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:
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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
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.
Speaker ABut other people go, well, is it really any more work?
Speaker ADon't you just talk into a camera and pull the audio out?
Speaker AWell, let's talk about that.
Speaker BWelcome to youo Podcast Consultant.
Speaker BSmall lessons with big value.
Speaker BWith more than a decade of experience and millions of downloads, this hall of fame podcaster is a featured speaker, author, and mentor to thousands.
Speaker BNow he wants to work with you.
Speaker BHe's your podcast consultant.
Speaker BDave Jackson.
Speaker AHow can it be more work to start a YouTube channel?
Speaker ASure, there's more gear.
Speaker AThere's your camera, there's your lighting.
Speaker AWant to make sure you have good audio as well.
Speaker ADon't forget about the audio.
Speaker AThe audio is actually more important than the lighting when it comes to video.
Speaker ABut 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.
Speaker AAnd when you edit it, you edit the video.
Speaker AAnd when you're done, you know, you just take out the audio and there's your podcast.
Speaker AAnd that seems very logical on paper.
Speaker AExcept if you really want to grow on YouTube, it's not so much about the content.
Speaker ASo there's a great tool, I have a subscription to it called Vidiq, that helps you grow your YouTube channel.
Speaker AAnd they have a short on their channel.
Speaker AAnd I'm going to play you what this person says, like why the most YouTubers fail and what they need to focus on.
Speaker AAnd you'll notice here it's kind of the content, but kind of not.
Speaker AHere we go.
Speaker CI think the four pillars of any video are the idea, the thumbnail, the title, and the first 30 seconds.
Speaker CI 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.
Speaker C5% actually watch the video, and then you lose another 30 or 40% in the first 30 seconds.
Speaker CSo I think that's why you should really focus on those first points.
Speaker CReturn viewers as well.
Speaker CI think that's a really important metric, returning viewers into loyal fans, whether or not they become subscribers.
Speaker CBut beyond that, you're looking at the marginal gains.
Speaker CYou're looking at, how can I improve my content?
Speaker C1% here, 1% there.
Speaker CAnd those are the things that once you start building a team and you're.
Speaker CYou're an expert on YouTube that you want to start focusing on now, for.
Speaker AThe record, I agree with a couple things.
Speaker AThe title important even if you're not doing video.
Speaker AThumbnail isn't as important as it is on video.
Speaker ABut I think if you have the time, make separate artwork for each episode.
Speaker AAnd a hook is definitely important in audio as well.
Speaker AAnd then he throws in the idea.
Speaker AAnd I know a lot of YouTubers will make the thumbnail and the title before they make the video.
Speaker AIt helps them keep focused on that promise that the title delivers.
Speaker AAnd that's the same with audio.
Speaker AThe title of your episode is a promise.
Speaker AAnd the sooner you get to that promise, the more they're going to like your content and be likely to share with it.
Speaker ABut 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.
Speaker AOr 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.
Speaker ASo that's the part that's more work.
Speaker ANow, you could say, but, Dave, I am working on the title for my audio and the hook, so it's not more work.
Speaker ABut that thumbnail on YouTube is a huge thing.
Speaker AAnd there, yes, you can use AI to design the thumbnail.
Speaker AAnd 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.
Speaker ASo keep that in mind.
Speaker ABut it is one of those things where if you really want to be successful on YouTube, it is about the title and the thumbnail.
Speaker AI don't care what guru you're watching.
Speaker AThey all agree on that.
Speaker AAnd so a, as you're starting off in audio, really work on that title so that it shows the benefit of listening.
Speaker ABecause who doesn't want to benefit?
Speaker ALike, here's what you're going to get by clicking on play.
Speaker AAnd sometimes, you know, people get a little clickbaity.
Speaker AWell, the reason for that is being a little clickbaity isn't bad as long as it's just not a blatant lie.
Speaker AAnd 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.
Speaker AIt does show your audience, ooh, this episode is different because it looks different than the last one.
Speaker ASo that's something I do.
Speaker AI 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.
Speaker ASo keep in mind again, I'm not anti video.
Speaker AYou know, I'll go on yes, Audio outperforms, video 15 to 1, et cetera, et cetera.
Speaker AThat there's actually more a bigger audience per podcast than there is per YouTuber.
Speaker AEven though YouTube has this gigantic audience, there's also a ton of people on YouTube, so there's more competition.
Speaker ABut 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.
Speaker ASchoolOfPodcasting.com start is where you can go to sign up for either a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Speaker ADon't forget to use the coupon code listnr to save on that.
Speaker AIt does come with a 30 day money back guarantee and I've been doing it for 20 years.
Speaker AIt's.
Speaker AThat's what I love to do, help podcasters.
Speaker AAnd if you need help, come see me because I want to be your podcast consultant.