Skip to main content

Sermon Prep Desk — Channel Settings (paste-ready)

1. Channel keywords​

YouTube Studio → Settings (gear) → Channel → Basic info → Keywords. Paste as-is (commas separate the phrases; ~340 of the 500-char limit):

sermon prep, sermon preparation, how to write a sermon, sermon outline, sermon ideas, sermon illustrations, sermon titles, preaching, homiletics, expository preaching, lectionary, lectionary preaching, Bible study for pastors, pastor, preacher, Sunday sermon, sermon help, biblical preaching, Bible teaching, SermonWise, Pastor John

Also on this tab: Country of residence: Canada.

2. Audience (Settings → Channel → Advanced settings)​

  • "No, set this channel as not made for kids" (channel-level default). Sermon-prep content is not child-directed; per-video MFK flags would kill comments and end screens.

3. Feature eligibility (Settings → Channel → Feature eligibility)​

  • Confirm phone verification (intermediate features) — unlocks custom thumbnails, >15 min videos
  • Apply for Advanced features — REQUIRED for related-video links on Shorts (the funnel). Do this today; approval can take 1–2 days.

4. Upload defaults (Settings → Upload defaults)​

  • Title: leave blank (set per video; A/B tested)
  • Description: paste the standing description block (from sermonwise-hub-scripts-batch1.md) so every upload starts with it
  • Visibility: Private (publish manually after QC) — switch to Scheduled once the cadence is running
  • Category: Education
  • Video language: English
  • License: Standard YouTube License
  • Comments: On — "Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review"
  • Show how many viewers like this video: On

5. Branding tab (Customization → Branding)​

  • Picture: avatar-placeholder.png for now — REPLACE with a real headshot of John as soon as one exists. The face is the trust asset; the badge is a stand-in.
  • Banner: banner.png (2048×1152; all text inside the 1235×338 safe area — preview on all three device sizes before saving)
  • Watermark: watermark-subscribe.png (or watermark-quill.png for the brand-badge look) — display time: Entire video

6. Layout tab (Customization → Layout)​

  • Channel trailer (non-subscribers): the "What Is Show, Don't Tell For Preachers?" explainer, once recorded
  • Featured video (returning subscribers): latest hub episode — update weekly or leave unset
  • Featured sections, in order:
    1. Shorts shelf
    2. Playlist: "This Sunday's Text" (the weekly hubs, newest first)
    3. Playlist: "How to Preach [Famous Texts]" (evergreens)
    4. Playlist: "Funerals, Weddings & Hard Weeks" (occasional sermons)
    5. Playlist: "Show, Don't Tell" / other pillar playlists as they fill

7. Pre-create these playlists (empty is fine)​

  • This Sunday's Text
  • How to Preach the Famous Texts
  • Funerals, Weddings & Hard Weeks
  • Show, Don't Tell
  • Sermon Title Clinic
  • LensLines
  • One Text, Many Pulpits

8. Links (Customization → Basic info → Links)​

  1. Free Prep Pack — [lead magnet URL]
  2. SermonWise.ai — https://sermonwise.ai
  3. The Tuesday Sermon Prep Pack (weekly email) — [signup URL]

Asset files (this folder)​

FilePurposeSpec
banner.pngChannel banner2048×1152, safe area respected
watermark-subscribe.pngVideo watermark, option A (recommended)150×150, transparent corners
watermark-quill.pngVideo watermark, option B (brand badge)150×150, transparent corners
avatar-placeholder.pngProfile picture UNTIL headshot exists800×800, circle-crop safe
*.htmlEditable sources — tweak text/colors and re-render with headless Chrome—