#164: Jon Youshaei – Ex-YouTube employee shares the best growth advice (that you’ve probably never heard)
Sep 12, 2023
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Jon Youshaei, a former YouTube employee turned successful creator, shares his secrets for explosive growth, having racked up 260 million views in just a year. He reveals the overlooked '1st Frame rule' for captivating audiences and discusses innovative video packaging strategies. Jon emphasizes the benefits of starting with Shorts and offers insights into converting that audience to longer content. He also highlights how age can be a unique advantage in the ever-evolving YouTube landscape.
Starting with shorts provides an opportunity to experiment with formats, build an audience, and bridge success to long-form videos.
Professional experience can be advantageous in the creator world, enabling creators to secure brand deals and open doors to monetization opportunities.
Deep dives
Shorts and Long-Form: The Path to Success
Starting with shorts is a great way to experiment and figure out your niche while managing your full-time job. Shorts provide an opportunity to test different formats and visuals to engage your audience. While shorts may not generate substantial revenue, they allow you to build an audience and gain traction. As you gain confidence and clarity in your content, you can bridge the success from shorts to long-form videos. The key is to marry your niche and maintain consistency in your content across both formats. Deliberate segments within long-form videos can also be repurposed as shorts. By using shorter clips and engaging visuals, you can create anticipation and draw viewers from shorts to long-form videos.
Packaging and Visuals: The Power of Thumbnails
When it comes to packaging your content, visuals play a crucial role. Start by compiling a collection of compelling thumbnails and movie posters that have caught your attention. Visual first, idea to filming is an effective approach, as it helps to develop a clear vision for your content. Experiment with compositions, background elements, and facial expressions that align with your video's message. Additionally, consider creating deliberate segments within your long-form videos that can be repurposed as short-form content. These segments serve as engaging moments that entice viewers to explore your longer videos.
Building a Series: The Value of Repeatable Formats
Creating a series on your channel provides several benefits, such as building audience anticipation, establishing a regular upload schedule, and easing your production process. A successful series de-risks your content by offering a proven format that viewers look forward to. Having a consistent series also enables YouTube's algorithm to suggest your videos against each other, increasing your visibility. It's essential to marry your niche and ensure that your short-form and long-form content align within the series. Bridging the gap between shorts and long-form requires planning deliberate segments in your long-form videos that can serve as short-form content and drive viewers to explore the longer videos.
The Advantages of Professional Experience in the Creator World
Entering the creator world with professional experience can be highly advantageous. Brands appreciate creators with expertise and insights accumulated from past jobs. This experience allows creators to create persuasive pitches and secure brand deals even with a smaller following. The unique advantage of having professional experience can also aid in building professional relationships in the industry. Leveraging this expertise and insights can lead to more successful career transitions and open doors to various monetization opportunities in the creator world.