I just crossed 1,000 subscribers on YouTube.

I started posting 5 months ago.

My incredibly detailed statistical analysis (one Claude search) puts me in the top 10% of channels worldwide. It’s easy to forget that most people never survive the start of any worthwhile goal. So here are 5 lessons from my YouTube journey (these are perfect for writing too).

1. Just get going

I wanted to start on YouTube for years.

I knew it was a smart bet (I explain why in lesson 5), but I would always push it off. I would tell myself it was not the right time. The same is true for writing. When I was a dentist, I would devour podcasts and books, admiring people who got paid to think. And yet it took me years to take the plunge.

The problem with waiting is that you are just extending the flat line of the compounding curve. You do not get what you want by hiding in the shadows. Don’t overthink the start.

Which leads me to an important point.

2. Move the metric of success

I was overthinking YouTube because I wanted to do well. But you can’t improve what does not exist. And it may be years before you see a sliver of success. Focusing on external metrics is a guaranteed way to hate the trip.

The secret to surviving is to move the metric within your control.

For example, when I started YouTube, I told myself I would make 5 videos. If I enjoyed it, I would make 10. We’re now at 25. Which is 25 more than when I was obsessing over results.

My aim this year is to make a video a week. I’m celebrating output, not outcome. This way, I can’t not win.

Especially when my assistant and I are playing our own game…

3. A little better each time

I am a recovering perfectionist.

But I’ve learned you don’t get good at something without sucking at it first. And actually, being bad is pretty fun if you stop caring what people think. For example, when I moved to South America 5 months ago, I couldn’t even order a taxi.

Now, the only English I speak is with my clients.

I still suck, but I practice getting a little better every day. I find that the most important parts are study, and then implement. The same is true with YouTube. My lovely assistant Vim and I are focused on improving a little better with each video.

This has been a fun way to operate. And joy is an underrated tool for success.

4. Make your words work harder

When I first started on YouTube, I spent a lot of time on content.

But I’m also writing my first book, Magnetic Writing. And that’s my top priority. I realised that I could not do two things well, so I began to record videos from my previous work. I’ve used newsletters, essays, Twitter threads, and even reposted old trainings. This reduced the recording time significantly.

It’s one of the best parts about writing online:

Leverage.

Every word you publish is like a robot that works day and night to build relationships, reputation, and revenue. The mistake is only deploying them once. Every year, your business should get easier, your presence more powerful. You can make a staggering impact with systems, software, and smart use of media.

Make your words work harder.

And if that excites you, you’ll love Magnetic Writing. I show you how to build a writing career that gives you the freedom to live on your terms. Come join 1000+ people on the waitlist here.

Let me wrap up with why I’m betting on YouTube (and the trap you must avoid when creating content).

5. Play your own game

As AI enters the world and the Internet floods with commodity content, the importance of connection is only increasing.

You can build great relationships through writing. But long-form video is a powerful way to deepen trust. Plus, YouTube is the only platform with an incredible shelf-life of content. I’ve spent 5 years watching most of my ideas disappear into the void. No, thank you.

At the end of the day, I want people to know me well. So that when I release books, they want to buy them because they like me. YouTube is part of the plan.

Which leads me to an important point.

As soon as I started recording, the temptation to sell out skyrocketed. I get emailed every week with people telling me they will decide my ideas and write my scripts. I keep wondering if I should begin modelling my competitors to make it happen faster.

But how you grow your audience is more important than how fast.

The moment you outsource your content (literally, or by copying your competitors) is the moment you begin to lose. You are not meant to be like the crowd. You are meant to be you.

So if you are starting on YouTube…

Or if you are writing online…

Remember:

You are only as strong as the relationship with your reader. Create great content, focus on being useful, and be patient. On a long enough timeframe, you will get what you deserve.

Hope this helps,

Kieran