I tried Faceless YouTube Automation for 200 days

Summary

The speaker shares a candid account of their 200-day journey into YouTube automation, highlighting the challenges, misconceptions, and realities of creating a successful faceless channel. They emphasize the importance of industry credibility, strategic content creation, and the long-term value of building a loyal audience over chasing virality. The narrative is a mix of trials, errors, and lessons learned, ultimately revealing that YouTube's true potential lies beyond AdSense revenue, in the realm of audience-based distribution and brand building.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The allure of YouTube automation lies in the promise of easy, passive income, but it requires significant effort and investment.
• 📈 Initial success with YouTube videos can be misleading; sustainable growth and audience building take time and strategic content.
• 🤝 Collaboration with a like-minded partner can be beneficial, but it's crucial to share a common vision and work ethic.
• 🎯 Identifying and focusing on a niche (white space) with demand and little competition is key to establishing a successful channel.
• 💡 Quality content is essential, but sometimes a great idea with mediocre execution can outperform a mediocre idea with excellent execution.
• 🛠️ It's better to release good-enough content quickly for market feedback than to perfect a video at the expense of testing and learning.
• 🔍 Market dynamics and audience nurturing are more important than chasing viral hits for short-term gains.
• 💸 Investing in the right resources, like a reliable editor, can save time and frustration in the long run.
• 📊 Setting clear deadlines and holding the team accountable is crucial for maintaining momentum and achieving goals.
• 🌐 Building a loyal audience should be the primary focus, as it offers long-term value beyond immediate views and AdSense revenue.

Q & A

What was the initial motivation behind trying out YouTube automation?

The initial motivation was to find an easy and automated way to earn money online, as the individual was looking for ways to earn a bag and had tried various methods like Dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and Forex trading without success.

What did the term 'automation' promise in the context of YouTube channels?

The term 'automation' promised an effortless way to make money with minimal work, where one could earn income passively through a faceless YouTube channel that doesn't require personal appearance on camera and outsources all the work.

What was the first mistake made in the YouTube automation journey?

The first mistake was hastily choosing a YouTube channel idea without proper research or planning, leading to potential issues down the line.

Why did the collaboration with a friend prove to be beneficial in the YouTube automation process?

Collaborating with a friend was beneficial because it aligns with the saying 'if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,' indicating that teamwork can lead to better results and shared responsibilities.

What was the reality of the 'automated' YouTube channel in terms of workload?

The reality was that the YouTube channel was far from automated; it required significant input and management, essentially making the role more of a project manager rather than a passive earner.

How did the initial videos perform in terms of views and monetization?

The first two videos performed exceptionally well, going viral within a short period and bringing in significant views and decent money, leading to a false sense of success and expectations.

What were the two main reasons for the subsequent videos not performing as well as the first two?

The two main reasons were not nurturing the initial audience they had built and instead chasing new viewers, and not understanding market dynamics, specifically the difference between aiming for viral hits and building a long-term, recurring audience.

What did the individual learn from the Twitter thread that changed their perspective on YouTube automation?

The individual learned that focusing on building a long-term audience is more valuable than chasing viral hits, and that targeting a broad audience is equivalent to targeting no one specifically.

What is a 'white space' on YouTube and why is it important to identify one?

A 'white space' on YouTube is a segment or niche with high demand and low supply. Identifying such a niche is crucial as it allows for easier growth and success of the channel, as there is less competition and a ready audience for the content.

What was the impact of 'shiny object syndrome' on the YouTube automation project?

The impact of 'shiny object syndrome' was a loss of focus on the original plan, leading to the creation of a gaming channel that, while successful, did not align with the long-term economic goals and eventually led to losing interest in the project.

What are the six key lessons the individual wishes they knew when starting faceless YouTube automation?

The six key lessons are: 1) Move faster and not be afraid of putting out subpar content for market testing; 2) Focus on one thing from the start; 3) Be stricter with deadlines; 4) Invest more money from the beginning; 5) Focus on building an audience from the start; 6) Avoid going into YouTube with false expectations.