The Tea.
A sponsor reached out to me, wanted to collaborate.
There were no major red flags… and yet I ended up being ghosted with an unpaid bill on one of my most viewed videos of all time.
Here’s what happened. And hopefully some things we can learn from this. ⬇️🍿
Too many YouTubers find their value in their channel performance.
Analytics show viewer behaviour.
It doesn’t show lives changed, emotions triggered, and the impact on individual people.
So don’t forget to remind your fav YouTubers what their channels mean to you.
@hankgreen
Most cancer treatment is free in Australia and I think it’s crazy that it isn’t in the USA. Plus, so many extra support networks.
Cancer is already such a battle for entire families without the additional financial burden. ❤️
I don’t use markers often enough, so this was a great opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone again- and I definitely created a bit of a mess along the way, but I loved trying out
@JazzaStudios
new Pro Artist Collection!
The funniest part about this comment: I used to work as a professional clown.
She’s going to be extra disappointed if I start making art with balloon animals again.
That moment when YouTube finally pushes one of your videos in browse…
Sometimes I think it IS just favor with the algorithm. I didn’t change a thing, and it’s only this video going crazy like this on my channel right now.
Here’s hoping this exponential momentum is contagious!
A picture to make my analytic-loving friends smile 😊
Also, credit to
@PaddyG96
’s training for those little changes that have helped my videos see this kind of momentum. 🎉
My “circus show” is really just a bit more of my own personality shining through my videos, instead of keeping them as strictly professional art tutorials. It’s not just about entertainment, it’s also more enjoyable for me and more authentic to who I am. I won’t go back now.
“YouTube hates artists”
“YouTube only promotes shorts”
“YouTube only likes Mr Beast”
I disagree.
Audiences change. Competing in a massively crowded marketplace isn’t easy. But when you focus on understanding your audience and making the best videos you can, you’ll find a way.
I change my thumbnails often, but this is the biggest views change I've seen. And it shows that it's never too late to give a video a boost if you GET THE MESSAGING RIGHT.
My original video did well, but I had focused on the wrong selling point. Now it's going crazy!
#YouTube
We're about to see a new wave of "Gestalt" designs in advertising and marketing in the next few months.
They are incredibly interesting visual illusions, and hard to create. And amazing when done well.
And it looks like some clever people finally worked out how to create these,
I've been unhappy with this thumbnail since I made it, but after a call with
@PaddyG96
, I finally pushed myself to make some changes, and I started here! I even found a photo already on file (that I haven't used elsewhere) and I'm 1000x happier with this one. Thoughts?
My latest video has the BEST retention I’ve ever had. But the worst views in a long time! Sometimes this is what “trying something new” looks like. I’m taking the win, even though it’s currently a 10/10.
Plus, the video was a lot of fun, and those who watched it, loved it.
In just 2 days, we’ve sold over 1,200 of our new product. We don’t have millions of subs, but we know our audience.
The best products aren’t about YOU. They aren’t merch with your logo. They are products that your audience wants and needs.
Thank you all for the support so far!
Just got off a call with
@SarahRenaeClark
... She will be speaking at VidSummit 2023 on how small Youtube channels can create a multi-million dollar product line. Sarah is super smart and has some amazing case studies that she will be sharing! 🔥
I’ve just launched my most exciting product ever! If you’ve ever struggled to choose colors that work well together, this is for you. I could tell you more, but I’d rather show you….
I published my 100th episode on YouTube a few days ago - and I'm blown away by all the support and just how far the channel has come in such a short time!
It's crazy to think that my team and I have only been doing this for 2 years now! I'm excited to see what's next!
Replace the word “algorithm” with “audience” and you’ll be closer to solving the puzzle.
Stop trying to make the “best video” for the algorithm.
Instead, ask “what is the video that MY AUDIENCE will WANT to watch MORE than the 1000s of other videos on YouTube?” and make THAT.
@YouTubeLiaison
I have a simple answer Rene, the algorithms for whatever reason chose to put those videos in front of millions, nothing to do with better, just pure luck. I have seen many of those channels get millions of views on normal camping/fishing video and then die a very painful death
Very exciting when a video surpasses all expectations!
We thought this would do well, but not THIS well.
Continually trying to improve, learning from other creators, studying the algorithm, and just making the best videos you can - it pays off eventually!
And we did it!
Of course, after refreshing every second for at least a minute, I stopped to attend to my kids on the playground, and that’s when it clocked over the 100k 😂
Looks like my next video will finally be an epic unboxing of those special pencils! 🙌
@TomFrankly
@NotionHQ
My $2 million product was also built of an idea that started as a free product, and still competes with other free online tools. People remind me constantly on our Facebook ads.
We’ve sold about 34k physical units, and 40k digital units.
Naysayers aren’t your customers!
I have 2 tickets for
@vidsummit
2023 that I’d love to give away to some deserving creators!
If you know someone that could benefit from everything that Vidsummit has to offer, tell me who & why, or send me a DM!
I’ll choose next week 🥳
(Doesn’t include hotel or travel)
There’s a LOT that happens behind the scenes at our studio, and I’m finally taking you on a super-detailed studio tour!
Check out our cameras, tech, our filming process, art storage, and more!
Hello! I’m the dedicated Mum, carrying a lightsaber from LAX international airport to Melbourne to surprise her 7-year-old who thinks he is Darth Vader…
Latest video is ALMOST ready! Less than 1 hour to go!
This was 3 weeks, 60+ hrs of testing, 40TB of footage to edit, testing 90+ brands (over 4000 pencils)
It’s the biggest video we’ve ever created, and Shane and I tag-teamed an all-nighter to get it edited and exported today!
So this is where I think there is an element of “luck” and would love some expert advice to say otherwise with the YouTube algorithm.
This video is getting pushed in browse more than any of my other videos right now, by far. And yet, the retention is well below my average. Why?
The Tea.
A sponsor reached out to me, wanted to collaborate.
There were no major red flags… and yet I ended up being ghosted with an unpaid bill on one of my most viewed videos of all time.
Here’s what happened. And hopefully some things we can learn from this. ⬇️🍿
I’m preparing a “spill all” on a recent sponsorship gone wrong that I think is a useful case study for creators. But with screenshots, it’s 18 pages long… not ideal Twitter length. So how much detail would be useful here?
So many Color Cubes! 😍
The manufacturing is almost done, and they're being boxed up now, ready for shipment to Australia and the USA in the next few weeks.
Would it be inappropriate to unbox a bunch when they arrive at our house to take another epic photo like this?
Timezones suck.
I wake up every morning and feel like I’ve missed a whole day of conversation with my USA friends.
Then I spend the evening waiting for everyone to reply and feeling super unpopular … 🦗
Everyone should just move to Australia. That feels logical.
@NarratorDave
I was slow to share this, because I wanted to think through the potential consequences. I doubt I’ll ever collect the final payment now. And I value confidentiality.
But the lessons here, especially after those final emails, felt too important not to share.
Vidsummit has been amazing this year.
It’s well worth the trip from Australia just to see so many friends again, and to be able to meet so many passionate creators.
I loved every moment of it, even though I missed every session.
And now, I get a whole second conference when
We've now sold over 6,000 Color Cubes!!
I am amazed, encouraged, and a little overwhelmed by your amazing support for this new product.
The manufacturer is already printing our second run, even before our first stock has arrived! This has been crazy! Thank you! 😊🥳
Creators: if you want to double your revenue, there are 3 ways to do it (or a combination of):
1. Double your audience
2. Double your content/products
3. Double the value of your content/products (or the amount an average customer spends)
Which are you focusing on now?
Being a creator is like building a snowball, one snowflake at a time.
It starts crazy slow and takes every part of you.
But one day, the snowball gets big enough to start rolling on its own. And that's where the pay-off comes, exponentially.
I’m honoured that the story of my Color Cube product launch was featured in the latest issue of
@thepublishpress
by
@ColinandSamir
! You can read the full article (and extended Q&A) here:
The most worthwhile course I’ve ever taken for YouTube growth. (Disclaimer: Not for beginners.)
Paddy’s personal time commitment to each person in this course is by far the best part about this, and worth the investment on its own.
Huge vouch. Not an affiliate.
A week ago I launched my creator accelerator program. 🎉
We’ve had 600 applicants from amazing creators, all sizes, all across the world.
We’re closing applications later today. Thank you for the support on this! ❤️
If you're a YouTuber thinking about making products, here are some ideas to get you thinking!
I'll be talking all about this at
@vidsummit
, but this draft list didn't quite make it into my presentation (too many other useful things instead) so I thought it might be helpful here!
My 7yo: Mum, I want to battle you in Minecraft. I’ve set us both up.
Me: did you make it fair?
Him: (pauses)
Me: do we have the same armor?
Him: yes. We both have a netherite helmet.
Me: ok…
Him: but… one netherite helmet is missing.
Me: is it my helmet missing?
Him: yes
“Ignore the haters”
Unfortunately, the only real way to effectively ignore hate comments is to ignore ALL comments.
More subs = more haters.
Consider this, next time you are upset that a large creator doesn’t reply to your comments. It’s not because they don’t care. 🫶
Oh no! My 3-year-old broke his phone! On a positive note, his spelling has improved dramatically since this morning’s ABCs, and he’s made a new friend.
#scammer
I was looking back on our analytics today, and the timing of this caught my eye. We never "gave up", but we almost changed direction of everything, right before our business took off.
Don't give up on your audience too soon.
It's been a crazy few days! We've taken 25 shopping carts full of Color Cubes to the post office, plus some chocolates for the amazing local post staff.
All Australian orders are processed, and international orders are in progress! US orders are about 2-3 weeks away.
Exciting!
My white pen comparison is the craziest, biggest comparison that I've done yet!
I've decided to spend a few more days to REALLY make this the best video possible, so I'll be releasing it over the weekend.
Subscribe on YouTube now so you're ready!
Don’t ever be scared of using your best art supplies.
Short pencils, dirty brushes and used paints are the evidence that something creative is growing.
Stop saving them for “the right time”. The right time is now.
@wendoverpro
Yes!
Totally frustrating seeing tweets like “it was great for those people and all, but the video was a bit repetitive so I clicked off. Wish he kept that stuff on his philanthropy channel”
I’m just happy that someone like Mr Beast is using his influence for GOOD.
When artists spend 5-10 hours (or more) just creating the art for a video, plus the extra editing time to bring that down to a reasonable watch time… “batch” production becomes impossible.
Another reason why the art community deserves more credit, and its own YouTube category!
My THANK YOU that doesn't fit in Twitter's word limit... but words can barely sum it up anyway! Thank you everyone for your support in helping us reach 100k subscribers on YouTube!
@YouTubeCreators
#YouTube