Johnny Harris, an Emmy-winning journalist and YouTube creator, teams up with his business partner Iz Harris, a savvy CEO, to share their journey of building a successful news empire on YouTube. They discuss winning an Emmy with the NY Times, leaving Vox, and lessons learned in journalism. Fascinating insights on crafting compelling visual narratives, the significance of clarity in communication, and their innovative production processes reveal secrets to their viral success. Plus, they touch on the ethical challenges of sponsorship in the fast-evolving content landscape.
Winning an Emmy exemplifies the legitimacy and potential of digital creators to compete with traditional media in storytelling.
Addressing relatable yet unconventional questions enables creators to forge strong connections with their audience and foster curiosity.
Building a strong team structure is essential for maintaining quality and creativity while scaling content production effectively.
Deep dives
The Journey to Emmy Recognition
Winning an Emmy represents a significant milestone that highlights the evolving landscape of digital content creation. The recognition reinforces the value of creators who originate from platforms like YouTube, bridging gaps between traditional media and new-age storytelling. The experience emphasizes that success comes from hard work and unique storytelling approaches that resonate with audiences, demonstrating that digital creators can accomplish what was traditionally reserved for legacy media. This shift validates the importance of innovation within content creation and encourages emerging creators to take pride in their platforms.
Crafting Engaging Content Ideas
The process of generating video ideas that attract millions of views revolves around addressing seemingly trivial yet relatable questions. By fearlessly tackling topics that others might shy away from, creators tap into a communal curiosity that resonates with their audience. This approach fosters a genuine connection, as viewers appreciate the willingness of content creators to ask the awkward or unconventional questions. Additionally, integrating a sense of curiosity into the creative process enhances storytelling and keeps the audience engaged and eager for answers.
Visual Storytelling as a Core Principle
The concept of visual-first storytelling emphasizes the importance of pairing compelling imagery with narrative to create an immersive viewer experience. Not every story translates well to a visual format, making it essential to discern which subjects can be effectively communicated through video. By focusing on visuals that succinctly convey emotional or impactful moments, creators can grant audiences immediate insight into the narrative's significance. A strong visual anchor serves as a gateway that invites viewers into the story while enhancing understanding and engagement.
The Importance of Collaboration and Team Structures
Building an effective team structure is crucial for scaling content production while maintaining quality and creativity. Establishing clear roles, accountability, and communication channels allows for seamless collaboration and efficient workflow in a fast-paced environment. Implementing a system that separates creative tasks from business operations not only alleviates pressure on creators but also provides a support network that nurtures artistic expression. This collaborative framework fosters growth and encourages each team member to contribute their expertise, resulting in higher-quality outputs.
Ethical Considerations in Content Creation
Navigating ethical dilemmas is a vital aspect of modern journalism, particularly in balancing sponsorships and maintaining journalistic integrity. Creators must be discerning about partnerships to ensure they do not compromise the authenticity of their content. Transparency about funding sources and maintaining independence in reporting are essential to build and retain audience trust. As the landscape of media continues to evolve, navigating these complexities becomes pivotal in advancing ethical journalism, particularly in the realm of independent content.
Adapting to the Changing Landscape of News Consumption
The emergence of personalized creator-led journalism offers a fresh perspective in a rapidly shifting news environment, catering to audience preferences for authenticity and relatability. By fostering a network of independent channels, content creators can collaborate and learn from one another while capitalizing on their unique storytelling approaches. This model not only embraces diversity in journalism but also ensures that creators can maintain their voices while navigating the increasing demands of production and audience engagement. As creators scale their operations, they play a crucial role in redefining how news is presented and consumed.
I Interviewed Johnny Harris & his CEO Iz Harris on how they built a news empire on YouTube. Thank you Invideo AI for sponsoring, use code JONYOUSHAEI50 for 2X free credits: http://invideo.io/i/jonyoushaei And thanks Shopify for sponsoring, click for a free trial: http://shopify.com/youshaei
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Special thank you to our amazing film crew: Caleb Hargett (DP), Ahmad Asaad (2nd Cam Op), Camila Franco Ribeiro Gomide (Sound Mixer)
We also discussed how Johnny won an Emmy with the NY Times, leaving Vox for YouTube, how they're launching a new creator network for journalists, and getting millions of views for videos like The REAL Reason McDonalds Ice Cream Machines Are Always Broken, Why People Think The World Is Flat, What Happens If China Invades Taiwan, The "Deep State" Explained.
(0:00) Who is Johnny Harris?
(1:39) How Johnny Gets More Views Than The News
(6:49) Winning An Emmy
(10:53) Lessons From Vox
(12:39 Getting New Skills
(14:20) Johnny's Key To Writing
(20:16) Johnny’s Production Process
(26:44) Breaking Down Johnny’s Elon Musk Video
(30:54 How Johnny Uses Music
(35:00) How Johnny Creates Shorts
(37:11) Selling Blood To Buy Cameras
(39:55) Business Of Journalism On YouTube
(41:01) Addressing World Economic Forum Controversy
(43:53) Business of Journalism On YouTube (Cont.)
(46:03) Spending $100K Per Month
(47:30) Finding (And Hiring) Creative Partners
(53:16) How Johnny Reaches Out To Sources
(57:59) Growing From YT Channel To Business
(1:05:02) Building A Better Production Process
(1:08:15) Stages Of A Johnny Harris Video
(1:11:27) Publishing Imperfect Videos
(1:16:35) How Big Is The Johnny Harris Team?
(1:19:46) Launching A Creator Network For Journalists
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