How To Be A YouTuber

Embarking on your journey as a YouTuber doesn't require a studio full of expensive equipment, a team of experts, or an elaborate script. It begins with a simple yet powerful act – picking up your camera and hitting that record button. In this guide, we're going to delve into the transformative potential of harnessing your personality and authenticity as your strongest assets in building your YouTube channel. We'll also explore how you can leverage your weaknesses and challenges to your advantage, turning them into the unique strengths that set you apart in the world of online content creation. So, let's take that first step together and discover the incredible impact of being yourself on YouTube!

What You Need To Start YouTubing

Let me break it down into the simplest terms possible. To create your very first video, all you need is your phone and, well, yourself – that's it! Congratulations, you've already fulfilled all the requirements to start your YouTube journey. You're well on your way to potential stardom! It's so straightforward that even a five-year-old could manage it. The real challenge most people encounter on YouTube is how to grow their channel. They often get trapped in self-doubt, allowing negative comments and outside opinions to shape their self-perception. Instead of holding onto their authentic identity, they inadvertently adopt a "lie-dentity" that others impose on them. Let's dive into the process of reclaiming your true identity and shedding the falsehoods that may have held you back.

Embracing Authenticity on YouTube

In the dynamic realm of YouTube, creators are constantly on a quest to engage their audience genuinely. It's a space where authenticity is paramount, where creators openly share their stories, passions, and quirks. Think of any content creator you follow; it's nearly impossible to think of one who doesn't bring their unique interests and quirky personality into their content. That's because successful creators have mastered the art of seamlessly intertwining "who they are" with their creations.

Embracing your authenticity is not just about showcasing your quirks and idiosyncrasies; it's also about leveraging these unique traits to enhance both yourself and your content. Surprisingly, everyone possesses a distinctive personality, and by embracing it rather than suppressing it, you'll find that creating videos becomes a natural process because you're simply being your authentic self on camera. I can’t say I’ve fully mastered this technique yet, but I’m getting better with every video that I make. 

Turning Challenges into Strengths

Life has an uncanny way of throwing unexpected challenges our way, often with a touch of humor and surprise. In the ever-evolving world of YouTube, where creators strive to captivate their audience, authenticity reigns supreme. It's a platform where we share our stories, passions, and quirks, weaving our unique personalities into our content. The most successful creators have mastered the art of seamlessly blending "who they are" with their creations. In my YouTube journey, an unusual eye condition called amblyopia took center stage, adding a distinctive twist to my content creation.

Challenges in life are inevitable, and they often shape us in remarkable ways. My personal journey was marked by an unusual eye condition called amblyopia, which resulted in vision loss in one eye and a notable lack of control over it. When I consulted a doctor, the prognosis was discouraging - the chances of regaining control over my vision were slim. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of patch therapy, which involved wearing an eye patch to stimulate my eye's function. I committed to this therapy for about a year, and against all odds, witnessed remarkable improvements.

This is where faith and positivity played a significant role. As a Christian, I turned to prayer, seeking guidance and assistance throughout this challenging journey. Miraculously, my eye continued to get better as I maintained a positive outlook. It reinforced my belief that even in adversity, there are two sides to every situation. You can choose to focus on the negatives or uplift yourself and those around you by staying positive and seeking solutions. After all, it takes more effort to frown than to smile.

When you think about YouTube success, you might envision polished content, charismatic personalities, and an army of loyal subscribers. While these elements certainly play a role, there's another, often overlooked, factor that can propel you to greater heights on the platform: embracing your challenges and weaknesses.

In the world of YouTube, where creators strive for perfection, it might seem counterintuitive to showcase your vulnerabilities. However, it's precisely these imperfections that can set you apart, foster authenticity, and fuel your journey toward growth.

When you hide your challenges or weaknesses, you're essentially wearing a mask. Your audience sees only the curated version of you, and while that might work for a while, it can ultimately lead to a lack of genuine connection. Viewers appreciate creators who are honest about their struggles and who they truly are.

I want to clarify that I'm not suggesting you shouldn't aim for excellence, but it's essential to accept that it's okay not to be flawless. As we embark on our journey of personal growth and strive to become our best selves, we'll inevitably encounter areas where our skills may be lacking. However, it's crucial to recognize that we can transform these areas of weakness into our most significant strengths. The path to converting weaknesses into strengths varies for each person, as we all possess unique talents, advantages, and disadvantages.

Here are three tips that might help you embrace the imperfections we have as human beings.

1. Share Your Journey

If you're facing a challenge, whether it's related to your content creation process, personal life, or anything else, document your journey. Share the ups and downs, the lessons learned, and the progress made. Your audience will appreciate your transparency and may find inspiration in your resilience.

Your audience may not always grasp the challenges you're facing but remember that they grow alongside you as you progress. Treat them as you would any other friend you engage in conversation with. Personally, I've observed that when I share details about my life and activities with my community, it fosters a sense of comfort among them, encouraging them to reciprocate by sharing aspects of their own lives. This, in turn, strengthens our community bonds.

2. Offer Solutions

While you may be dealing with a specific challenge, don't forget that you're also a problem solver. Share the strategies, tips, or techniques you've employed to overcome your hurdles. Providing solutions not only positions you as an authority but also adds value to your audience's life.

Much like how I've shared my journey with you, highlighting my eye condition as a testament to my life and my ongoing YouTube adventure, you can apply the same principle to your own life. Every person has a unique story to tell, and within those stories, there are valuable experiences and lessons that others can benefit from.

3. Celebrate Imperfections

Nobody is perfect, and your imperfections can be a source of relatability. Whether it's a quirk, a stumbling block, or a unique weakness, embrace it. Laugh at yourself when things don't go as planned. By doing so, you invite your audience to do the same, creating a more lighthearted and enjoyable viewing experience.

A lot of the content creators I followed in my formative years, and continue to follow today, have mastered the art of laughing at themselves. They've allowed that facade of pride to crumble, revealing their authentic humanity. After all, none of us are flawless, so why do we often strive to conceal our imperfections and create the illusion of a flawless life? In reality, we're just ordinary individuals, much like anyone else.

Authenticity Is Your Superpower

Similarly, your objective should be to discover your strengths, quirks, and the humorous aspects of your personality, and leverage them to enhance both yourself and your content. Everyone possesses a unique personality, and by embracing it rather than suppressing it, you'll realize that creating videos becomes a natural process because you're simply being your authentic self on camera.

Some people may believe that emulating others in their field is the path to success. The reality is that you can't truly succeed by trying to be someone else. You may make progress and find happiness, but you'll never reach the pinnacle of achievement by imitating others. Instead, you must embrace your individuality, observe what successful creators are doing, and adapt those strategies in your own unique way. On YouTube, your goal is to build yourself as a brand so that people don't just come to your channel for what you're doing but also for who you are.

The Mr. Beast Example

Consider the YouTube sensation, Mr. Beast. In case you're not familiar with him, Mr. Beast is a renowned YouTuber known for creating content centered on challenges and extravagant spending, often accompanied by generous giveaways. He produces highly engaging videos that showcase experiences most of us can only dream of due to their cost, and he transforms these dreams into grand productions for his channel. He has harnessed the power of authenticity, unwavering dedication, and a relentless pursuit of improvement to become one of the platform's most prominent figures.

The Essence of Mr. Beast's Success

Mr. Beast's journey to YouTube stardom began with a simple yet profound realization: authenticity is key. In an era where authenticity often takes a backseat to trends and clickbait, Mr. Beast decided to be true to himself. He embarked on a mission to create content that not only resonated with viewers but also reflected his unique personality.

One of the standout features of Mr. Beast's videos is his unwavering commitment to authenticity. He's not an actor playing a role; he's simply himself on camera. This genuine approach has forged a deep connection with his audience. Viewers don't come to Mr. Beast's channel for a character; they come for the person behind the content.

The Power of Persistence

Mr. Beast's journey to YouTube stardom wasn't an overnight success story. He adheres to the principle that consistency and perseverance are paramount in the realm of content creation. He firmly believes that creating a significant volume of content is the key to growth and improvement. As he famously said, "The way to success on YouTube is creating 100 videos, and improving something every time." It's about continually honing your craft, learning from your mistakes, and adapting to your audience's preferences.

The wonderful thing is that these initial videos don't need to be of exceptionally high quality! It's almost expected that your first few videos, whether it's the first, second, third, or even the tenth, may receive very few views or even none at all. However, as you gradually make improvements, you'll begin to notice growth, both in your skills and in your channel's performance. Someone I highly respect and learn from, Myran Golden, often says, "It's either working for you or it's working on you," a pearl of wisdom he drew from the Bible.

Get up from your couch, pause those "try not to laugh" videos, grab your phone camera, and hit that record button. Procrastination won't get you anywhere; the time to begin is now! You don't even have to finish reading this blog post before you start recording your very first video. It can be a short five-minute clip where you explain your motivation for starting a YouTube channel, giving a shoutout to the blog post that inspired you (no shame in mentioning my website name, by the way). And if you're still unsure about what to record, simply capture the activities you'd be doing anyway – just turn on the camera and go for it! Delay no more; take that first step right away!

Strategic Excellence

While authenticity and persistence are cornerstones of Mr. Beast's success, it's essential not to overlook his strategic brilliance. He meticulously plans and executes his videos, leaving no room for chance. Mr. Beast invests considerable time and effort in research, ranging from effective thumbnail design to video concepts that resonate with his target audience. This strategic approach ensures that each video he releases has the potential to become a viral sensation.

The Impact of Generosity

A defining feature of Mr. Beast's content is his penchant for philanthropy. He leverages his success to make a positive impact on the world, often giving away substantial sums of money to individuals and charitable causes. While this altruism is undoubtedly admirable, it's also a testament to the power of genuine kindness in building a loyal and dedicated fan base.

While you may not have the financial resources of someone like Mr. Beast, it's essential to remember that even he didn't start with significant wealth. In the beginning, he was just an individual with a camera and a vision. The key to success on YouTube isn't necessarily having abundant resources; it's about utilizing what you do have to create valuable content for your audience. Whether you're passionate about aquatic animals and want to share tips on goldfish care or you're an avid gamer who can entertain and educate your viewers with gaming insights and knowledge nuggets, your unique perspective and passion can be your greatest assets on your YouTube journey

In a digital age saturated with content creators vying for attention, Mr. Beast stands as a shining example of how authenticity, persistence, and strategic excellence can propel you to YouTube stardom. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or simply a fan of his work, there's much to learn from Mr. Beast's journey. Remember, success on YouTube, as Mr. Beast has demonstrated, is not about overnight miracles but rather the consistent pursuit of improvement while staying true to yourself.

The Conclusion

Embracing your authenticity and personality is the cornerstone of YouTube’s success. Your quirks and unique traits are your greatest assets, and by staying true to yourself while continuously improving your content, you'll carve a path to success that is uniquely yours. Remember, on YouTube, you're not just creating videos; you're building a brand, and authenticity is your most potent weapon in connecting with your audience and achieving lasting success.

I'll leave you with this valuable advice: take the time to explore and study the content of other creators. Analyze both their successful strategies and the areas where they faced challenges. Learn from their experiences and apply these lessons to your own YouTube channel. Additionally, consider delving into podcasts and informative videos featuring renowned creators who have achieved significant success on the platform. These creators often share valuable tips and tricks that can prove immensely helpful. Mr. Beast, for instance, is known for his transparency and willingness to provide insights freely. I also recommend checking out creators like Myran Golden, the Think Media team, and listening to Mr. Beast's podcasts, among others. The more information you gather, the better equipped you'll be. However, it's crucial to remember that the most effective way to learn is by putting your knowledge into practice. Watching countless videos and reading numerous blog posts won't get you far if you don't apply what you've learned. So, instead of just consuming information, take action. Don't be one of those individuals who talk about their aspirations without putting in the effort to achieve them. Get off the couch, grab that camera, and start creating your first 100 videos. It's through action that you'll truly progress on your YouTube journey.

Thanks for reading and Stay strong and fly on Falcon Force!