He Made $10K by Ignoring the YouTube Playbook

[00:01] You're making a 10-minute video should be 10 shorts put together. Your thumbnail is a story in itself. I made all these mistakes. You're the the thumbnail like gives the intrigue, but the title just tells finishes the story.

[00:14] It closes the loop. They both have to complement each other, not complete each other. The content completes those two. Brandon himself like just got monetized. monetized on YouTube this year, Brandon's only a step or two ahead of

[00:27] you. And there's a lot you can learn from this conversation. Welcome to the Think Media Podcast, the number one show bringing you unfiltered channel. I'm Nathan Eswin, one of the coaches here. And today I am joined with

[00:41] Brandon Chang from Brandon's Bricklot. He's an entertainment creator with over 1.3 million views channelwide and he's found success in nearly every content

[00:53] format that YouTube lets you play with. So Brandon, bro, welcome. How are you excited. [laughter] This is like a dream come true. This is a dream come true. if as you're listening or watching and you're like, "Wow, these two seem like

[01:07] pretty close." Well, it's because I actually got to be Brandon's coach over because I just want you to hang out, be a fly on the wall, and like a coaching session that we get to do here each and every week to really uncover like, hey,

[01:19] what what's going on with with Brandon's channel? because he just got monetized a down. And I love that we're going to get to talk about this after it just happened for him because these insights are fresh. Sometimes there's a

[01:33] monetized years ago trying to remember, yeah, it was kind of like this, which is good. A lot of value there, but I'm pumped because this conversation as Brandon's coach, I can fill in some gaps, and then Brandon himself like just

[01:45] get monetized on YouTube this year, Brandon's only a step or two ahead of you, and there's a lot you can learn from this conversation. So, man, hey, monetized. So, like to be clear, ad revenue is a small portion of your

[01:59] income right now because it's just kicking in. But what's crazy is you actually made over 10 grand from opportunities because of YouTube. Like, partner program, you were already making money because of this YouTube thing. And

[02:13] for you to share your journey. Um, a couple quick questions to get everyone up to speed here. I How long did it take you to get monetized? >> So, after I joined Vra Accelerator, it was one year like to the dot like

[02:27] >> Yeah. I was pretty much what like you and me both were there new and we both were like in one year you'll be monetized and that it pretty much to the day our last meeting was like that was the day I got monetized. It was crazy.

[02:41] asking is like because all of a sudden long form that started to perform really well really started to accelerate your watch hours and bring subscribers too, but if you can remember what was the change in your content where you started

[02:54] they didn't as much before. >> Guys, if you're in the entertainment, >> Guys, if you're in the entertainment, it's a lot harder like especially when people aren't necessarily searching for your content like tutorial videos or

[03:07] something. It's it's a little more difficult I feel like because you have to make them want to stay, you know, like Mr. Beast and stuff like that. People aren't searching for that specifically like can a train run off a

[03:20] >> Interesting. >> You've got to intrigue them. And so I like sometimes I feel like, oh, my channel's just not taking off like it it's like your thumbnail matters so much more than someone who's trying to bake

[03:35] more than someone who's trying to bake bread. like it's it's a lot it's a lot harder and so you guys are going to be in the grind a lot more but you guys can do it because I know I know you can like it I've seen the results like

[03:47] around your your strategy but like dig into that a little bit more because this is really good unlock I think here that I know you had but that maybe someone listening can have too >> is when you when you're in the

[04:00] entertainment niche what you're trying to say right is like it's kind of your the pressure is on because really you're trying to make a video and present a video through the title and thumbnail in a way that makes it intriguing like you

[04:14] reach people who aren't even aware of you. You're trying to reach people who weren't even looking for you. And so the ideation process I remember like dude so many DMs back and forth audio messages like coaching calls trying to think

[04:27] through okay what's like the best idea and like having a list of them you know and then trying to rule out >> okay if I'm going to spend a lot of time making one of these videos like what's the high ROI like which one do I go for

[04:39] everybody whether you're entertainment or educational is that the thumbnail whole lot and your presentation still matters a whole lot um what What are thumbnail? Oh, >> okay.

[04:54] your own experience, what do you pay attention to now that you didn't before that you're noticing gives you an uptick >> First of all, what separates a good thumbnail from a bad thumbnail? I I

[05:06] still can't figure that out sometimes. Like, why does this one it looks so bad why does sometimes this one looks so good but it only gets one? And I still can't figure it out totally. It's got to be clickbay to a degree, but not but not

[05:20] clickbait. You know, it's got to be intriguing enough. And especially in you're a cooking channel and you're doing tutorials, right, you want the best shot of the bread you can get, like >> right up there, crispy, like you've got

[05:33] click on that, right? If if if it's a blurry piece of bread, that's a bad thumbnail for your specific niche, though. But as far as the Lego entertainment, you've you've got to nail it. like

[05:46] you've got to have a your thumbnail is a story in itself before you even get to the story. And that's kind of what I figured out. And that's why for me simple is best. There's like three. It's got to be you, an element, and like a

[06:00] got to be you, an element, and like a background is kind of the best way. So in my fishing pole video, which is my viral most viral video, it's the fishing out to Samuel. Thank you. >> Hey, Coach Sam.

[06:12] >> So [laughter] he it was the fishing pole. the the fish >> That's right. >> It told the story and the title is like >> this is what happens in the video. You

[06:25] >> And >> so good. >> Bird house. It's me, the birdhouse, the backyard. And you click on the video. Boom. There. There. That's what happens. So it's it's just stuff like that. And

[06:38] sometimes I mess and sometimes that's why people switch out thumbnails so much my thumbnails. I'm like, "This doesn't tell a great story. This just doesn't >> I thought it did when I made it and now it's not." And it's like, I don't I'm

[06:52] going to change it cuz I don't like it. >> Bro, you just dropped bombs there. I don't even know if you realize it. Like the That is great coaching. And I think most of us could sit on that for a week. Your thumbnail should tell a story. It

[07:05] should be the start of your like not necessarily like the exact framing of your video, but it's like the start of your video. like the your video doesn't start at zero seconds on the timeline in the YouTube player. It's actually at the

[07:17] click, you know, it's at the point of choosing to enter into your video. Okay, or when it comes to thumbnail. How about titles, though? Because this is like and forth or we did go back and forth with the most, right? Is like DMs of

[07:32] >> okay, this title or this and then like changing things. So, when it comes to titles now, if thumbnails need to tell a story, what what are you learning about thumb or titles and how that complements a thumbnail? Quick behind the scenes

[07:46] note here. Brandon and I aren't even in the same room right now, and yet it kind because we're recording this interview on Riverside, who's our partner for to do interviews like this or start a

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[09:10] think media at checkout for one [music] month free. All right, let's get back to me have talked about this a lot, Nathan, but like I feel like doubling up words like in your title and thumbnail, that's a big no no. I feel

[09:24] >> that first thing if you don't know what to title your video, like just don't put any of the words that you've put in your in your thumbnail if if there are any. >> that's a good point. [clears throat] >> I Yeah, I mean, like I was going to say

[09:38] thumbnails, but it it depends. Sometimes you need them, sometimes you don't. and I can see see what's going on. >> Yeah, good point. And and when you do put text on the thumbnail, like you know, you said you've got kind of this

[09:52] rule of three for you, three elements. If there is text on there, like how many words do you go up to? >> Not very many. Three at the most. Like at the most, you don't want to put more. Cuz here's the other thing. Like I

[10:05] I put a lot of Lego in my thumbnails and now that I'm looking back, it helped my channel at the time, but now it's like, okay, well obviously kind of go by elimination process. Like, okay, I make Lego content.

[10:19] Lego in there because I should already be portraying that in the thumbnail. the thumb, like I I shouldn't have to say Lego on it because people should it's probably not a great thumbnail. like how much can you eliminate with

[10:35] what makes it the cleanest thumbnail. That's just kind of what I'm thinking now as I'm remembering the thumbnails on my channel. I'm like I would change this >> Yeah. No, but that's that's good insight because it's you're there's a couple

[10:48] is like that's a really good challenge. I think a lot of people when you start thumbnails on YouTube, I did I did the exact same thing is is stuffing, you like as many words as you can and and even titles like super super long and

[11:03] it's that's actually I have learned that comes from a good instinct actually communicate what's in the video actually. But the thing we forget about is dude I mean and you know this especially in the entertainment world

[11:16] like an impression which is the number of times that YouTube shows your video to people. I think the like the calculation for what qualifies as a impression is if at least half of your thumbnail is shown

[11:31] for one second or more on somewhere like home page anywhere home page anywhere like that. So it's kind of like >> that's just what we're all up against. [laughter] you know, it's like 1 second attention spans. We are all goldfish.

[11:45] It's crazy, but that's like what you're up against. And so, I love what you're stuff on your thumbnail, it's more things for people to try to figure out. And the last thing you want to do is create confusion, you know, with what

[11:58] your video is or isn't. And so, yeah, I appreciate that. Like, that's a good a good tactic of how much can you remove? Like, not how much you can add or maybe Like, not how much you can add or maybe start there. Sure, pile stuff on, but

[12:10] still making sense? Um, I think that's a really powerful tip, but Oh, yeah, go for it. What else? Okay, I was gonna say this, too. Like, I know you guys love Vid IQ, but guys, they have this new feature, the thumbnail test template

[12:24] thing. Okay, I use that all the time. You type in your competitors and it yours in there and make it different like okay that's also what you can do is I love this like when I test my thumbnails I'm always like how does this

[12:38] hold up against all my competitors and even stuff on a homepage like I'll button on there that you can test as well so it's like I put my thumbnail up there like okay well it's too simple or it's too complicated or it doesn't stick

[12:54] >> like those are the things you want to test and like for you used to have to pay for programs like that. And now that Vid IQ has that allin-one, the analytics and the thumbnail >> cuz I was paying for a separate one.

[13:08] bro. Let's go. That's actually a really with this tool or if you haven't you're not even aware of VidIQ, you've got to go to vidiq.com/think. Just add a slashthink. TK.

[13:23] You can pay $1 and get their like pro plan for 30 days. Pay a dollar, it unlocks everything. You can play with this thumbnail um tester that uh that we literally have used and that I still use with people is like outliers,

[13:38] keyword research, like >> dude. Yeah. So, if you are at all interested in trying out VidIQ, seeing what Brandon and I are talking about, I would highly encourage you go to vidiq.com

[13:51] to just spend $1 and get 30 days of everything. You know, try it out and see good point because what's that? >> I said do it. Just do it. [laughter] >> Yeah, I know. We've used that a lot. Um, okay. So, that's just a really good

[14:06] point about thumbnails, dude. So, title architecture, which I say that word Like, we've talked about that. Like, when it comes to titles, what have you not maybe just with your own audience and with your own videos?

[14:20] done better than others, what are you doing in your titles that seem to be weird spot now because now that I'm thinking about thumbnails more and like how how they all tie together and complement each other is that's that's

[14:36] now. So, I have a different mindset than I did, you know, a couple months ago different, right, >> bro? Give us your fresh insights. What are you what are you cooking up? >> Let's see. [laughter]

[14:49] >> No pressure. like we talked about earlier, you know, don't don't put words from your thumbnail in your title, >> but don't uh like also kind of make it a a movie trailer, right? If if you're thinking about Spider-Man, right?

[15:05] everybody knows Spider-Man, like how can you everybody knows Spider-Man and then the title is Spider-Man, but do they don't put Spider-Man like in the in the >> They just have it as like it's the title of the movie and you know exactly what

[15:18] it is. So, it's like, how can you bring that to your channel? Like, how can you is going to be in the video and the title be what it's about? >> No, 100%. And and off of that, I think something that I remember us working on

[15:33] too is >> thinking about uh the sequencing of words, >> like what words are seen first and read next ones? cuz we're getting like in the weeds here. But like this is such a this

[15:48] is such a good thing to try to grasp in a YouTube 2026 world, >> especially when you know a lot of your videos >> were showing up in browse, right? Browse traffic source, suggested traffic

[16:01] of us don't think about. And this is actually what I think a lot of us want is for videos to be in browse features, which is just YouTube's phrasing for like, hey, you're on the homepage of people. Um, or you're showing up in

[16:13] suggested results. When thumbnails show up like that though, we've talked about how small they get, right? Like, and especially on a phone, a suggested YouTube video on a phone is like so tiny and your title will get truncated. You

[16:27] don't see people can't read the whole title. So those first few words, first title. So those first few words, first three, four, five, six words really with that a lot. If you're doing a

[16:40] video, especially for you in particular, a keyword for your niche is Lego. We right? So I know that we would often try to get, okay, what's the wild thing that to get, okay, what's the wild thing that you're doing with Lego? Okay, maybe it's

[16:54] chainsaw. Wasn't that one of the more recent ones you did? Yes, that was a recent one. >> Um, yeah. Okay. So, can a Lego chainsaw cut down a Christmas tree? This is one of your outliers. You know what I mean?

[17:06] But the fact want to click on that like [laughter] holidays. There's a lot of good stuff there. But the the sequencing there is Right. >> Chainsaw. Already I'm what am I even

[17:22] reading? Lego. Chainsaw. And then you make it you take it to the next level of cut down a Christmas tree. It's it is answering that. It's like how could I not click? How could I not be curious? Because you're also posing a question in

[17:35] know if you want to speak to that. Like why do you pose a lot of your titles as entertainment niche? >> Yes. So that's so the question kind of like it's part of the intrigue also. And so if I do more questions with the

[17:49] thumbnails, right, because we're learning every day, getting better, I want to make sure that the thumbnails are gonna even complement the title even fishing pole, because I know it worked, right?

[18:02] >> Putting like, you know, putting Lego at the front of the title. So you know, you only have so many characters before you get the dot dot dot. >> I love to use that to my advantage, right? Because you could be like, "Uh,

[18:15] can I use a fishing pole made of Lego?" Or you could be like, "Can a Lego fishing pole dot dot dot?" Now they have to see. So if if especially it's on the homepage and you have that dot dot dot, use that to your advantage. You know,

[18:29] like there's a point to where if the title's long, people have to click on the video to see what the title is. >> That's where I want to use that to our >> So this is next level. And this is why I was excited to bring you on here because

[18:42] entertainment or education that happens to your videos. Your video titles get truncated. >> And so I love that feedback of almost break happen, you know, how many characters or whatever and just really

[18:56] thinking about those first few words and almost how you could have YouTube's natural truncation work in your advantage or work in your favor. Geez, dude, that's good. Love it. >> One more thing. One more thing, I was I

[19:09] was in my titles, I was fitting everything into there, right? So, I was telling the whole story and people are like, "Oh, that's cool." wouldn't even click. But it's But that doesn't mean it was a great thumbnail

[19:21] and title, but you told the whole thing. >> It's if it's like, "I caught a Lego uh if I caught a fish with a Lego fishing pole," I don't think it would have the same effect because they'd be like, "Oh, cool. He caught it." And that's why,

[19:35] yeah, that's why titles for me, like I tried all this stuff >> for my channel right now, while I'm growing, they're not good titles because they're going to watch everything I do. Like

[19:47] subscribers and you be like, I tried all the restaurants in Oklahoma or whatever, >> They're going to you're going to get views. >> But if you're if you're posing a question, people are wanting to know

[20:00] why. You know, that's what causes the click. That's a really good point to land the plan on titles. I totally forgot about that. Yes, we absolutely talked about that. Um, some and I see this a lot in titles that I'll coach on

[20:13] this a lot in titles that I'll coach on is you people can have very what titles, talked about this like a very what title? You already told me so now why click, right? Instead of crafting a title that doesn't solve all the answers

[20:27] too. Doesn't solve all the answers. It starts the story. The title reinforces that but doesn't give everything away. So the it's like the only way I resolve what happens next or how did that go or what is he talking about or what is in

[20:42] there? What does happen next? I have to click. So dude, anything else you want to add to that first battle of being a YouTube creator [laughter] which is just >> That's what I'm saying. Just make sure your title and thumbnail don't tell the

[20:56] thing like okay I made all these mistakes. you're the the thumbnail like gives the intrigue, but the title just tells finishes the story. It closes the loop and you're like I'm like wait I should have changed that or or like the

[21:11] intriguing but the thumbnail completes the title >> and they both have to complement each other not complete each other. Woo. Let's let Yeah, just think just think about that like they have to compliment

[21:23] not complete. Your video the content completes those two and you've got to get that loop together. Fire, bro. Thanks for coaching us all. Okay, so let's let's move into that then. Okay, so we talked about getting

[21:37] the click, but now once people are in your video, it doesn't mean that you've >> right? you just, [laughter] >> you know, it's like, and I think a lot can have people click in, >> but if they bounce out, especially

[21:51] within those first 30 seconds that YouTube is monitoring and measuring, do what you want it to do, right? So, let's talk about hooks. Let's talk about I know that a lot of work has gone into as well.

[22:07] work here, bro. And it's and it's paid off, right? I mean, like, you've I'm pumped to hear your fresh thoughts as you think about, okay, hooks. What as you think about, okay, hooks. What happens in those first few seconds of

[22:22] been helpful for you? >> Yeah, I mean, you think about, right, digging for water or jewels, right? You've hit the surface, you've got it, the rock and you're like, "Oh, no. We've got to we have a whole new set of tools

[22:36] now. We've got to like >> And I feel like this is where editing comes in." And everybody, this can scare people. people. >> And this is where uh like storytelling

[22:48] your editing, this is where the content creation actually comes in, >> I feel like because now you've got to keep people watching, right? You've got a good title, you got a good thumbnail, but now you have to make people stay.

[23:01] going to focus on the first 30 seconds." And then I got them hooked. But that's >> [laughter] >> I just cuz I would edit really good the rest of the video and be like, "Okay, well, I bet I nailed it. I got the view,

[23:14] right? That's all I need." [laughter] But that doesn't solve for watch time. It it will never solve for watch time. >> There we go. >> So, you've got to I love the the thing about retention

[23:27] >> when you're researching editing, retention editing specifically for >> What? >> Like what? How would you define that? mean? >> So if I'm thinking about I've done some

[23:42] you know real estate or like wedding videos, right? So I've done some of that in my time and that's like if someone's paying you to do a wedding video, for You're probably not going to post this on your channel. Like they want all the

[23:56] slow, right? >> But YouTube, that's not retention moments you can. You're not trying to keep people watching. you're just, you the couple that's getting married. You're trying to get all that, right?

[24:11] keep people watching and and retention editing is is making a hook. So, break and rehook them every one minute. You're making a 10-minute video should be 10

[24:24] say that right now. >> That's what I'm learning right now. >> Whoa. Say that again. >> A 10-minute video should be 10 shorts just put together. [laughter] That's fire. Okay, but like Okay. Okay.

[24:38] Wait, let's hang here for a second. So, you're talk about what is a rehook? The people, you may have just broken their minds right now. There's more than one hook in a YouTube video. What have you learned about this?

[24:51] >> I I hated that when I found that out, but that is how that works. people to stay, right? So if you say today we are doing this, you know, we're

[25:06] building a fishing pole and right and and I could have done this better in that actual video like making things happen along the way. So that's whether that's uh hey stick till the end cuz something's coming later that's bigger

[25:18] and better >> and or run into a mistake, right? So >> if if I'm like okay so if I'm thinking we're making a 10-minute video, right? And I'm dividing it into 10 one minute sections. Your hook is the first minute.

[25:32] what you're doing the first three to five seconds. Like, Nathan, we've talked about that hook needs to be fast. Like, let them know. Let them know they're in you've got to go. >> Kind of lay out the ground, but don't

[25:47] give it away. Don't don't give it away. Like, don't explain everything or you've got to keep >> 30 seconds. Pretty much >> you made a short right.

[26:00] two minutes, right? We're at the two-minute mark. Now, I'm going to add something, >> a mistake, a challenge, or something unexpected. So, >> to rehook the viewer, right? You've got

[26:13] that's in the story side of it. That's in the story side of it. We're not thinking about editing like clips, like cutting, b-roll, all that. Like, let's that can get overwhelming. >> Sure. Sure. But as far as the story goes

[26:27] out, let's just divide it into 10 sections, 10 one minute sections, and I'll be like, okay, after this 60 seconds, what else could happen that the viewer would not expect or they didn't know about? So, come at it from

[26:40] different angles and think about like, okay, for example, my fishing pole video, like I had to test it to see how much weight cuz if if a fish was too heavy, the

[26:53] whole thing would break. So, if I were to reedit that video now, I would have put that in there of me testing the weight and it breaking, right? Cuz I was this video. >> But that's part of the story. The

[27:06] >> Yes. That Okay, you have to put that in there. I My videos have been getting outliers now because I add more of the >> That's right. >> So, please do that. Don't be afraid to

[27:19] like mess up and break stuff and like [laughter] fall. I I fall a lot in my >> that's actually the secret um is people just need to be falling more and put themselves in ridiculous situations. >> I love the love the destruction.

[27:34] so powerful though and I think this is a good paradigm shift even if you channel um but also if you're an education channel because man I think to be more thoughtful about your outline is really what you're saying. is like,

[27:48] that matters, but it's actually not the people should sit with. And so, when you're outlining your content, even as When you introduce, when you get, say you have three points, classic three

[28:03] this, here's three things, each of those points should have its own opening, its own reason to continue, you know, and I think a powerful word for that could be the word but, you know, like it's like you da da da. So, this is what you want

[28:18] blah blah blah, it's like, oh, well, now I need to keep listening, right? Or if it's like, but that's not all. There's more. Most people miss. This is where most people get stuck. If you only did that, you're actually missing out on

[28:32] whatever, whatever. These kinds of phrasing to help increase retention, increase watch time um through even educational content. Dude, that's huge. >> And I love also the other word that Mark Rob uses a lot in his videos. Then yo,

[28:45] Rob uses a lot in his videos. Then yo, that's right. Then and yes, and then something happens. And like that's what I love about uh retention editing specifically and retention storytelling too. It's just it's it's a real thing.

[28:57] Like it's a type of style of content >> to keep people watching and and it has time. >> Yes, dude. That's really really good. Okay, so we've talked about basically the the big three when it comes to

[29:12] success on YouTube is learning how to get people to click, learning how to get get people to stay longer, right? Like just not the first 30 seconds, but right? >> So, we've talked about how you're

[29:25] crafting videos. Now, I'd love to shift conversation here to the other opportunities that came from this skill set that you've been developing because what you just walked us through, by the way, and I know you you're you're super

[29:38] like you've gotten this stuff down pretty well. Like, you know what I mean? have like hundreds of thousands of views. So, like, you know, you've gotten this down, but this skill set opened doors for you to make money before you

[29:53] program. like you've been kind of poached by bigger channels for different reasons. So, I'd love to hear about what are some of these other things you've done like you built your own Lego store and stuff like

[30:06] you were making money because of this skill set >> before you know YouTube sent you that screenshot or sent you the email that was like you've been accepted. >> So, is that like businesses and like on

[30:18] the content creation side of it too? >> Yeah, I just think any any and all of it. Yeah, it would be great to hear. So, well, I mean the whole one of the reasons I started my LEGO channel was or I started my store before my channel.

[30:31] This is I have a Lego store, a Bricklink store. A lot of LEGO content creators will have one, but I was spending so much on Lego. I was like, I kind of need to not spend so much. So, is there stuff I can sell? Like, can I turn my hobby

[30:45] into a business so I don't waste my money? Like, that was my first thought. So, I started my BrickLink store. I had like a hundred pieces in it and it was like a hundred pieces in it and it was like yeah that was it. It wasn't a lot

[30:58] but I I grew it slowly and that's kind of what I that's what I enjoyed doing. stuff >> but 2025 last year that's when I hit uh

[31:11] $10,000 in revenue on that store. >> Crazy. >> Yes, it it is crazy. And and some of that was from the YouTube channel. I I feel like because I would drive it, you know, in my videos, hey, check out my

[31:23] >> if you want pieces, if you want to support me. >> That's kind of how I did that. And also, this was something I wanted to also touch on is making connections in your niche is so important. Like a lot of us,

[31:37] this mistake. Everybody else's competition. need to be better than everybody else if you want to succeed. That is not that is not the mindset you want to have. >> Tried it, been there. It does not work.

[31:53] >> But when I started, like I've made lifelong friends from all these Lego YouTubers that I've reached out with. And now I get to work for So I get to YouTubers >> that is now one one of my mentors. Yes.

[32:06] And he gets I get to work for him, which is crazy. That's where another source of >> And how did he find you? And yeah, he found me through another mutual YouTuber and we were all I I hosted a mock competition and I just reached out to

[32:22] just like, "Hey, let's bring some YouTubers in." >> And one of my first friends, like one of my best friends now in the LEGO space, >> Wow. >> And and last year, 2025, that's kind of

[32:36] when my most that's when I grew the most was from them. And then he knew a lot of them and then I've been able to help coach some of those channels a little bit to grow and it's it's been like it's a whole thing because we get to we have

[32:49] a group now we meet every Monday and we discuss Lego you Lego YouTube life everything we get to celebrate wins and we get to like you know make fun of each other like oh this sucked [laughter] don't make that video like we get to do

[33:03] fun like >> your content journey you've got to have >> bro. That's huge. Assemble your Avengers. >> Assemble your Avengers, dude. That is >> We call it the Illuminati. That's our

[33:17] group. [laughter] >> Is that what you call it, >> bro? I love it. This is a This is a under you understated point in the journey. Is this YouTube thing is by nature lonely? Like, it's a pretty solo

[33:32] You don't have a team yet or anything. You're a solo creator. It's you and the camera. You know what I mean? and you're uploading stuff. And so to rally with other people, even in the same niche, too. Dude, I've had same inflection

[33:46] a group of people attempting to do the same thing I'm trying to do, even if I'm not in that group forever, it's still a boost. You know what I mean? Because it just helps your mental state even. It's just like, dude, I'm not alone in this

[33:59] crazy thing. And getting to share tips, coach, coaching each other, celebrating wins, being able to laugh off, you know, a video that died. like didn't do what you wanted. [laughter] Like you need that as a creator. And so I really

[34:12] >> it is. >> You know what I mean? Like you're literally kind of got poached by this really big channel in your niche and are getting to learn so much and be mentored and dude and getting to make money even

[34:24] appreciate you sharing and opening up a little bit because number one, I just want to point out what you said, which is like you made like 10 grand from a Lego store.

[34:37] >> Yes. [laughter] >> What? YouTube's not possible. Rewind the that's, you know what I mean? Like that's just so cool. But then to be able to because of the skills that you're developing on the platform by making

[34:49] videos that are doing well um even in your niche, you were poached by someone who's further along and that's only going to help you continue to accelerate and grow too. Brandon, man, it's been awesome having you here today. If you

[35:01] ways, like, hey, thinking about someone who's just a step behind you or a couple steps behind you trying to get their channel monetized and you're someone that has now done it. you've you're like over the bridge and you did the thing.

[35:15] What's some encouragement or advice that you would give to someone who might even going right now? >> I'm just going to shout out Nathan real quick just like dude you're my like Gandalf like Dumbledore like you love

[35:27] Gandalf like Dumbledore like you love the movie like references like I don't like Think Media at all. I've watched them. I don't know. I've been watching you guys forever. Like >> when I even when before I started with

[35:39] all these other channels, I listen to the the podcast every week. Like it it it really helps. It's part of my growth. Like I'm biased as well. Like I love you value that comes out of those. And if you can afford the courses, definitely

[35:54] do that. But just their free channel is just amazing. I can be successful just because of all the stuff that they work so hard to put out. Like that's one of definitely look Think Media. Like just research them and just watch their

[36:08] really good. >> Cheers, man. Geez. Thank you. >> But as far as that, it really like depending on the niche you're in and what stage of life. >> Um because I I've had the opportunity

[36:22] the Lord's given me the opportunity to go full-time this year. And me to try it out and see how it how it works. >> That's right. and you might not be in that season, you

[36:34] know, you might not have the opportunity to go full-time. So, really just kind of figure out what you can do, right? Cuz if you get

[36:46] stressed, like I mean, I do that all the time. If you get if you're working like, you know, two jobs to try to make this work, like figure out where to put where your channel goes in your life right now, you know, and how much effort you

[36:59] can put into it. Because if you're trying to go full-time on YouTube channel, but you're having all these other job side jobs to support it, you're going to get worn out really fast like I did. And so really figure out

[37:11] what's your priority with this channel. And don't don't lose the fun of it. When it when you need money from it, it's no longer fun. And the audience can see right through that that all you want is the money. And I fall into that trap so

[37:24] many times, but I I'm really passionate about sharing that because I really want you guys like I want to have fun with making videos and content for people. Like that's my dream. But the moment you start being like I need the money or oh

[37:38] all these people are making millions of dollars off ad revenue. So like it's >> Like you shouldn't have to want that. That should it should be enough that I don't there's nothing I need to do to earn money on YouTube. Like I just have

[37:53] crazy. [laughter] I'm saying that to myself every day. >> Dude, thank you so much, man. Podcast. This is a sharp young guy, huh? This is a sharp young guy, dude. Wishing you nothing but success as you continue to

[38:08] words and just appreciate your transparency and conversation today. And you saw this. I'm gonna be butchering the quote exactly, but the CEO of the quote exactly, but the CEO of YouTube at a recent event um said that

[38:21] the next great YouTuber is probably someone we've never heard of before just and the algorithm and everything. He's like, it's probably someone we've never someone to surprise you. So, I just want to say out loud, I'm like, I wouldn't be

[38:34] surprised if some years go by and we're having another conversation here. You've got some play buttons behind you and this gets to look like a home movie. You >> "Yeah, >> yeah, dude. [laughter]

[38:46] >> Man, Brandon is pretty sweet, huh?" Hey, a couple times he mentioned hopping on a if you're wondering like what was all that about, Brandon is actually one of decided to jump into our YouTube coaching programs, specifically Vra

[39:01] Elite and Vra Accelerator. These are group intimate group coaching program and our one- on-one, what we call personal trainer coaching program. So, yeah, oh, I can get someone to help me on this YouTube journey. I could like

[39:16] on a call and like they look at my channel, look at my videos, review my hook. If any of that sounds at all interesting to you, I would totally invite you to apply for a free call with our team. You can go to

[39:30] viralvideocoach.com and that's exactly what it is. It's a free call. It's not for everyone, but you can fill out a few things about your YouTube to see if it'd be a good fit. And if it is a good fit, you get to hop

[39:42] and we're going to look at your channel. we're going to help you strategize your next steps and see if some coaching program would be a good fit for you, just like it was for Brandon. Well, hey,

[39:57] if you got value out of today, let us know. Like, rate, share, review wherever you watch or listen. This is the Think Media Podcast. I'm Nathan Eswine and I can't wait to connect with you in a future