I had no idea what I was doing when I first started my YouTube channel. I wasn’t a tech person, or a filmmaker, and I had zero experience with creating content. I was just someone who had figured out how to make passive income selling digital products on Etsy and thought, maybe I can teach other people how to do this too.
A year and a half later I hit 100K subscribers. With under 60 videos on my channel, starting from absolute zero.
People ask me all the time: what tools do you actually use? Not the tools that every generic recommendations, but the ones that made a real difference for someone building a channel from scratch while also running a business. So I’m writing this post to answer that question honestly, from my own experience.
Quick answer: The tools that made the biggest difference in my growth were Canva Pro (thumbnails), CapCut and Final Cut Pro (editing), and Stan Store (monetization through digital products), and Kit (email marketing). But keep reading, because the how matters just as much as the what.
1. YouTube SEO and Keyword Research Tools
Here is something a lot of experienced YouTubers aren’t talking about when they talk about YouTube growth advice: YouTube isn’t a social media site. It’s a search engine.
People are typing in questions and topics every single day, and if your videos show up for those searches, you get views on autopilot. If they don’t, you’re basically invisible unless you already have a big audience pushing you.
SEO tools are what help you figure out what people are actually searching for in your niche, and how to position your videos to show up for those searches. This was one of the first things I learned, and I genuinely think it’s one of the main reasons that my channel grew as fast as it did.
I personally studied Search Engine Optimization in graduate school, and between that general knowledge and the “trends” tab in YouTube analytics, I managed to grow my channel without external SEO tools.
You can watch this step-by-step video tutorial if you want to follow my strategy ⬇️
If you need a tool to help you grow, VidIQ is highly recommended by a lot of experienced YouTubers.
I like VidIQ for its Daily Ideas feature, which uses AI to suggest video topics based on your specific channel and niche. When I’m in a creative rut or planning out a month of content, VidIQ gives me a solid starting point.
- Best for: Content planning, competitor research, channel auditing
- Pricing: Free plan available; Basic starts at ~$7.50/month
Google Trends and YouTube Search: Free and Underrated
Before you spend anything, use these two free tools. Google Trends shows you whether a topic is growing or dying. YouTube’s autocomplete tells you what people in your niche are actively searching for right now. I still use both of these regularly even with paid tools.
2. Video Editing Software
Editing was honestly the thing I was most intimidated by when I started. I had never edited a video in my life. Here’s what I’ve learned after two years of doing this: you don’t need to be a professional editor. You need software that helps you cut out the boring parts and keep people watching.
Watch time is YouTube’s most important ranking signal. The longer people watch your videos, the more the algorithm pushes them. Good editing keeps people watching. That’s the whole job.
iMovie: I started with iMovie because it was free. It got the job done, but now that I’ve upgraded my editing tools I can’t imagine going back. It covers the basics but it’s kind of a pain to use since it’s not really designed for long or intricate projects, and it’ll only be possible if you’re using an apple device.
CapCut was the first paid editing tool I ever used and honestly it’s still my go-to for YouTube Shorts. The templates are good, the sound effects & fonts are aligned with popular trends, and the software is super intuitive which makes learning shortcuts super quick. If you’re just starting out or if you mainly create short-form content, CapCut is all you need.
- Best for: YouTube Shorts, beginners, fast turnaround content
- Pricing: Free & Pro versions available
- My take: Start here. It’s free and it works.
Final Cut Pro: What I Moved to for Long-Form Content
Once I upgraded my laptop, I switched my editing software to Final Cut Pro. I’m on a Mac, and Final Cut Pro is genuinely the best editing experience for Mac users. The magnetic timeline is fast and intuitive, the color tools are great, and since it’s a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription, it actually saves money long-term.
The learning curve is real but not as steep as people make it out to be. I had it figured out within a couple of weeks of consistent use.
- Best for: Mac users, long-form videos, creators who want a professional workflow
- Pricing: One-time purchase (~$299.99); 90-day free trial available
- My take: Worth every penny if you’re on Mac and plan to do this long-term.
3. Thumbnail Design
Your thumbnail is the first thing someone sees before they decide whether to click on your video. I cannot overstate how much this matters. I’ve seen the exact same video get dramatically different view counts just because of a thumbnail change. It is that important.
I use Canva Pro for all of my thumbnails and I genuinely love it. The free version is decent, but the Pro features are what take your thumbnails to the next level.
Canva Pro: My Go-To Thumbnail Tool
The features I use most in Canva Pro are the background removal (essential for putting yourself on a clean or custom background), the Brand Kit (so my fonts and colors are consistent across every thumbnail), and the blur tool (which lets me blur my background to make my face stand out).
One of the best things I did early on was create a thumbnail template with my brand colors and fonts, then duplicate and customize it for every new video. This built instant recognition in search results. When people see my thumbnails, they know it’s me before they even read my name.
- Best for: All creator levels, building consistent visual branding
- Pricing: ~$12.99/month or ~$119.99/year (free trial available)
- My take: This is one of the first things I recommend when people ask me what to invest in. The Pro plan is worth it from day one.
You can watch my step by step YouTube thumbnail tutorial here ➡️ How to Make a YouTube Thumbnail in Canva
4. Content Planning & Organizing
The reason most YouTube channels stop growing is not bad editing or bad thumbnails. It is inconsistency. And inconsistency usually comes from not having a system.
When I first started my channel, I was keeping track of everything in my head. Video ideas were scattered in my notes app, scripts were in random Google Docs, and I had no real visibility into what stage each video was at. Was it filmed? Edited? Scheduled? Did I ever finish the script? I genuinely did not always know.
So I built myself a content planner in Notion.
This planner keeps everything in one place. I use it to store video ideas and potential titles, track each video through every stage of production from idea all the way to published, write and save my scripts, store channel assets like brand colors and thumbnail templates, and keep a running schedule so I always know what is getting published and when.
The thing I love most about having a system like this is that it removes the mental load. I do not have to hold my content calendar in my head anymore. I open Notion, see exactly where every video stands, and know what I need to work on that day. That clarity is what makes it possible to show up consistently week after week.
5. Monetizing with Digital Products
I started selling digital products on Etsy back in 2023, before I even had a YouTube channel. That experience taught me that you don’t need a huge audience to make real money online. You need to help people solve a specific problem.
When I started my YouTube channel, there ended up being a natural demand for different digital products that could help my audience there with growing their online businesses (like planners, 1-on-1 consultations, and more).
After a lot of experimentation, I ended up setting up a Stan Store to host my products.
What is Stan Store?
Stan Store is a digital storefront built specifically for creators. You can sell courses, digital downloads, templates, coaching sessions, and memberships all from one link. It lives in your YouTube bio, so anyone who visits your channel can buy from you with just a few taps.
- Best for: Selling digital products, courses, coaching, and templates directly to your YouTube audience
- Pricing: Starts at ~$29/month with no transaction fees
- My take: Do not wait until you hit 100K to set this up.. A small, engaged audience will buy from you before a large, passive one will (as long as your content is truly helpful).
My biggest piece of advice here: think of your YouTube channel as the top of a funnel. Every video you make builds trust. Stan Store is where that trust converts into income.
6. The Equipment You Actually Need
I see so many beginners waiting to start their channel until they have the perfect camera, perfect mic, perfect lighting setup. Stop waiting & overthinking. It literally does not matter. I grew to 100k subscribers by filming on my iPhone. You don’t need an expensive setup to start making money on YouTube.
Here is what actually matters: a decent microphone, basic lighting (so your face is visible and clear), and a camera that shoots at least 1080p (which includes most smartphones made in the last five years). That’s genuinely all you need to start.
I have put together a full list of the exact equipment I recommend at every budget, all linked here.
My YouTube Equipment Must-Haves
These are items I personally use. Start with the basics and upgrade as your channel grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you grow your YouTube channel to 100K so fast?
I started in June 2024 with no prior experience and hit 100K subscribers by early 2026. The biggest factors were: making helpful content, answering questions people were searching for, and being honest. I also think being genuinely transparent about my journey, including the mistakes, resonated with my audience in a way that polished, overly-produced content doesn’t always do.
What is the best free tool to grow a YouTube channel?
If I had to pick one free tool, it would be YouTube Studio’s native analytics. Specifically the “trends” tab. This is great for coming up with content ideas that have a proven search demand.
When should I set up Stan Store?
Right now, regardless of how many subscribers you have. I started monetizing with digital products before I even had a YouTube channel. A small engaged audience will buy from you long before a large passive one will. Even at 500 subscribers, if those 500 people genuinely trust you, you can monetize your YouTube channel without waiting for Google adsense revenue.
Do I need expensive equipment to start a YouTube channel?
No. I started without a professional camera setup. What matters most is clear audio. Bad video quality is forgivable. Bad audio makes people click off immediately. Invest in a DJI microphone first, use natural light or a basic ring light, and film on your smartphone if that’s what you have. You can always upgrade equipment later. The content is what keeps people coming back.