Takeaways
- Sean says that you have to start small to get big. He talks about how when you start your channel, you want to niche down to a small audience. Start small to get big.
- Sean talks about having a “single value proposition channel.” You want your channel to be about one specific thing–and that whatever you upload is something your subscribers signed up to watch. Make sure whatever you are uploading doesn’t confuse your subscribers, the YouTube algorithm, etc.
- You should be uploading at least once a week–one significant video per week. You should be contributing something to what you want your niche to be at least 52 times a year. If you want to dominate, you have to be uploading consistently, at least once a week.
- One key takeaway Sean talks about is that “Quality is more important than quantity.” You now have to be the best to dominate.
- Sean shares that you should look up the keywords you want to rank for. Sean says to study the videos that currently rank in those keywords, and see why they might be ranking. Use those videos as a reference point, and then make your video–adding your own value on top of that barometer.
- Start with small videos (7-12 minutes). Videos should be as long as they need to be, but as short as possible. Long form video content should be made after you’ve built trust.
- Minutes matter most on YouTube.
- Auto predict: Sean says you should type in the search engine–and as more keywords autofill, those are insights of what people are actually searching. Those keywords that pop up are the most searched content. If you make videos around these keywords, you will have a better chance of creating content people are highly searching for.
- Session time means time on platform. Sean talks about how you want your call to action to be watching another youtube video! If your channel is getting people to watch more YouTube, Youtube will put you in more channel playlists, suggested videos, the homepage etc.
- Videos go viral because YouTube is recommending content. This comes from having good watch time, good click through ratio, etc. If you tap into this algorithm, it is so powerful.
- Channel tags don’t matter as much–but Sean says that this does help understand the intent of the viewer. You still need to use keywords in the title–and know the intent of the viewer. The more long tail you can be, the better. Research your content before you even record–know what tags you are going to use, what your title will be, etc.
- In order to monetize your channel, you need 1,000 subscribers, and 40k watch hours in the past 12 months. Once you have this, you can start making money from YouTube.
- Thumbnails: Sean says you need your title and thumbnail to be working together–like a headline on a magazine. It has to catch peoples attention. Your thumbnail doesn’t have to have your full title in it!
- Sean says that the more value and service that you can provide, the greater impact you can make. He talks about how there should be a harmony with public success, and your loved ones.
Highlights
- (2:09) A little more about Sean–his story and how he got started.
- (3:56) How niche should you be when starting your YouTube channel?
- (6:36) Why you want to have a single value proposition channel.
- (10:13) How often should you upload?
- (12:31) Quality is more important than quantity.
- (13:26) How long should each video be?
- (17:45) SEO on YouTube.
- (20:50) Using auto predict on YouTube to create the “most searched” content.
- (22:04) How to keep people on the YouTube platform–and how that’s what you want to do on YouTube!
- (25:39) Channel tags: are they still important for SEO?
- (29:37) Why you need to research before you record.
- (30:40) How to make your videos rank.
- (31:38) VidIQ–a tool that will help with keyword research, and your analytics.
- (33:05) Using your competition’s biggest videos to your advantage.
- (35:47) Monetizing your YouTube channel.
- (39:42) How to create killer thumbnails.
- (42:40) Collaborations on YouTube.
- (45:15) Getting sponsors for your channel.
- (53:02) What is the best book Sean has ever read?
- (53:38) What does it mean to Sean to make an impact?
- (56:31) Where can you connect with Sean?
Quotes
“You’ve gotta start small to get big.”
“Never upload a video that your subscribers didn’t subscribe for.”
“You can do everything–just not all at once.”
“Quality is more important than quantity.”
“When you’re just starting out, shorter videos are better because people are just getting to know you.”
“Videos should be as long as they need to be, but as short as possible.”
“Videos go viral because YouTube is recommending that content.”
“Research before you hit record.”
“A picture speaks a thousand words–so your title and thumbnail should work together.”
Resources
Connect with Sean Cannell:
Instagram: @seancannell
Tools Recommended in the Episode:
Books Recommended in the Episode:
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell
Watch Full Interview:
