I failed at YouTube, until I understood this

Summary

In this insightful video, the creator reflects on the balance between success and creative fulfillment on YouTube. They share personal experiences of making videos that were either highly successful or deeply satisfying but not as widely recognized. The key message is that YouTubers must choose between growth or creative freedom, recognizing their strengths and staying true to themselves. The creator emphasizes the importance of sustainability, playing to personal strengths, and focusing on giving rather than taking. By doing so, creators can avoid burnout and find greater long-term satisfaction in their work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creating YouTube content can lead to varying results, with some videos bringing in large rewards, while others take much more time and effort without the same success.
• 😀 Success on YouTube isn't just about making great content, but also understanding the importance of balancing creative freedom, growth, and money.
• 😀 Many YouTube advice videos focus on titles, thumbnails, and strategies for growth, but they often neglect the importance of happiness and avoiding burnout.
• 😀 A common cycle on YouTube involves chasing views, which leads creators into watching more advice videos instead of focusing on creating meaningful content.
• 😀 Not everyone can be an exceptional YouTuber like Casey Neistat or Emma Chamberlain, and it's okay to embrace being 'normal' rather than chasing unrealistic standards.
• 😀 Creators must choose between creative freedom or growth; it's difficult to have both simultaneously, and it's important to align with what works for you personally.
• 😀 If you're normal, you may not be able to make whatever you want and still expect massive growth, but having a theme or focus in your content helps drive better results.
• 😀 Achieving long-term fulfillment requires accepting the reality of your strengths and weaknesses and playing to your natural abilities instead of trying to mimic others.
• 😀 Focusing on giving value to the audience rather than just chasing views and money leads to more sustainable success and reduces the risk of burnout.
• 😀 Real success and happiness come from staying true to yourself and making content that aligns with your strengths and interests, rather than pretending to be someone you're not.

Q & A

What does the speaker consider to be the key to success on YouTube?

The speaker believes that success on YouTube requires a balance between creativity, realistic expectations, and understanding what you can control. They highlight the importance of choosing between creative freedom and growth, and emphasizing sustainability by focusing on one's strengths.

Why does the speaker compare the process of making YouTube videos to a cycle?

The speaker compares the process to a cycle because many creators start by making content they enjoy, but then get caught in the pursuit of views and success. This leads them to consume more YouTube advice, which can result in frustration when the expected results don't come, causing them to repeat the cycle.

What is the 'Trap' mentioned in the video, and how does it affect creators?

The 'Trap' refers to the cycle that creators fall into when they begin chasing views and success, often by following advice from YouTube gurus. This results in confusion, burnout, and a lack of genuine fulfillment, as creators believe they can just keep creating whatever they want and still achieve the growth they desire.

How does the speaker distinguish between exceptional creators like Casey Neistat and the average creator?

The speaker emphasizes that exceptional creators like Casey Neistat are outliers, and most creators are just normal people. They caution against aspiring to be an extraordinary creator, as doing so might lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

What choice do creators need to make according to the speaker?

Creators need to make a choice between pursuing creative freedom or focusing on growth and success. The speaker explains that it's impossible to have both simultaneously if you are a 'normal' creator, and the key is to accept that you can only have two of the following: growth, success, and creative freedom.

What does the speaker mean by 'playing the cards you're dealt'?

This phrase means understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, and creating content that aligns with those strengths. For example, if you're funny, relatable, or have a specific skill, the speaker suggests you should focus on those qualities rather than pretending to be someone you're not.

How does the mindset of giving versus taking affect a creator's experience on YouTube?

A 'giving' mindset focuses on creating content that adds value to others, whether through entertainment or education, whereas a 'taking' mindset is focused solely on extracting value, such as views or fame. The speaker argues that a giving mindset leads to greater fulfillment and long-term happiness, while taking from the audience can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.

What role does sustainability play in YouTube success according to the speaker?

Sustainability is crucial because creators need to manage their expectations and approach their work in a realistic way. By accepting their limitations and focusing on what they can genuinely offer, creators can avoid burnout and stay motivated in the long run.

Why does the speaker caution against chasing fame and success for the wrong reasons?

The speaker believes that chasing fame and success without genuine passion can lead to burnout. They warn that if creators focus solely on views and money, they risk feeling miserable and unfulfilled, which can result in creating lower-quality content that doesn't resonate with them or their audience.

What advice does the speaker offer to those who want to make money from YouTube?

The speaker advises being pragmatic and realistic if you want to make money on YouTube. Creators need to acknowledge that it’s not as simple as creating whatever they want; they must understand that there needs to be some thematic consistency in their content if they want to grow an audience and generate income.