Interested in becoming a YouTube food video star but don’t know where to begin? Seasoned YouTube videographer Eve Martel shares her tips for creating great content for your YouTube video channel. These ideas will have you catching subscribers' attention!
When it comes to creating video content, exploring a wider variety of themes is key to keeping your channel fresh and interesting. It’s also a great way to find your own voice. And sure, you could specialize in one specific type of content, but where’s the fun in that? If your YouTube channel is new or if you've just started publishing videos on your blog’s Facebook page, it’s time to explore a bit. So here are ten ideas to create great video content and have fun doing it. I’ve also added an example for each type of video, to get you inspired!
1 - Lists
Everyone loves a nice list. A good way to give this type of video legs is to stay topical and seasonal. Make a list of your favorite summer treats. Share five ways to enjoy lobster. Film a countdown featuring Canada’s Top Ten food classics. Make sure to ask your subscribers to contribute their own favourites by commenting below your video.
2 - 5 Ways To Cook With One Ingredient
Those fresh zucchini flowers sure looked good at the market this morning! But how does one actually cook them? Share five easy recipe ideas to get people experimenting with new food in the kitchen. Pick something simple like a seasonal fruit, a single protein or a spice blend. Ask subscribers to suggest the ingredient you should feature in your next video.
3 - Single Recipe
This is the type of video that most new cooking channels make first. A lot of people think they need to film Tasty-style, sped-up and shot-from-above videos. And of course, these are immensely sharable and do great on Facebook. But on YouTube, getting in front of the camera will create a stronger bond with your subscribers. Camera shy? Kitchen not so fancy? Just film a close-up of your hands as you cook and add a nice voice-over or subtitles.
4 - Multiple Themed Recipes
Seasonal meals like Easter brunch and Thanksgiving dinner are great content opportunities. Create and share a whole menu for your subscribers, from hors-d‘oeuvres to dessert. f you don't want to cook everything on camera, you can save some recipes for your blog and redirect viewers there.
5 -Techniques
Let’s face it: a lot of people are scared to cook because they just don't know proper technique and are afraid to waste food. Time for you to help! Explain how to devein shrimp, how to blanch asparagus, how to make a roux and other cooking basics. You’ll also be able to create more traffic for your channel by linking back to those technique videos with an annotation or a card when you make a recipe video.
6 - Grocery Haul
This is a really popular genre and a great way for FoodTubers to attract more subscribers. Just set the camera on a tripod in front of a table or kitchen island and unbox every item you bought at the grocery store or at the market. Think of it as those toy unboxing channels, but for grownups! On my vlog channel, Costco hauls always get a lot of views and comments so I make one every time I go shopping. You can make the video more personal by sharing what you intend to cook with the food you just purchased.
7 - What’s in My Fridge
Explain how you organize your fridge, then tour every shelf with your camera and explain what you have on hand to cook this week. You could make it a longer video by adding a pantry tour to the video, talk about how you organise your spice drawer or the kid’s snacks. If your refrigerator is noisy, turn it off to prevent the motor from ruining sound recording, but make sure to set an alarm reminder to turn it back on!
8 - Taste Tests
Can you tell what’s in that doughnut? Can you tell chili sauce apart from cocktail sauce? Partner with a friend and have each other try to identify 6 to 10 food items. This is a perfect type of video to turn into a collaboration with another YouTuber working in your niche. Remember that collaborating is a great way to attract new subscribers and grow your community.
9 - What I Eat in a Day
Now a YouTube classic, the What I Eat In a Day genre focuses on a full day of eating. Explain what your usual diet is and share every meal with your viewers. No need to wait for a special dining out event to explore this genre. Even with simple, cooked at home meals, you’re sure to get subscribers’ attention. People just have a fascination with discovering how others eat. Don't question it, just get filming!
10 - Local Focus
Get those views by creating content that will appeal to travellers looking to plan a visit in your area. You could feature your favourite cheesemonger, tour a market, make a list of must-visit restaurants or share a recipe that makes local ingredients shine. Talk about what makes your city a great destination for foodie adventures.
MORE READING ON VIDEO BLOGGING
- 10 Things to Know Before Starting a YouTube Channel
- How To Make a Cooking Video: Getting Comfortable on Camera
- What NOT To Do When Making a Video for Your Blog
10 Tips for Creating Great Content for Your YouTube Channel was written by Eve Martel. Eve has been a content creator and a blogger for the last 10 years. After 16 years spent working for top advertising agencies, she made the jump and left her job as Content Director at Sid Lee Montreal to dedicate herself to her blog, Tellement Swell, and to her two YouTube channels. Her latest project, Top Yummy, is a food channel that shares easy and delicious recipes that anyone can cook. She’s also a writer for Tourisme Montréal and Muramur. Find her on Instagram and Twitter @evemartel and follow the Instagram of her projects, @tellementswell and @topyummy.
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Hello! I am wondering if I can review other people’s recipes on my YouTube channel as long as I provide a link.
Love this list! As a food blogger myself, I’m always looking for new ideas to create engaging content for my channel. These types of content are perfect for keeping my audience interested and coming back for more. Great advice, thanks for sharing!