Week 3: Journey to Monetization gave me the "ick"!

Hey everyone! Welcome back to my channel. 🌟 It's week three of my journey towards KZbin monetization, and boy, has it been a rollercoaster! This week, I've faced some real challenges around authenticity and finding my groove with different content formats.
🤔 Feeling Inauthentic: I've been struggling with feeling a bit fake and unsure if I'm truly being myself in my videos. It's tough trying to balance what I think you want to see and staying true to who I am.
📏 Content Format Confusion: Should I focus on shorts or long-format videos? This week, I've been perplexed by which format works best for my channel and resonates with you all. I'll share what I've learned so far and my plan moving forward.
📈 Journey Highlights:
- Reflections on authenticity and my content creation process
- Comparing the performance and engagement of shorts vs. long-format videos
- Your feedback and how it's shaping my content
- Adjustments and strategies for the upcoming weeks
Your support and feedback mean the world to me as I navigate these challenges and grow together. If you've ever felt the same or have any tips, please drop them in the comments! Let's keep this journey real and inspiring.
Join the Content Creator Boost Tribe - Great for individuals trying to grow a channel on youtube. Click here to join: mailchi.mp/689...
Want a free trial of VidIQ: vidiq.com/alex...
1k Subs Free Challenge (with my teacher Sean Cannell)
thinkmedia.sam...
Thank you for watching! I truly appreciate it. Don't forget to subscribe if you want to continue seeing content from me in your feed. Best wishes on your youtube journey! xoxo
*Please note that if you click on any of these links and sign up or purchase anything I may receive a commission.
#KZbinJourney #Monetization #Authenticity #ContentCreation #ShortsVsLongFormat #keepitrealmeals

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Has anyone else been through this or is it just me?

[@eliza_armand]

Oh yes. I guess every KZbin went through this phase. Thanks for sharing.

[@sharonpearson]

I'm going through this while editing my official intro video for my channel. I do feel like an imposter, but I also know that if an 18-year-old can film themselves and post it, so can I. Fake it til you make it, right?

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@sharonpearson Yep, go for it! You've got this!

[@Ty_Myers]

1000% I'm taking my very first steps, and in my initial filming attempts I've felt very off because I'm trying to imitate others. It feels very unnatural and very forced and it just doesn't come off well. Videos like these are awesome to see because it shows that it's possible to film off the cuff in a more unscripted and authentic way. So thank you for making these!

[@brillonleather]

Days to make my recent long video. No subs from it. Whipped up a short to see what happens and gained 3 subscribers that day. I prefer making longs but feel puzzled r/n.

[@asmrscotty]

Just remember, each one of your subscribers is a person behind a screen. They are incredibly important. I'd rather have 10 returning viewers (subscribers or non) vs 1000 one-and-done views. Just keeping rocking the content you enjoy doing, and people will find you! I'm not sure if this helps, but I think there are AI tools you can use to automatically make shorts from longer form content.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for the encouraging advice and that is so true. The comment section of my videos really drives this point home too. Real people are watching and that's what this is all about -helping each other, sharing our wisdom and growing together. Oh I have to research that about AI tools to help make shorts thanks for saying! I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts so thank you for the comment. Sending you good vibes for your channel growth as well! xoxo

[@CouplesConnectPodcast]

Awesome video with great info! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@TuzuuleArt]

Great content. I’m new to KZbin but I feel every pressing the subscription button on this Channel gives wings to and angel❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Wow, thank you! ❤️❤️ wishing you the best!

[@theoriginalshazzle]

Thanks for posting this very honest and authentic video. I believe it's helpful for all of us newbies to know we aren't alone! Keep at it!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, and from what I have learned from posting this video is that this feeling is super common. So yes, we are not alone, you're right. Thank you for commenting and watching. I appreciate it. 🌸

[@slcrooks]

I am inspired by your journey! Recently joined VRA, and studying videos aimed at helping people, especially people retired or making a transition from a long time career. Thank you so much for your channel!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

That is awesome! 👏 I think it’s going to be great!!! ❤️

[@TravelingSammi]

I am on the same journey and I have been feeling the same way. Thanks for sharing this, you are not alone.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Nice to hear and I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your feelings about it as well! 🌸

[@maxaneharris6671]

This was very open and honest. Thanks for sharing.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for saying and for watching! I appreciate it. 🌸

[@michaelhillary6810]

My problem is overthinking and trying to be something as opposed to just focusing and doing what feels right, and learning how to build from there.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Overthinking can stiffle dreams fast, but so does feeling gross. So yes, I think focusing on what feels right and go from there is an excellent tactic for success! 🌻

[@Michael_Ray]

Good luck! I'm feeling like I'm in a similar box. I posted a video recently that went a little bit viral and took me just about halfway to monetization all on its own - but it was a video about how I managed to break away from social media and stop wasting time with mindless KZbin scrolling. So that success inspired me to want to go for monetization, but it also gives me a bit of the ick when I think any new videos I create would just feed someone else's scrolling addiction. I think the way to go is just to be as authentically me as possible and think of this as my art. That won't grow me a big audience any time soon, but it might make genuine connections that I wouldn't feel guilty about.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hi! Yes, I agree authentic is the way to go and I think it's a good point you make about the mindless scrolling. However, I think if you create content that provides value it wouldn't be mindless. Wow you've had some crazy high views on your channel that's awesome and with only 6 videos! Congratulations!!! I love your description too - So it's come to this. awesome

[@FilmCrushinator]

I’m a Gen X designer too and I struggle with this. It’s hard to square our values with this platform I think. When I was trained, they told me to protect my techniques, this idea of sharing your material and taking others takes a minute to get used to.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, it's tough. And I also feel like uniqueness and creativity should stand out and be recognized, instead of seeing the same content over and over again repeated with a different person and same title...but different fields different techniques. :) Finding our way! Nice to meet another fellow designer.

[@Dawnsbookreviews]

I am one of your fans!!🤣 I agree that it doesn't feel right to over-dramatize to attract viewers!! I love the trees in the background!!!❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you! I appreciate the support and comment. Nice to hear you aren't into the DRAMATICS as well. :) Forest is my happy place! Glad you liked the change of scenery. Thank you for the support again!! It keeps me going with this. 😊

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I'm pretty sure those courses have a revolving door of customers. People imagine that they have control over success on KZbin but in reality it is a coin toss. We are just waiters and waitresses working in Hollywood. Success is having fun, if you are having fun you made it.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Exactly, enjoy every moment. ☺

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

and....I try to remember the moments as they are happening @@AlexaSaarenoja tHanks for the videos...tHanks for the comments....Have a super day!

[@MeredithLeigh81]

I know exactly how you feel! I felt the same way when I tried to go in the direction of the make money niche, I’ve taken courses and I had a pretty successful online boutique a few years ago so I thought why not? But I also felt fake, and like it wasn’t me. I say do what you feel led to do! I am enjoying your content and am on this journey with you. I just started your book! I’m currently working through working on past hurts and I’m excited to dive into it more. 😊

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, I think the money-making niche is especially "over the top" with a lot of its content. Wow you're reading my book - I'm honored and grateful. I think you are one of 12 people so far! haha Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you find helpful ways to work through your pain with my book. To be honest, what I share in that book was the tipping point to all of my healing...it was the one thing that was missing from my healing journey, so I truly hope you experience the same thing. Sending you lots of positive energy and thank you for supporting this channel - super happy you are here and it's fun to watch your channel grow as well. xoxo

[@michaelhillary6810]

Good stuff 👍 being honest.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you!

[@CheckPointProfessor]

Great video. Just found you and subscribed. I like your take on things and look forward to hearing more as you figure out all this KZbin stuff.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you! I appreicate the support and I look forward to creating more interesting content for you! Thank you again. Have a great weekend! :)

[@PaulRansonArt]

Hi Alexa - as many others have said - imposter syndrome is very common. Putting yourself in front of the public is without doubt one of the most stressful things you can do. Right up there with public speaking. But like a new pair of shoes that pinch and cause blisters the more you wear them the more comfortable you will become. Soon you'll find your pace and on screen personality. This is why experienced YTbers say 'just get the first 100 videos done and out the way' . Then the shoes will be comfortable. Just keep going and you'll get there - Paul 🥰🥰😃😃😎😎

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hey Paul! Thank you for this excellent analogy! That's exactly it. Maybe I should have bought some used shoes. haha just kidding. That's precisely what I am trying to do. Do the best I can with what I know now and then get through those first videos to reach the other side where I know a bit more. Thanks for the positive encouragement. I got my first negative comment today, so I think I am crossed some youtube threshold in that respect. haha But yes, I appreciate the positive encouragement it really keeps me going. Have a wonderful day Paul and thank you for sharing your name. It's nice to actually address someone directly. xoxo

[@kristannonfire]

Oh gosh I really get what you are saying! I have been in a KZbin funk for the past week (for many of the same reasons you expressed - making content that didn't feel really authentic). I told myself that from now on I am only going to make videos on topics that I like, and potential subscribers will find me eventually. If it takes me a year or more to get monetized, I accept that. Your videos DO add value for sure. I have learned some really good information from you and I enjoy your videos. Your tribe will find you, it just might take a while longer than you thought, or you might make a video that goes viral - you never know. And the really nice thing about KZbin is that your videos could attract viewers weeks or months later. You are just building a strong foundation for the future of your channel. I enjoy every video you make! 😼

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for sharing and I hope you get out of your funk soon. This seems to be a common issue, maybe I should do a video addressing it. I agree I think I would rather make videos that are authentic and take longer to find one's tribe than try to do a quick fix and feel icky about it. Plus if we do the content we don't feel good about we will attract the wrong people anyway...so yea. Authentic is the way to go! Slow and steady wins the race I suppose... Thank you for your continual support. xoxo

[@everydaywayne]

@kristannonfire I clicked on this video after it surfaced on my homepage and what Alexa said aligned with my own thoughts and feelings. Scrolling down and seeing you comment here, I can't help but think YT is somehow channeling the law of attraction and helping small creators build stronger communities.

[@Seatheworldwithkatandmik-jh2xz]

Yes no AI. When you talk from the hart is the way to go. Wow 10 and still light. Great video.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

The land of the midnight sun...haha We spend most of the year in darkness here, so it's a nice change. :)

[@ExtremelyExcellent7]

You got this

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you! I'm trying!

[@everydaywayne]

Wow, I've been on a similar journey this year and I've adopted the mentality that I'll just do my own thing and let YT do it's thing. And wouldn't you know it, YT surfaces this video on my homepage and a lot of what you say in this video resonates deeply with me. Subbed and looking forward to following your journey!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts. Yes, I think I'm back on track, at least for this week, haha. I'm a big fan of the "just do my own thing" concept. I think we can learn from the best but bring our own special sauce to the equation and make it our own. Thank you for the sub and wish you the best on your journey as well. BTW I really like how you are always wearing a black shirt and have the same background in all your videos...or at least the ones I checked out...great for branding. I would recognize you anywhere quickly with that consistency. Smart! 🌻

[@everydaywayne]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Thanks for checking out my channel! I appreciate your kind words. These days I'm really into streamlining the whole process so if I don't have to think or worry about certain production aspects (like background or wardrobe) all the better lol!

[@mlartlife2103]

I have 3 KZbin channels now. I got on KZbin 2 years ago making videos. I have been upping my game and experimenting. Why I have 3 channels is because I felt I had too many interests and topics on my channel. It’s a long story but certain ones did well and that became my niche even though I wanted to talk about other things. So I recently started to go hard on my art channel. And my other channel I have. We’ll see what happens! I know what you mean by feeling inauthentic when you feel you have to conform to things. I felt that when I got “niched” 😂 I like the art channel because it can be faceless to some extent when doing tutorials. It’s a lot of work to have 3 channels but I actually like it because I like to pivot😊

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I love that! Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, but an amazing creative outlet for a multi-passionate person. I have so many different things I want to share and do on youtube as well, but I am forcing myself to focus, then branch out...it is really hard to do, especially for creative folk, such as yourself/myself. HAHA already started another channel but trying to resist posting on it too much. Best of luck with your three channels and how cool you've done a 3d chakra painting! 🌻

[@mlartlife2103]

@@AlexaSaarenoja thank you! Yes it is challenging! It seems that specialized channels seem to do better than a channel that shows all of your facets so to speak. Good luck with your channels!

[@HarlekynoColors]

🏵

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

😀

[@lpr1212]

You’ll find your voice. Walking at 10:00 at night in Finland was very nice.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you. I know it will come eventually, patience is a virtue right? :) It is gorgeous here at night, just need the energy to get out there after a long day with kids. :) Thanks for supporting my channel. 🌻

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

Wow, you're this new? You're doing so well.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for that boost of confidence. I really appreciate it. And thank you for commenting earlier as well and for watching my videos. xoxo

[@anthonyparkinv2]

I feel this quite a lot and it was one of my major self doubt mindset to getting my channel started. Just because you have not put into practice the lessons you have learnt, you are still sharing incredible valuable information. Not just that motivation. I think people, like myself are inspired by creators just like yourself. Keep being you. You come across super genuine and you are great at presenting your knowledge. I'm supporting you!!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for this comment. It's means a lot. It's an interesting predicament to be in...haha. I also feel like I am learning so much and want to share it, but if someone comes to my channel and it says "skyrocket your views with these steps" and I have 5 views... hah I guess it is what it is for now, hopefully in the future it will be different. We all have to start somewhere! Thank you for the support again. 😊🌻

[@DrDianeThompson]

I am on the journey as well and wish you the best of luck. I am no expert on KZbin but I believe authenticity is important. I wouldn't feel credible if I tried teaching something I didn't accomplish myself unless I am clear that I am approaching it from the angle of the reporter/researcher (where I am simply sharing information as I learn it and not from the angle of the expert) or where I am sharing my own journey to accomplishing the goal. I am cheering for you. I am confident you will figure it out.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you and I completely agree, sharing expert advice but not pretending to be the expert is key! OMG you are so close to 500 subs! I just subscribed 499! woop woop. I love your content and it is so useful. Something I am struggling with as a 45-year-old woman, is feeling exhausted after training vs. feeling energized like I used to. I would say it happened sort of suddenly within the past year and it's quite annoying. I don't' know if this gives you any ideas for content, but lack of energy is a big issue for me, not motivation, but feeling energized in my body. But anyway, thank you for sharing your wisdom online. It is a very useful and desired topic! Best of luck lady! xoxo

[@DrDianeThompson]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Thank you! I subscribed to you as well. I am interested in your content as I want to learn what you are teaching. Looking forward to more...

[@DrDianeThompson]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Thank you! I can't find my prior comment, so here goes again. I subscribed to you as well. I want to learn what you are teaching. Looking forward to more...

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@DrDianeThompson Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@tamikajeanmarie]

I'm on this journey with you. My challenge is consistency with posting since I still work full-time. I would love to hear more about our strategy with shorts. I'm having a hard time getting views on my shorts since I get such high views on TikTok with the same videos.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

As soon as a figure out a strategy I will share it with you. haha I've posted three shorts now and so far they get more views than my regular videos. First two were in 400 range this third one is in 100 range. But anyway, yes I will share my strategy once I determine it! That's interesting that your tiktoks get more views...do you have more followers there? I just peeked at your TikTok, maybe it's because of the larger following there...but who knows! I hope the views pick up for you on youtube shorts. 😊 And thank you for watching!

[@tamikajeanmarie]

@@AlexaSaarenoja I'm going to keep trying. 😃

[@eniko8201]

Well done :)

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you!

[@StrudelNoodle]

We are going through it together. Keep it up! You’re holding me accountable! Ty ❤❤❤❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for the positive encouragement and great to hear that I am helping you as well!! 😊🌻

[@ExploreWithStella]

You got this.. I know the feeling about the Journey to Monetization as a new youtuber.. It takes time and patience... Just love what you do and it will all click in..

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for saying. "just love what you do and it will all click in.." great advice and something I will try to remember daily. 🌸

[@sunbreathermusic]

Enjoyed watching this, thank you for sharing

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank YOU for watching and commenting. I appreciate it! 🌸

[@BBenoist]

Just be YOU. This is what will make your channel successful.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you. I'm doing my best! 😊

[@GoodnessinMotion-pg2ur]

Hang in there girl! You will get there, we are all in this together!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you - love the positive energy you're spreading. :)

[@GambillDataEngineering]

I just started a couple weeks ago. Thank you for sharing!! I definitely think being authentic is my takeaway this week too. FYI. Hours from shorts don't count as watch hours. 😢

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, thank you for saying. I knew that, but temporarily forgot it. This yotuube stuff is a lot to get your head around in the beginning! So thank you immensely for point that out. Now I won't forget it! :) xoxo

[@GambillDataEngineering]

@@AlexaSaarenoja :( Sorry for sharing bad news, I just didn't want you to be upset when the hours didn't start migrating to your monetization hours. I really did enjoy the video! Good luck!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@GambillDataEngineering Exactly! Thank you for watching out for me. I appreciate it. xoxo

[@RDiazJimenez]

One stastistic that would be interesting to follow is how long are the long format videos vs the results. Keep it up! you're learning and so we are from you!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hey! I just created a much deeper dive of the stats from week 3 video and uploaded it. I would check that out. I compare all the video formats I've been testing from shorts, short (under 5min), medium length (5-10min) and longer (+10 min)...the findings were interesting! Hope it helps you somehow as well! 🌻

[@user-iv7li3nk2c]

Congrats on your success with Shorts. I don't do shorts as much but if it works for you go for it. BTW this video surfaced on my feed so KZbin is figuring out what your channel is about. I don't know if you're going to stick to the YT topics but I think to alleviate that "ick" is to just be authentic and show your journey. I follow another small creator Nala Wright and she's very low-key, no editing, just sits and chats with you and I love this type of videos and will put her on while I do laundry or tidy up. She mainly talks about the creator business and helping small creators. Good luck and I with this engagement I'm sure your content will grow faster now!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hi! Thank you for writing - I appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your thoughts. For now, I think I will stick with this topic and I totally agree about being authentic to remove the "ick" haha. That sounds like a really nice way to learn actually, like chatting with an old friend. I will try and find her channel and check it out. I'm feeling much better this week about things, so hopefully, I'm on the authentic upswing! BTW I bow down to thee, as a mother of twins. I have always been in complete awe of how mamas of twins do it! Because I imagine they don't like to sleep or eat at the same time...seems like an endless cycle. You are a superwoman! Thanks again for the comment and sharing how you found my content. xoxo

[@user-iv7li3nk2c]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Thanks! I'm enjoying yout content and it's cool you're from Finland. I'm half Danish. Yeah my twins are 11 years old so I've adapted, lol! Three young kids though, that's a lot of ideas, personalities, choices and perseverance! Just watched your latest video on boosts and I'm noticing it (I'm actually mentioned this for an article I'm writing for a client). I hope you enjoy Nala! She's a cool mama.

[@Kaurcreates22]

i relate to this, i am finding it so hard some days and feel its easier to quit but i dont want to im currently at 63 and hoping i can get to 1000 without giving up but its hard seeing all the time and effort put in without seeing the great results 😭

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I hear you! It's tough and it requires committment. I think the problem is we see all these influencers out there that make it look easy, but most of the big ones have spent years buiding up that following. I don't think youtube is a "get rich quick" business by any means, despite many channels stating that. I think it's a slow and steady burn that allows you to eventually live how you want to live, but it takes work and consistency. I just read a great article on this, which I will make a video about this week that states it takes on average about 5 months for one to make their first dollar in the content creative field and that is for someone who is treating it like a full-time job. And about a year to have your revenue exceed your expenses. I think half a year isn't bad, but I am only crossing the month threshold this week! haha So let's see how I feel in a few months. That being said, if you want it, it will work eventually, I believe. Hang in there, you've got this! One thing you could do is edit your description for your page to tell youtube (and viewers) what your channel is about. I see it just says "more about this channel" write now. If you go into your profile icon and then go to "view your page" then under you name it says "customize page" click on that then click on "basic info" tab and fill in the description and use as many keywords as you can that describes the niche you are in. That way youtube will have a better idea of who to push your content out too. If you want a video showing you how to do this I have created one called "optimize keywords fast" here's a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpmWl32wic-orKM Best of luck to you and your future growth! I am rooting for you! Woop woop! You've got this! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it. xoxo

[@lok2603]

Aren Lodge’s channel talks about monetisation, I can’t figure out how she’s reached the requirement so quickly…. But you’re almost there too! I think a real photo thumbnail might be worth trying, for example a snapshot from your walk in the woods in this video. 😊 best of luck!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for the great idea. I really do need to get out there and take photos to have for the thumbnails...been putting that off or it's lower on the list, which doesn't make sense because thumbnails are so important!!! Thank you for the reminder. 😅

[@InvestwithTania]

Hey I love how authentic you are! - also shorts time do not count towards monetization

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Wait what!?! Oh now that I think about it you are right, it's views that count for shorts. Ughh...haha I knew that but forgot it momentarily. You are so right and thanks for the reminder. But, the good thing is shorts are gaining me subscribers faster than my long format content, so hopefully they will watch the longer content as well or I just need to have a short explode and get, you know ,about 2.9 million more views. 😅😂 Thanks Tania for the humbling reminder of where to focus my efforts. xoxo

[@enriching-hobbies]

Very Interesting... last weekend, we made our first 2 Shorts, and they both got to the 440's in views, and then stopped getting views. :-)

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes shorts are a bit of a mystery to me. All of mine get around 400-500 views as well. ❤️

[@enriching-hobbies]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Yeah, this KZbin journey is quite interesting for sure. Congrats on the great growth. We got serious about doing this in February, and the growth has been slow so far, but certainly steady, and seems to be compounding nicely. Still looking for one of these videos to break out though!

[@richardhyatt-beekeeping]

Ok, I'm at 5.15/13,10. Can't let this go. You have Imposter Syndrome. If you are going to be a KZbinr you have to get over it. I've had it for years as a photographer. And, as a KZbinr. But, I said I was not going to let it stop me in September 2023. The best advice I've found from others on this KZbin journey is, Don't quit. And, I had made that my goal in 2023. It may take 3.5 years but, I'm not quitting. It is up to you to choose.

[@labelmeposh]

😂😂 she knows this, she also knows how to get views. I'm going to try this method.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you and yep nothing is stopping me baby! I'm one determined woman. haha. Just gotta find my groove and voice on this platform. Thank you for the encouragement and taking the time to share your thoughts. That's what I truly love about this platform the strong community aspect. So thank you again - keep on keepin' on. 🙌

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

woop! woop!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Numbers are cool but I have never looked up my videos. My thinking is I just need to make better videos. tHanks for the video!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Better videos can't hurt anything...go for it! :)

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

@@AlexaSaarenoja tHanks. The finish product isn't much better but the editing and filming itself is evolving. I just put another video together where I film a clip speaking into the camera without any motion, then begin the actual motion. This gives me sound that isn't a voice over but is later moved over the body of the clip. The trick is....the body of the clip with the motion also has recorded sounds like clanks and bumps and knocks. Knowing this you need to "walk softly" and actually speak slowly or quickly so the editing comes off seamless. It actually works well because I change camera angles. I have a finished video where my voice did muffle for one section. I'm not certain I'll fix that......but that video now sits with a pile of unpublished videos. The next ideas seem to come faster than I can publish. Have a super day!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@Dancing_Alone_wRentals That's progress then! Woop woop!

[@franciscokameko4671]

I thought watch time hours didn’t count towards that 4000 hours for monetization. Did that change?

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Shorts don’t count toward watch time hours no. Sorry for any confusion. 🌸

[@eniko8201]

Alexa are you in Uk or US?

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Neither…Finland 😅

[@GoingGreenMom]

I'm somewhat confused by this. Last I knew, shorts hours still don't count towards monetization. And arguably, shorts are not that popular with your target audience of Gen X.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Shorts don't contribute towards monetization via watch hours but they do for views. Yes, perhaps you are right about the shorts with the older age group, but those things are rapidly changing. Thank you for sharing your view! xoxo

[@GoingGreenMom]

@@AlexaSaarenoja So is your goal to monetize through shorts, or long form? I thought you were aiming for long form, for which views also don't matter? Or do you have a plan to scale the shorts to get the millions of views in 90 days you need for shorts? Or am I completely missing what the plan was for monetizing? Just trying to understandthe strategy. Not sure it was this video, but one of the videos of yours I've watched you were using shorts to learn and quickly repeat editing techniques, and I did that back when shorts were first becoming a thing, and that worked really well from a learning standpoint, but not necessarily fitting into that plan otherwise in my mind I guess. But I was also playing with them before they were getting shoved down our throats as viewers too so my views have definitely changed because they went from fun novelty to can I please have my regular content back please?

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

My journey?....Naah,..Nothing interesting there. I earned 10 subs in two months time......I posted 13 videos and got ten subs. That isn't a journey, that is just me having fun.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Glad you are having fun, that's the most important thing and hello you have almost 1000 subs. That's awesome! Nice to hear from you again. :)

[@KJmotoplus]

I understand what you're saying and a friend at my work has a YT channel like me and we discuss these problems/feelings often. I too pay into a YT growth channel and wonder if I'm wasting my money. I joined that group to learn about the marketing side of YT, to make money from brand deals or something like that but I haven't been able to spend time looking into that because as of this moment, the production of my long form videos has been too time consuming..... Ok, feeling like an imposter? I get that and I'm too old as well. Your home page, banner etc look all super professional, I can see the lessons put to good use. In this video, the Peter Zeihan style of walking in the open country is nice but this is what I've found: people don't know us (yet) and people only watch videos if they can get something out of it for themselves. The video must provide value to your audience. My friend at work makes videos of his road trips and they are about him and they flop. I spend heaps of money and share the results and the growth is slow but the channel is growing, just. Comparing to big channels can be frustrating because some of their stuff I think is pretty poor and I think I can do just as good a job. But can't quite get it there. I hate to say it but I've had success in a few videos by posting the links in my Facebook pages where there's a ready-made market because my interest groups the audience is already there. My tip that I'm trying to achieve? Follow my passion and post one long form a week and use shorts to promote my long form. Just my 2c

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I agree/relate to everything you mentioned and I am definitely on the same boat with the use shorts to promote the long-format content. If it gets people to your channel and they want more they will be in the perfect position for it. And yes, totally must create value otherwise like you said there is no point in watching if someone doesn't know or care about you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's nice to hear how your journey is going and what you are facing as well. OMG your channel is about riding!! I totally just subscribed. I've always been so intimidated by the Hayabusa. It's gorgeous, but I've always stuck to Honda CBR and Kawasaki Ninjas...but so intrigued by it. one day...one day. :)

[@richardhyatt-beekeeping]

@Contentclaire_ity Ok, you two need to get to know each other, your both from Finland and I'm getting you mixed up. That's what happens when you get old.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for sharing her channel! Looks great!

[@richardhyatt-beekeeping]

@@AlexaSaarenoja Oh wait, this is the one I was thinking of being in Finland. @KatjaNordkvist 🙄