This Artist Became Successful Without Being a Master

Summary

In this insightful podcast episode, the host engages in a deep conversation with Sam Lewis, an accomplished art YouTuber with a decade of experience. They delve into the challenges of building a successful online presence from scratch, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt. Sam candidly shares his journey, from solo beginnings to running a Brooklyn studio, and the ongoing struggle to balance passion with the practicalities of monetization and audience engagement. The discussion highlights the value of starting without being fully prepared, iterating based on feedback, and the reality of the ups and downs in the creative process. The episode serves as both an inspiration and a practical guide for aspiring content creators and artists, reminding them that success is a journey, not a destination.

Takeaways

• 😀 Success in creative endeavors like YouTube often requires perseverance and a long-term commitment before seeing any financial returns.
• 🛠️ The importance of execution is highlighted; creating and sharing work consistently is more important than waiting for perfection.
• 🚀 Starting a project without full preparation is encouraged as a way to learn and grow, rather than being held back by the fear of not being ready.
• 🎨 For artists, the journey of improvement can be non-linear, with periods of plateaus followed by significant leaps in skill.
• 🔄 The cycle of creating, reflecting, and iterating is presented as a fundamental process for growth in any creative field.
• 🤝 Building a community and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can be beneficial for motivation and improvement.
• 👀 The struggle with comparison and the need to focus on one's own progress rather than others' achievements is acknowledged.
• 💡 The value of finding joy in the process of creation, rather than solely on the outcome or audience reception, is emphasized.
• 💼 Balancing the artistic and business aspects of a creative career is crucial, and can involve wearing different 'hats' and mindsets.
• 🔑 The key to overcoming creative blocks and achieving long-term success is the ability to adapt, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward.

Q & A

How long did it take for the YouTuber to start making money on YouTube?

It took the YouTuber 3 and a half years of grinding on YouTube before making a dollar.

What is the main focus of the YouTuber's channel?

The main focus of the YouTuber's channel is art, including figure drawing classes, hosting a podcast, and creating larger paintings.

What does the YouTuber attribute to much of his success?

The YouTuber attributes much of his success to execution, doing things, and creating content consistently over time.

How does the YouTuber feel about the importance of starting before being entirely prepared?

The YouTuber emphasizes the importance of just starting and doing things without being entirely prepared, as it allows for growth and improvement over time.

What is the YouTuber's perspective on the relationship between viewership and subscriber count?

The YouTuber believes that viewership is more important than subscriber count, as it reflects the actual engagement with the content.

How does the YouTuber handle the fear and vulnerability associated with putting creative work out into the world?

The YouTuber acknowledges the fear and vulnerability but suggests that one must be okay with putting work out there, regardless of the fear, and learn from the process.

What advice does the YouTuber give for dealing with the ups and downs of success and failure in creative endeavors?

The YouTuber advises to keep going regardless of the ups and downs, focusing on the process and the love for the work rather than just the outcome.

What does the YouTuber suggest as the best way to find one's style or improve at making creative content?

The YouTuber suggests that the best way to find one's style or improve is through consistent practice and doing the work over a long period of time.

How does the YouTuber view the journey of success in the creative field?

The YouTuber views the journey of success as an ongoing process with no clear end point, where the true success is the ability to continue doing the work and keep improving.

What is the YouTuber's opinion on the importance of monetization in the early stages of a creative project?

The YouTuber believes that monetization should not be the primary focus in the early stages, but rather the passion and enjoyment of the work should come first.

How does the YouTuber approach the balance between creating for personal satisfaction and creating for an audience?

The YouTuber approaches this balance by prioritizing personal satisfaction and ensuring that the work aligns with personal interests and passions, while also considering the audience.