How to Create a YouTube Channel

Too Lazy; Didn’t Register 😎 (TL;DR)?

Yes, pun intended! If you do not already have a Google account, this post will show you step-by-step how to create one, and then how to set up your YouTube story–time animation channel.

Even if you’ve never done this before, by the end, you’ll have a channel ready to start creating content!
Bonus: I’ll also show you how to create a second channel on the same account for free.

🎬 Welcome Back, Future Animator!

Previously, we discussed how to choose your channel name and logo – create your brand identity.
Now it’s time to actually create your YouTube channel, which requires a Google account first.

Even if you already have one, it’s worth reading because some tips are handy for beginners.

STEP 1

Create a Google Account

If you don’t already have a Google account, here’s how to make one. Whether you are on a desktop or mobile device, you can follow these steps below:

NOTE: If you don’t have an email at all, click ‘Create Gmail instead.’ We will skip business accounts for now; personal is enough for a story-time channel. You may think ‘For myself‘ is easier because it’s your personal story-time channel. But ‘To manage my business’ is better even for story-time animation:

• Multiple people can sign in to your channel without sharing your Google password.
• You can give collaborators access safely.
• You can use a different YouTube name than your Google account name.
• Easier management if you decide to scale your channel or monetize later.

So yes, even if it’s ‘your personal story-time channel,’ select “To manage my business.’

Laptop/Desktop Version:

1. Open a web browser of your choice; I personally use Opera, and go to google.com.
2. Click on ‘Sign in‘ (usually top-right).
3. Click ‘Create account‘ → ‘To manage my business‘.
4. Fill in your first and last name.
5. Choose your email address.
6. Create a password and confirm it. Then, click on Next.
7. Enter your alternate email or phone number (optional, but helpful if you forget your password).
8. Enter your birthday and gender.
9. On Terms and Conditions, press ‘I agree‘ and whisper: “I lied” 😜 (jk, read them if you like).
10. When asked to add a business profile, tap “Not now”.

Smartphone Version:

1. Open the Gmail app, Google app, or your phone browser.
2. Tap Sign in → Create account → To manage my business.
3. Enter first and last name.
4. Tap ‘Use my current email‘ or ‘Create a Gmail address‘.
5. Create and confirm your password. Then, tap Next.
6. Optional but recommended: Enter phone number and recovery email.
7. Enter birthday and gender.
8. Accept Terms and Conditions (‘I agree’ 😜).

✅ Congratulations! You now have a Google account that works on desktop, laptop and smartphone.

STEP 2

Create a YouTube Channel

Now, let us set up your story–time animation channel on YouTube.

Laptop/Desktop Version:

1. Open a web browser of your choice; I personally use Opera, and go to youtube.com.
2. Click or tap your profile circle (top-right).
3. Click Create a Channel.
4. Type your channel name (your Google name or a custom name: e.g. TakziAnimates).
5. Click Create Channel.

Smartphone Version:

1. Open YouTube app {application}.
2. Click or tap your profile circle (top-right).
3. Click Create a Channel.
4. Type your channel name (your Google name or a custom name: e.g. TakziAnimates).
5. Click Create Channel.

⚠️ Age Warning

• You must be 13 and above to create a channel yourself.
• If you’re under 13? Then, use a parent’s account without sharing personal info or showing that a minor is making content.

BONUS

Create a Second Channel

on the Same Google Account

Thank you for reading this far! 🎁

You can create another channel under the same Google account:

1. Click your profile icon.
2. Tap Switch account → Add account
3. Click on Create a channel.
4. Give it a different name from your first channel.

✅ This is useful if you want to experiment with a new style without creating a whole new Google account.

Your Next Step

Now that your Google account and YouTube channel are ready, your channel is still blank. The next step is to optimize your channel settings and enable advanced features.

In the next blog, we will cover everything you need to do to make your channel ready for your story-time content, including tags, description, language, location, contact info, upload settings, feature eligibility, and community moderation – all without needing any drawing skills yet.