We once worked with a creator named Emily, who had all the makings of a YouTube streaming star—a magnetic personality, fresh content ideas, and a steadily growing audience. Yet, her live streams were a disaster. Glitchy video, echoing audio, and awkward moments of dead air plagued her broadcasts. She thought the solution was to throw money at the problem and invested $1,000 in new gear. Yet, the issues persisted, and viewers left in droves.

You’ve likely heard all the usual tips—post consistently, optimize your thumbnails, and “engage with your audience.” But if that’s where the advice stops, no wonder your growth feels stagnant. It’s time to focus on tactics that shift the needle. Here’s a YouTube channel checklist that dives deep, with practical, high-level insights from someone who’s seen it all.