Because of that fact it is important to start the process of YouTube channel creation with that in mind- who IS the responsible person who will ensure that access is maintained for the lifetime of the YouTube channel? Is it the creator or someone else, a client perhaps?
Here is how to avoid problems in the future when starting from scratch (i.e. creating a Google account):
1) Determine who is ultimately going to "own" the YouTube channel and its Google Account? Because, know this- every YouTube channel is a mere product of its Google account.
2) Gather their personal data for the creation of the Google account-
- the owner client's first and last name,
- date of birth (note: a date of birth is not the same as a company's founding year- it refers very literally to the person's "birth"), and-
- mobile/cell phone number.
4) Also get them to supply you with a recovery email which should be one which is permanent and never likely to be deleted/lost.
5) Finally ask them to choose a name for the Brand Account you will be creating for the YouTube channel.
6) Create the Google account in the responsible individual's name, with their details and use a password they should change once you hand over control. Have the verification code sent to their mobile/cell phone, and ask them to pass it on to you as soon as possible (it helps to be in contact with them by mobile/cellphone at very least).
7) Go to www.youtube.com and click on the avatar at the top right, select Settings from the resulting drop-down menu, and click on Add or manage your channel(s). Click on + Create a new channel and follow instructions, bearing in mind that you are creating a YouTube Brand Account with the name provided to you by the client in 5) above.
8) IF desired by the company/client- make yourself a manager (I do not recommend that you make yourself an owner unless the client is very clear on the implications of this) of the YouTube Brand Account you have just created with the YouTube channel with your own Google Account. That way you can hand over control of the master Google account created in the responsible person's name but still have "manager" access to the YouTube channel to continue with your involvement via your own Google account. You will need to invite yourself as a manager from within the new Google Account's YouTube Brand Account which you can do in Settings which is accessed via the drop-down menu on clicking your avatar at the top right, and where you select Add or remove manager(s) which takes you to the specific YouTube Brand Account's controls (the general link is: https://myaccount.google.com/brandaccounts where you can select the YouTube Brand Account you wish to work with).
9) Hand over control of the master Google account to the responsible person/client and request that they change the password and make a note of the Google Account's email address/username and the new password for future reference. Impress upon them that this is vital data which should be kept safe.
10) Share with them this link: https://www.google.com/landing/2step/ and ask them to secure their Google Account with two-step verification. In this day and age it is no longer sensible to do less. It is also important that they do this without your involvement as this is for their protection and the only way to ensure that your client is best supported by you.
