AuthorTube Premium Checklist:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1882700143/authortube-premium-checklist
PayHip: https://payhip.com/b/VXh7z

I’ve been self-publishing books since 2015, I signed with an agent in 2023, my first traditionally published translation came out earlier this year in 2025 AND I’ve been posting to YouTube since 2018. Technically I’m in the authortube niche within the booktube niche here on YouTube.

And when I started, I HAD NO CLUE WHAT I WAS DOING!
Seriously, some internet police should have fined me. And I guess my two years of languishing without any views or subscribers was my penance.

But then I got serious about making YouTube work for me. And I want you to avoid the mistakes I made and get to the fun part of YouTube sooner. So these are all the things you need to do BEFORE you upload a single video.

Why do you even want to be on YouTube? It’s different from other platforms. It’s social media but it is also a function of a major search engine. Do you want to be here to find a way to showcase your books? Do you want to build an audience? Do you want to make money? All are very valid reasons, but you need to know your goal so that you can know if you are reaching it or not.
Make a plan – Who are you making videos for? What content are you going to make? How often will you post? Make a list of at least 3 months’ worth of videos. Give yourself some runway.

You have your goal, you have a plan. Now you need to get to work and record and edit. Now you DON”T need the fanciest equipment out the gate. I will say, that if you can’t get a great camera or lighting right away, still invest in a microphone for good audio first.

So you have some videos and you’re itching to upload. DON’T! Wait. Firs,t set up your channel with the Settings and Customization for your default uploads.
Default Uploads – important to have your links. Link to your books! Include your affiliate links (and a disclaimer!). Add a link to subscribe to your newsletter!
Settings – who is your channel for? Who are you? Include your header banner (include your name and what you post about)

Okay, now you can upload! Be sure to connect with other similar booktubers or authortubers. Make friends here, this can be a great community. Let people know you’re here. Drop a link to your channel in the comments so we can all say hi!

And if you want help with getting you channel started, I have a checklist for you. This is the checklist i wish I had when I got started. It’s $1.99. Why not free? Because I want you to use it and I know those $2 will be enough to make sure you get value from it!

Best of luck and now you can get back to starting your channel!

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvBO4kjuBSYe6Bi3RYQAQA/join