Thread by @BrianFeroldi

I uploaded my first YouTube video a year ago

Today, I have 42,700+ subs and 1.4+ million lifetime views

Here are 10 CRITICAL lessons (I wish I could teach my former self):

1/ Focus on QUANTITY, not quality (at first)

Quality matters A LOT, but making quality videos takes reps

My first 10 videos were terrible. My next 10 were less bad.

Focus on making 100 videos at first. Your quality can’t help but improve.

2/ Thumbnails matter - A LOT

Viewers choose videos by the thumbnail

Great thumbnails contain:
▪️Mystery / Intrigue
▪️Something familiar
▪️3 words or less
▪️Picture of a human face

Great example by @veritasium

I make thumbnails for free using @figma

I also outsource them on @fiverr

They cost ~$10 each. I buy 2 per video then pick my favorite.

3/ Titles matter - A LOT

If the thumbnail grabs their attention, viewers next look at the title.

A great title:
▪️Compliments the thumbnail
▪️Contains a number
▪️Provides intrigue
▪️Is disagreeable/counterintuitive

Great example by @MrBeast:

4/ Know what metrics matter

Subscribers/views are OUTCOME metrics

INPUT metrics that matter:

1: Click-through rate
2: Likes
3: Retention

Mr Beast’s goal is 70% of viewers watch the whole video - which is crazy high

(I’ve got a loooooooong way to go on all 3)

5/ Quality equipment helps

My current setup:
📷: Sony a7iii
🎧: Corsair Wireless
🧑‍💻: @melonappcom / RiversideFM
✂️: Final Cut Pro
📢: @TubeBuddy

I made a list of all the equipment that I’ve used/tried here (to fit any budget):

brianferoldi.com/youtube/

6/ Try a bunch of stuff

I’ve tried lots of video formats, but my top videos are all “X stock in 5 minutes”

My viewers seem to like short, information-filled episodes where I don’t waste any time

Respect viewers' time!

7/ The 80/20 principle is true on YouTube

My top videos have grabbed 800+ subscribers each

My worst performing videos <10 subs

The same is true of larger channels. A handful of tail videos drive most of the growth.

8/ Network with other channels

▪️Leave insightful/helpful comments
▪️Do interviews/collabs
▪️Share each other videos on your "community" page

9/ Learn, learn, learn from the best

I’ve learned A TON about YouTube from these channels

@PaddyG96
@ColinandSamir
Channel Makers

They all provide great, actionable advice for free

10/ Play the long game

Just like every social platform, growth takes forever in the beginning, then it compounds

My friend @OhHaiAndy is a great example of this

His channel BLEW UP in Dec, but only after A LOT of time & work

https://twitter.com/OhHaiAndy/status/1488297687116038147

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Follow me @BrianFeroldi

Interested in watching my YT channel?

Subscribe here:

youtube.com/brianferoldiyt

A quick parting thought:

@MKBHD is one of the most successful YouTubers on the platform (15+ MM subs)

How many subs did he have after his first 100 uploads?

Less than 100!

Just like investing, patience and longevity are the KEY to success on @YouTube

What did I miss?

I'm still learning myself!