YouTubetorial

             I've recently experienced several instances when YouTube has taught me valuable life lessons. Some of these include how to cut a whole pineapple, how to contour with makeup, how to straighten hair with a flatiron, and how to knit in the round. Among the endless cat videos, screen recordings of people playing video games, and videos that are downright impossible to describe with words, there can also be discovered a plethora of tutorials. These videos can include anything from tips on makeup and hair to the best way to fry a turkey. All you have to do is search what you want to learn and chances are someone has made an instructional video for it.

            That being said, just because a video is on YouTube is not an indication that it is credible or contains quality content. Anyone at all can create a video and upload it to YouTube. Sometimes it might take a bit of searching before truly helpful tutorial content is obtained. With YouTube’s massive reach, especially from Gen Z, some users have become “YouTube famous” from creating quality tutorials on their channel, to which other users can subscribe.

From the helpful tutorials that I have observed, I have compiled a few tips that were important determinants for which videos appeared to be a higher quality over others.

1.     Create a theme. For example, a baking tutorial. It would instruct on various techniques that might be easier to follow when watched rather than described in a recipe book or a blog. The theme allows followers to know the first place to look if they have specific video needs.

2.     Build trust. the more people can trust the source of a YouTube channel, the more followers it will gain. Trust can be gained by delivering excellent content and avoiding negative comments.

3.     Be concise. It is good to include personal details so that the audience feels more comfortable with the tutorial instructor, but never so much detail that it overshadows the viewer’s goal for instantly available instructions.

4.     Prepare ahead of time. The video should be recorded in a setting that does not distract from the message and items that are used for instruction should be organized and readily available.

With all of these tips in hand, YouTube can be a great social media platform for both learning and instruction.