Summary

The author's YouTube channel continued to grow and generate income despite ceasing video production, through strategic use of the Community tab, optimized video descriptions, blog embeds, Facebook promotion, and leveraging an email list.

Abstract

Elna Cain, a freelance writer and YouTuber, stopped creating YouTube videos in June but still experienced channel growth and revenue. Contrary to the common advice of consistency, Cain's channel thrived due to her engagement with subscribers via the Community tab, where she conducted polls and shared freebies. She also optimized her video descriptions with links to email incentives, blog posts, affiliate products, and upcoming videos, which increased viewer retention and income. Additionally, Cain embedded YouTube videos in her SEO-optimized blog posts to attract new subscribers and promoted her videos on Facebook and to her 20k email subscribers. Her experience suggests that strategic promotion and engagement on multiple platforms can compensate for a lack of consistent video uploads.

Opinions

The author challenges the notion that consistency in posting is crucial for YouTube success by demonstrating her channel's growth without new content.
Engaging with the audience through the Community tab is seen as a valuable method to maintain and grow a subscriber base.
Optimizing video descriptions is considered essential for directing viewers to additional content and increasing revenue through affiliate links.
Embedding YouTube videos in blog posts is viewed as a strategic way to leverage existing traffic and convert blog readers into YouTube subscribers.
Promoting YouTube videos on social media platforms like Facebook and through an email list is regarded as an effective alternative to consistent video posting for channel growth.
The author emphasizes the importance of a diversified approach to content promotion, suggesting that a strong presence on various platforms can lead to sustained growth and revenue on YouTube.

I Stopped Creating Youtube Videos But I Kept Growing and Growing

I started my Youtube channel for freelance writers in 2017, but didn’t start monetizing my channel until January 2021.

I enjoy doing videos and it has helped me grow my brand, increase my income and grow my email list.

But, in June of this year, I stopped creating Youtube videos and I continued to do so and something surprisingly happened.

I still made money and grew my subscribers.

Income earned from not publishing Youtube videos

You hear from expert Youtubers that growing and making money on that platform means consistency.

Well, I haven’t been consistent at all on YouTube. I started in 2017 and never had a schedule, took months off and yet, my channel is doing great.

So, how did this happen?

I Use the Community Tab

The Community tab is a place on my Youtube profile that allows me — the creator — to communicate with my subscribers.

When I stopped posting Youtube videos I still tried to connect with my subscribers. I made polls, linked to my freebie incentives and asked questions. While not every post resulted in engagement, some of my subscribers did engage and that may have helped subscribers know I’m still here and to still check out my videos.

I Optimized My Description Box

When I was monetized I started updating my description box for every Youtube video.

Not only did I link to email freebies and blog posts, but I also linked to affiliate products and upcoming videos to watch.

This helped me gain more retention from my viewers when they clicked over to the next video and income if they bought any of my recommendations.

So, for a new viewer, they might click on a video I linked to and then subscribe.

Instead of putting all this information each time I uploaded a Youtube video, I made it a template under Customization > Basic Info.

I Embedded Some Videos on My Blog

Occasionally, I’ll embed related YouTube videos on blog posts as a way to get Google traffic to subscribe to my channel.

Since I use SEO on my blog, I get new readers every day and my hope is that if they enjoy my blog posts, they will enjoy my Youtube channel as well!

I Shared My Videos on Facebook

Even though I am not posting videos right now, I continue to market my videos on my Facebook page or when I reply to a comment in a Facebook group.

I Leveraged My Email List

Finally, I promoted my videos to my 20k email subscribers. I’m fortunate that I’ve grown my email list for years and many of them clicked on my videos and subscribed to my channel.

While I don’t have 10k Youtube subscribers yet, I’m amazed at how my channel keeps growing. I don’t remember how many subscribers I had before I stopped publishing, but I think it was around 5k.

So if you have a YouTube channel and you’re not consistent, make sure to promote it on social media and with your email list and continue to grow, grow, grow!

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