How to Succeed on YouTube: The Three-Level Framework for Growth
So, you’ve decided to embark on the exciting, sometimes terrifying, journey of creating content on YouTube. Maybe you’ve already started and hit a few bumps, or perhaps you’re standing at the edge, looking into the abyss of your first upload. Wherever you are, this guide breaks down a three-step framework to help you navigate the wild world of YouTube success. Spoiler alert: It’s not just about luck; it’s about strategy, persistence, and a dash of wit.
Level 1: Get Going
The first step to YouTube stardom is simple: Just Start. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity—starting is often the hardest part. Your first videos will be bad, possibly cringeworthy. Your voice will sound strange, and talking to a camera might feel like speaking into the void. But guess what? No one cares.
That’s right. In the beginning, your audience is likely non-existent, which is actually liberating. It means you can experiment, fail, and learn without the pressure of an audience's judgment. The goal here is to break through the fear barrier and get those first few videos out there. Even if they’re unlisted, just hit upload and see what happens. You’ll realize that uploading a video isn’t as daunting as it seems, and more importantly, that the world doesn’t end when you do it.
At this stage, it doesn’t matter what you’re talking about. Talk about your favorite book, your IKEA fake plant, or what’s in your bag. The content isn’t as important as the act of creating and uploading. You’re not creating masterpieces; you’re documenting your journey.
This is where I am currently in my YouTube journey. I've spent far too long reading about the theory (this blog post is a summary of what I've learned), but now it's time to put my money where my mouth is, right? I had to get started, and I did—early August 2024, when DSMomOnAJourney went from 0 to a whopping 9 subscribers (one of them being myself from another YouTube account) and a dazzling total of 96 views for 3 videos. Embarrassing? Well... again, who cares? I'm having fun, and if one day anyone finds these videos helpful or inspiring, it’ll be the cherry on top.
Level 2: Get Good
Once you’ve started, it’s time to focus on getting good. Here’s where the fun (and challenge) really begins apparently. Getting good means improving your videos step by step, and it revolves around two critical elements: quantity and quality.
Imagine you’re in a pottery class. One group is told to make as many pots as possible in 30 days, while the other group is told to spend the entire 30 days making just one perfect pot. Guess which group made the best pots? The quantity group. Why? Because the more you do something, the better you get at it.
On YouTube, this means churning out videos, each one a little better than the last. Focus on small improvements: maybe today you work on your lighting, tomorrow on your editing, and the next day on your sound quality. Over time, these small changes compound, and before you know it, your videos are not just good—they’re great.
But what does “good” actually mean? It’s both intrinsic (do you cringe when someone mentions they watched your video?) and extrinsic (are people clicking and watching?). You’ll know you’re on the right track when you start passing the “cringe test” and see positive engagement in your comments.
I aim to reach 1 video a week, to develop my skills. It might be a bit too ambitious, considering the time it takes to make it, from the idea and script thinking, to the filming, the editing (15+ hours per video! Ouch!) and making the thumbnail... Being a mom, with a full time job, makes time a very precious and scarce resource. But you get the gist. I am trying to embrace the quantity approach, because I believe in it. Let's see where it takes me. Hopefully to a point where I look back and can't help see how much better my content and form has become.
Level 3: Get Smart
Now you’re making good videos consistently. The question is: What’s next? This is where you have to make a critical decision—do you treat YouTube as a hobby or a business?
If it’s a hobby, that’s fine! Enjoy the process without the pressure of growth or monetization. But if you’re ready to treat YouTube as a business, it’s time to get smart. This means thinking strategically about your content, your workflow, and, yes, your cash flow.
When you get smart, you start treating your channel like a business. This involves optimizing your workflow, perhaps hiring help, and focusing on the type of content that not only you enjoy but also resonates with your audience and can be monetized. Think of it as running a store: you can stock the shelves with products you love, but if they’re not what your customers want, your store won’t succeed.
Youtube and I just started dating. Let's see if we get serious or if we stay casual. I am still undecided. Probably it will depend on two aspects: 1) a sense of growth: if after many videos, I still suck at making them and can't achieve a sort of pride in my output, it will be hard to find the motivation to continue, and 2) positive feedback loop: if I do get an audience after a while, it will give me the necessary energy to sustain the production. Sharing is caring! But you got to have someone to share with...
Conclusion: From Going to Growing
Success on YouTube is a journey through these three levels. Get going to break the inertia, get good to hone your craft, and get smart to turn your passion into a sustainable business. Wherever you are on this journey, remember that every YouTube giant started with that first awkward video. The key is to keep moving forward, learning, and evolving.
And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the one with millions of subscribers, looking back on where it all started. And I sure hope to join you there!
Check out my brand new channel and like and subscribe if you like what you see! I very welcome comments to the videos as well!
