If I Started a YouTube Channel in 2024, I’d Do This.

If I Started a YouTube Channel in 2024, I’d Do This.

Author

Arnulfur Hakonarson
February 15, 2024

👋 Hey everyone,

It’s almost 8 years since I started my YouTube journey, and so far I’ve uploaded a total of 591 videos. That's about 1.48 videos a week.

And honestly, I've made a lot of mistakes, but I've learned a ton too.

So today, I want to share with you:

  • What I'd do differently if I were starting a YouTube channel in 2024.

  • Plus, a growth strategy that actually works.

Let's dive in!

🎯 Set a Clear Goal

My first 4-5 years on YouTube I didn’t get many views and it was a tough grind. But my passion for photography and content creation kept me going.

I think that having a clear goal that truly excites you is crucial. Without it, losing focus is easy - especially when you don’t get a lot of views.

For that reason my biggest tip to all new creators is to choose a niche you’re truly passionate about from the start.

That ensures that the journey is enjoyable, no matter the audience size.

🔎 Identify Your Core Audience

I also think it’s important to understand your core audience.

It can be as simple as writing down (what you think is) their demographics, interests, ages, and genders on a piece of paper.

This isn't about getting it perfect but about setting a clear direction for content that truly resonates.

Understanding who your audience is, helps you create content they’ll like, which increases engagement and relevance.

Make sense?

🧠 Research and Plan

When I started out my video topics were selected randomly, without much planning.

If I were to do it all over again, then I’d start by analyzing my niche and its competitors to identify what truly works and try to find the unique value I can offer.

Also, YouTube viewers want content they can binge watch, especially when discovering a new creator.

With this in mind, I'd have at least 3-5 related videos ready before uploading my first one.

This way when someone finds my channel and enjoys my videos, they have instant access to more content - which can result in deeper connection right from the start.

📚 Learn from Every Upload

Remember this: every video is an opportunity to improve.

My strategy is simple: create, upload, review for improvement.

I always aim and try to make the next video 1% better than the last, and I would do it for a brand new channel as well.

🏆 A Growth Strategy That Works

Grabbing the opportunity when a video performs well is key. For instance, "15 Lightroom Tricks Pros Know That Amateurs Don't" did well on my channel last month.

A logical next step? Creating a new video titled something like "10 Lightroom Secrets Pros Don't Want You To Know," with a similar thumbnail for consistency.

It’s about leveraging what works and fine-tuning based on viewer retention.

In essence, doubling down on what’s proven successful is a straightforward strategy, yet often overlooked.

Alright, catch you in the next one!

Best,
Arnúlfur / That Icelandic Guy

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