TLDR;
This video shares 40 lessons learned from building faceless YouTube channels that have generated over $10 million in revenue. It emphasizes the importance of being different rather than just better, understanding the YouTube algorithm, and focusing on long-form content. The video also covers strategies for outsourcing, creating effective titles and thumbnails, and identifying profitable channel ideas.
- Being different is better than being better.
- Focus on long-form content.
- Use AI to make your life easier and cheaper, but the audience should not be able to tell that it's AI.
Lesson 1: Being Different is Better Than Being Better [0:38]
Copying other successful channels in your niche won't guarantee the same results, even if your videos are slightly better. People are already accustomed to watching the original creators. It's more effective to brainstorm and create a channel concept that is unique and stands out from the competition, giving viewers a reason to choose your content over others.
Lesson 2: Embrace Doubt and Discouragement [1:26]
The human brain is wired for survival and resists new, uncertain ventures. The feeling of doubt and discouragement when your initial videos don't perform well is a natural response. Recognize this feeling as a sign that you're pushing beyond your comfort zone and persevere through it. It may take several videos before one gains traction and changes your trajectory.
Lesson 3: Good Videos Can Randomly Blow Up [2:17]
A genuinely good video can unexpectedly gain popularity even after a slow start. When you upload a new video, YouTube initially tests it with various audiences to determine the right fit. Once the algorithm identifies the appropriate audience, it will begin recommending the video to a wider pool of viewers. This process can take a month or two, so don't be discouraged by initial low views.
Lesson 4: Make More Money With Less Views [3:33]
You don't need millions of views to make significant income on YouTube. Channels that sell their own products or promote affiliate products can generate substantial revenue with a smaller, more targeted audience. The key is to create content that addresses the specific questions and needs of viewers who are likely to make a purchase.
Lesson 5: Avoid the Jack of All Trades Trap [4:17]
Hiring a single person to handle all aspects of video creation (writing, editing, thumbnails, etc.) can be risky. Your entire business becomes dependent on one individual, who may eventually quit or demand a larger share of the profits.
Lesson 6: Be Like Henry Ford [5:05]
Instead of hiring a "jack of all trades," adopt an assembly line approach by hiring different people for each specific role in the video creation process (writer, audio editor, video editor, thumbnail designer). This is more efficient and cost-effective.
Lesson 7: Write Thorough SOPs [6:06]
To outsource effectively and affordably, create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that provide detailed instructions for each task. These instructions should be so thorough that anyone with basic knowledge can follow them and produce high-quality work. SOPs are the foundation for scaling your channel and income.
Lesson 8: Competition is a Sin [8:17]
Direct competition leads to zero profits. Copying direct competitors in your niche will only make you another copycat channel in their shadow.
Lesson 9: Copy From Other Niches [9:06]
Innovation can be achieved by copying ideas from other industries or niches. Introducing a concept that is common in one area to a new area can make your channel seem innovative and attract viewers.
Lesson 10: Strike When the Iron is Hot [9:57]
During periods of rapid growth, double down on your efforts to maximize your progress. These periods of fast growth don't last forever, so take advantage of them while they last.
Lesson 11: Stop Action Faking [10:26]
Avoid activities that feel productive but don't actually contribute to your channel's growth, such as setting up an LLC or creating social media profiles before you're getting views. Focus solely on creating better long-form videos.
Lesson 12: Voiceovers Are Easier Than Recording Yourself [11:06]
Recording voiceovers is significantly easier than being on camera, as it requires less equipment, preparation, and energy.
Lesson 13: Don't Batch Record as a Beginner [11:43]
Avoid batch recording videos when you're first starting out, as you're still finding your style and experimenting with different approaches. Instead, focus on improving with each individual upload.
Lesson 14: Audio is More Important Than Video [12:33]
Good audio quality is more crucial than high-quality video editing. Viewers are more forgiving of okay video editing if the audio is clear and pleasant to listen to.
Lesson 15: Entertainment is More Important Than Education [13:17]
Focus on entertainment over education. Most viewers come to YouTube to be entertained, not educated. Aim for a 90/10 ratio of entertainment to education in your videos.
Lesson 16: Show, Don't Just Tell [14:02]
When writing a video script, think about what you can show the viewer on screen instead of just writing about it. Use visuals to enhance the viewing experience.
Lesson 17: Multiple Income Streams [14:37]
Create multiple income streams to build generational wealth. Don't rely solely on YouTube ads. Explore sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and your own products.
Lesson 18: Don't Stress Over Analytics Early On [15:24]
Don't worry about analytics when you're not getting many views yet. The sample size is too small to draw meaningful conclusions. Focus on making better videos.
Lesson 19: Turn Your Brain Half Off When Reviewing Thumbnails [15:58]
Avoid using polls to determine which thumbnails to use. Instead, put yourself in the mindset of a casual viewer and see if the thumbnail grabs your attention.
Lesson 20: The 50/50 Rule [16:43]
Spend 50% of your time and effort on the title and thumbnail, and the other 50% on the video itself. YouTube is a two-step game: first, people have to click on your video, and then they have to watch it all the way through.
Lesson 21: One Central Idea in the Title [17:24]
Have only one central idea in the title. If the viewer has to think at all to understand what your video is about, they've already scrolled past it.
Lesson 22: More is Not Better in the Thumbnail [18:14]
Avoid jamming too much stuff into the thumbnail. Viral thumbnails usually have a maximum of three objects.
Lesson 23: Revive a Dead Video [19:08]
You can revive a dead video and make more money by improving the title and thumbnail.
Lesson 24: Consistency is a Lie [20:11]
Consistency is only the ticket into the game. You also have to do something drastically different. The YouTube algorithm cares about you posting a good video, not you posting every Sunday exactly at 9:00 a.m.
Lesson 25: Money Loves Speed [21:28]
When an opportunity comes your way, act on it immediately. By next week, the opportunity might not be as hot anymore.
Lesson 26: Use Pattern Interrupts [22:37]
Use pattern interrupts in the title, thumbnail, and video itself to make people do a double take.
Lesson 27: Accept Copying as Part of the Game [23:18]
Accept that people will copy you. The original creator grows the most, and the copycats get a little bit of growth, but never as much as the original.
Lesson 28: Be Prepared to Change [23:54]
Be prepared to change and evolve as your niche becomes saturated and viewers start to get tired of your video style.
Lesson 29: More Demand Than Supply [24:21]
There's way more demand on YouTube right now than there is supply. YouTube is in desperate need of good content.
Lesson 30: Focus on Long Form Videos [25:06]
Focus on long-form videos. Long-form videos pay the most, build the most trust with the audience, and provide the most value.
Lesson 31: Don't Cross-Promote [25:47]
Avoid cross-promoting your long-form videos on other platforms. People are in different moods on different platforms.
Lesson 32: Do Deepest Work Early [26:22]
Do your deepest work as early in the day as possible when you have the most willpower.
Lesson 33: Different Language Channels [26:59]
Starting a channel in a different language other than English might even be easier because these languages are 5-10 years behind English channels.
Lesson 34: Find a Different Angle [28:44]
If you want to make a video on a topic that has been covered a lot on YouTube already, you have to find a different angle.
Lesson 35: Use AI, But Don't Make it Obvious [29:54]
Use as much AI as you want to make your life easier and cheaper, but the audience should not be able to tell that it's AI.
Lesson 36: Age Does Not Matter [30:16]
Age does not matter when it comes to faceless content.
Lesson 37: People Around You Won't Understand [31:03]
Understand that the people around you, your friends and family, they're not going to understand you.
Lesson 38: Pick the Right Channel Idea [31:37]
It is absolutely possible for you to grow super fast as long as you pick the right channel idea.
Lesson 39: Aim Higher [32:11]
Creating a channel that can earn $100,000 per month is not 10 times harder than creating a channel that can earn a max of $10,000 per month.
Lesson 40: Endless Channel Ideas [33:16]
There will always be an endless amount of channel ideas out there.