The Video Creatr Podcast

The latest trend on YouTube is building online communities, with creators leaning towards creating paid or free communities for their audience. Platforms like School, Facebook Groups, Discord, and Patreon are popular for building communities. However, starting a community from scratch can be challenging, and it requires engagement and moderation. YouTube's algorithm favors videos with high audience retention, which can make it difficult for niche or unconventional content to gain traction. YouTube has become more cutthroat, and it's harder to get noticed unless you have broad appeal. Despite the challenges, smaller channels are still being promoted on the platform. In this conversation, Augie and Grant discuss three main topics related to YouTube: the rise of small channels, the prevalence of polarizing content, and the basics of creating a good video. They express their excitement about small channels getting recommended on the home page, but also note that these channels often cover broad topics to appeal to a wider audience. They then discuss their concerns about the trend of polarizing content and the need for creators to be controversial to gain recognition. They mention a specific example of a controversial sales teacher who uses polarizing tactics to grow his following. Finally, they provide tips for creating a good video, including using a recent smartphone with good audio and video quality, ensuring proper lighting, and considering a DSLR or mirrorless camera for better quality. They also mention the importance of scripting and having a strong hook at the beginning of the video.

Takeaways

• The latest trend on YouTube is building online communities, with creators leaning towards creating paid or free communities for their audience.
• Platforms like School, Facebook Groups, Discord, and Patreon are popular for building communities.
• Starting a community from scratch can be challenging and requires engagement and moderation.
• YouTube's algorithm favors videos with high audience retention, making it difficult for niche or unconventional content to gain traction.
• YouTube has become more cutthroat, and it's harder to get noticed unless you have broad appeal.
• Despite the challenges, smaller channels are still being promoted on the platform. Small channels on YouTube are starting to get recommended on the home page, but they often cover broad topics to appeal to a wider audience.
• Controversial and polarizing content tends to gain more recognition on YouTube, leading some creators to feel the need to be controversial to grow their following.
• The basics of creating a good video on YouTube include using a recent smartphone with good audio and video quality, ensuring proper lighting, and considering a DSLR or mirrorless camera for better quality. Scripting and having a strong hook at the beginning of the video are also important.
• Starting a YouTube channel requires continuous learning and improvement, as there is always something new to learn in the ever-evolving platform.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

The conversation explores the strategies of creating YouTube drama and collaborating with other creators. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of both approaches, highlighting the potential for growth and engagement. The importance of being justified and authentic in calling out others is emphasized. The conversation also touches on the power of controversy and polarity in attracting viewers. It concludes by suggesting that collaboration can be a more wholesome and steady approach to growing a YouTube channel.

Takeaways

• Creating YouTube drama can be a strategy to gain attention and views, but it comes with risks and potential negative consequences.
• Calling out others in a justified and authentic way can generate engagement and interest in your content.
• Controversy and polarity can attract viewers and create a loyal following.
• Collaborating with other creators can be a more wholesome and steady approach to growing a YouTube channel.
• Authenticity and genuine opinions can be more effective in engaging viewers than focusing solely on facts and research.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

In this conversation, Augie and Grant discuss the role of a YouTube channel manager and the tasks they perform. They explain that a channel manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a channel, including planning, strategy, video uploading, SEO optimization, and thumbnail creation. They emphasize the importance of hiring a channel manager to save time and focus on other aspects of content creation. The conversation also covers the auditing process, including content, channel, and competitor audits. They discuss the ongoing relationship between a channel manager and a creator, focusing on monitoring analytics, making adjustments, and providing regular reports. The conversation concludes with a discussion on video performance analysis and overall channel health.

Takeaways

• A YouTube channel manager is responsible for the day-to-day tasks of a channel, including planning, strategy, video uploading, SEO optimization, and thumbnail creation.
• Hiring a channel manager can save time and allow creators to focus on other aspects of content creation.
• The auditing process, including content, channel, and competitor audits, is crucial for identifying areas of improvement and developing a successful strategy.
• Ongoing collaboration between a channel manager and a creator is essential for monitoring analytics, making adjustments, and improving video performance.
• Using famous people's faces in thumbnails can make them more aesthetically pleasing and relevant to the video content.
• The first 30 seconds of a video are crucial for engaging viewers and improving audience retention.
• Analyzing audience retention metrics can help identify areas for improvement, particularly in the video introduction.
• Small wins, such as increasing views and engagement, can provide a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment in content creation.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

This conversation discusses why being a video creator is the best business model in the world. It highlights the ability to turn passion into a business and create a living doing what you love. The example of Epic Gardening is used to demonstrate how a YouTube channel can generate a $30 million per year business. The conversation also explores the options of acquiring a business and partnering with companies to monetize content. The flexibility and freedom of being a content creator are emphasized, along with the opportunity for personal growth and experimentation.

Takeaways

• Being a video creator allows you to turn your passion into a business and make a living doing what you love.
• Acquiring a business or partnering with companies can provide additional opportunities for monetization and growth.
• The flexibility and freedom of being a content creator allow for a more personalized and fulfilling work experience.
• Experimentation and taking risks are integral to the success of a content creator, and the ability to see the direct impact of your work is rewarding.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

In this conversation, Grant and Augie discuss the concept of indifference and its impact on productivity and creativity. They explore the ebb and flow of indifference, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it can be both a defense mechanism and a tool for creativity. They also delve into the pressure of putting oneself out there, the role of anxiety in motivation, and the importance of finding the right balance of pressure. Additionally, they discuss the mental game of YouTube, the value of consistency, and the search for new creative styles. In this conversation, Grant and Augie discuss various aspects of video creation and creativity. They explore new ways of recording videos, such as using portable live streaming devices and different camera angles. They also delve into the power of the unconscious mind and the importance of storytelling on YouTube. The conversation touches on tips for shooting videos by yourself and expanding creative tools and techniques. Grant and Augie reflect on finding motivation and creating content to be proud of, as well as the evolution of creativity and success. They conclude by discussing the journey of video creators and embracing indifference while pursuing new experiences.

Takeaways

• Indifference can be a common experience for video creators, affecting motivation and interest in getting things done.
• Indifference can serve as a tool for creativity, allowing for exploration and new experiences without the pressure of constant productivity.
• Pressure can be both beneficial and detrimental to performance, and finding the right amount of pressure is key.
• Consistency is important in video creation, but it is also essential to prioritize mental health and find a balance between productivity and personal well-being.
• Exploring new video ideas and styles can help reignite motivation and excitement in the creative process. Explore new ways of recording videos to enhance creativity and storytelling.
• Tap into the power of the unconscious mind to improve behavior and reactions.
• Learn tips for shooting videos by yourself, including capturing different shots and using b-roll.
• Embrace storytelling and creative techniques to stand out on YouTube.
• Find motivation and create content that you are proud of.
• Reflect on the evolution of creativity and success as you progress in your journey as a video creator.
• Embrace indifference and use it as an opportunity to pursue new experiences.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

Most people think that YouTube videos are limited to talking head formats, but there are actually various video formats that can be used to create engaging content. In this conversation, Augie Johnston and Grant Ball discuss different video formats, including education and tutorial videos, storytelling videos, news videos, reaction videos, and video essays. They emphasize the importance of adding personality and entertainment value to educational content, the storytelling aspect of education, and the potential of news videos for businesses. They also discuss the challenges and considerations of creating reaction videos and the highly produced nature of video essays. The conversation explores various video formats on YouTube, including video essays, video podcasts, talking head videos, street interviews, vlogs, gameplay and Let's Plays, skits, and the importance of trying different formats to find what works best for you.

Takeaways

• Video essays are a popular format on YouTube that require deep research and editing, but can lead to significant channel growth.
• Video podcasts have gained popularity on YouTube, offering a more conversational and easy-to-produce format.
• Street interviews can be a compelling format for short-form content, providing unique perspectives and engaging with the audience.
• Vlogs, gameplay and Let's Plays, and skits are other popular formats that offer different opportunities for creativity and audience engagement.
• It's important to try different video formats to find what works best for you and your audience.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

This episode explores the phenomenon of morning routine videos on YouTube and their impact on fulfillment and productivity in life. The hosts discuss the parody and criticism surrounding these videos, as well as their personal experiences with morning routines. They emphasize the importance of self-discipline and the challenges of working for oneself. The entertainment value of morning routine videos is acknowledged, but the hosts caution against comparing oneself to the exaggerated routines depicted. They encourage viewers to embrace their individuality and priorities, and to be inspired while staying true to themselves.

Takeaways

• Morning routine videos on YouTube gained popularity but also faced criticism for their exaggerated promises of success and fulfillment.
• Morning routines can be a personal choice and may not work for everyone, especially those with varying responsibilities and schedules.
• Working for oneself requires self-discipline and the ability to manage time effectively.
• Morning routines can provide structure and contribute to overall well-being, but they should not be compared or used as a measure of success.
• Individuality and personal goals should be prioritized over conforming to a specific morning routine.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

This conversation explores the world of vlogging, discussing its definition, prominent vloggers, different styles, building a business as a vlogger, and the decline of vlogging. It also delves into the importance of camera presence, equipment, storytelling, editing, and creating engaging vlogs. The power of emotion, clickbait, finding interesting content, overcoming challenges, and embracing imperfection are also explored.

Takeaways

• A vlog is a video blog that brings the audience along into an aspect of the vlogger's life.
• Prominent vloggers include iJustine, Casey Neistat, Emma Chamberlain, Jake Paul, and Logan Paul.
• Building a business as a vlogger involves creating entertaining and interesting videos that establish an intimate connection with the audience.
• Camera presence and charisma are crucial for successful vlogging, while equipment is secondary.
• Creating an engaging vlog requires a compelling story arc, expressing emotions, and avoiding boredom.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

YouTube has undergone significant changes over the years, becoming more cookie-cutter and business-oriented. The 2017 Adpocalypse, where advertisers pulled out due to offensive content, forced creators to be more business-minded and find alternative revenue streams. The monetization policy became stricter, making it harder for edgy channels to make a living solely from ad revenue. Despite the stagnation in the current era, there is still hope for innovation and fresh ideas to break the mold. AI has both contributed to the stagnation and has the potential to revolutionize editing and visual storytelling. The rise of video essays shows that viewers still appreciate depth and good writing. The decline of vlogs and the impact of homepage and browse features have also shaped the platform. As YouTube matures, the dominance of business over creativity becomes more apparent, but there is still potential for a balance between the two. Ultimately, YouTube is in a phase, and it's only a matter of time before a visionary brings something truly interesting to the platform.

Takeaways

• The 2017 Adpocalypse had a significant impact on YouTube, forcing creators to be more business-minded and find alternative revenue streams.
• The monetization policy became stricter, making it harder for edgy channels to make a living solely from ad revenue.
• Despite the current stagnant era of YouTube, there is still hope for innovation and fresh ideas to break the mold.
• AI has both contributed to the stagnation and has the potential to revolutionize editing and visual storytelling.
• The rise of video essays shows that viewers still appreciate depth and good writing on the platform.
• The decline of vlogs and the impact of homepage and browse features have also shaped the platform.
• As YouTube matures, the dominance of business over creativity becomes more apparent, but there is still potential for a balance between the two.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.

This conversation dives into the dark side of YouTube, focusing on the rise of IRL streamers and the impact of disrespectful and toxic content. It explores the ethical implications of live streaming, the boundaries of content creation, and the evolution of pranks on YouTube. The discussion also touches on the challenges of standing out in a competitive YouTube landscape and the impact of public opinion on behavior. The conversation delves into the dark side of YouTube, exploring topics such as clout chasing, social experiments, fake content, and the case of Onision. It also discusses the responsibility of YouTube in censoring content and the impact of fame addiction on creators. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ethical content creation and personal growth.

Takeaways

• The rise of IRL streamers and the prevalence of toxic content on YouTube have sparked ethical discussions about the boundaries of content creation.
• The evolution of pranks on YouTube and the challenges of standing out in a competitive landscape highlight the impact of public opinion on behavior and content creation.
• The conversation sheds light on the ethical implications of live streaming and the need for creators to consider the impact of their content on others.
• The discussion underscores the importance of maintaining a higher standard in content creation and the potential consequences of clout chasing and predatory behavior. The dark side of YouTube is characterized by shallow desires, addiction to fame, and an inability to grow up.
• YouTube's responsibility in censoring content and the impact of fame addiction on creators are important considerations.
• Ethical content creation and personal growth are crucial for maintaining a positive and impactful presence on YouTube.

Get all your YouTube content done in 1 hour a week.