A practical, ordered list for setting up a new channel without missing the basics.
Use this list when you create a new channel, and again every few months as a quick review. Menu names change, so treat it as a list of jobs and use YouTube Help for the current screens. The picture below shows the order of the six groups.
Setup order at a glance
1Secure the accountPassword, 2-Step, recovery
2Choose identityName and handle
3Brand itPicture, banner, description
4Learn StudioKnow where things live
5Add your teamBy role, never by password
6Ready to publishPromise and first ideas
1. Account and security
[ ] Google Account chosen (personal or dedicated) and recovery details added.
[ ] Long, unique password stored in a password manager.
[ ] 2-Step Verification turned on.
2. Channel identity
[ ] Channel name chosen and checked for confusion with existing names.
[ ] Handle chosen: short, easy to spell and say.
[ ] Decision made between a personal-name channel and a custom-named channel, based on whether you will ever work with a team.
3. Branding
[ ] Profile picture that still reads at a small size.
[ ] Banner with the key content in the safe area.
[ ] Description that says who the channel is for, what you publish and how often.
[ ] Links and a business contact, if you want to be reached.
[ ] Artwork that you made or have the right to use.
4. Studio familiarity
[ ] You know where to find Content, Analytics, Comments, Customization and Settings.
[ ] Upload defaults reviewed, such as default visibility.
[ ] Notifications and email preferences chosen.
5. Team and access
[ ] Anyone who helps is invited by role, not given your password.
[ ] Each person has their own account with 2-Step Verification.
[ ] A date to review access is in your calendar.
6. Ready to publish
[ ] A written channel promise: who it helps and how.
Read through the list again. Update the banner and description if the channel has changed, remove access for people who have left, and check that recovery details are still correct.