After Millions of YouTube Views, Here’s How I’m Restarting in 2024
Adapting to a changing social media landscape
“Just make entertaining videos…”
This is solid advice, coming from star YouTubers such as Mr. Beast among others.
But what’s entertaining?
I’ve been on YouTube since 2017, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the platform, it’s this:
“Entertainment” is an evolving idea.
And as creators, we MUST be able to adapt to whatever our audience enjoys.
Audience preferences change
The content our audience enjoyed in 2017 is not going to be the same as the content they cling to in 2023. And 2023 won’t be the same as 2024, and so on.
For example, when short-form content was almost nonexistent, YouTube vlogging was a huge market on YouTube
This was what I started in.
These videos typically ranged from 10 minutes to an hour-long and were all about highlighting daily activities.
Nowadays, long-form content like this does horrible (based on personal experience) and new “vloggers” are making their way on TikTok and YouTube shorts, highlighting the same content only now in videos that are minutes-long or less.
Of course, there IS a way to do long-form content.
It’s just different now.
What I plan to do differently in 2024
So, what do those of us who would like to continue doing long-form content make out way?
By adapting.
Personally, after doing my own research for my efforts to start a completely new YouTube channel and acquiring millions of views on my main channel, here are 4 of the main things I’m going to incorporate in my new channel.
Killer intros
Going into 2024, everyone knows the power of a thumbnail.
Even if we can’t all create amazing ones, we understand the thumbnail’s importance.
What people may not know yet is how important the first 10 to 30 seconds is, as well.
And not just for captivating people and reducing the number of people who click out of the video (which will tell YouTube’s algorithm that the video is doing well).
The intro has gained new importance with the added feature of previewing.
Nowadays, people may scroll so fast that they may only see your intro and never even see your thumbnail, at least not for more than a few seconds.
So treat your intro either as an extension of your thumbnail or a doubling down of what the viewer will get in the video.
Create videos like The Godfather
By creating offers people can’t refuse.
Again, you want to create entertaining videos.
But what’s entertaining?
I like to think of entertainment as a product or service. When people go out for entertainment, they are usually looking to fulfill a vision they already have.
People who want to be thrilled go see a scary movie.
People wanting to laugh go to a comedy show.
People wanting to have a crazy night out go to Las Vegas.
You get the point.
And people who click on your video are clicking on it for a reason.
So… fulfill that reason.
You want to create videos so good and pair them with a thumbnail and title so enticing, that people won’t want to miss it.
Every video you make should give viewers a proposition of entertainment so interesting, that it’s as good as an offer they can’t refuse.
Concept over personal
While I think personal stories are great, I’m steering away from mine.
When I was primarily a vlogger, personal stories did really well, and most importantly, I felt comfortable sharing them.
For whatever reason, my experience on YouTube has shown me that people are veering away from personal stories on their own, and more towards conversations between different people, informational videos, and stories that help them personally.
I welcome this trend with open arms.
A great example of this trend is the best-performing video on my main channel, which, although it’s a vlogging channel, is a video on things to know before moving to Texas.
Because of this, I will be focusing more on concept videos that are based on ideas, thoughts, events, and other people's stories.
NICHE
I have never felt more sincerely about the importance of niching down than I do now.
This is for a very important reason.
A major factor in YouTube’s algorithm, and whether it props up your channel, is whether viewers who watch one of your videos go on to watch another one of your videos.
Let me say this again because it’s so important.
When people watch more than one of your videos, especially back to back, the YouTube algorithm takes that as one of the most powerful feedback that your channel deserves more attention.
The reason is pretty simple.
It means you’re creating such a good experience on your channel that viewers want to remain in it for longer than one video.
This is why I will be niching down in my new channel.
YouTube in 2024 requires adapting
So, let’s recap the things I’ll be doing in 2024 to start a new channel and attempt to grow another channel to millions of views.
- Creating killer intros that add to the promise of the thumbnail and retain more viewers.
- Creating videos that are so enticing people don’t want to miss them.
- Creating concept videos that highlight ideas and conversations.
- Creating a niche-specific channel that encourages people to watch more than one video every time.
While there are more things to keep in mind, these are what my experience on YouTube has shown are the most important factors going into growing a channel in 2024.
As always, it starts with one.
If you’ve been wanting to start your first YouTube channel, or a new one, get posting now!
Cheers.
Follow Mitch Made for more tips and insights on business, marketing, and history.