21 limiting beliefs holding you back from YouTube Success

How to YouTube #42

“No one can edit my videos like I can”

Limiting beliefs (like this one) can go to hell.

They’re so sneaky, you don’t even know which ones you have.

Well, here’s 21 limiting beliefs you need to re-frame to be able to work towards the YouTube business of your dreams.

A business that has a real impact on the world, changes people’s lives, and allows you to live your dream life.

1. I'm not an expert, why would anyone listen to me? – I still feel this one, but it’s not true. You only need to be one step ahead of your audience for people to want to listen. There are no unique messages, only unique messengers.

2. Sticking to your upload schedule is more important than anything else - doing things in sequence matters, especially when you’re on your own. You can stop uploading to work on other things in the short term, and come back later.

3. I should have thousands of subscribers within 15 uploads - It takes time to learn how to make videos. How many views you get depends on overall demand, your credibility and the quality of content.

4. If my video flops, it means I suck at YouTube – One video’s performance doesn’t define you. Literally every single top YouTuber has flops. What matters is learning, improving and trying again.

5. YouTube success takes years – depending on your experience and expertise, it can happen slowly or extremely fast.

6. You need a big audience to be able to make $100,000 or more - you only need a few thousand views per video (sometimes less) to make $100,000s of profit per year.

7. Making money selling stuff to your audience is icky and wrong - if your product is good, then people will get more value from results than it costs them in payment. The best customers will even shout from the rooftops about it.

8. If I send too many emails, I’ll annoy my audience - If you send the right kind of emails, people will be waiting to read them each week.

9. My videos need to be world class or there’s no point making them - your videos need to provide value to your target audience in a way that’s easy to digest. That could mean screen recordings on your computer. It could mean 1 hour documentaries. Simple is usually better.

10. I need to spend $1000s on gear, editing and learning - you can get started with your phone. Creativity and value is what counts. And you can find great editors for $50 - $200 per video.

11. I can’t outsource my editing (“I like it too much, no one does it like me, I can’t find any good editors”) - Yes, you can! Stop focusing on the negatives. Imagine if someone could do it like you, wouldn’t you want to find them? Do 1:1 coaching or other paid work instead of editing and use the income to pay for an editor.

12. I need to make YouTube Shorts and repost on every platform - no, you don’t. Master one thing at a time. You can get to at least $100,000 in profit with long form YouTube videos alone. Then hire to increase your content output. Don’t spread yourself too thin.

13. I need to be funny, entertaining or attractive to get views - Also untrue. Anyone can get views. The mistake is trying to be something you’re not. It’s the same as making friends - lean into your individuality, and you’ll find your crowd.

14. There's too much competition; I can't stand out – Your unique perspective, background and experience is your advantage in the market. Imitate, then innovate.

15. My niche is too small to grow an audience – Small niches attract loyal, engaged followers. I’d rather be in the “teaching people to learn knowledge management with Obsidian” niche than the “teach people to change their lives” niche. The second is much harder to stand out.

16. The algorithm hates me – The algorithm is working as hard as it can for you, to find the right viewers for your content. If the packaging and content is good enough, it will find them.

17. Virality is the most important goal – Who’s in your audience is more important than how many. Slow, intentional growth is more valuable than going viral to the wrong audience.

18. I have to cover popular topics to get views – What the audience wants to watch matters most for views, but what you want to make matters most for sustainability. Find the overlap.

19. I can't handle negative comments or criticism – Criticism means people are watching. Focus on supporters, and delete the mean comments.

20. I don't have enough time to create content consistently – If you want it enough, you’ll make the time. 2-4 videos per month is enough to change your life. Most educational YouTubers need between 2 and 15 hours per video.

21. It’s too late to start a YouTube channel - adding this last one here in case anyone reading hasn’t started and is feeling this. It’s not too late. There’s still so much opportunity. Just start, no one really cares (I say that with love).

Hope that helps.

Let’s give those big, scary limiting beliefs something to chew on.

Have an epic week!

Tintin 🫡

P.s.

Last week I launched applications for a group coaching programme called The $100k YouTuber (thank you to all those who voted in the poll!).

There’s been over 45 incredible applications so far, and spots are filling up.

The goal is to work closely with 10-20 YouTubers to help them build a sustainable $100k+ business. To apply you need to average at least 1,000 views per video.

And because I’m building out the programme in real time, this first cohort will get extra time with me, plus 50% off the final price.

If that sounds like something you’re interested in, fill out the application form here.