If I Started YouTube While Working Full-Time, I’d Do This

Summary

In this video, Ali shares invaluable advice for aspiring YouTubers juggling a full-time job. Starting his channel as a medical student, Ali grew it to 1.3 million subscribers while working as a doctor. He addresses the challenge of finding time and energy to create content, suggesting strategies like outsourcing editing, batching video production, and leveraging downtime for planning. Ali emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation over monetary goals, advocating for the joy of teaching and serving the audience as the driving force behind a successful YouTube channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ali started his YouTube channel in 2017 as a medical student and grew it to 1.3 million subscribers while working full-time.
• 🕒 He suggests focusing on input goals (like hours worked) and output goals (like videos published) rather than outcome goals (like subscriber numbers).
• ⏰ Ali emphasizes the importance of time management and efficiency, recommending batching tasks like filming multiple videos in one session.
• 💡 He advises using spare moments throughout the week for idea generation, planning, and other preparatory work for the YouTube channel.
• 📝 Ali recommends writing with bullet points or the '3x3 method' to save time, rather than scripting videos word for word.
• 🎥 He suggests outsourcing video editing to save time, especially if the channel creator's day job pays more than the cost of hiring an editor.
• 📈 Ali believes that intrinsic motivation, such as the joy of teaching or serving an audience, is key to successful and sustainable YouTube growth.
• 🚫 He warns against starting a YouTube channel purely for monetary gain, as it's a long game with no guarantees and there are more efficient ways to earn passive income.
• 🤝 Ali offers a free 'Part-time YouTuber Crash Course' for those interested in growing their channel with daily emails containing principles, strategies, and tools.
• 🔑 He highlights the value of leveraging one's expertise and unfair advantages, like specialized knowledge in a field, when creating content for a YouTube channel.
• 🔄 Ali stresses the iterative nature of content creation, suggesting that as creators get better at the process, they can produce more content in less time.

Q & A

What is the main challenge Ali addresses in the video for those who want to start a YouTube channel while working a full-time job?

The main challenge Ali addresses is balancing the time and energy required to grow a YouTube channel alongside the demands of a full-time job, and how to avoid burnout.

What was Ali's background when he started his YouTube channel?

Ali started his YouTube channel in 2017 as a medical student at Cambridge University and later worked full-time as a junior doctor in the UK's National Health Service.

How did Ali grow his YouTube channel while working full-time?

Ali grew his YouTube channel to 1.3 million subscribers over 3 years by optimizing his time and energy, focusing on creating quality content, and outsourcing tasks like video editing.

What is the first step Ali suggests when considering starting a YouTube channel for passive income?

Ali suggests evaluating your motivation for starting a YouTube channel. If the primary goal is passive income, he advises considering more efficient ways to achieve that goal rather than starting a YouTube channel.

Why does Ali recommend against starting a YouTube channel solely for the purpose of making passive income?

He recommends against it because YouTube is not a guaranteed or efficient path to passive income. It requires significant time, effort, and there's no certainty of financial success.

What is the '3x3 method' Ali mentions for creating YouTube videos?

The '3x3 method' involves focusing on three main points for the video, each with three sub-points. This method helps in organizing content efficiently and making the scripting process faster.

How does Ali suggest utilizing spare moments throughout the workday to prepare for YouTube content?

Ali suggests using breaks, lunch times, and any downtime during work to brainstorm ideas, create titles and thumbnails, and outline videos for future filming sessions.

What is the significance of batching tasks in Ali's YouTube content creation process?

Batching tasks, such as filming multiple videos in one session, increases efficiency and reduces the time spent on setup and teardown, allowing for more content creation within the limited time available.

How does Ali recommend managing the editing process of YouTube videos when time is limited?

Ali recommends outsourcing the editing process to a professional editor, which can save time and allow the creator to focus on other aspects of content creation.

What is the main advice Ali gives for someone like Hanil, who is considering starting a YouTube channel while working as a veterinarian?

Ali advises Hanil to consider the real motivation behind starting a YouTube channel. If it's for the joy of teaching and serving an audience, then it's worth pursuing, but if it's solely for passive income, there are more efficient methods.

What is the importance of setting clear goals for a YouTube channel according to Ali?

Setting clear goals, such as creating one video per week, helps in managing time and energy effectively. It provides a concrete target to work towards and makes the process more manageable.

How does Ali define input, output, and outcome goals in the context of YouTube channel growth?

Input goals are the time and effort invested in the channel (e.g., hours per week). Output goals are the measurable content produced (e.g., one video per week). Outcome goals are the desired results (e.g., a specific number of subscribers), which are less in the creator's control.

What is the role of personal enjoyment and intrinsic motivation in Ali's perspective on growing a YouTube channel?

Personal enjoyment and intrinsic motivation are essential for sustainable growth. Ali emphasizes that creators should enjoy the process of making videos and feel that they are offering value, rather than focusing solely on financial gains.