Here's one of my first videos uploaded in 2006. [start video playback]
Hello, my name is Herman Drost. I'm the owner of the Marketing Tips Newsletter.
[end video playback] Here's a recent video
I upload in 2022. [start video playback]
How do you revive a dead YouTube video that's no longer getting views or subscribers?
[end video playback] Today, I want to share my journey
from 0 to 100,000 subscribers. Thank you for all your support throughout the years. Without you,
I wouldn't have been able to build an audience. [music]
Why did you start a YouTube channel? I started professional web design business in the year 2000,
and my website was ranked at the top of Google search. I was getting constant
leads from that ranking. One day, my website disappeared from the top rankings on Google,
and so did my business leads. I occasionally posted web design tutorials on my YouTube channel,
and noticed that they rank well in YouTube search. I purchased a YouTube traffic course
and learnt how to make better videos and rank them in the YouTube search engines.
As a result, I started getting new design leads through my YouTube channel. I noticed I had
more fun creating videos for YouTube than I had creating websites for picky clients,
and the industry was getting very competitive. After monetizing my channel, I decided to switch
from web design to video marketing and promoting affiliate products, as well as creating and
promoting my own products. I retained my web design and web hosting clients for several years
while I made the transition to full-time YouTuber. Most of my initial revenue from YouTube came from
AdSense ads, but as soon as I started promoting affiliate products as well as creating my own
courses, I was able to increase that revenue. Nowadays, I make money from AdSense revenue,
affiliate products, my own products, YouTube coaching, as well as brand deals, and sponsored
videos. By creating multiple revenue streams, I can be a full-time content creator on YouTube.
What gear did you use to start a YouTube channel? When I first started uploading YouTube videos,
I was just using the camera on my iPhone 4s. I would use the smartLav+ as an external microphone
that would clip onto my shirt. Nowadays, I use the Canon M50 as my main camera, and the Movo
VX10 as the external microphone. If I'm filming outside and on the go,
I often use the GoPro HERO9 camera. My initial lighting was two Cowboy Softboxes, which I still
use today. Later on, I added a ring light and then a smart bulb, so I can change colors if I need to.
When I first started my YouTube channel, I'd film outside so I can use the natural daylight.
If I was filming inside, I'd just use a blank wall. Later on, I'd use a wall hang
like this rustic wood that I'm using at the moment. My recommendation if you're
just starting YouTube channel is just do the best with what you have, even if it's just a
iPhone and in front of a window. The camera that comes with the iPhone these days is 4k,
so it's more than enough for filming your videos. Editing software. The first software I used to
edit my videos was Windows Movie Maker, which now doesn't exist. When I switched from PC to Mac,
I used iMovie because it came with my computer and was easy to use. Nowadays,
I use ScreenFlow video editing software, which has many more features than iMovie,
and it's just a one-time fee, and it's easy to use. For designing my thumbnails, I'll use
Pixelmator Pro, which is friendly for Macs, and is also a one-time fee. If you're just starting out,
I recommend the free online graphics software called Canva. They have a bunch of templates,
so you can easily modify to your locking. What's changed on YouTube since 2006? I'll
only mention some of the big changes because there being lots of little ones over the year.
For instance, how the YouTube algorithm works. In 2006, there wasn't much competition, so it
was easy to rank your videos. Now, the YouTube algorithm takes in click-through rate and watch
time, two big ranking factors that determine where your videos will rank in the search
engines. If you want to see fast growth on YouTube channel these days, focus on creating compelling
thumbnails and titles, as well as getting a high watch time. This means you have to keep
viewers engaged throughout your video, as well as get them to watch more videos on your channel.
Another thing that's changed is YouTube has got stricter on its policies. For example,
you get penalized for reused content. If you violate the community guidelines, you can get a
strike. If you get three strikes, your channel can be terminated. One big change that YouTube made,
that if you get a first strike, it will result in a warning on your channel, which will remain
forever. If you get a strike after that, that strike will remain on your channel.
My recommendation is to study YouTube's policies so you don't make the mistake of violating their
guidelines. The worst that can happen is that your channel will be terminated, and
you lose all that investment of time and energy. Another big thing that changed is the monetization
requirements to join the YouTube partner program. I think it was in 2018 that YouTube changed the
monetization requirements to 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers in the past 12 months. Later on,
they also started putting ads on non-monetized channels, which means that you wouldn't get any
revenue if you are not a YouTube partner. My recommendation is to get your channel monetized
as soon as possible so you can start collecting revenue from the ads generated from your videos.
Another big change YouTube made was going from annotations to end screens and end cards. With
annotations, you can link to a video or website anytime during your video. That all changed when
they got rid of annotations and introduced end cards and end screens. With end screens
and end cards, you can only link to a video, playlist, channel or subscribe button. To link
to a website that's associated with your channel, you have to become a YouTube partner. Therefore,
I highly recommend becoming a YouTube partner as soon as possible. Also, YouTube keeps adding
new monetization options such as channel memberships, super thanks and super chat.
Another big change YouTube has made over the years is better analytics. You can now track
the performance of your YouTube videos, so you can make better decisions about what content
you should make in the future. You now also have the ability to create shorts, which are vertical
videos that are 60 seconds or less. These types of vertical videos help drive views and
subscribers to your YouTube channel. YouTube also introduce stories and community posts, which helps
you to interact with your subscribers and your viewers when you're not uploading your videos.
Here are seven things I want to focus on going forward with my YouTube channel. Number one,
share value with people I care about. Instead of looking at my videos as creating content.
I'm going to look at sharing value with people I care about. This shift in thinking means I never
have to worry about people judging my content or obsessing over views and subscribers. Instead,
I focus on the value that I offer my viewers to help them get the result that they want.
Number two, focus on quality instead of quantity. For many years, I uploaded three videos a week to
grow my channel fast. I'd make two regular videos ,then do a live stream every Friday.
Even though this grew my channel fast, the quality of my videos suffered. My recommendation
is to upload consistently whether it's once a week, twice a week, or even three times a
week. If you want to avoid the stress of uploading consistently, I highly recommend batch scripting,
batch filming, and batch editing. Typically, I'll schedule two or three videos ahead
of time so I won't be stressed out. Number three, create titles for your
target audience. Instead of creating titles just for the search engines, try to write titles that
compel the viewer to click and watch your videos. This could be asking a question, making a bold
statement, or writing something controversial. Your goal is to create a compelling title,
so viewers will click and watch your video. If they don't click and watch your video,
then you'll get no views and no subscribers. Number four, create clickable thumbnails. Your
thumbnail is what viewers see first in the search engines, whether it's Google search
or YouTube search. They'll also see it in the suggested videos or on the YouTube home screen,
or on the YouTube app. Design thumbnails that stand out from your competitor thumbnails
so viewers will click on your video instead of your competitors. Typically, I'll design two or
three different thumbnails, then use TubeBuddy's thumbnail split testing feature to see which one
gets the most traffic. I'll place a link to TubeBuddy in the description below this video.
Number five, improve each video by 1%. The top ranking factors for YouTube videos
is click-through rate and watch time or audience retention. Click-through rate refers to percentage
of people that see your title and thumbnail then click on it to watch your video. Watch time and
audience retention refers to how many people remain engaged throughout your video. YouTube
says that if increase the click-through rate and watch time on YouTube videos,
it increases the probability of your videos being suggested by YouTube. Therefore,
try to improve every new video you upload by 1%. Number six, enjoy being a content creator.
The reason only 1% of YouTubers reach 100,000 subscribers is because of burnout. Constantly
creating content week after week can affect you mentally and can destroy your creativity
and motivation. To prevent this from happening, I highly recommend taking breaks throughout the day,
as well as taking longer breaks throughout the year. For example, I go for a run on the weekdays,
then ride the trails during the weekends. Number seven, build an email list. Building
your business on YouTube is like building a house on shaky ground. YouTube is like the landlord,
and you are the renter, so you're living on rented ground. If YouTube changes the rules,
or you violate one of their policies, and they terminate your channel, you'll lose everything.
If you build an email list off YouTube, you'll own the list, and you'll be able to recommend
your products and services whenever you want. My big takeaway to grow YouTube channel to 100,000
subscribers fast is to be consistent and try to improve every video you upload by 1%. If
you do that, you'll be able to reach the goal of 100,000 subscribers in a shorter period of time.
What if you're just starting a YouTube channel? How can you grow quickly? Watch the video on
the screen right now on how to quickly get 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. You'll be glad you did.