YouTube’s Creator Academy is a great resource for learning more about the business world of video, and they’ve just launched a course specifically designed to help you take your brand to the next level. Titled the Get Down To Business Course, this free online course will help you turn your YouTube channel into a fully developed brand and successful business.The lessons featured in this course were created with input from some of YouTube’s top creators and the companies that’ve helped them deliver their content to wider audiences. Below we’ll look a little bit closer at some of the areas that this course focuses on to help channel owners and content creators gain the necessary skills to build their brand.

Set A Vision For Your Brand

An important first step for any business is brainstorming and envisioning what your brand represents. This lesson will help you understand how your brand fits into YouTube and the larger media industry. It will also help you write a mission statement, identify how to engage your community, and form a plan to reach your business goals.

Branding Your Content: Working With Advertisers

It’s becoming common for YouTube creators to partner with brands as more and more companies are looking for opportunities to promote their products or services in creative ways.This lesson covers the most popular types of “brand deals” and will help you seek out the right advertisers for your channel/brand, prepare your pitch, and go from initial idea to sponsorship contract.

Prepare your Pitch

This lesson gives a more in-depth look at how to create your pitch for potential brand partners. Skills covered here include knowing your audience, setting a budget, and structuring the key points of your pitch. Practicing your pitch will make you more comfortable when approaching potential partners.

Build Your Team

Turning your channel into a business can take a lot of time and hard work. Many channels start off a one-person operation but a dedicated team can help you take your business to the next level. Consult this lesson to determine when you should build a team and who would be a good fit for your business.In addition to everything listed above, the Get Down To Business Course also covers brand promotion, budgeting basics, and YouTube earnings management. Each lesson includes helpful videos and activities to put your knowledge to the test. You may also take the optional course quiz get 75% correct or more to receive your letter of completion from YouTube’s Creator Academy.If you’re serious about growning your video business, we encourage you to spend a few hours checking out YouTube’s Get Down To Business Course and let us know which elements are the most helpful to you.