YouTube is simple. Online business is simple. There ARE layers of complexity and richness we can add to this entire process. But when we take a step back, we can see this entire thing is very very simple.
Today I want to share my common sense method for growing your YouTube channel & online business. I’m sharing this because common sense is getting nearly impossible to come by in the current climate of “social media”.
I’ve used these things to succeed on YouTube for 15 years, and make a very good living along the way. Many of my clients and customers have used these frameworks to succeed too. The common sense method simply works. And here it is:
Common Sense Starting Place
Step 1 – Clarify & Commit
Get clear on the transformation you’re giving your customers and audience. This is surprisingly rare but it’s essential.
Many of us have lots of cool things we want to teach about. Many of us also don’t want to box ourselves into a “niche”. I’m not telling you to get a niche, I’m telling you to commit to the key transformation you’re providing.
I also recommend you choose just a few subjects for your YouTube channel and stick to those.
If we’re being honest, you’re an expert at just a couple of things. The rest of the things you want to talk about are things you might be passionate about, but probably not an “expert” in. Take the leap all the way into giving your expertise, and focusing on the topics you can most help people with.
One of the main reasons people hesitate on this is because of RESISTANCE CREATED BY THE EGO. Your ego is mucking up your journey and process by overcomplicating things.
So if you’ve been riding the fence about your life’s work and they key transformation you provide, know that’s absolutely normal. And know that the fastest way to getting traction is to get off of the fence and commit to a key transformation and the subjects you’ll cover that deliver that transformation.
Step 2 – Don’t “Create YouTube Videos”…Create Your Life’s Work
This is going to sound nuts, but I haven’t “created a YouTube video” in 15 years. I don’t see it like that at all. I’m actually not really doing anything.
There is a NON-DOING to all of this.
To make it very clear, when you create from your soul and just make the things you’re inspired to make, you’re just BEING YOU. A rushing flow of creativity and ease guides the entire process.
So, you’re not making YouTube videos…you’re following marching orders. In other words, you’re following the inspiration and energy. You’re listening every morning for what you want to teach about and talk about.
You’re not making videos for YouTube, you’re creating your life’s work.
There are lots of people trying to do the strange dance of “succeeding on social media”. And in so doing, they are abandoning their authenticity and true expression.
Step 3 – Your Videos are For THEM
This has definitely gotten lost in the sea of “social media creation”. We are making videos for them. This stance will set you free and grow your channel and business like nothing else will.
- The videos aren’t for views
- The videos aren’t for feeling “good enough”
- The videos aren’t for getting sales (though they will get you sales, we don’t create the videos from that motive.)
The videos are made for THEM. That’s it.
- Will the video help?
- Does the video provide clear solutions?
- Does this video honor the body of work you wish to create in your life?
If the videos honor the three qualifiers above, they are going to perform much better than any attempt at “pleasing the algorithm.”
Are there games we can play to get more views? Sure. We can pretzel ourselves into weird, uncanny valley versions and do things to please the algorithm. But to what end? If you’re trying to build a business and channel you love, I’d advise against any attempts to please an algorithm.
Food for thought: Even if you DO land on a video style that pleases the algorithm but doesn’t feel authentic and in alignment for you, is it really a success?
Step 4 – Create Good Videos
Good is relative, but I’m going to give you some universal best practices. These will work for even the most awkward, camera shy person, and that is my solemn promise to you.
- Plan & recite your videos. I’ve talked about the daily writing practice a ton, and I’m going to beat the dead horse here. If you want to grow a YouTube channel and online business, writing your ideas down and planning out your videos is needed. You can use my unscripting template to help you with this process.
RECITING – YOUR NEW SECRET WEAPON.
We’re talking in front of a camera, and we want to sound natural when we do. I recite and practice every video I film. I have done that for 15 years.
Reciting your videos a day or so before you film will help you to sound like a natural, and you’ll glide through your key points like the expert that you are.
Practice on walks, practice in the shower, practice while you’re cooking & driving. Just get into the habit of practicing your upcoming videos and watch your channel grow. - Just talk to one person in your videos, which we covered in a recent episode.
- Wrap it up in a clean and simple thumbnail. The simpler the better.
Common Sense Penultimate – Push Upload and Move On!
That’s it. Upload the video, declare that it reach EXACTLY who it needs to reach, and then move on. Celebrate the fact you completed a project (that’s major). Take a bit of space and enjoy your life. And then continue to chop wood carry water.
The good news: there’s no end to this game. Meaning, every project is a brand new project. There’s no destination, there’s no finish line, there’s nothing to “risk”, you can’t get it wrong.
Finally, there’s nothing to “get” in that the work IS the reward. We get to do our life’s work for the sake of doing our life’s work.
This is love in action. And there is no better thing to do with one’s life than to love.
Live Event on 9/8 | Join Me!
I’m hosting a free training on Sep 8th at 1pm AND 5pm. This free training is called “Grow your YouTube Channel & Online Business in 2 Hours a Month”.
The world of online business is getting plain ol’ silly. And I’m excited to help you to SIMPLIFY your business and increase your profits by doing LESS.
See you there!
🩵,
Brenda
