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Here’s how I grew my YouTube channel to 100,000 subscribers, started earning over $150,000 a year, and ultimately became the Head of WordPress.org YouTube at Automattic—all within just a few years.
Let’s dive in!
Embrace creative freedom
Your YouTube channel is your canvas—one of the few places in life where you have complete creative freedom. Embrace it and enjoy the journey!
Remember, what worked for me may not work for you, so stay true to yourself. This is your opportunity to explore new ideas and carve your own path.
With that in mind, here’s my blueprint 😉👇
Commit to one video per week
Embrace the Challenge: Commit to Weekly Videos
Make a commitment to create at least one video each week. It’s natural to feel the pull of procrastination and self-doubt, but don’t let those inner voices hold you back. Instead, listen to this advice: commit, and you will succeed.
When I first started my YouTube journey, I had just three video ideas.
Fast forward three years, and I now have a spreadsheet bursting with over 400 ideas—and it keeps growing!
Once you take that leap of faith and commit, you’ll find that your creative muscles will strengthen with every video you produce.
The more you create, the more ideas will flow.
Trust me on this—your future self will thank you! 😊
Gear doesn’t matter: Prioritize storytelling
Shift Your Focus: Gear Is Not the Key
Don’t get caught up in gear. An iPhone is more than sufficient for your video needs. Instead, concentrate on what truly matters: the content.
If you find yourself spending hours watching YouTube videos about cameras and lighting, it’s time to redirect your energy.
Stop obsessing over equipment; prioritize storytelling. Effective storytelling creates emotional connections and resonates with your audience far more than high-end gear ever could.
By focusing on the narrative, you can engage your viewers and convey your message powerfully.
Remember, it’s not the tools you use that define your success; it’s the stories you tell that will leave a lasting impact.
Learn storytelling deeply
Learning from master storytellers is key to improving your storytelling skills. By reading their works and exploring books on storytelling, you can pick up techniques to connect with your audience and share your own engaging stories.
Here’s a few storytelling techniques that I find useful for edutainment style videos.
- Show not tell
- Hooks and Loops
- The three act play
From Concept to Creation: My Video Production Process
Here’s how I take my ideas and turn them into engaging videos.
Step 1 – Idea Collection
- Dump all video ideas into a Google spreadsheet
- Prioritise the best concepts by moving them to the top
Step 2 – Concept Selection
- Choose the most promising idea from your curated list
Step 3 – Thumbnail and Title Creation
- Design an initial thumbnail and craft a title
- Allow time for refinement (ideally a week)
- Create multiple versions to test effectiveness
Pro Tip: Invest more time than you think necessary on thumbnails and titles. Their importance cannot be overstated!
Step 4 – Engagement Testing
- Tweet out your thumbnails and titles
- Use X to A/B test audience engagement in the video title and thumbnail
Step 5 – Video Production
- Once you’ve perfected your thumbnail, create the video (using my YouTube storytelling blueprint)
Step 6 – Distribution and Amplification
- Implement your strategy to maximize reach and engagement
How to make great thumbnails and titles
Your thumbnail and title are your video’s first impression.
They will make or break your success, so give them the attention they deserve. 😉
When creating your video thumbnail, remember that you’re competing for viewers’ attention.
To stand out, focus on these three powerful emotional triggers:
- Curiosity
- Hope
- Fear
These elements are the secret sauce to captivating your audience. Every video you produce should incorporate at least one of these emotions.
If your concept doesn’t evoke curiosity, inspire hope, or tap into fear, it’s time to reconsider your approach.
Key Takeaway: If your video idea doesn’t align with at least one of these emotional drivers, it’s best to go back to the drawing board. Your content should always aim to engage viewers on an emotional level to maximize its impact and reach.
Remember, in the vast sea of YouTube content, these emotional hooks are your lifeline to viewer engagement.
Use them wisely to create thumbnails and content that not only catch the eye but also compel the click.
My storytelling blueprint
I’ve crafted this blueprint over the past three years, drawing from my own experiences in growing my YouTube channel and insights from some of the best educators in the field.
Having a solid framework not only streamlines the creative process but also helps shape engaging narratives that resonate with your audience.
With this blueprint, you’ll be equipped to tell compelling stories that capture attention and keep viewers coming back for more.
Napoleon’s Secret to YouTube Monetisation
Napoleon wrote 36,000 letters in his lifetime.
He was a master networker!
Don’t wait passively for ideas and sponsors to come to you. Instead, embrace a proactive approach to outreach. Here’s how:
- Initiate Contact: Regularly email product companies with enticing pitches like, “I have an exciting video idea about [your product]. Let’s discuss!”
- Be Genuine: This isn’t mere flattery. Dedicate time to brainstorming innovative video concepts that genuinely excite you.
- Build Relationships: These interactions can lay the groundwork for future sponsorships and collaborations.
- Fulfill a Need: Product companies are often eager for fresh, engaging content ideas. Your creativity can be the solution they’re seeking.
- Consistency is Key: Make outreach a daily habit. Regular communication increases your chances of success.
How I accelerated the growth of my YouTube channel
Here are 5 things that have accelerated my channel’s growth 👇
1) Partnered with WordPress(.com):
My collaboration with WordPress(.com) has been a game-changer for my personal brand. Not only have I been producing content for their channel, but the exposure and growth have been phenomenal. A huge shoutout to the incredible team at WordPress(.com) for making this possible! 🚀❤️🙏
2) Created Sponsored Videos:
These videos have got significant amplification thanks to my partners, who have been promoting them through email campaigns and social media channels.
3) Video Promotion on YouTube:
I’ve been experimenting with YouTube’s video promotion feature, achieving mixed results. However, promoting videos with high engagement has worked for me.
4) Developed Unique Formats:
The WordPress Speed Build Challenge has been a hit, and seems to have attracted attention from a broader audience beyond the typical WordPress community.
5) Content Repurposing:
Every single day, I repurpose my YouTube video content across Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Instagram.
Create Sponsorship-Friendly Video Formats
Over time, I’ve developed a range of video formats that make it easy for sponsors to partner with me. This approach is similar to creating products for a shop – each format is designed to meet specific needs and provide clear value to sponsors.
Here are some of the formats I’ve created:
- Sponsored Videos: These are full-length videos focused on a sponsor’s product or service, showcasing its features and benefits.
- 250-Second Showcases: Quick, engaging videos that highlight a WordPress plugin or product in just over 4 minutes. These are highly shareable and perfect for social media.
- Website Recreation Challenges: I recreate famous websites using a sponsor’s plugin or theme, demonstrating its capabilities in a real-world context.
- Pre-Roll Sponsorships: Short sponsor mentions at the beginning of my regular videos, offering consistent exposure across multiple uploads.
- Speed Build Challenges: Live-streamed events where contestants race to replicate a website design, with various sponsorship options available.
- Beginner Challenges: My daughters test WordPress products, providing sponsors with valuable insights into how new users interact with their offerings.
- White-Labeled Videos: Custom-made videos for sponsors to use on their own platforms, tailored to their specific needs.
By creating these diverse formats, I’ve made it easier for sponsors to find a perfect fit for their marketing goals and budget. This approach has not only attracted a wide range of sponsors but also ensured that the sponsored content remains valuable and engaging for my audience.
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