The YouTube Myth: Just Talk and Go?
Jumping into the world of YouTube isn’t just about pointing a camera and chatting away. Sure, that sounds like a walk in the park, but it’s actually more like a hike up a mountain with a backpack full of gear.
You’ll need a decent camera, lighting that doesn’t make you look like a ghost, and let’s not forget the audio – because, believe me, if your audio is garbage, you might as well be not start video.
Everyone’s quick to say, ‘Oh, it’s easy!’ But if you want to grow your channel, it’s not just about slapping some content together; it’s about your thumbnail, your title, and that all-important first 30 seconds that keeps viewers from bolting faster than a cat from a cucumber. If you're not doing that for your audio it is more work.
And don’t even get me started on the thumbnails! You think you can just throw any old picture up there and call it a day? Nope! It’s got to be eye-catching, intriguing, and maybe a tad clickbaity to get those lazy viewers to stop scrolling and actually watch. You know, the kind of thumbnail that screams, ‘Click me! I’m more interesting than your ex’s new partner!’ So, while you’re busy filming your masterpiece, make sure you’re also crafting a title that promises something juicy. After all, that title is like a promise to your listeners and if you don’t deliver, guess what? They’re not coming back.
A Video Strategy
To really make your mark on YouTube, it’s about strategy, baby! Think of it as a game of chess where every move counts. You need to plan your title, thumbnail, and hook like your channel depends on it – because it does! And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of it all, don’t worry; even the pros use tools like Vidiq to help them navigate the chaotic waters of YouTube. So, buckle up, get that gear ready, and remember: it’s not just about talking into a camera; it’s about crafting an experience that your audience will want to dive into headfirst. Happy filming!
Takeaways:
- YouTube can be a blast if you have the time and budget, but it's a lot of work!
- People think recording video is just talking into a camera, but oh boy, it's way more complex!
- To really grow on YouTube, you gotta focus on the title, thumbnail, and first 30 seconds, not just the content.
- Don't underestimate how much effort goes into making a good thumbnail; it can make or break your video!
- Audio is king, but in video, the thumbnail and title are your best friends, so don't ignore them!
Mentioned
Vid IQ (aff)
Mentioned in this episode:
Is Your Podcast Not Growing?
Struggling to grow your podcast beyond friends and family? You're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I created "10 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Podcast Audience" - a free guide packed with actionable techniques that have helped countless podcasters expand their reach and build loyal listener communities. Stop guessing what works. These are battle-tested methods used by top podcasters who speak to engaged audiences every week. Head to schoolofpodcasting.com/10tips now and download the free guide because your podcast deserves to be heard.
Is your podcast LAUNCHED but not growing as fast as you want? CLICK HERE to ignite your passion!
00:00 - Untitled
00:17 - Understanding the Work Behind YouTube
00:46 - The Challenges of Starting a YouTube Channel
02:48 - The Importance of Titles and Thumbnails in Content Creation
04:23 - The Importance of Titles and Thumbnails for Success in Audio
05:16 - Introduction to Podcasting and Video Strategy
Dave Jackson
00:00:00.480 - 00:00:19.040
There's a lot of talk about YouTube, and I always say, well, yeah, if you want to be on YouTube and you have the desire and the budget and the time, by all means, be on YouTube. But other people go, well, is it really any more work? Don't you just talk into a camera and pull the audio out? Well, let's talk about that.
Announcer
00:00:20.560 - 00:00:44.860
Welcome to your Podcast Consultant. Small lessons with big value.
With more than a decade of experience and millions of downloads, this hall of fame podcaster is a featured speaker, author, and mentor to thousands. Now he wants to work with you. He's your podcast consultant. Dave Jackson.
Dave Jackson
00:00:46.380 - 00:01:56.540
How can it be more work to start a YouTube channel? Sure, there's more gear. There's your camera, there's your lighting. Want to make sure you have good audio as well. Don't forget about the audio.
The audio is actually more important than the lighting when it comes to video. But I hear people like, you're crazy when you say it's more work to be on YouTube because you just record your show in video and that's done.
And when you edit it, you edit the video. And when you're done, you know, you just take out the audio and there's your podcast. And that seems very logical on paper.
Except if you really want to grow on YouTube, it's not so much about the content. So there's a great tool, I have a subscription to it called Vidiq, that helps you grow your YouTube channel. And they have a short on their channel.
And I'm going to play you what this person says, like why the most YouTubers fail and what they need to focus on. And you'll notice here it's kind of the content, but kind of not. Here we go.
VidIQ Person
00:01:56.860 - 00:02:46.820
I think the four pillars of any video are the idea, the thumbnail, the title, and the first 30 seconds.
I would recommend spending 75 to 80% of your time and effort on those aspects of a video to begin with, because that's where 100 people see your thumbnail and title. 5% actually watch the video, and then you lose another 30 or 40% in the first 30 seconds.
So I think that's why you should really focus on those first points. Return viewers as well. I think that's a really important metric, returning viewers into loyal fans, whether or not they become subscribers.
But beyond that, you're looking at the marginal gains. You're looking at, how can I improve my content? 1% here, 1% there. And those are the things that once you start building a team and you're.
You're an expert on YouTube that you want to start focusing on now, for.
Dave Jackson
00:02:46.820 - 00:06:35.440
The record, I agree with a couple things. The title important even if you're not doing video. Thumbnail isn't as important as it is on video.
But I think if you have the time, make separate artwork for each episode. And a hook is definitely important in audio as well. And then he throws in the idea.
And I know a lot of YouTubers will make the thumbnail and the title before they make the video. It helps them keep focused on that promise that the title delivers. And that's the same with audio. The title of your episode is a promise.
And the sooner you get to that promise, the more they're going to like your content and be likely to share with it. But I just wanted to point out that if you're thinking, well, I just talk into the camera and then release the audio, he said 85%, I think it was.
Or 80% of your time should be sent working on not the content, but the title and the thumbnail and the hook and then, yeah, the idea as well. So that's the part that's more work. Now, you could say, but, Dave, I am working on the title for my audio and the hook, so it's not more work.
But that thumbnail on YouTube is a huge thing. And there, yes, you can use AI to design the thumbnail.
And I always say AI is a great way to make something that is probably better than you were going to do, but probably in some cases at least, mediocre. So keep that in mind. But it is one of those things where if you really want to be successful on YouTube, it is about the title and the thumbnail.
I don't care what guru you're watching. They all agree on that. And so a, as you're starting off in audio, really work on that title so that it shows the benefit of listening.
Because who doesn't want to benefit? Like, here's what you're going to get by clicking on play. And sometimes, you know, people get a little clickbaity.
Well, the reason for that is being a little clickbaity isn't bad as long as it's just not a blatant lie. And then when you make a separate piece of artwork for your show and I realize you're like, ugh, something that's going to take more time.
It does show your audience, ooh, this episode is different because it looks different than the last one. So that's something I do.
I use Canva, and it's almost a template that I use I just pick a different background color and a different picture and change the title just so it looks a little different. So keep in mind again, I'm not anti video. You know, I'll go on yes, Audio outperforms, video 15 to 1, et cetera, et cetera.
That there's actually more a bigger audience per podcast than there is per YouTuber. Even though YouTube has this gigantic audience, there's also a ton of people on YouTube, so there's more competition.
But if you have the desire and the budget and the time and you want to be on YouTube, you really are going to have to make sure there's time in your schedule to work on your thumbnail skills and to really come up with a great hook and to come up with a great title. SchoolOfPodcasting.com start is where you can go to sign up for either a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Don't forget to use the coupon code listnr to save on that. It does come with a 30 day money back guarantee and I've been doing it for 20 years. It's. That's what I love to do, help podcasters.
And if you need help, come see me because I want to be your podcast consultant.
