Why do we make YouTube videos?
Is it for fame or fortune or is it for some higher purpose?
Deep down I think every video creator makes videos because they want to make a personal,
emotional connection with the viewer, whoever they are, wherever they may be.
Whether it's to educate people to help them better themselves, inspire people to go beyond
their expectations or express a different way of thinking that makes the viewer question
what they understand about themselves and the universe that surrounds them each and
everyone of us has a message we want to share with people we may never even see.
With over a billion active users watching more than 300 hours of content that's uploaded
every single minute, YouTube truly is the world's open video platform.
If you have a camera, a voice and an idea, someone, somewhere in the world will see it
and hear it.
The question is who do you want to speak to and why?
Fellow video creator Tim Schmoyer summed this up better than I ever could.
Who should be watching and why should they care.
You can't appeal to everyone on YouTube,
Only a fraction of the audience will share your interests and understand your message.
Even YouTube's biggest channels are but a tiny drop in this social media ocean.
But each successful YouTuber knows exactly who they want to speak to and what message
they want to share.
They share it loudly, proudly, passionately and truly live their message each and everyday
with the content they produce and whether you agree with them of not, there are millions
of viewers out there who get their message and want to be a part of it
So if there is one goal above all others that you should have in 2018 it's to find your
audience and spread a message that you truly believe in.
I recently asked YouTubers in our community to share their channel message and this one
spoke out to me more than any other.
It raises a question, it tells you who they are, what they about and why you should care.
A family seeking a life of freedom, venturing into the unknown with challenges to face.
This is a story I want to know more about.
Now this is a small channel, it may never reach out to millions of viewers, but it will
touch the hearts of those who do watch because it's a story about people
These people are now part of a community who want to share that message of freedom and
adventure
And that message has power to change people's lives that is the best feeling in any video
creator's life
The great thing about YouTube is that it's anything and everything you want it to be.
Every video creator starts at zero and we all aim for something, whether it be 10 subscribers,
1000 subscribers, even a million subscribers.
Just make sure it's what you want and not what someone else has.
This story is your story and you are the only one who can tell it, so tell it the best way
you can.
Challenge your own boundaries and make 2018 the year you break through your own fears.
If that means stepping in front the lens for the first to connect personally with your
audience go for it.
If that means live streaming to your viewers without the safety net of a video editor where
people get to see you and all your vulnerabilities go for it.
If that means stepping out into the world and not caring what anyone thinks, you go
for it
If that means learning a new way to film, or mastering a new piece of software or reaching
out to other YouTubers and collaborating, well I think you know what I'm going to say
by now, go for it.
As you well now, the message we spread on this channel is to help you, the video creator,
get more views in less time.
We can tell you how enhance SEO for your videos, we can teach you the value of playlists, we
can help research trending topics and how to capitalize on them, but what we can't tell
you is your story.
Everytime you click on one of our videos you see another small part of our story.
Our story has grown and evolved into something we never could have imagined over 2017 and
we can't wait to start writing new chapters for 2018.
We know who is watching our videos and who is using our tools.
You help shape this story like all viewers, subscribers and commenters on any Youtube
channel.
That ultimately is the end goal.
We know why you care.
Enjoy your video making year... make it the best one yet.