part of Google’s mission to help women upskill and create livelihood opportunities through its platforms and content, YouTube held this year’s edition of its Digiskarteng Pinay with an online training workshop for aspiring and budding creators.

Want to get started with your content creation journey? Here are some helpful tips from experienced content creators and insider advice from YouTube:

Where do I start?

The most important thing for a content creator to establish first is what their channel will be all about. Defining the goal will make it incredibly easier for a creator to find their way and consistently come out with content that can resonate.

“The most important thing is to know your ‘Why’ and your ‘What.’ Find your voice,” said Andrea Romualdez, Strategic Partner Manager at YouTube. “A good first thing to consider asking yourself is how would you like to have an impact? Are you there because you want to share something specific? Do you have a passion for something or a talent that you really want to get out there?”

Setup your channel

YouTube has a host of options that can help creators succeed once they figure out their goals, such as content verticals that cover and classify a wide range of topics, branding elements that establish a channel’s identity, and settings that will allow creators to monetize their content and potentially sustain a livelihood, and analytics that can measure their performance and help them adjust accordingly.

Remember, Youtube Studio will be your best friend!

What do you want to be known for?

Andrea also emphasized the importance of choosing a vertical or a niche you want to be known for. Do you want to do beauty and lifestyle, gaming, or music content? In this way, your audience will recall you as their “go-to” person. You might want to keep up with trendy content, of course, but Andrea also shared there are creators who succeed by tapping into smaller and more passionate communities.

Make the most of what you’ve got

One of the most daunting things about starting your YouTube journey is the idea that you need the best equipment to shoot the best content. With the advent of accessible and affordable devices that can shoot in relatively high definition, however, it’s now easier than ever to use what you’ve got.

Lyqa Maravilla of Team Lyqa shared, “The best equipment you can use is the one you already have. The thing is, you have the ability to create quality content simply because you are able to consume content right now. We all have a smartphone, and what that means is you have in your hands the power to be a content creator.”

What is the filming equipment to invest in?

The more you create content, you might want to level up to better equipment, especially when you earn the budget for it. When asked about filming equipment to invest in, Team Lyqa shared her top three production tools: microphone, lighting, and a tripod. Of course, these are not necessary when you’re just starting out. Keep them in your cart and save up for them!

How do you build your community?

Once a creator starts a channel and sets up their first few videos, it may be hard to keep going and figure out what else they want to show the world. According to Team Tarah, “You do you and then listen to your community.”

They stuck to a philosophy of not only planning possible content to make but also of simply documenting everything that happens. They quote from the musical Hamilton: “This is not a moment, it’s a movement,” referring to how they don’t wait for any “shootable” moments to come around–instead, they simply record and let it all resonate. It’s important to retain the valuable authenticity and genuineness your audience will love!

How do you find opportunities for monetization?

Let’s be real – monetization is a big goal for upcoming and existing YouTube creators. Other than starting out as a fun hobby, earning has also become a reason for starting out a channel for many. There are multiple ways to earn from YouTube, according to Vern and Verniece Enciso. It can be through Google Adsense, affiliate links, and brand partnerships.

But what’s most important is you stay true to yourself. “There’s no need to deliberately curate posts and content releases just to attract brands for a partnership,” said Vern and Vernice. “Once you’re being yourself and you find your little family on YouTube, the brands will just come. You don’t have to pressure yourself. When you’re just really being yourself and you’re listening to your audience and community, the brands will come naturally.”

The life-changing power of self-promotion

A huge part of women’s success on any platform is the power of self-promotion, which can be intimidating to do. That’s why Google established its far-reaching #IAmRemarkable global initiative that empowers everyone, especially underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond.

One of the most important roles #IAmRemarkable has is raising awareness of people’s roles as allies to each other, which can be very helpful in the self-promotion of underrepresented groups. Google’s Global Content Manager for Pixel and #IamRemarkable Champion, Miami Cabansay, explained that there are three ways to do this: attribute ideas correctly, acknowledge accomplishments, and ask probing questions to encourage people.

“A great way for experienced YouTube creators to practice supporting up-and-coming creators is to mention them in your vlog, attribute their content, and encourage them with your own stories of how you started and what your struggles were. It will help create the culture of repeating one’s stories and magnifying them through your network of subscribers,” Miami said.

To watch the full replay of Digiskarteng Pinay online training workshop for creators, head over to the Google Philippines YouTube channel.