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Summary

The author expresses regret over starting a YouTube channel instead of focusing on writing for Medium, despite the channel's success with nearly 4 million views and earning $4000.

Abstract

The author, who has a YouTube channel with nearly 4 million views, reflects on the decision to start on YouTube in 2019, a platform they were not passionate about, instead of focusing on writing, which is their first love. The channel was a source of income, earning the author around $4000 with minimal effort through a faceless approach. However, the author laments the lost opportunity to grow as a writer on Medium, a platform that was thriving around the same time. Despite the success on YouTube, including the development of a second channel, the author has found significant success on Medium over the past year, with over 8K followers and 230K monthly views, which has contributed to their decision to become a full-time content creator. The author acknowledges their achievements but can't help but wonder "What if" they had chosen Medium from the start.

Opinions

  • The author's passion lies in writing, not in video creation or editing.
  • YouTube was initially seen as a side income stream rather than a creative outlet.
  • The author recognizes the financial benefits of running a faceless YouTube channel, including less time investment and no need for on-camera presence or advanced editing skills.
  • There is a sense of missed opportunity for not starting on Medium in 2019 when the platform was rapidly growing.
  • The author believes that they could have significantly advanced their writing career had they started on Medium earlier.
  • Despite the regrets, the author acknowledges the positive outcomes from both YouTube and Medium, with substantial viewership and follower growth on both platforms.
  • The author is grateful for the success achieved and encourages readers to support writers by subscribing to Medium, hint

Why I Regret Having Started a YouTube Channel With 4 Million Views

What if

Youtube marketing photo created by ijeab — www.freepik.com

Sometimes, yes, sometimes I regret having started a YouTube channel in 2019. Even though that channel now has gained almost 4 million views. Here’s why.

First love

YouTube has never been my first love. I wasn’t interested in filming, editing, and creating visual content. Other than design work, web design as well as icon design, I hadn’t done any visual creative work before 2019.

I started YouTube because I thought it was a good way to earn some money next two my 9-to-5. I was right about that. To date, I earned around $4000 with little effort. I learned how to create a faceless YouTube channel. This has multiple upsides:

  1. Less time to create videos
  2. No or minimal editing, no skills required
  3. Not being in front of the camera, obviously

In addition, some of the most successful YouTube channels of all time are faceless channels. There’s a lot of money to be made without being a “traditional” YouTuber.

Regrets

My first love, however, has always been writing. Instead of doing YouTube, I could have been advancing my writing career substantially over the past 3 years. I’m catching up on that right now.

What I regret the most is that I could have started Medium in 2019 instead of YouTube. Medium was flying back then, the most successful Medium writers grew immensely three years ago, Zulie Rane, for example. The platform was growing like crazy.

I’m doing fine on Medium right now. I can’t complain at all. But there will always be the What ifs.

What if I had started in 2019? Where would I be now?

The bright side

It’s not too bad, though. YouTube has been going well for me over the 3 years I’ve done it. I’ve gotten close to 4 million views on my first channel and developed a second faceless channel.

Screenshot by author

Medium, as I said, has also been nothing but positive for me over the 1 year I’ve written here. I’ve grown to over 8K followers and crossed 230K monthly views. Medium is a major reason for my semi-voluntary decision to go full-time content creator in 2022.

I shouldn’t complain. And I’m not.

I just sometimes hear the What ifs in my head.

P.S.: First, you should get my posts in your inbox. Do that here! Secondly, if you like to experience Medium yourself, consider supporting me and thousands of other writers by signing up for a membership. It only costs $5 per month, and you have the chance to make money with your writing as well. When I started, I made $3000 in 6 months. By signing up with this link, you’ll support me directly with a portion of your fee, it won’t cost you more. If you do so, thank you a million times!

Medium
YouTube
Writing
Money
Entrepreneurship
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