The NEW Way to Win On YouTube in 2026

Name: The NEW Way to Win On YouTube in 2026
Uploaded: 2025-11-28T13:30:45.000Z
Duration: 2 h 20 s

Why You Should Go All In on YouTube This Year

Overcoming Frustration as a Creator

Many entrepreneurs and creators experience frustration when their content doesn't gain traction. Persistence is key; consistent posting can lead to unexpected success, as illustrated by a personal anecdote of a video skyrocketing from 60 views to over 900,000.

The Journey to Brand Deals

The speaker shares that their first brand deal was achieved through audience growth, highlighting the rapid transition from struggling financially to gaining significant recognition in the industry.

In the initial 18 months of their show, they accumulated about 30,000 downloads, which dramatically increased to nearly 12 million downloads over the next two years.

The Importance of YouTube

Callum Johnson emphasizes that YouTube is considered "the golden goose" for creators looking to build brands and monetize effectively.

Creators often aspire to master YouTube due to its potential for diverse content formats—shorts, medium-length videos (8-12 minutes), and long-form content like podcasts.

Unique Challenges of Growing on YouTube

Each social media platform presents unique challenges; however, growing an audience on YouTube is particularly difficult because it operates as a permission-based platform.

Unlike platforms like Instagram where content plays automatically, viewers must actively choose to engage with videos on YouTube by clicking thumbnails and titles.

The Power of Video Packaging

Effective packaging of video content significantly impacts viewer engagement. A well-packaged video can outperform poorly packaged ones by an enormous margin in terms of views.

Creators often underestimate the importance of presentation; investing time in creating clickable thumbnails and compelling titles can drastically improve performance metrics.

Gear Guide and YouTube Strategy

The Challenge of YouTube Engagement

Discussion on the importance of video packaging for attracting viewers, emphasizing that simply creating a video isn't enough if it doesn't get clicks.

Acknowledgment that YouTube's consumption behavior is more demanding compared to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, leading to lower engagement rates.

Long-form content on YouTube requires a commitment from viewers, which can be seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for creators.

Commitment to Long-Form Content

The speaker expresses a preference for long videos on their channel, believing this approach fosters viewer commitment from the outset.

Mention of potential opportunities in starting additional channels but emphasizes the current strategy's effectiveness.

Understanding Video Packaging

Introduction to the concept of "packaging" in video creation, which includes titles and thumbnails as essential elements.

Emphasis on human psychology in consuming content; thumbnails grab attention first while titles convert views into clicks.

Importance of Initial Viewer Experience

The first minute of a video is crucial; it must confirm viewer interest or risk losing them immediately after clicking.

Discussion about how expectations set by thumbnails and titles influence viewer retention during the initial moments of watching.

Strategies for Engaging Content Creation

Encouragement for creators to think about audience perspectives when developing content ideas, enhancing relatability and engagement.

Suggestion to create videos that offer value by doing all the work for viewers, making it easy for them to engage with the content.

Understanding the Power of Video Packaging

The Impact of Time and Clarity in Content Creation

The shift in content creation can lead to significant returns, emphasizing the importance of condensing time for viewers.

New creators often focus too much on themselves rather than the viewer's needs, leading to cluttered thumbnails that fail to attract clicks.

Effective thumbnails should be simple, featuring faces and clear text instead of excessive branding or information.

Invitation to a Coaching Experience

A call to action is made for listeners interested in growing their personal brand through a 5-day live coaching experience called the "Content to Cash Challenge."

Participants will gain clarity on online strategies and potential revenue increases, including six or seven figures within a year.

The Evolution of Podcasting Success

The speaker reflects on their podcast journey, noting an increase from 30,000 downloads in the first 18 months to nearly 12 million in subsequent years due to improved packaging and craft.

Personal experiences with ineffective video strategies highlight the learning curve involved in mastering content creation.

Key Elements for Engaging Content

Successful thumbnails are not about aesthetics but about psychological engagement; they should capture attention through human expressions and straightforward messaging.

Thumbnails that convey value clearly tend to perform better than overly artistic designs that do not resonate with viewers.

Learning Through Trial and Error

Initial struggles with podcast episodes led to breakthroughs when focusing on credibility, clarity, and comprehension right from the start.

Emphasizing essence over production value is crucial; effective communication can outweigh high production quality.

Importance of Titles and Thumbnails

The speaker stresses that titles and thumbnails are critical components for attracting audience interest; early success may not come without mastering these elements first.

The Journey of Growth in Content Creation

The Impact of Timing on Success

The speaker reflects on the idea that rapid success can lead to quick burnout, suggesting that a slower rise allows for better preparation and commitment to one's craft.

They express gratitude for their gradual growth, noting significant changes in their approach to content packaging over time.

Evolution of Content Packaging

Initially, the speaker only considered packaging after uploading videos, focusing on titles and thumbnails at the last minute.

Now, they emphasize planning packaging before even booking guests, indicating a more strategic approach to content creation.

Importance of Packaging in Content Creation

The speaker stresses that creators often neglect packaging as an afterthought; however, effective content requires attention to both substance and presentation.

They argue that successful creators prioritize title and thumbnail development early in the process rather than solely focusing on content.

Strategies for Effective Content Planning

Successful creators understand that starting with a strong title and thumbnail is crucial for engaging audiences effectively.

The speaker highlights the importance of narrowing down topics to allow for deeper exploration in future discussions.

Personal Experience with Breakout Videos

A discussion arises about breakout videos; the speaker shares their personal experience with a video that almost didn't get recorded due to initial struggles.

They describe themselves as "radical" in pursuing their passion, having made significant life changes to focus on creating impactful content.

Consistency and Audience Engagement

The speaker recounts posting weekly videos despite low view counts initially, emphasizing persistence as key to eventual success.

They suggest establishing a consistent posting schedule (e.g., once a week), which helps integrate content into listeners' routines.

Viral Episode Insights

The first viral episode featured entrepreneur Dantes Akram, whose inspiring story resonated widely. This highlights how compelling narratives can drive engagement.

The Importance of Packaging in Content Creation

Initial Planning and Communication Challenges

The speaker recounts a frustrating experience trying to schedule a recording with someone who initially agreed but then went silent, highlighting the unpredictability of collaboration.

After receiving a last-minute message on Monday morning, the speaker scrambled to prepare for the recording while commuting from New Jersey to New York.

Recording Experience and Learning from Wins

The speaker reflects on their initial uncertainty about what constitutes "good" content, noting that they had never experienced a video going viral before.

A key insight is shared: entrepreneurs often learn more from failures than successes, but on platforms like YouTube, wins provide valuable blueprints for future content.

The Shift in Approach to Video Packaging

The speaker discusses a mental shift regarding video packaging, emphasizing the importance of creating multiple thumbnail and title options for each video.

They highlight how this new approach was applied to a specific episode that initially performed poorly.

Impact of Effective Packaging

After changing the video's title and thumbnail late at night, the next morning revealed an explosive increase in views—from around 60 to 2,000 overnight.

By the weekend following this change, views skyrocketed to approximately 10–12 thousand, demonstrating how impactful effective packaging can be.

Long-term Effects of Successful Content Strategy

The episode eventually amassed over 900,000 views due to its improved presentation. This marked a significant turning point for the channel's growth trajectory.

The speaker emphasizes that even great content needs proper packaging; otherwise, it risks being overlooked by potential viewers.

Broader Implications of Presentation in Media

A parallel is drawn between videos and books—no matter how valuable the content is if it's not presented well (cover/title), it may go unnoticed.

There’s an acknowledgment that many high-quality videos exist but fail to reach audiences due to poor packaging decisions made by creators.

Experimentation as a Key Strategy

The speaker encourages experimentation with titles and thumbnails after gaining clarity on effective strategies.

They advocate for testing ideas rather than assuming what will work best—highlighting an experimental mindset as crucial for success in content creation.

Experimentation in Content Creation

Embracing Change and Experimentation

The speaker emphasizes the importance of trying new things when starting with a small audience, suggesting that if previous videos have low views, experimenting is essential.

They advocate for making minor adjustments to existing content, such as changing thumbnails or titles, rather than starting from scratch. This approach allows for testing market reactions without significant risk.

Successful YouTube channels often embrace a mindset of constant experimentation, which includes making small changes that can lead to noticeable improvements in performance.

Analyzing Viewer Engagement

The discussion highlights the significance of analyzing metrics like click-through rates (CTR) to assess the impact of minor tweaks on video performance.

A holistic understanding of the platform is crucial; being both a creator and consumer helps generate fresh ideas and insights into effective content strategies.

Learning from Outliers

The speaker encourages creators to study successful videos within their niche by identifying outliers—videos that perform significantly better than average—and analyzing what made them stand out.

By examining titles, thumbnails, and topics of these outlier videos, creators can gain valuable insights into potential strategies for their own content.

Topic Relevance and Demand

It's important to consider not just the quality of content but also its relevance; sometimes a topic may not resonate due to insufficient demand rather than poor execution.

The speaker distinguishes between different types of topics (e.g., growing an audience vs. making money), noting that certain subjects may attract more interest based on viewer priorities.

Case Study: Successful Content Strategy

Daniel Priestley is mentioned as an example; despite initially underutilizing his personal brand on YouTube, he created a highly successful video titled "The $1 Million Landing Page Works for Everyone," effectively demonstrating his product while engaging viewers.

This case illustrates how aligning content with viewer interests and presenting it compellingly can lead to substantial engagement and success.

Understanding Content Presentation in Business

The Importance of Framing Offers

Creators often become too attached to artistic presentation, which can hinder effective communication with customers.

Entrepreneurs must ensure their offers are framed and packaged in a way that resonates with potential buyers, rather than simply presenting the facts.

Successful Content Strategies

The example of Simon Squib illustrates how innovative content titles can significantly increase engagement; his video on business knowledge gained millions of views due to its compelling title.

Titles that promise valuable insights (e.g., "36 years of business knowledge in 56 minutes") attract more viewers compared to generic titles like "10 business secrets."

Repurposing Successful Content

Creators should not shy away from reusing successful content formats; slight remixes can yield continued interest and engagement.

A case study shows a creator posting the same reel multiple times, achieving millions of views each time, highlighting the effectiveness of repetition.

Misconceptions About Audience Exposure

There is a common misconception that all potential viewers have already seen previous content; however, this is rarely true.

Posting frequently serves as a broad outreach strategy for businesses, allowing new audiences to discover existing content.

Building Media Companies vs. Traditional Business Models

Different Approaches to Business Growth

The speaker contrasts building a media company with using platforms like podcasts primarily for business growth; both methods are valid but serve different purposes.

Intent Behind Entrepreneurship

Understanding one's core intent is crucial for entrepreneurs; it's not just about increasing numbers but fulfilling deeper goals and passions.

Passion for Crafting Conversations

The speaker emphasizes their love for conversation and connection as the driving force behind their work, beyond financial motivations.

Competitive Spirit in Media Creation

A competitive nature fuels the desire to improve and reach higher levels within the media landscape while maintaining value for viewers through advertising and sponsorship alignment.

Understanding the Balance Between Art and Entrepreneurship

The Creator vs. Entrepreneur Mindset

The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity in their work, prioritizing artistic expression over commercial opportunities.

They reject offers that compromise their vision, indicating a commitment to high-quality content creation.

A distinction is made between traditional entrepreneurs and "creator entrepreneurs," highlighting the personal and artistic nature of modern content creation.

The speaker compares different artists in rap, illustrating varying approaches to artistry and branding, from Rick Ross's legacy-building to Chance the Rapper's focus on purity in art.

They discuss the difference between artists (who create for personal satisfaction) and creators (who aim for audience engagement), positioning themselves closer to the creator side.

Journey to Brand Deals

The speaker reflects on their initial naivety regarding brand deals, expecting companies to reach out after gaining views on videos.

They recount early successes with viral videos but faced challenges in securing brand partnerships despite significant viewership.

Frustration led them to take proactive steps towards securing brand deals rather than waiting for opportunities to arise.

Their first major brand deal involved a product they genuinely used, showcasing an authentic approach by creating an ad read without prior outreach.

Honesty with their audience was key; they expressed a desire for sponsorship while sharing how they personally benefited from the product.

How to Secure Your First Brand Deal

Engaging the Audience for Sponsorship

The speaker expresses excitement about having a brand as a sponsor and encourages viewers to comment the brand's name, which leads to significant audience engagement.

After gathering comments, the speaker reaches out to the marketing manager of the brand with evidence of audience interest, resulting in securing their first sponsorship deal.

Strategies for Creators

The discussion highlights that creators can monetize their content through personal products or affiliate marketing, emphasizing accessibility for anyone interested in sponsorship.

The importance of crafting authentic ad reads is discussed; if there were a financial exchange beforehand, it could negatively impact the quality and authenticity of the promotion.

Involving Your Audience

The speaker emphasizes how involving the audience in the journey can create buzz and demonstrate their support for creators, enhancing community engagement.

Reflecting on early creator experiences, there's an acknowledgment that many focus too much on achieving viral success rather than appreciating the growth journey alongside their audience.

Building Relationships with Brands

The narrative illustrates how audience involvement led to securing brand deals and positions this experience as part of a larger story shared between creators and viewers.

A mindset shift is suggested: instead of waiting for opportunities from brands, creators should proactively prove their value to make it easier for brands to say yes.

Team Dynamics in Content Creation

The speaker shares insights on building a team early in their YouTube career, stating they only edited one episode themselves before hiring help.

Emphasizing collaboration, it's noted that no one succeeds alone on platforms like YouTube; adding team members can significantly enhance productivity and creativity.

Consistency Over Time

There's frustration expressed over common advice about consistency; however, it's acknowledged as essential. Finding ways to maintain consistency is crucial for long-term success.

Personal experiences reveal that editing was challenging without prior skills. Delegating tasks allowed more focus on content creation rather than technical difficulties.

Embracing Growth Through Challenges

The conversation reflects on how personal development throughout the creative process is vital. Rapid success may not yield beneficial outcomes compared to gradual growth.

A motivational message is conveyed: persistence will lead to eventual success. Creators are encouraged not to lose hope during challenging times as breakthroughs often come unexpectedly.

The Journey to Longevity in Content Creation

The Importance of Persistence and Learning

The speaker reflects on the lengthy process of learning and experiencing challenges, emphasizing that this journey is crucial for creating lasting success.

They highlight that enduring hardships leads to gratitude when success finally arrives, reinforcing the idea that time invested in growth pays off.

A breakdown of financial progress over three years is requested, indicating a desire to understand the economic aspects of content creation.

Financial Progress Over Time

In the first year, no revenue was generated as the focus was primarily on audio content rather than YouTube; expenses exceeded income.

By the second year, significant growth occurred with earnings around $80,000-$90,000 as the channel began gaining traction.

The speaker's previous job salary was $97,000 per year; they express nostalgia about leaving it for entrepreneurship.

Growth and Unexpected Success

In their third year, projected earnings are just under $300,000; this highlights rapid financial growth compared to earlier years.

The speaker discusses how many people fail to see the long-term potential during initial struggles but emphasizes that consistent effort can lead to exponential growth.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Initially doubting they would triple their salary within two years after quitting their job shows a common entrepreneurial uncertainty regarding future success.

They compare early business struggles to pushing a boulder uphill—difficult at first but potentially leading to rapid progress once momentum builds.

Conclusion and Gratitude

The conversation concludes with expressions of appreciation for shared experiences and insights into personal growth through challenges faced in entrepreneurship.