[00:02] faster than at any point in YouTube's history. YouTube generated 60 billion in revenue last year. Watch time is climbing and new audiences are born all the time. The data shows a genuine middle class emerging. Channels that are
[00:16] earning between $10,000 and $100,000 annually grew 38% year-over-year. They're niche educators, operators, specialists that are building dollars paid to creators >> in the last 4 years just from the
[00:31] >> Yeah. It is a mistake to say all the money It is a mistake to say all the money only goes to the top 1%. >> So, you think YouTube is too saturated when every time you open up YouTube,
[00:43] search for videos in your niche, you see big channels already doing what you want cool thing that's happening right now. Small, brand-new channels are growing faster than at any point in YouTube's history. And the reason why will
[00:57] completely change what you think you know about how YouTube even works. Sean, there's a lot of beliefs out there right now about what it takes when it comes to and most of them are actually false. And the first big belief right now is that
[01:10] response to that? >> Yeah, I think we can prove that in fact understand why people feel this way. It's not to say that competition is not fierce, but I think the statement
[01:25] YouTube is too saturated is verifiably false. I think we'd first have to define the statement. So, I think of it like a sponge. At some point a sponge can no longer take another drop. It's at capacity. It's full. Then the question
[01:41] becomes is YouTube full? Can it no longer take another drop? Are people just done? They're like, that's good. Just turn off >> The era is over.
[01:53] There's plenty to watch. You know, there's no more that we need. But the truth is, no, YouTube continues to expand. It's not like a saturated sponge, it's like a flowing river that continues to go faster.
[02:07] YouTube generated 60 billion in revenue last year. Watch time is climbing, and last year. Watch time is climbing, and new audiences are born all the time. So, things like new events, new technology, new life moments, new trends, new global
[02:20] like the platform just keeps wanting more, new things to talk about. So, YouTube isn't saturated. Your strategy or your positioning might be flawed, but a second kind of business idea of why YouTube is not saturated, and here's a
[02:35] definition of saturation. Saturation means supply exceeds demand, and as a result, prices fall. So, here's what's interesting. interesting. Has the price of YouTube's ads fallen or
[02:50] risen? Well, let's look at the facts. YouTube ad revenue grew 15% YouTube ad revenue grew 15% year-over-year in the end of 2025. RPMs are actually rising. Brand spend on creators is growing four times faster
[03:03] than brand spend in traditional media. Let me say that again. Brands are actually increasing the velocity that they're spending on YouTube creators. saturation. You would think, "Okay, brands don't want to spend money on
[03:16] to spend content on micro, nano, and macro influencers." Not true. They're macro influencers." Not true. They're increasing more spend, and so, for sure, certain niches there could be higher competition, but the logical truth is
[03:29] the platform has never been less saturated relative to the money system. >> Yeah, Sean, I think a big sentiment that YouTube's over saturated, is because we hear all the stats that have come out.
[03:42] And it's no lie, they're enormous, they're gigantic. 20,000 something is like 500 videos a minute. >> 20 million. Videos are uploaded every >> That's even more scary. 20 million videos uploaded every single
[03:56] day, which okay, now it's like the 500 something videos a minute, which is talking this episode, who even knows, right? But, here's the thing. is like, why would anyone watch me? There's no room for me. And that's kind
[04:10] good way, where I like want to fight for you, because if you think there's no a stat that actually came out a couple years ago and it's probably even changed since now, is that the average person subscribes to like a hundred YouTube
[04:22] because you might feel like there's no space for you in your niche, but there's fitness tips. There's already other people that are even getting more specific, fitness for women over 40. Well, guess what? The people that are
[04:35] interested in fitness routines and workout programs over 40 as a woman aren't just following one person. I mean, goodness, I how much time How many program? I know I've switched out mine plenty of times. And there's always
[04:48] could be watched in conjunction with these other channels. I think people think of it like, "Oh, there's no piece of the pie left for me." And we forget that no, the way people watch things is niche-based. And so, you can be another
[05:01] because something could be oversaturated, if I'll even acknowledge that, sure, YouTube's oversaturated. There's a lot of volume happening on the platform like we just said each and every day. But, just because it could be
[05:14] separate conversation than saying how good is the saturation. Like, what's the competition level you're actually up against? So, I think Shawn that long before there was this AI slop term, there's creator slop. There's people
[05:28] these studies in these numbers that can scare people from even starting a showing up and did a video and then bounced. I'm so curious, how many people through in the last couple minutes was the first and only upload sure that
[05:43] there ever will be, right? So, next false belief is that most people fail at YouTube. Like, why even waste your time? Why waste years of your life doing I've seen people try and fail. What
[05:57] Sean. What do you say to this? >> Well, the failure rate is real, but I would say it's misleading. Because what's interesting is you compare YouTube to almost anything. You could say that most people's New Year's
[06:12] resolutions fail. Most people who go to the gym fail. Um because they might especially around New Year's, and the gym is packed in the first week of
[06:24] January, less packed the second week, and like pretty empty by the third week. So, when you look at the stats, the people who fail on YouTube, they quit within 3 to 6 months. And when you look at studies, studies such as done by the
[06:38] Tilt showed that the average successful channel took 18 to 24 months to gain real traction. So, you're not actually competing against everybody that's tried. You're competing against everyone who stayed. And everyone who stayed is a
[06:51] who stayed. And everyone who stayed is a lot smaller number. But, here's what's interesting about YouTube is the downside risk is essentially zero. It's like you go a couple years in, 9 out of 10 small businesses fail. Um if
[07:06] you wanted to start a restaurant, well, a lot of restaurants, it's a uphill battle. A lot of restaurants fail. Do we think that there's going to be a interest in people spending money at restaurants? No, of course, like is that
[07:19] up. We always want new restaurants to eat at. If the food is good, if the service is good, well, that becomes the variable done. But, YouTube has this massive advantage over these other opportunities. Listen, again, you can
[07:33] of business do you want to start? How much money do you want to invest? want uh a building locally, start a restaurant, hire a staff? more power to you, but if that doesn't work out, you might be in massive debt, etc. The
[07:48] YouTube risk is essentially zero. So, when you think about some of these false but you got to actually look at the data. But then secondly, you just might it's not like this is without It's not that this is without risk.
[08:03] It's just that I'm making a calculated risk. And if we take it even a level deeper, if the downside risk is no matter what you do on YouTube, even if you buy a camera and redo your home office, or
[08:16] other stuff, these are not fatal numbers. On the high end of this Tilt lot of professional creators, once they got a ways into it, have spent about Once they've invested in their education and a camera, a standing desk, I mean,
[08:32] >> Sure. >> and you do it for a couple years, and let's say you fail, well, consider this. What about the communication, marketing, developed along the way? What about the open doors, and maybe
[08:47] that led to a job opportunity in that? So, again, we're just going through some of these beliefs. I like to attack them aggressively, because these statements are easy to say, and they're really easy to feel, because there's like a level of
[08:59] to feel, because there's like a level of truth, but you got to inspect the claim. Do most people really fail? There again, there's no guarantee of success, but do most people, have they given an adequate effort with a sustained level
[09:14] of quality, with enough level of outputs, over even the basic math? So, it's like, yeah, did you give it 18 to 24 months? And I I get counting the want to even do that. Okay, fine. I'm totally fine. Like, you're you're
[09:27] counting the risk. Just don't overweigh the negative this stuff. When you look at the data, it's actually a lot more promising. than the average stats on like if I wanted to open up a coffee shop and I
[09:41] lease, get the equipment. Isn't it like 5 years or something for like a brick and mortar business? >> Yeah, I mean it's usually like 18 to 36 >> Okay. >> And uh yeah, if you open up a local
[09:53] business, you've got overhead. And again, we're huge fans of business. That is amazing. This is just why we're all so obsessed with the opportunity of >> Because we're not trying to over promise that it's easy. We've never said that.
[10:05] We we've always said it takes hard work. We're saying it's possible and we're saying you should approach it with just as uh much rigor thinking about your strategy, thinking about your angle, thinking about how to
[10:18] company exists for. >> I think it's interesting, too, Sean, just to flip this on its head before we get to number three here is how we we associate failure with the thing we want to pursue. And we it never crosses our
[10:30] that's a definition of failure. If I start my YouTube channel and it doesn't work out. But isn't it failure if I don't? definition, too? Like if I never even took a chance, if I never even tried,
[10:43] going to sit with you? That's a going to be after your day job. I understand this. I delayed starting my own YouTube channel way longer than I should. It was like 18
[10:55] full disclosure, watching Think Media stuff and it took me a second to come around because it was like, I don't know. But I was sitting at my day job, I mean, week after week doing my work, but thinking about this YouTube thing, you
[11:07] far too long. And I would actually argue, for me at least, in my personal story, that was its own form of failure. been that much further. >> Well, I want to hit these other false
[11:19] up an interesting loop that should challenge how we think. What does I actually have I started a business in Washington called Clear Vision Media, which was happens to be the parent
[11:33] like that business was shut down. So, by definition, it's a failure. There's no longer even a Washington business that photography I was doing. So, I failed. So, I sit in front of you
[11:48] with that failure under my belt. We actually anthem this at our company. We have this phrase, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn." And so, back to failure to not even start. >> Yeah.
[12:00] >> It also if you ended up doing YouTube for a couple years and getting some subscribers and getting some contacts and maybe, you know, making some money, going to be doing this for the next 50 years?" I don't know. You know, is this
[12:13] don't know. Are you just going to go on a run? I What if What What kind of skills or experiences or lessons So, even if you were to inspect the fail statement, I don't consider that ClearVision Media Washington business a
[12:27] failure. Sometimes you I wish shut it down cuz we moved. It also wasn't making great money. It brought in money. I wasn't having like I learned so many business lessons during that, and it was a set up for the next step in my
[12:42] interesting phrase. Like these just get thrown out there, and that's why I think you have to attack the false belief to really get to a place of truth. >> 100%. I couldn't agree more. The third biggest false belief is that all the
[12:54] money just goes to top 1%. So, the feeling is like, man, oh, I'm not going channels. Like, I'm just a normal person. What can I even do on YouTube? The big money, the big views, big subscribers, that's already locked up,
[13:07] you know, by channels who have big teams, millions of dollars to invest. And so, how how do you how do you attack this belief? Because when you think from my perspective having like
[13:20] was a big thing I had to work through because and it's no different than YouTube. A lot of people when you show up at Thanksgiving dinner with Aunt Nana or who what whatever, it's like you say they ask about this music thing. For me
[13:32] you still making music? And I'll be like, yeah, you know, I'm like writing songs and and working on producing you're saying these terms they have no idea, you know? And it's just the glazed over look of you just feel the the
[13:45] judgment actually of like, mhm, but it's because I'm not Beyoncé. That's the I didn't see you in the Billboard charts. You're not this massive band, but meanwhile, I discovered there's like a whole it's a spectrum. It's a spectrum
[13:59] and you don't have to be Beyoncé to actually make six figures in the music just behind the scenes writing for television and TV shows. But no one YouTube. That's kind of like my passionate response to that initially,
[14:12] but what do you think about this? >> Yeah, YouTube is not a winner-take-all like the way that Hollywood is. Now, let's be clear. Of course, a disproportionate amount of money goes to Mr. Beast and the top 1% of creators or
[14:26] I'd even call it the top like 0.01% of creators. You know, he's make he his whole company was valued at $5 billion or something different companies. And and so then you compare that to the average creator.
[14:40] The thing is though on YouTube, let's look at some data. A YouTube channel in the right niche with 12,000 subscribers can generate $2,500 a month when they combine ad revenue, affiliate income, and brand
[14:53] deals. That's $30,000 a year. And you just talked to that creator, his name's >> And we'll link in the show notes to the conversation with Lee. >> Yeah. So, that like the thing is those stories aren't told. They just really
[15:06] aren't. I mean, if you listen to Think Media Podcast they are. And there is thousands of them. There's actually countless thousands of them. For as deep interviewing people, I'm interviewing people, I did this whole project with my
[15:18] friend Benji called Video Influencers. I've interviewed so many big people, happen is I'll always like discover a new pocket. I'm like, how have I never heard of this person? We're living in a world where there is an endless, how
[15:31] have I never heard of this person? Wait a minute. You have 7,000 subs and you're making money how in this niche? It really is endless. Let's take the data deeper. The data shows a genuine middle class emerging. Channels that are
[15:44] class emerging. Channels that are earning between $10,000 and $100,000 annually grew 38% year-over-year. There's 3 million channels right now in the YouTube Partner Program, which means they're getting a check from YouTube,
[15:59] and most of them are not Mr. Beast or your favorite big creator. They're niche educators, operators, specialists that are building sustainable businesses. So,
[16:11] there is when you think about the billions, $100 billion paid to creators YouTube Partner Program. >> Yeah. >> It is a mistake to say all the money only goes to the top 1%. I also
[16:24] understand it would be very overrated to say everyone's out here just turning >> Yeah. >> We're talking about the long tail. Notice that it said channels making $10,000 a year grew 38% year-over-year.
[16:38] from the rooftops. >> That likely who you mentioned and people can watch that interview on the Think Media Podcast in the show notes. He still has a full-time job.
[16:50] >> It's on the side. $30,000 a year depends if you got kids and stuff. It's number like, I could take a better vacation with that. I'm going to upgrade my car. I'm going to you know, boost my vinyl collection.
[17:03] spend your money on. But it's like 30,000, you know, flat if you have some you know, it's not enough necessarily to live full-time. Sure. So,
[17:15] it again, it's a false belief that all the money goes to the top 1%. It's this >> It's not true. It doesn't go to the top 1% just like big false belief number >> Mhm. >> And I I actually have a weird
[17:31] too late because Sean, we were just our community, one of our students who went through YouTube growth sprint. >> Yeah.
[17:43] >> And she a part of that process that we walk people through is actually helping video and giving them a framework, support, accountability, feedback along >> Yes. >> So, Sherry, 77 years old, posts her
[17:59] first video on a brand new YouTube channel, and that video got over 35,000 >> video monetized her channel. And she's 77. I'm too late. People It's too late
[18:11] too late, there's too old. >> Sherry is like living proof of a recent >> who just a few weeks ago did this and is now starting her YouTube career. we actually take that exact story a little bit deeper,
[18:25] that is true. Sherry signed up for a YouTube growth sprint and then attended all four days, took notes. Yes. >> But, she actually, before she posted that video, she actually was a part she
[18:37] >> Mhm. >> Which was channel reviews every week, Q&A every week, breakout rooms every week. She went through the cohort and actually went through all of the weeks, followed
[18:52] it exactly, and then posted it She posted a video exactly like we taught in >> And then, you know, shares it in the group, 37,000 views, first video ever >> Yes. >> If you're ready to get serious about
[19:05] YouTube channel, then you're going to love vrapodcast.com. sale happening on our YouTube course and coaching membership that includes the coaching membership that includes the online course, the 80-page workbook, and
[19:20] access to the private community. Inside of this program, you have everything you need for starting a successful YouTube channel all in one place. You get access to checklists and resources that will save you time, reduce stress, and help
[19:35] you reach your YouTube goals faster. But, also the most powerful part is the community. It's not just other creators and entrepreneurs that are ambitious and reaching for their goals, but it's also the Think Media faculty that's in your
[19:48] corner answering your questions and helping you stay motivated on your journey to YouTube success. And for a limited time, we are running a big sale at vra podcast.com. So, if you want to check it out, just click the link in the
[20:02] check it out, just click the link in the show notes or go to vra podcast.com. episode. >> False belief number five is that I don't The feeling is like, man, I just already feel stretched thin and I got to be
[20:15] Like, I started my YouTube channel, I know you started YouTube, we both had full-time jobs. So, this this sentiment of I can't even add a whole second job to this. I'm hearing how much it takes to do YouTube, and YouTube, you know,
[20:27] can really do halfway. I don't I don't know how much time I have to give. So, this is actually one where I I do want to challenge it. I do believe it's false, as we're going to get into, but I actually also really empathize
[20:39] >> For sure. And I mean, listen, this is this might sound um like too self-development motivational because it's been quoted so much, but Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Cars, is famous for saying,
[20:55] "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." And so, what's so interesting about these beliefs is, no, I would concede, cuz we're calling it a false belief, but like it's kind of like if you if you
[21:07] >> Mhm. >> then I would say, "Oh, you're right." Cuz like if you say you don't have time, then you just self-declared don't have time. >> Yeah.
[21:19] >> But do you realize that it's within reach for you to consider I'm going to make time even though I'm busy for something that I see as an opportunity or something that I value. Wow, things just shifted. So, what Henry
[21:34] Ford is really true, you could say like, "Well, YouTube is just too saturated." Well, if that's what you believe, you're not going to take action. "Well, YouTube strategy, I'm at least going to give it a shot and I believe I can still stand
[21:49] out." Okay, interesting. The person who's got a different belief system or perspective or frame of reference, that could change everything. So, I have deep empathy for this as well. Like, life is super busy. The world is no easier than
[22:03] And if you're listening to this, whether it's work, school, kids, juggling things, responsibilities, there is not enough hours in the week, ask yourself though, number one, how do I create time? Number two, you know,
[22:19] what can I prioritize? Number three, is there anything I could say no to? But here's where I would modernize this conversation and say that uh if people are saying they don't have time, they're dealing with an outdated
[22:33] >> Mhm. >> Um AI tools have compressed the product >> Yeah. >> So, whether that's assistance, cuz you still requires the creator, I think, to stand out and to be
[22:48] authentic. But whether that's assistance with planning, whether that's assistance with ideation, with scripting, whether that's, you know, software like uh Riverside. If you capture in Riverside, what we oftentimes record our virtual
[23:01] in Seattle. You know, it'll edit based off the transcript. It'll do things like take out your ums. It'll do a magic edit for you. YouTube's uh own
[23:13] just using the YouTube editor, learning how to shoot a video, maybe just hit record. Go, you know, talk for a while, turn it upload it. Like a lot of it is a system and how you approach it. What
[23:27] >> what constraints >> are you giving yourself? And creators who used to spend 20 hours on a video are spending four to six now. What used to take me four hours to prepare a
[23:40] >> Mhm. >> I don't think I'm compromising the quality. I used to actually manually go out and research articles and do all Claude. I'm giving a very specific prompt. It's doing research for me.
[23:54] We're going deeper on it. That just saved me serious time. And so ultimately, uh then you tap into what we teach at our core. Our main program's called Video Ranking Academy, which is an
[24:07] obsession with creating ranked videos on YouTube. And here's the simple definition of a ranked video. A video that you post today that months, and years to come. >> Mhm.
[24:19] >> Mhm. >> So, one well-made ranked video can keep getting views for the busy person. So, of course, YouTube takes some time So, of course, YouTube takes some time inputs, but eventually, you can actually
[24:31] build momentum on your channel where if you skip a week or it grows for you. I joined our Video Ranking Academy program, learned the seven-step system, started to implement on it on her Bible study channel. Things started to grow,
[24:44] and she got some momentum. But then she actually hit a year where >> Mhm. >> And it really slowed her down, very discouraging, and she re- recounted on a Think Media podcast interview that she
[24:57] >> 10. >> Yeah. YouTube >> out. >> Wow. >> When she posted less, why? Because she
[25:09] actually had spent some time building up a library of ranked videos. So, consider a library of ranked videos. So, consider that. It's not I'm I am validating that life is busy, yes, but if you prioritize things and if you see the vision that
[25:22] one well-made YouTube video can actually keep earning you money, getting you subscribers. And then the bottom line is this, we we have this resource inside of >> Yes. >> It's like a checklist, it walks you
[25:36] And that that's there's the answer right there. So, I will I will say this, you >> Agreed. >> It's going to take time. >> Yes. >> Some time.
[25:49] minutes? >> Yes. >> the big idea right is like people think it has to actually be a 40 hours a week, >> Yes. >> very much can not only be a side hustle,
[26:03] but sometimes too, it could be heavier at the start. All valid. I mean, I get it. People and you might be like, but Sean, Nathan, I mean, I'm even spending spending a couple hours during the sprint and I'm taking notes. That all
[26:15] >> Yes. >> You're immersion in the learning. You >> Yep. >> And you had to study and go through it and you weren't posting yet and you
[26:28] weren't seeing results yet. You were investing time, for sure, and you had to eventually, you started to rank videos, then eventually you started to make a make thousands of dollars. It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen
[26:44] >> 100%. >> Hey, we're about to get back into the podcast in just a second, but I I a question for you. Do you want to grow your personal brand this year? Do you need more leads and sales in your
[26:57] business? If the answer is yes, then right now is the best time to go all in on YouTube. Today's podcast is brought to you by thinkmasterclass.com, where you can get on-demand access to a 1-hour deep dive training revealing how
[27:12] to start and grow a profitable YouTube channel this year. For a limited time, you can get access to this on-demand class entirely for free, where you will learn the three biggest mistakes that people make when starting a YouTube
[27:25] channel, the new rules and changes that have been happening on YouTube, and how you can use them to create an unfair advantage, and the exact strategy we use at Think Media to generate over 350,000 organic views every single day. The data
[27:39] is clear. 70% of viewers claim that YouTube makes them more aware of new brands. So, don't wait any longer to start growing your brand and business thinkmasterclass.com
[27:52] to get access to this no-fluff, highly tactical, free, on-demand training. That's thinkmasterclass.com. >> False belief number six, though, is that I don't have the equipment or the skills. And Sean, you're you're the
[28:06] video guy. You're the tech guy. You've helped people for over a decade overcome this skill gap. What do you make of this when people say, "Well, I watch these like you and maybe even Think Media, you're watching right now. It's crispy.
[28:20] I see these professional setups. I just don't even number one, I don't don't even have the money. What do you mean? I don't want to spend money on all >> Yeah, so I think these last couple objections we could hit kind of quick.
[28:32] The The The belief of I don't have equipment or skills, number one, the equipment barrier is essentially gone. Um that's not new news to listeners. It's just realizing the power of the video
[28:45] capabilities and audio capabilities and video editing capabilities of the has. It's recognizing that even like the brand new laptop from Apple, the Neo,
[28:59] is just a few hundred dollars and is like fully capable of editing video and being a full production studio for individuals. So, I mean, that's not nothing. That's money to invest, but like the barrier to tech is getting so
[29:11] low. Okay, so that one's covered. Now, as far as the skills go, fair enough, are learnable. Like everybody who has figured out anything had to at one point learn those skills. And so, I think it's it's just a
[29:27] matter of like it's a false belief. You can get your hands on the equipment and you could learn the skills. Which brings us to false belief number seven, which us to false belief number seven, which is I don't know what to talk about. I
[29:40] know what I would start my channel have you ever related to that? >> No. Not ever. I've never related to this one. This is actually Sean, this is a belief that I completely don't
[29:53] you're listening to this and you have seen you've seen yourself doing a YouTube Like what are we even talking about? Yes, you have. You've totally Okay, I can have empathy for the like,
[30:05] make. Okay, now we're getting to like video strategy and choosing ideas and don't know what I would do or talk about, I push back on because most of us have had that vision of like you see
[30:17] yourself doing the thing. So, no Sean, I actually can't relate with this one. How >> Well, I think that's interesting because this objection, this belief could actually be like a confidence problem
[30:30] >> Ooh. >> Because I think what we're really feeling is I don't feel qualified or interesting >> There we go. Now, that's different. >> Because yeah, I already see 10 or 20 30
[30:43] people and we put other people on pedestals and we usually diminish ourselves. I don't know what to talk about means somebody else has already >> Mhm. >> Or uh yeah, I don't feel qualified or
[30:55] interesting. But, the interesting thing about YouTube is people don't only they follow experts on YouTube, but they're looking for people who are one >> Yeah. >> Um in fact, that's what makes YouTube so
[31:08] Like somebody who's just a few steps >> Mhm. >> I mean, even especially if you get figure out how to fix a Dyson, you know, dryer or insert a certain CD
[31:22] and there's a guy that's like, "I'm going to show you how to do it." You to the result by the end of the video, so >> ultimately I understand this because it holds us
[31:35] back. It's it's a confidence problem. It could be like an insecurity problem. But, what I would encourage listeners to tap into is you've got a couple things You've got experience. You've got perspective.
[31:49] You've got knowledge and your combination of those three three things is something that makes you genuinely unique. In fact, the only way to start a YouTube channel, I believe going in the future, if you're
[32:02] I believe going in the future, if you're going to remain relevant, is to inject your perspective and your real-world experience and even knowledge but knowledge is a ChatGPT prompt away now.
[32:16] >> But, context and perspective and experience is like Google's ranking formula called EEAT. It's like expertise, experience, authority, and trust. It and what it is is the human side. It's just like your life, your
[32:30] perspective, your story, your age, the generation you were born in, and what you're going through right now brought into the context of that subject. That's They're looking for humans >> Yes.
[32:42] >> that they can connect with. And so, your job is to find the specific angle, version of your YouTube channel, your niche, your topic, basically unique.
[32:54] >> Sean, I remember listening to a podcast with you and Rory Vaden. This was years channel, maybe I just started. But this was a piece of advice that really helped me. Which was and I think this frees people from this angle of I think I I I
[33:08] have all this expertise. People don't need expertise, they need help. And so, if you're in an educational space, even hey, don't need to be like laughing out of their seat or thrown over whatever. They
[33:22] some stress relief. You know what I mean? Like So, like it's just that next step. I think we overcomplicate what people need. And really, if I can make a YouTube video and I got to show up as an expert, sure. Daunting, I totally get
[33:35] video, I just got to show up and help somebody cuz I've done it before or I >> Well, then speaking of Rory Vaden quotes, one of my other favorite quotes he said is you are most powerfully positioned to help the person that you
[33:50] >> So, that's like perfect for that what I don't know what I would talk about. Talk don't know what I would talk about. Talk about the things you solved yesterday. mean I mean in the last 6 months, in the last year. Just That's the That's the
[34:05] know, others have called it document, don't create. Document the journey where create content like a 10-year expert. If you don't got the 10 years, what did you do over the last 10 days? In fact, a
[34:19] content format you can steal, if you're still listening to this podcast, you see still listening to this podcast, you see it all over YouTube. I tried Andrew Huberman's morning routine for 30 days. So, you could say I tried
[34:32] no caffeine for 30 days. I tried colostrum. I tried you're just the experiment. >> experiment. >> videos go viral. So you're going into it not even saying I'm an expert who did it
[34:45] >> You're just trying. >> People want to watch the journey and connect with a human that's in the trenches sharing the narrative and actually not just the wins, the mistakes, the learnings, the insights,
[34:57] video. Shout out to Rory Vaden. You are most powerfully positioned to help the person that you were yesterday. false belief, have you ever heard of this thing called the Dunning-Kruger
[35:10] >> times. >> It's this and I think this has helped not knowing what to talk about, feeling incapable, not feeling credible, this Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias. It's basically where if you're
[35:23] sitting here saying, "Man, I think I lack the expertise. Like I don't know actually are probably the person that can't speak to that. And on the flip "And if you're a little overconfident and you're like, 'Oh, I got that. I
[35:36] totally talk.'" Well, maybe there's actually not as much experience there as you think. And so it can be freeing to think about if you actually are maybe know if I feel that confident to talk about baking or whatever it is." It's
[35:51] the person >> actually you're humble and grounded cuz >> That's it. >> Yeah, cuz the Dunning-Kruger effect is >> Yes. >> You watch some you know, that yeah and
[36:05] like, "No, I think it is going to be hard." Cuz reality has set in, but it And what you do is it's the overconfident person that's about to of it. >> Yeah.
[36:19] Start sharing your perspective. Start learning as you go and all of a sudden then turn into that expert because of getting in the game. >> That's exactly it.
[36:31] Final false belief is that the algorithm can change and like everything can just die overnight. And the feeling here I mean I understand this. We even cover these topics about how policies can change overnight, new things are
[36:44] implemented, channels can act can disappear, the news headlines of people losing channels and losing income. And so people, you know, fair enough might get into something that feels unstable." You know, like what do you say to this?
[36:57] >> Well, this is an intellectually honest objection because what we're recognizing objection because what we're recognizing is that there is risk. Um the platform risk is real. You are on rented land, borrowed land. YouTube is not your
[37:10] borrowed land. YouTube is not your platform. Um it belongs to YouTube and um the parent company. YouTube did terminate 12 million channels in 2025. Now, they explain that a lot of those are spam channels or AI
[37:24] slop channels, but there are headlines of somebody's channel getting shut down. And typically, if you v- for a if you venture into more risky forms of content that are on
[37:39] the edge of community guidelines, uh on the edge of maybe mass-produced AI content farm stuff, then it that especially doesn't uh that >> Yeah. >> Um but I think that there's two
[37:54] responses to think about in terms of this belief. First, audience relationships that happen, the email list you build, which means you're email list for the group or the text message line or just the community you
[38:08] build off platform, and the business infrastructure you build for you to goes back to like whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're Well, it's risky if I'll go outside. There's even a
[38:22] proverb uh in the Bible that's a little bit brutal and it actually says like the sluggard says that there's a lion outside. >> That it's like that's what the proverb is. You can maybe look it up for me
[38:36] while I'm talking. It's like um that's sometimes when we just want to there's danger outside. Well, I might step out and something bad might happen." Yeah, I mean for sure. Like farmers who wait for perfect weather
[38:51] >> The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside. I shall be killed in the >> Yeah, it's a really funny proverb, but it's it's yeah, it's the person who's listening to this is lazy. >> But they're sluggards.
[39:10] >> And so you're saying, "Well, the algorithm could kill everything." Yeah, today, grow my channel for 2 years, but then it would be, "Well, did you build skills those 2 years? Did you make some money?
[39:23] Did you build an email list?" Yeah, it could happen and it has happened at Creators, but you will even see some people who whether you're in left-leaning politics or right-leaning or whether you're center in politics, I
[39:36] There you know, when there's a Democratic administration, it seemed like YouTube was a lot more kind of anti-right and very pro-left. Recently, as it's been you know, Republican like kind of party in the
[39:51] White House, YouTube all the sudden is showing up to Trump White House realizing, "Okay, are they just trying to be on whatever side?" Here's the point. It's like we've seen news channels on both sides seem to get
[40:06] or seem to have So, here's the question. Someone goes, Well, think about these big brands. You know, The Young Turks, they've built awareness through YouTube and they're like a left-leaning news
[40:21] off-platform paid ways of monetizing. Look at The Daily Wire. Same thing. They've built their own platform. So, people are >> Yeah. >> Like YouTube itself is this massive
[40:34] channel that could help you reach your goals and build an audience and fund your nonprofit and accomplish your mission and grow your church. Whatever and we're out here Number one, you're going to have skills
[40:47] has risk. >> Man, yeah, that's so >> We talked about it earlier. Like a resale a retail store depends on foot traffic and lease terms. It it depends on
[40:59] Las Vegas depends on tourism. And then all of a sudden, that was interesting There's been data of like prices in Vegas going up, tourism going down, and need Vegas anymore?" They can get like adult content, gambling, and dopamine
[41:15] hits from anywhere. What happens in Vegas now is just on the internet to like everybody no matter where they are. So, the world is always changing. So, Vegas's business model may have been disrupted. Yep, it's still here. We're
[41:30] recording this in Vegas right now. I don't know. The world keeps moving. To bring some organization to this you know, thing is I think it's not whether or not risk exists and whether or not the algorithm
[41:43] intelligently thinking about what kind of channel do you want to start. >> What ground are you building on? We see people who see like a quick opportunity automation and AI. >> Yeah.
[41:57] >> But like you knew going into that that maybe even using fair use or downloading other people's content and chopping it up you know, people build channels off of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger off the Berkshire Hathaway things and chop
[42:11] other people's content. They call it fair use. Like by the way, it's working for a lot of people. But if someday Berkshire Hathaway emails you and it's like, "Hey, your whole channel is our content cut up."
[42:25] decided to even build with somebody else's content, which by the way, like react content, other people's content, massive opportunity. Fair use is a help creators do all this different stuff. But you knew the risk going into
[42:39] >> Yes. >> I'm not seeing channels get shut down >> Yeah, this is the thing. >> following YouTube's guidelines with family-friendly content. Well, Sean, I I don't want to do family-friendly. That's
[42:51] totally fine. I'm just saying, I have personally not seen a channel get shut personally not seen a channel get shut down following YouTube's guidelines with neutral content that's not, you know, doing that that different stuff. Risks
[43:04] exist. You can mitigate the risk, but you also can just move forward despite the risk. Because at the end of the day, you want to ask yourself, does the the question. >> That's the question.
[43:18] >> Okay, this is where I was going to take it. It's like, okay, every business has YouTube's risky. But then and I'm not trying to even be reductionist here, but it's just like just like life is risky. I mean, I'm even thinking about like,
[43:32] the thing, Sean, we were planning for a home birth, but on our first child, transfer to a hospital. You want to talk about risk? And I know it's like, "Wow, okay." But it's like you just we have to be
[43:47] for the second time around? Well, we knew what we went through the first were preparing for stuff. And I'm just like, "Risk is everywhere. It's in your day job, man. You're going to risk that toxic boss and culture for how long?
[44:01] leave or you have to whatever." It's all said a time like fear is false evidence appearing real. And I think this is one of those things and it's also hard to refute when these the CEO of YouTube,
[44:15] right, just recently shared he was casting the vision for the next 20 years of YouTube, right? It was like the next several decades of YouTube. The future's bright, right? I mean, Think Media is what, over 10 years old now? Like so, I
[44:28] think that these these fears can come from a genuine place when we actually get removed. But, I got to be honest, these are extremes to me. Like in our day-to-day and week-to-week, we're interacting with Sherry who just like
[44:41] made a video about losing her puppy. You know what I mean? And it's like she's going to be here, you know, like the end of the year and next year and probably took the plunge, she started, and she's still creating.
[44:53] >> Yeah, and I know we've covered these eight false beliefs. And again, there's truth in them, but there's also it's possible to disprove them. Ford. It's like whether you think you can or you can't, or you think you
[45:07] Whether you think it's possible to grow on YouTube or you think it's not it's not possible to start YouTube, you cannot grow anymore, it's too saturated, Well, then you made your bed, you get to sleep in it. Meanwhile, again, someone
[45:23] like Sherry, someone like Lee, they're starting channels and they're succeeding. And so, I one shout-out to anybody who's made it this deep into the podcast. Number one, you're a real one. Number two,
[45:35] appreciate you and it's always helpful if you like, rate, review, wherever you watch or listen to the podcast. Um and number three, we actually you're listening to this, I think are finishing up our YouTube
[45:49] >> Yeah. >> Um which means we opened up the doors to program that is available all year long. However, we don't always do a cohort. And so, we in this most recent, not just the new AI tools, not
[46:05] just the complete program for starting and growing a successful YouTube channel videos that pay you passive income, but we do this cohort. And what's really cool is it's on Zoom, it's a small group,
[46:19] coaches, we're going through um a quick teaching, a couple channel reviews, small group breakout rooms in Zoom rooms where you're getting feedback, talking about your content. And that is the exact not
[46:34] just program that Sherry joined, who her first video got 37,000 views, but it was the cohort she attended, and she went to all sessions. And then on the last special week of Q&A, bonus channel reviews, celebrating wins. All that to
[46:48] reviews, celebrating wins. All that to say is if you're if you've been thinking about joining our program Video Ranking Academy, you could go to vrappodcast.com cuz right now is the best deal we have on it with the best bonuses and the
[47:01] five-week cohort. I think it's five weeks. Of course, check the page. And vrappodcast.com, that is a limited offer. We'll link uh that URL in the description down below. And, you know, side note for the people of like, "Well,
[47:15] Here's what you'll notice, that URL just like >> Here we are in the episode. >> It's like so So, what's That's actually a cool tip. Like because then what we're
[47:28] able to do is in the future, if somebody's watching this video a year from now, you can still go to that link, but not be true at that moment. Like the cohort or the price has gone up over the
[47:41] So, for the sake of over-wording, and now going back to under-wording, but it's too late cuz I've already over-worded, uh vrappodcast.com is at this moment the best price and the best offer with the
[47:55] best price and the best offer with the cohort to get into um YouTube coaching program that'll help you get results faster on YouTube. If you see the light >> Yeah.
[48:07] on YouTube or whether you think you can't, you're right. And whether you think Think Media can go faster, it can. We can help you go faster. but I'm going to kick it back to you, Nathan. If anybody wants to check out
[48:20] that special offer on our YouTube coaching program, just go to VRA >> Well, we'd sure love to see you there. In the meantime, podcast, let us know what resonated. Where are you at with these eight false beliefs? Have you
[48:32] up? You're committed. We'd love to see you in our next cohort to help you get your first video or next video out. But in the meantime, like, rate, share, review wherever you watch or listen. This is the Think Media Podcast. I'm
[48:46] Nathan S Wine, and I can't wait to connect with you in a future episode.