David Stoll
Not to be taken seriously
I just had my one-year anniversary as a creator on YouTube. I thought I’d share some insights about growth and what I did to increase technical quality over time. This is quite long, but there may be discreet parts of interest.
Caveats. Nothing here is really new—it’s all been said by other contributors. Also, as I post this, I have 133 subscribers, 7,849 views, and 30% retention (64% subscribed). So take this for whatever you think it is worth.
GROWTH INSIGHTS
If you build it, they will come (eventually). The good news is that if you consistently put up videos that your target audience will like, the audience will find you. The bad news is that it takes serious time and patience.
Where do babies come from? Many of my very early viewers and subscribers were from YTTalk, but over time they have come from several sources:
Who am I? Why am I here? Any YouTuber will tell you that the earliest videos are cringe-worthy, and that is certainly true for me. I think this happens for two reasons, one obvious and one less so. Obviously, skill development through experience matters, but I also think it takes some people time to find their voices.
To have a good channel, I think you need to know what is your channel really about. My first 16 videos are just a hodgepodge of stuff. In my next ten videos, I can see my current online presence begin to emerge. Around my six-month mark, I found my voice and started making content that I am much more proud of. Also, my consistent viewers know what to expect more now than they might have before.
TECHNICAL QUALITY
In the beginning. Early on, I used my very old, barely HD video camera and edited in iMovie. I added background music after a few videos. My videos from that period look fine—not slick, just fine. And that is enough. If you are just getting started and don’t know how long the hobby will last, don’t spend money. You can get views and subscribers on the cheap.
I’m going to need a bigger camera. As I got hooked and started growing as a YouTube creator, I became dissatisfied with the way my videos looked. I wanted a more professional quality. I wasn’t prepared to spend on an SLR, but after a ton of research, I settled on the Canon G16. It’s great for talking to the camera and vlogging.
A leopard can change its spots (with editing software). With my fancier camera and higher definition raw files, I wanted more power to edit. I had outgrown iMovie. I chose Premiere Pro, which costs $19/month. Many hobbies are far more expensive than that. The more I learn about it, the more I use it.
You light up my life. I have had a very hard time with lighting and spend a ton of effort during editing to try to correct the color. Just a couple weeks ago, I bought a $70 lighting softbox set from Limo Studios. I am still figuring out the best placement of the lights and what tweaks I need during editing, but I am excited that my videos will soon have a consistent and more professional lighting look.
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I am not saying you need to make the choices I have made. I just wanted to share my experience of how and why I upgraded my equipment. I still have a long way to go before my videos look A+ professional, but I am having a great time in the process.
Caveats. Nothing here is really new—it’s all been said by other contributors. Also, as I post this, I have 133 subscribers, 7,849 views, and 30% retention (64% subscribed). So take this for whatever you think it is worth.
GROWTH INSIGHTS
If you build it, they will come (eventually). The good news is that if you consistently put up videos that your target audience will like, the audience will find you. The bad news is that it takes serious time and patience.
Where do babies come from? Many of my very early viewers and subscribers were from YTTalk, but over time they have come from several sources:
- Some subscribers are people whose small or mid-sized channels I have commented a lot on.
- Some were subscribers of channels that have I since become YouTube friends with.
- Over time, increasing numbers of viewers (and perhaps subscribers) have come through promotion by YouTube. In the last 28 days, nearly one-third of my views came from YouTube Suggested Video, YouTube Browse Features, and YouTube Other Features. I know some of this includes subscriber feed, but that’s still pretty sweet. Also, two recent subscribers have come from Recommended Channel. I don’t know how or why.
- I don’t think many views or subscribers come from social media, nor do I believe I have had any traction from commenting on big channels.
Who am I? Why am I here? Any YouTuber will tell you that the earliest videos are cringe-worthy, and that is certainly true for me. I think this happens for two reasons, one obvious and one less so. Obviously, skill development through experience matters, but I also think it takes some people time to find their voices.
To have a good channel, I think you need to know what is your channel really about. My first 16 videos are just a hodgepodge of stuff. In my next ten videos, I can see my current online presence begin to emerge. Around my six-month mark, I found my voice and started making content that I am much more proud of. Also, my consistent viewers know what to expect more now than they might have before.
TECHNICAL QUALITY
In the beginning. Early on, I used my very old, barely HD video camera and edited in iMovie. I added background music after a few videos. My videos from that period look fine—not slick, just fine. And that is enough. If you are just getting started and don’t know how long the hobby will last, don’t spend money. You can get views and subscribers on the cheap.
I’m going to need a bigger camera. As I got hooked and started growing as a YouTube creator, I became dissatisfied with the way my videos looked. I wanted a more professional quality. I wasn’t prepared to spend on an SLR, but after a ton of research, I settled on the Canon G16. It’s great for talking to the camera and vlogging.
A leopard can change its spots (with editing software). With my fancier camera and higher definition raw files, I wanted more power to edit. I had outgrown iMovie. I chose Premiere Pro, which costs $19/month. Many hobbies are far more expensive than that. The more I learn about it, the more I use it.
You light up my life. I have had a very hard time with lighting and spend a ton of effort during editing to try to correct the color. Just a couple weeks ago, I bought a $70 lighting softbox set from Limo Studios. I am still figuring out the best placement of the lights and what tweaks I need during editing, but I am excited that my videos will soon have a consistent and more professional lighting look.
-----
I am not saying you need to make the choices I have made. I just wanted to share my experience of how and why I upgraded my equipment. I still have a long way to go before my videos look A+ professional, but I am having a great time in the process.
