Thread
I uploaded my first YouTube video a year ago
Today, I have 42,700+ subs and 1.4+ million lifetime views
Here are 10 CRITICAL lessons (I wish I could teach my former self):
Today, I have 42,700+ subs and 1.4+ million lifetime views
Here are 10 CRITICAL lessons (I wish I could teach my former self):
1/ Focus on QUANTITY, not quality (at first)
Quality matters A LOT, but making quality videos takes reps
My first 10 videos were terrible. My next 10 were less bad.
Focus on making 100 videos at first. Your quality can’t help but improve.
Quality matters A LOT, but making quality videos takes reps
My first 10 videos were terrible. My next 10 were less bad.
Focus on making 100 videos at first. Your quality can’t help but improve.
2/ Thumbnails matter - A LOT
Viewers choose videos by the thumbnail
Great thumbnails contain:
▪️Mystery / Intrigue
▪️Something familiar
▪️3 words or less
▪️Picture of a human face
Great example by @veritasium
Viewers choose videos by the thumbnail
Great thumbnails contain:
▪️Mystery / Intrigue
▪️Something familiar
▪️3 words or less
▪️Picture of a human face
Great example by @veritasium
I make thumbnails for free using @figma
I also outsource them on @fiverr
They cost ~$10 each. I buy 2 per video then pick my favorite.
I also outsource them on @fiverr
They cost ~$10 each. I buy 2 per video then pick my favorite.
3/ Titles matter - A LOT
If the thumbnail grabs their attention, viewers next look at the title.
A great title:
▪️Compliments the thumbnail
▪️Contains a number
▪️Provides intrigue
▪️Is disagreeable/counterintuitive
Great example by @MrBeast:
If the thumbnail grabs their attention, viewers next look at the title.
A great title:
▪️Compliments the thumbnail
▪️Contains a number
▪️Provides intrigue
▪️Is disagreeable/counterintuitive
Great example by @MrBeast:
4/ Know what metrics matter
Subscribers/views are OUTCOME metrics
INPUT metrics that matter:
1: Click-through rate
2: Likes
3: Retention
Mr Beast’s goal is 70% of viewers watch the whole video - which is crazy high
(I’ve got a loooooooong way to go on all 3)
Subscribers/views are OUTCOME metrics
INPUT metrics that matter:
1: Click-through rate
2: Likes
3: Retention
Mr Beast’s goal is 70% of viewers watch the whole video - which is crazy high
(I’ve got a loooooooong way to go on all 3)
5/ Quality equipment helps
My current setup:
📷: Sony a7iii
🎧: Corsair Wireless
🧑💻: @melonappcom / RiversideFM
✂️: Final Cut Pro
📢: @TubeBuddy
I made a list of all the equipment that I’ve used/tried here (to fit any budget):
www.brianferoldi.com/youtube/
My current setup:
📷: Sony a7iii
🎧: Corsair Wireless
🧑💻: @melonappcom / RiversideFM
✂️: Final Cut Pro
📢: @TubeBuddy
I made a list of all the equipment that I’ve used/tried here (to fit any budget):
www.brianferoldi.com/youtube/
6/ Try a bunch of stuff
I’ve tried lots of video formats, but my top videos are all “X stock in 5 minutes”
My viewers seem to like short, information-filled episodes where I don’t waste any time
Respect viewers' time!
I’ve tried lots of video formats, but my top videos are all “X stock in 5 minutes”
My viewers seem to like short, information-filled episodes where I don’t waste any time
Respect viewers' time!
7/ The 80/20 principle is true on YouTube
My top videos have grabbed 800+ subscribers each
My worst performing videos <10 subs
The same is true of larger channels. A handful of tail videos drive most of the growth.
My top videos have grabbed 800+ subscribers each
My worst performing videos <10 subs
The same is true of larger channels. A handful of tail videos drive most of the growth.
8/ Network with other channels
▪️Leave insightful/helpful comments
▪️Do interviews/collabs
▪️Share each other videos on your "community" page
▪️Leave insightful/helpful comments
▪️Do interviews/collabs
▪️Share each other videos on your "community" page
9/ Learn, learn, learn from the best
I’ve learned A TON about YouTube from these channels
@PaddyG96
@ColinandSamir
Channel Makers
They all provide great, actionable advice for free
I’ve learned A TON about YouTube from these channels
@PaddyG96
@ColinandSamir
Channel Makers
They all provide great, actionable advice for free
10/ Play the long game
Just like every social platform, growth takes forever in the beginning, then it compounds
My friend @OhHaiAndy is a great example of this
His channel BLEW UP in Dec, but only after A LOT of time & work
Just like every social platform, growth takes forever in the beginning, then it compounds
My friend @OhHaiAndy is a great example of this
His channel BLEW UP in Dec, but only after A LOT of time & work
A quick parting thought:
@MKBHD is one of the most successful YouTubers on the platform (15+ MM subs)
How many subs did he have after his first 100 uploads?
Less than 100!
Just like investing, patience and longevity are the KEY to success on @YouTube
@MKBHD is one of the most successful YouTubers on the platform (15+ MM subs)
How many subs did he have after his first 100 uploads?
Less than 100!
Just like investing, patience and longevity are the KEY to success on @YouTube
What did I miss?
I'm still learning myself!
I'm still learning myself!
