Youtube channel

NessIllustration

I've been thinking about starting a Youtube channel for a while now... I would really like to start one sometime in 2020 when time allows, but what always stops me is I wonder if it'll interest or help anyone, or if it's way early for me to be thinking of giving advice

What I'd like to do is have some discussion/advice videos on becoming a professional artist, improving as an artist, etc. I'd also like to do critique videos where I draw over someone's piece (a willing participant of course!) and advise them how to improve the piece. I don't know if I'm really ready to make that sort of content with any real authority on the matter, as a newer freelancer. I do really like to help and give advice whenever I can and would even like to teach eventually, but this doubt that I'd be out of my depth always stops me. What do you think? Should I go for it? Would you be personally interested in that sort of content? If you think I should wait more to give advice, I'm fully ready to hear that. I really want honest answers!

carlianne

So I recently started doing tutorials on my Instagram and I felt the EXACT same way as you've just stated. And I was literally worried people would get mad at me for not being good enough to give advice.

However - the response I've gotten has been completely the opposite. Not only have I had a crazy engagement and growth rate, I've had A LOT of people reach out to say how much they appreciated my tips and advice and how it has helped them. Now youtube tends to be a little . . . more critical than Instagram, so it's true that you might get some people who respond that way, but I think the majority of people will enjoy your advice and find value in it, because even just getting to where you are would be a big deal to them, or enjoy seeing you grow as a freelancer along with you in your journey.

So I say you should go for it!

peteolczyk

Just go for it Ness, I’d be interested and I’d definitely follow you. You’re more than qualified.

Coley

I'd totally be interested in watching and learning from you!

idid

@Coley second this! looking forward!

jdubz

Based on your work and experience I think you shouldn't be worried about that part of it at all.

The company I started about 10 years ago does a lot of web development and I've worked with a lot of different content creators over the years, so I have a bit of knowledge in that area. The biggest thing you'll want to determine before you jump off the cliff is what this actually means for your business. Of the few constants with everyone I've worked with it's that they didn't really understand initially the amount of time needed to put together good content for platforms like YouTube (if it was actually going to be a part of the business they wanted to grow).

There's an audience for literally anything. Delivering content that is enjoyable for the people that want to see that thing is the trick. But you'll want to go into it with an idea it's "x" part of my total business strategy, and has to have some kind of revenue expectation built into it because it'll be a LOT of work. But if you generate consistent content, there are a lot of different ways you can leverage that to do what you like.

NessIllustration

@carlianne Ohhh I love you little tutorials! They're so cute and helpful! It's really nice to hear you felt the same way and yet you've been so successful with it. I think I might try to do a few Instagram tutorials first as a way to dip my toes in before going with something as big as a Youtube channel!

@jdubz Thank you for your thoughtful advice! It's true so far I'm still at the "One day I'd like to" stage and I have yet to work out the specifics of exactly where it will fit into my business. I think I would like it to become my primary marketing platform and replace a lot of the leg work I do finding my own work (which is a huge portion of my time that I don't enjoy). I do have to come up with more of a plan though. Thanks for the advice!

@peteolczyk @Coley @idid Thank you so much guys, it's incredibly encouraging to hear!!

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carlianne

@NessIllustration Oh thank you so much! ️ I think starting out on Instagram is a great idea!

Doing the simple tutorials has unearthed some topics that I think are hard to explain through Instagram, and so I've also thought about doing a YouTube channel to explain those things more deeply. Especially the posts that have a lot of questions or interest. I feel like if you start on Instagram you'll eventually figure out what kind of content to make for YouTube and you'll have a following to direct over there as well.

I also like that Instagram is a lot less time intensive to create the content for, and you need less equipment (like nice nights or camera) to provide high quality content.

I'm excited to see what you end up doing ️

Phil Cullen

I say do it! You probably will never actually feel ready, so just go for it. I'd defo watch. I'd say you will find plenty of people who would love your content. I just saw your process vid on instagram and was delighted you shared your process.

I'm looking forward to subscribing to your channel

xin li

@NessIllustration I think you are really really good at giving informative tips and advice. I say go for it.

eriberart

I think you should go for it! I would subscribe I am always looking for more illustrators on youtube who focus on the journey and freelance side of being an illustrator rather than being an 'art youtuber' who does challenges etc (though it's fine to do that too! I just like to see a mixture). I think it's interesting watching someone grow as an illustrator so I don't think you need to wait till you feel like you are more qualified.

I think it would be a good idea to make a list of all the sorts of videos you want to do, maybe film and edit a few before publishing them. Then you can decide how often you want to post and already you have a backlog of videos so you don't get too stressed in the beginning to meet that deadline

I love the idea of making Youtubes videos and recording and sharing my journey in that way, but I am definitely too shy and feel like I don't have anything valuable to say! I also wouldn't like to be on camera and don't like hearing my voice/accent on camera haha! An old friend from university recently started making illustration videos and I love watching hers

Jason Bowen

Do it, its good fun. You can make a regular income on youtube too... think you need a certain amout of subs to monetise now though.

NessIllustration

@carlianne That sounds SO smart! Use Instagram to get ideas, questions, and viewers! Wow, now I'm pumped. Thanks so much!

@eriberart That's a really great idea, preparing a backlog so it's not too overwhelming at first I love that, thank you! I definitely also shy about showing myself on camera and letting people hear my accent, but I want to get over that ^^''

Thank you so much @Phil-Cullen @xin-li @Jason-Bowen for your encouragement!

Athenahoros P

I would like to have youtube channel