5 Crucial Things to Do Before Uploading to YouTube

If you want to grow on YouTube, what happens before you upload is just as important as the video itself. Most small creators hit publish and pray. That’s a losing strategy. Here's a smarter approach that sets your video up for success from the start.

1. Check Demand With Google Trends

Before recording a single frame, validate your idea.

Use Google Trends →

Set region to Worldwide
Set time to Past 12 months
Change from Web Search to YouTube Search

If search interest is steady or rising, you’re on the right track. If no one’s looking for your topic, your video won’t be found — no matter how good it is.

Think of it like this: would you sell lemonade on a mountain or outside a stadium on a hot day?

2. Write a 1-Sentence Video Concept

One sentence. One purpose. One target viewer.

Before scripting, ask:
What’s the video about, who’s it for, and what value does it give?

Examples:

Teach small YouTubers how to get more views on Shorts.
Help busy beginners burn fat fast with a 10-min home workout.

This single sentence will shape your title, script, and call to action. If you can’t write it clearly, your audience won’t understand it either.

3. Craft Titles and Thumbnails First

Yes, before you make the video.

Top creators design their title and thumbnail first, then build the video around it. That way, your content delivers exactly what you promised.

Try this:

Brainstorm 10 different titles.
Design 3 thumbnail variations.
Test and choose the most clickable combo.

Tip: Use ChatGPT to generate extra title ideas — it's fast and free.

4. Research Short and Long-Tail Keywords

Two keyword types you must know:

Short-tail: Your niche (e.g., “YouTube growth,” “fitness”)
Long-tail: The exact topic (e.g., “how to write clickable YouTube titles”)

Use tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or just YouTube search suggestions. Target both types so the algorithm knows what your video is about and who it’s for.