7 Years of Brutally Honest YouTube Advice in 25 Minutes

Introduction (0s)

• A welcome message is given to friends and subscribers on the channel (0s).
• The channel has gained almost 6 million subscribers over the last 7 years (3s).
• Over 20,000 students have been helped to grow their own channels through the part-time YouTuber Academy, which has been running for four years (7s).
• The part-time YouTuber Academy has been operational for the last four years (10s).
• Lessons have been learned about what it takes to grow a successful YouTube channel over time (12s).
• The video aims to provide brutally honest advice for those who need it, and also serves as a reminder to the creator themselves (16s).
• The video's content is intended to provide value to viewers (22s).
• The importance of the advice given in the video is emphasized, with the statement that nothing matters more (24s).

1. Nothing matters more than posting videos consistently (25s)

• Consistency in posting videos is crucial, but it does not necessarily mean uploading a video every day or every week; rather, it means choosing an upload schedule that works for you and sticking to it in a sustainable way without burning out (26s).
• Having a consistent upload schedule allows for an enjoyable and sustainable content creation process, helping to avoid burnout (35s).
• It's essential to acknowledge that you're not always going to feel like filming a video, but it's crucial to push past those feelings and maintain consistency (54s).
• Waiting to feel like filming a video before actually filming can make consistency impossible, so it's better to have a plan and hit record regardless of your feelings (1m18s).
• A helpful strategy to maintain consistency is to tell yourself to record for a short amount of time, such as 5 minutes, and then allow yourself to quit if needed; however, this often leads to continuing beyond the initial time frame (1m29s).
• Procrastination is a common issue for YouTubers when it comes to hitting record, but consistency is the most important factor in achieving success on the platform (1m42s).
• Almost no YouTuber succeeds without being consistent, making it a vital aspect of a successful YouTube career (1m46s).

2. You need a system (1m50s)

• To stay consistent on YouTube, a system behind the channel is necessary, as thinking one video at a time can lead to a cycle of burnout (1m51s).
• Successful YouTubers have systems in place, which provide leverage and make the production of videos feel more effortless (2m6s).
• These systems can be in the form of tools like Notion, Apple Notes, Trello, or Figo, and allow creators to draw out their entire production pipeline (2m16s).
• Having a system, format, or style guide in place helps to leverage time, energy, and effort, making it easier to be consistent with video production (2m36s).
• A system can include a checklist for each video, a style guide for thumbnails, and a content engine that helps to multiply the effort put into the channel (2m41s).
• Implementing a system can help to avoid the cycle of burnout and make video production feel less like a heavy lift (2m31s).
• A free YouTube crash course is available, which shares some of the systems used by successful creators and can be copied and pasted into one's own channel (2m57s).

3. Quality is important, but quantity is how you get there (3m3s)

• Quality is important for YouTube videos, but quantity is essential for improvement, as making many videos helps to develop skills and increase quality over time (3m5s).
• Beginners often lack experience in making videos and may not be filmmakers by trade, so they need to make a lot of videos to get good at it (3m16s).
• Making 70 videos or more can help improve video-making skills, and even experienced creators continue to work on leveling up their video quality through quantity (3m33s).
• Consistency is key, and uploading videos sporadically will not yield results, just like going to the gym once a month will not build muscle (3m52s).
• Improving video quality over time involves making lots of videos and focusing on one thing to improve with each new video (3m59s).
• Epidemic Sound is a useful resource for sound design, offering a massive library of restriction-free songs and sound effects that can be used across all projects (4m29s).
• Epidemic Sound features include track customization tools, the ability to discover tracks by pasting a Spotify link, and a huge library of professionally produced and original tracks (4m54s).
• Epidemic Sound is offering 50% off their annual plan during Cyber Week, and even after the promotion ends, it's still a valuable resource for creators (5m16s).

4. Stop worrying about your niche, you’ll find it over time (5m36s)

• Many beginners and experts struggle with finding their niche on YouTube, which can hold them back from creating content and growing their channel (5m36s).
• The best approach to finding a niche is to stop worrying about it and keep making videos, as it will eventually emerge over time (5m56s).
• There are two ways to approach YouTube: the architect approach, where a clear plan and blueprint are needed before starting, and the archaeologist approach, where creators experiment and try different niches until they find what works (6m1s).
• The archaeologist approach involves trying different niches, making videos, and seeing what works, rather than having a clear plan from the start (6m26s).
• This approach allows creators to stumble upon their niche and find what they enjoy making and what resonates with their audience (6m43s).
• Even successful creators often don't start with a clear niche and instead evolve over time, as seen in the history of the channel being discussed, which started with music videos and eventually found success with advice for medical students and later productivity and life improvement content (6m59s).
• It's rare for a YouTube channel to start with a clear niche from day one, and most channels evolve over time as they experiment and find what works (7m48s).
• The key is to stop worrying about finding a niche and focus on creating content and experimenting with different ideas (7m52s).

5. Don’t do YouTube for the money (7m56s)

• Doing YouTube solely for the money is not recommended, unless you already have an existing business that you can use YouTube to drive leads to, in which case joining an accelerator program for one-on-one coaching can be beneficial (7m56s).
• Without an existing business, trying to make money from YouTube can be challenging, as it takes time to gain watch time and subscribers, and brand deals can be a nightmare to work with (8m23s).
• Creators who enjoy doing brand deals are rare, and those who do YouTube for the money are likely to burn out and flame out due to the slow pace of earning money (8m51s).
• A more reasonable approach is to start a business first, reach $10,000 a month, and then use YouTube as a way to generate leads for that business, known as the "business first" approach (9m6s).
• Alternatively, doing YouTube for the fun, fulfillment, and creative joy can make it more likely to stick to it long-term, as consistency is key to success (9m22s).
• If you're watching this video, a Black Friday offer for the Part-Time YouTuber Academy is available, offering a discounted price of $675 instead of the regular $995, but only for a couple of days (9m43s).
• Doing YouTube for the money without an existing business can lead to burnout and a failed channel, and it's essential to stick to it for at least 2 years to achieve your goals (10m11s).
• Making a video every single week for 2 years can completely change your life, and YouTube is a long game that requires a lot of work and time to get anywhere meaningful (10m27s).

6. It will take at least 2 years to get where you want (10m43s)

• Successful YouTubers who appear to start big from day one have generally grinded for years and managed to do so by finding a way to enjoy the process (10m43s).
• To enjoy the process, it's recommended to read the book "Feelgood Productivity", a science-backed guide on how to enjoy work and avoid consistency and burnout issues on YouTube channels or in other work (10m51s).
• Enjoying the work and creation of videos is crucial for consistency, as it makes the process feel energizing and prevents burnout, while systems provide leverage to make it easier (11m16s).
• When starting out, it's okay to imitate what other successful YouTubers are doing by looking at their videos and creating your own take on them (11m25s).
• Imitation is a stepping stone to innovation, as seen in the example of looking up to YouTubers like Simon Clark, Sarah dii, and Peter McKinnon, and eventually creating a unique channel by building upon their styles (11m37s).

7. Imitate, then innovate (11m50s)

• Imitating other YouTubers can be a good starting point, as seen in examples of trying to imitate Sarah Di and Peter McKinnon in terms of style and presentation, but applying it to one's own area of expertise, such as medical school admission (11m50s).
• Content does not need to be original or unique, and trying to create completely novel content when starting out can be challenging and increase barriers to entry (12m14s).
• Instead, imitating others first and then innovating later can be a more effective approach (12m28s).
• The YouTube algorithm is not against creators, but rather, their content may not be good enough yet, and the algorithm is designed to reflect audience preferences (12m33s).
• The algorithm is "dialed and tuned" and prioritizes content quality, with the phrase "content is king" being a common saying among YouTube creators and staff (12m48s).
• Beginner creators often blame the algorithm for their struggles, but it is more likely that their content needs improvement (12m41s).

8. The algorithm isn’t against you – your content just isn’t good enough yet (12m57s)

• The algorithm isn't against creators, but rather, their content may not be good enough yet, as the algorithm matches the preferences of the audience, and if the audience doesn't like the content, the algorithm won't either (13m1s).
• The algorithm works by taking time to realize what kind of audience is resonating with a particular type of content, and if it doesn't think there's an audience for that content, the video won't gain traction (13m21s).
• Creators should focus on improving the quality of their content, which is subjective and can vary from viewer to viewer, rather than blaming the algorithm (13m39s).
• Figuring out what kind of content to create and who the target audience is, is crucial, especially for creators trying to grow their channel or make a business out of it (13m55s).
• Serving the viewers and providing value to them is essential, as they are paying with their time and attention, which is more valuable than money (14m27s).
• A good quality video is one that provides value to the viewer, whether it's entertainment, education, or tips, and is worth their time and attention (14m34s).
• The algorithm will figure out who else is getting similar value from the video, but only if the content is good enough to hold the viewer's attention (15m6s).
• The biggest thing holding creators back is often themselves, and they should identify whether their problems are "drama problems" or "math problems" to tackle them effectively (15m58s).
• "Drama problems" are fundamentally emotional, while "math problems" are quantifiable and can be solved with data and analysis, as coined by Russell Brunson and Brooke Castillo (16m11s).

9. The biggest thing holding you back is you (16m21s)

• The biggest thing holding creators back is often themselves, with their emotions, thoughts, and feelings being the main obstacles, rather than mathematical problems or formulas (16m47s).
• Drama problems can include feelings of demotivation, imposter syndrome, worrying about one's niche being oversaturated, and concerns about personal appearance (16m29s).
• These drama problems can manifest as excuses, such as feeling like one's videos are not good enough or worrying about blemishes on their nose (16m41s).
• Recognizing whether the problem is emotional or mathematical is crucial, as most problems (around 80-90%) are emotional and drama-themed rather than mathematical (17m29s).
• Even problems that initially seem mathematical, such as a bad retention curve or slow channel growth, often have emotional or drama-related roots, such as lack of consistency or uncertainty about one's niche (17m37s).
• Outsourcing tasks like editing can help alleviate some of these emotional burdens, and it is recommended to do so, especially for those with a 9-to-5 job and a steady income (17m59s).
• The cost of outsourcing editing can be relatively low, around $10-15 per hour USD, and can free up time for more important tasks (18m16s).

10. For goodness sake, outsource your editing (18m25s)

• Creators who value their time should consider paying someone else to edit their videos, with rates such as $5 or $7 per hour, unless they truly enjoy editing or it's crucial to their channel's success (18m25s).
• Many successful creators outsource their video editing to maintain consistency, and strategies for doing so are available in resources like the YouTuber Academy course (18m42s).
• The course includes modules with checklists and job descriptions for outsourcing video editing, which can be accessed through a link provided (18m45s).
• To stay competitive, creators must continually improve the quality of their content, but not to the point of burnout (18m55s).
• Improvement can involve refining the content creation process, system, strategy, on-camera communication, or video editing (19m11s).
• The goal is to find ways to enhance the channel without feeling pressured to make every video better than the last, as the definition of "better" can be subjective (19m7s).

11. You’re only as good as your next video, never stop improving (19m18s)

• To succeed on YouTube, it's essential to continually improve various aspects, including sound design, idea generation, and analytics, as the platform becomes increasingly competitive with more people trying to make it as YouTubers, especially with advancements in hardware and AI (19m18s).
• The barrier to entry for creating content on YouTube has become lower due to advancements in technology, such as the ability to film high-quality videos on iPhones and the availability of editing software like Fire Cut, which can save time in the editing process (19m30s).
• Even successful creators cannot be complacent, as their success is based on the value they provide to their audience, and if their content stops providing value, people will stop watching (19m51s).
• Unlike in the past, people do not religiously watch the same YouTuber every day, and the algorithmic nature of YouTube means that subscribers may not see all of a channel's videos on their homepage (20m7s).
• The algorithm takes into account viewer preferences and will stop recommending videos from a channel if the viewer stops engaging with the content, making it essential for creators to continually provide value to their audience (20m32s).
• YouTube is an infinite game that requires ongoing improvement and a willingness to adapt, making it essential for creators to enjoy the process of making videos to remain consistent and sustainable in the long term (20m50s).
• Having the perfect setup or gear is not necessary to create successful content on YouTube, as many creators with millions of subscribers film using just their phones, and what matters most is providing value to the audience (21m28s).

12. Gear isn’t holding you back (21m45s)

• Gear is not the primary factor holding creators back, and thinking so is more of a personal or emotional issue rather than a technical one (21m45s).
• The emotional drama behind the need for expensive gear, such as a fancy camera or microphone, should be understood, especially when other creators can succeed with simpler equipment like an iPhone (21m52s).
• The ability of other creators to succeed with basic equipment, like an iPhone, suggests that gear is not the main obstacle to success (22m1s).
• Negative comments are generally a sign of growth and stepping outside of one's comfort zone (22m7s).
• Doing anything interesting on YouTube or in life will inevitably attract negative comments and criticism (22m17s).
• It is possible to hide or delete negative comments from a YouTube channel to minimize their impact (22m28s).

13. Don’t fear negative comments – it means you’re growing (22m31s)

• Negative comments on YouTube can be a sign of growth for most channels, as the vast majority of comments are usually very positive, but the fear of negative comments can still hold people back (22m31s).
• Receiving negative comments means people are watching the channel, which is a good thing, and comments about repetitive content can be leaned into, as a teacher doesn't worry about repeating content (23m26s).
• A teacher's goal is to provide value, and if viewers stop getting value from the content, they can move on to something else, and this mindset can be applied to YouTube content creation (23m21s).
• Receiving negative comments can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and enlightenment, and can help identify areas where one is still clinging to ego (24m7s).
• Seeking out negative comments can provide interesting data into one's internal state and help recognize areas for improvement (24m20s).
• Negative comments can be viewed as a sign that one's channel is growing, and can be an opportunity to incorporate new signs of potential into the channel (24m48s).