9 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started YouTube

Summary

This video script offers nine essential lessons for aspiring YouTubers. It emphasizes that initial videos may not attract immediate attention from friends, family, or the audience due to their busy lives and the value they seek. The speaker suggests starting as an 'archaeologist' by exploring various topics to find a niche, considering supply and demand, and leveraging systems for efficiency. Titles and thumbnails are crucial for attracting viewers, and high production value isn't necessary at the start. An unfair advantage, such as unique expertise, can set creators apart. Finally, outsourcing video editing can save time for more strategic tasks, contributing to channel growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Overcoming the fear of judgment is crucial for starting a YouTube channel, as most people are too busy to care about your content.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Realizing that friends and family are not your primary audience helps to alleviate the worry about their opinions on your videos.
• 🕒 YouTube viewers are investing their time and attention, which are valuable currencies, so providing value in your videos is essential for gaining views.
• 🔍 The 'archaeologist' approach to finding your niche involves exploring various topics until you find one that resonates with viewers.
• 🏗️ The 'architect' approach to YouTube involves planning and strategizing your niche in advance, but it may hinder action for inexperienced creators.
• 📈 Understanding the economic concept of supply and demand is important in YouTube, as it affects how you stand out in a saturated market.
• 🛠️ Thinking in systems rather than one video at a time can significantly increase efficiency and scalability in your YouTube operations.
• 🔖 Prioritizing titles and thumbnails over the content itself can be counterintuitive, but they are critical in attracting viewers to click on your videos.
• 🎥 High production value is not necessary at the start; focusing on the quality of content is more important for initial growth.
• 🤔 Identifying and leveraging your 'unfair advantage' can set you apart and help you stand out in a crowded niche.
• ✂️ Outsourcing video editing as soon as possible frees up your time to focus on creating and strategizing for your channel's growth.

Q & A

Why should someone not worry about their friends and family's opinions when starting a YouTube channel?

Friends and family are usually busy with their own lives and are not the target audience for the channel. Their opinions should not hold one back from creating content, as they are unlikely to watch or judge the videos.

What is the significance of understanding the concept of 'paying with time and attention' when making YouTube videos?

Viewers are investing their time and attention, which are valuable currencies, into watching videos. If a video does not provide value, it will not attract viewers, and the algorithm will not recommend it.

What is the 'archaeologist approach' to finding a YouTube niche?

The archaeologist approach involves exploring different topics by making various videos and seeing what resonates with the audience. It's about trial and error, digging into different areas until finding a subject that garners interest.

How does the 'architect approach' differ from the 'archaeologist approach' in terms of finding a YouTube niche?

The architect approach involves planning and having a clear blueprint before starting. Unlike the archaeologist, who explores and adapts, the architect has a predefined plan and strategy for content creation.

Why is it important to focus on supply and demand dynamics when choosing a YouTube niche?

Supply and demand affect how a video stands out. In saturated niches with high supply, the bar for quality is higher, making it harder for new creators to stand out. Niches with lower supply and higher demand are more favorable for growth.

What is the concept of 'thinking in systems' and why is it crucial for growing a YouTube channel?

Thinking in systems means establishing processes and operations that make video creation more efficient over time. It treats the YouTube channel as a business, leveraging systems for scalability and growth without overwhelming the creator.

Why should the title and thumbnail of a YouTube video be considered before creating the video content?

The title and thumbnail are crucial for attracting viewers. They are often the first impression and can determine whether a viewer will click and watch the video. Planning them first ensures they effectively draw in the target audience.

How important are the first 30 seconds of a YouTube video in retaining viewership?

The first 30 seconds are extremely important as many viewers decide whether to stay or leave within this timeframe. Capturing attention early increases the likelihood of viewers watching the entire video.

At what point does the quality of video gear become significant in a YouTuber's journey?

While gear does not significantly impact the initial growth of a channel, it can become important later on to enhance production value and stand out in a crowded market. However, it's not a necessity in the early stages.

What is an 'unfair advantage' in the context of YouTube success, and why is it important?

An unfair advantage is a unique attribute or skill that is difficult for others to replicate, such as being a Cambridge University medical student. It helps creators stand out and become more memorable in a competitive landscape.

Why is outsourcing video editing recommended for growing YouTube channels?

Outsourcing editing frees up the creator's time to focus on other critical aspects like content creation and strategy. It can significantly accelerate growth by allowing creators to produce more high-quality content efficiently.