Starting a YouTube channel is no easy feat. As Colin and Samir discussed in a video, it’s a long-term commitment filled with experimentation, strategic decision-making, and growth.
Below is a structured breakdown of key takeaways from their discussion, guiding both beginners and seasoned creators alike answering the question of “How do you start a YouTube channel?”.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, here’s a blueprint for growing on YouTube.
1. Embrace the Journey: The 100 Video Rule
“You’re going to have to make 100 videos before you truly develop your style.”
Starting out on YouTube requires patience and commitment.
It takes around 100 videos before you’ll start to truly find your rhythm, style, and audience.
The key is to stay consistent and keep improving.
Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to fail: Use each video as an opportunity to learn.
- Analyze what works: Take note of which videos resonate with your audience.
- Stay patient: Your success might take time, but persistence will pay off.
2. Start with Shorts
Short-form content is a powerful tool for growing your audience and testing out ideas.
Colin and Samir suggest that shorts can help you reach 100 videos faster while building up an audience before committing to long-form content.
Benefits of Shorts:
- Testing Ground: See what resonates with your audience without committing to a longer format.
- Drive Subscribers: Include a call-to-action in your shorts to encourage subscriptions.
- Boost Long-Form Content: Uploading a short about the same topic as your long-form video can increase its success.
Strategy for Shorts:
- Start by making 2-3 shorts per every long-form video.
- Test 5 short ideas to get a sense of what works.
3. Find the Right Video Length
“You should be looking in a direction of can I make a 20-minute-long video?”
The ideal video length on YouTube has evolved. Longer videos are being rewarded, with 20-minute videos becoming the sweet spot for many creators.
These longer videos perform well, especially when viewers are watching on TVs, which has become increasingly common.
Key Insights:
- Longer Watch Times Matter: Longer content gets rewarded in the algorithm.
- Television Viewing: Many viewers watch YouTube on TVs, which means they are more committed to longer videos.
- Start Small and Grow: Begin with 5-minute videos, then move up to 10, and eventually aim for 20 minutes.
4. Adopt the 85% Rule
“The expectation is to get videos to 85% done and then release them.”
The 85% rule is about not getting stuck in perfectionism. It’s better to release a video that’s 85% complete than to spend weeks perfecting the last 15%.
In a long-term YouTube game, getting content out consistently is more important than making it perfect.
Why it Works:
- Creativity is ongoing: The extra time spent perfecting often doesn’t bring significant returns.
- Consistency matters: The goal is to upload consistently, even if your videos aren’t 100% perfect.
- Creativity breeds improvement: You’ll improve over time, so focus on getting videos out and learning from each one.
5. Repeat Success: Find Your Formats
“Which one of your first 10 videos can be repeated?”
Repetition is key to success. If you notice certain formats or topics resonate with your audience, create more videos in that style.
This allows you to optimize your content creation process and save time.
How to Find Repeatable Formats:
- Look for Trends in Your First 10 Videos: Identify patterns in what performs well.
- Copy and Improve: Once you have a successful video format, refine and repeat it.
- Create Spin-offs: Take successful video ideas and create sequels or variations.
6. Track the Right Data
“Packaging is the most important part of YouTube.”
Tracking the right data is essential to understanding what works and what doesn’t on your YouTube channel.
Below are the three key metrics you should track from day one:
Key Metrics:
- Click-Through Rate (CTR):
- Your title and thumbnail are the most important factors for success. If they don’t attract clicks, your video won’t get views. A CTR of 10% or higher is considered excellent.
- First 30-Second Viewership:
- Track how many viewers are still watching after the first 30 seconds.
- Aim for 90% retention in the first 30 seconds to ensure your content hooked the viewer.
- Average View Duration:
- How much of the video are people watching?
- The goal is to have viewers watching over 50% of your video, especially if it’s around 20 minutes long.
Bonus Metrics:
- New vs Returning Viewers: Track how many new viewers you’re attracting versus how many are returning to watch more.
- Device Average View Duration: Track how long people are watching based on their device (TV, mobile, etc.).
7. Perfect Your Packaging
Even the best video won’t perform well if it’s not packaged right. Titles and thumbnails are the gatekeepers of success on YouTube.
“The title and thumbnail matter more than you think. At the end of the day, if they don’t click, they don’t watch.”
Packaging Tips:
- Experiment with Thumbnails: Update old thumbnails to improve CTR and re-engage audiences.
- Stay Curious: Always ask if your title and thumbnail are sparking enough curiosity to make people click.
- Think Ahead: Even successful YouTubers like Mr. Beast are constantly refining their packaging.
8. Optimize Your Catalog
Colin and Samir emphasize that your older content can still perform well with the right tweaks.
Changing a thumbnail or updating a title can breathe new life into an old video, leading to a significant boost in views.
Catalog Optimization Tips:
- Revisit Older Videos: Update the thumbnails and titles to match your current packaging strategies.
- Small Changes, Big Impact: A 3% increase in click-through rate can lead to a large uptick in overall views.
- Leverage Your Catalog: Improved packaging on older videos can attract new viewers, who might explore more of your content.
9. Balance Content for New and Returning Viewers
“It’s okay to have a mix of videos that have different purposes.”
Some videos are meant to go viral, while others are created for your loyal audience. Striking a balance between content for new viewers and content for returning viewers is important for sustained channel growth.
Strategy:
- Big Swings for New Viewers: Create high-appeal, viral content aimed at reaching new audiences.
- Core Content for Returning Viewers: Continue making videos tailored to your existing community, even if they don’t go viral.
10. Stay Patient and Consistent
“You have to look at this on a two-year or five-year window.”
Success on YouTube doesn’t happen overnight. Colin and Samir spent six years focusing on making great videos before their network began to grow.
Building a sustainable YouTube career takes time, patience, and consistency.
Final Thoughts:
- Don’t Rush: Focus on quality, consistency, and improvement rather than immediate success.
- Let Opportunities Come to You: Keep your head down, and when you start producing excellent content, collaboration and networking opportunities will naturally emerge.
- Stay Lean and Focused: Don’t overcomplicate your process. Follow the 85% rule, focus on repeatable formats, and track the right data.
“Networking is overrated. Go do something great, and your network will instantly emerge.” — Naval Ravikant
If you’re serious about growing your channel, consider implementing these strategies.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine your content, Colin and Samir’s approach provides a clear roadmap for success.
Patience, consistency, and data-driven decisions are the foundation of a thriving YouTube channel.
