Lessons Learned from Creating Nearly 700 YouTube Videos
Over the past three years, I've dedicated myself to creating nearly 700 YouTube videos, which has led to the growth of my channel to over 10,000 subscribers. This journey has been filled with valuable lessons that I believe can help anyone currently on or considering starting their own YouTube path. Here are the most important takeaways from my experience.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of taking action. Initially, I spent six months brainstorming the ideal video setup, equipment, and content, ultimately delaying my first video. However, the moment I decided to act—purchasing a laptop and recording my first video using the built-in webcam—I realized how much I had been overthinking. In just two days, I learned more than I did in that half a year of contemplation. The key takeaway is that taking action is essential for growth and progress.
Success on YouTube often comes down to having a reliable routine. I work full-time but have made a habit of waking up early to work on my videos before my day begins. During this time, I focus on creating graphics, which I do before breakfast—my most productive hour. Afterward, I still find time to record my video and, if possible, edit during lunch. This consistency allows me to produce videos regularly, which is crucial for audience growth.
In my experience, growth on YouTube resembles the concept of compound interest. At first, progress is slow and steady. It takes time to build a backlog of videos and subscribers. My initial uploads only garnered around 100 or 200 views. It wasn't until I hit around 2,000 subscribers that my growth began to skyrocket. Once the algorithm recognized my videos, the views began to compound, illustrating that early hard work eventually pays off, even if the rewards don’t come immediately.
The most challenging phase for many YouTubers is between the 10th and 100th videos. Early on, excitement fuels your motivation, but once you're beyond your first ten uploads, there's often a lack of external validation, making it easy to feel discouraged. It's during these times that persistence is crucial—the only real failure in YouTube is giving up. By continually learning, analyzing your content analytics, and improving, you can progress past this difficult stage.
Another important piece of advice I received was to invest in the best equipment I could afford. This not only ensures that I produce high-quality videos but also gives me an extra incentive to stay dedicated. Knowing you’ve invested your money into your craft can help maintain motivation during challenging days when the drive to create may wane.
After producing hundreds of videos, I’ve developed an extensive catalog of graphics and reusable materials. This practice streamlines my video creation process significantly, making it easier and faster to produce content. The time it takes to create videos decreases as you accumulate graphics and gain experience. This parallels the idea of compound interest—initial efforts may be slow, but they yield results over time.
Not every video will be a hit. I’ve experienced instances where my most time-consuming and polished videos failed to meet expectations, while casual uploads received far more attention. It’s vital not to get too attached to specific outcomes. Instead, focus on viewer engagement metrics like watch time, likes, and comments. These factors provide a more accurate insight into a video’s success than views alone.
Setting goals is fundamental to any successful YouTube strategy. However, it’s important to focus on process-driven goals rather than mere outcome-based targets. For example, instead of aiming for a specific income, I set goals such as creating a certain number of videos or diving deep into my analytics to enhance future content. This approach keeps me motivated and ensures continuous improvement, regardless of immediate financial gain.
The journey to building a successful YouTube channel requires dedication, action, and, above all, patience. The lessons learned from nearly 700 videos remind me that while subscriber counts and view metrics are important, the real success lies in the skills gained, the knowledge accumulated, and the relationships forged along the way. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned creator, these insights can help guide your path on YouTube. If you found this article helpful, consider subscribing to my channel for more insights and tips!
Part 1/10:
Lessons Learned from Creating Nearly 700 YouTube Videos
Over the past three years, I've dedicated myself to creating nearly 700 YouTube videos, which has led to the growth of my channel to over 10,000 subscribers. This journey has been filled with valuable lessons that I believe can help anyone currently on or considering starting their own YouTube path. Here are the most important takeaways from my experience.
Take Action
Part 2/10:
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of taking action. Initially, I spent six months brainstorming the ideal video setup, equipment, and content, ultimately delaying my first video. However, the moment I decided to act—purchasing a laptop and recording my first video using the built-in webcam—I realized how much I had been overthinking. In just two days, I learned more than I did in that half a year of contemplation. The key takeaway is that taking action is essential for growth and progress.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Part 3/10:
Success on YouTube often comes down to having a reliable routine. I work full-time but have made a habit of waking up early to work on my videos before my day begins. During this time, I focus on creating graphics, which I do before breakfast—my most productive hour. Afterward, I still find time to record my video and, if possible, edit during lunch. This consistency allows me to produce videos regularly, which is crucial for audience growth.
Understanding Growth Patterns
Part 4/10:
In my experience, growth on YouTube resembles the concept of compound interest. At first, progress is slow and steady. It takes time to build a backlog of videos and subscribers. My initial uploads only garnered around 100 or 200 views. It wasn't until I hit around 2,000 subscribers that my growth began to skyrocket. Once the algorithm recognized my videos, the views began to compound, illustrating that early hard work eventually pays off, even if the rewards don’t come immediately.
The Challenge of Early Videos
Part 5/10:
The most challenging phase for many YouTubers is between the 10th and 100th videos. Early on, excitement fuels your motivation, but once you're beyond your first ten uploads, there's often a lack of external validation, making it easy to feel discouraged. It's during these times that persistence is crucial—the only real failure in YouTube is giving up. By continually learning, analyzing your content analytics, and improving, you can progress past this difficult stage.
Invest in Quality Equipment
Part 6/10:
Another important piece of advice I received was to invest in the best equipment I could afford. This not only ensures that I produce high-quality videos but also gives me an extra incentive to stay dedicated. Knowing you’ve invested your money into your craft can help maintain motivation during challenging days when the drive to create may wane.
Build a Library of Reusable Content
Part 7/10:
After producing hundreds of videos, I’ve developed an extensive catalog of graphics and reusable materials. This practice streamlines my video creation process significantly, making it easier and faster to produce content. The time it takes to create videos decreases as you accumulate graphics and gain experience. This parallels the idea of compound interest—initial efforts may be slow, but they yield results over time.
Quality Over Quantity
Part 8/10:
Not every video will be a hit. I’ve experienced instances where my most time-consuming and polished videos failed to meet expectations, while casual uploads received far more attention. It’s vital not to get too attached to specific outcomes. Instead, focus on viewer engagement metrics like watch time, likes, and comments. These factors provide a more accurate insight into a video’s success than views alone.
Set Process-Driven Goals
Part 9/10:
Setting goals is fundamental to any successful YouTube strategy. However, it’s important to focus on process-driven goals rather than mere outcome-based targets. For example, instead of aiming for a specific income, I set goals such as creating a certain number of videos or diving deep into my analytics to enhance future content. This approach keeps me motivated and ensures continuous improvement, regardless of immediate financial gain.
Conclusion
Part 10/10:
The journey to building a successful YouTube channel requires dedication, action, and, above all, patience. The lessons learned from nearly 700 videos remind me that while subscriber counts and view metrics are important, the real success lies in the skills gained, the knowledge accumulated, and the relationships forged along the way. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned creator, these insights can help guide your path on YouTube. If you found this article helpful, consider subscribing to my channel for more insights and tips!