I spent 12 or 13 years posting on my youTube channel and have made every single mistake you mentioned along the way. When I started out there were no channels about how to have a successful youtube channel and I was definitely a slow learner. I did end up with some success (200,000+ subscribers and the top viewed video for how to sew a memory bear) but got burned out creating weekly sewing tutorials. Hoping to eventually restart with a homesteading channel because I do a lot of interesting things that I think others could learn from. But I want to make my videos intentional and not just post to be posting. Anyway, I really appreciate your channel and the reminders of the things I have learned over the years, but may have forgotten.
Thanks Witney! It's good to see a big TH-camr here in the comments. Good luck moving forward with a new channel.....and I totally agree...It's best to be intentional and not have to post just to post
Dave, for a new-small channel like mine, the info you are sharing here is absolutely the most helpful source I’ve found. Your new channel and your main channel videos deliver, every time! We really appreciate you!
I think with your case, Mr dave, along with all these proper suggestions, your voice, appearance and presentation that anyone can build something if they just take the project on, is like a warm familiar blanket of encouragement without any irritation. And your acoustic stylings in the background, for me, just take it to another level. Many viewers might not realize its effect, but the music is huge, and bc it’s your own music that makes it even more special. Add to all of this that you make content interesting for so many people who just wish they could build their own cabin, even though most probably never will, and you’ve got the perfect combination for success. You’re a likable dude who everyone would want as a friend. Not downgrading the other important factors, but all around your channel is just so well done.
As a You Tube user only, I have to agree. The picture or thumbnail catches me first and the title is the hook that draws me in. But there is another thing: viewer loyalty. When you hit a nerve and your channel is appealing to a certain base, those people will keep following you, if you keep delivering what they like. Don't be afraid to be consistent.
Dave, I've been a big fan of your videos for yeeeeeears. (Mick & Brooke too.) You & Brooke have raised a fine son BTW. I can't thank you enough for what you bring to the YT platform. I've just launched my first video on Christmas Day. So far it's done very well. But I want you to know that the comfort I take from watching THIS VIDEO is that I am doing things right. However, I do need to apply my creative ideas better towards my thumbnail. So I thank you for pointing that out. I'm very pleased with the titles of the videos. (All 31 scheduled) I like how you don't use bells and whistles as well as clutter and distractions in order to draw viewers to your channel. You just simply sit in front of a camera and be yourself. I've modeled my channel after this and I thank you for being such a great example setter. I hope and pray the best for you and yours. Have a Blessed, Safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Michael Bennett.
P.S. I am also applying lessons from this comment section in order to know how to properly appeal to the audience I want to attract. So THANK YOU to all the commenters below too.
Great information, Dave!!! Thank you for that. I've been focusing on shorts because they're simple and direct. I have actually been second-guessing myself lately, but I think I will continue with them now. You are appreciated!!!
Again Dave, you're throwing out so many valuable nuggets( if folks just listen ). Love your simplified approach and focusing on the couple of things that are actually important( I need reminded a lot ).
Hey Dave, I discovered your channel Bushradical a couple of months ago and I've loved all of the content you put out. I have taken a lot of inspiration from your voice overs and the way you film. I have had an undperforming channel for 4 years and by watching these videos you've posted here I've realised all the mistakes I've made. So I've overhauled all of my titles and thumbnails and have taken on board the thought's you've provided on the best shots and editing practices. 2025 is going to be a good one! Thanks a lot, from South Africa.
Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the advice time to start paying more attention to the thumbs and title I’ve had some videos do really well and I’ve had some videos tank. One comes to mind. It is so cluttered and so little views really do appreciate your videos and your advice. Thanks.
You have verbalized many of my unrealized frustrations with youtube episodes - long intros, title not indicative of subject, not staying on subject, and shorts that result in subscriptions, but then I have no idea why. Thanks
Dave, I am 81 years old and have no plans of ever having my own youtube channel but I sure enjoy all your content and am so excited about the changes you are making on that abandoned cabin that you and Brooke bought. It is already looking good. Happy New Year to you and your whole family and God Bless ❤❤❤
Dave, I appreciate your time and effort on this channel to try and help those who are just beginning and those who have spent some time trying to grow. I have a good friend Nathan Elliot with a channel “Out of the Woods”, and we talk about your success quite often. My son, daughter and I have a small channel called “Smoky Mountain Outpost.” We are homesteading and our content is centered on this subject. Approaching our sixth year with around 600 videos and what you are saying is true. We are still trying to figure out what we are missing to help move forward. We thank you for reminding us about the basics. We will watch this again. Good information here for anyone who is creating with intent to grow. Dave thanks for your knowledge on the subject, your time and may you have a blessed New Year. Smoky Mountain Outpost Richard, Patrick, Jennifer
As a viewer, I believe one thing I look for, is the host believable, is he likable. That’s what first drew me to your other channel, you exude those qualities. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info Dave, I myself is facing burn-out on a lot of channels I watch. Misconception clickbait is what call it, half true/half false its just waste of my time. Way too much talk is another. if someone has an agenda, stick with it, don't constantly change it. If someone sets a plan in place, don't drag it out over a year. This is just some, I could go on, but. Have a great day!
I am guilty as charged. I've been adding "headlines" on the thumbnail. After looking at them again, they weren't even close to what the video was really about. I went back and found what I thought was a good image from the video and cleaned many of my video thumbs. I've got more to do, but your explanations were clear, concise and complete. Every time I watch your content, I learn so much more. Thanks for the help and looking forward to your next ones.
What you say makes a lot of sense. Subject, title and thumbnail. It seems easy but actually is very hard. It’s basically trying to come up with fresh content and show it in an entertaining way. That’s not easy. TH-cam has been flooded with subject matter covering all kinds of things. We’re not at the ground floor of TH-cam creation anymore and newbie’s will have a very hard time. But I keep trying. I don’t quit easily. Good stuff Dave. God bless.
I'd like to push back on your CTR and analytics misconception. I think there's some very valuable conversation to be had here. I think we agree that the algorithm, if perfect, wants your videos to have the highest views possible. If the algorithm shows your thumbnail to 9k people and 0 click on it there is an understandable issue (I get that 0 in this analogy is extreme, but extremes and limits are great in math/algorithms to understand input to output). There could be a number of issues, or combination of issues, but there is an issue none the less. If the algorithm is optimized, it must consider many things when determining who gets the next impression (There are many more obviously, but these are in the top 5 highest weighted at least): - Channel niche and viewer history - Video tags and transcript scanning - AVD and mid-roll adds (hot topic here!) If you are getting low CTR/view count it means you are feeding the algorithm unclear instructions. Your inputs to the algorithm are not matching your expected output. There is a fairly large market for just about any genre on youtube. Getting 100 to 1k views on a video means the creator or channel has an input problem that is fixable. Some are quick fixes, others can be a much longer and effortful adjustment. I'd love to chat more about this with anyone who's interested.
Guilty of overlooking the thumbnail and title on my small channel. Thanks for drilling down on those points……I’m going to look at all my videos and make some changes! Oh, and you are correct with you HAVE to have quality content!
Thanks Dave, very helpful. I own a wood flooring shop and want to explain a bunch of misunderstood parts of the industry. As you talk I'm picturing thumbnails and titles!
@ I no I’m asking a lot would you advertise my channel, you could talk about it on your channel and i could talk about your channel on mine, I no your wife do that , it helps both channels.
Sorry but I can't do that. Once in a while I'll mention a channel I know pretty well but I dont do the "sub for sub" or "mention for mention". It's just bad policy. And I dont have any experience with your channel I just checked it while running through comments....you do have a nice looking cabin.
Great advice! My channel is not a blue-collar channel so "project" pictures don't always relate to my channel (sometimes they do - so I'll experiment with no-words thumbs based on your advice for those). But I've noticed my thumbs with my face are doing better for me than without but an over-exaggerated facial expression that was so popular a couple of years ago don't do that well and I hate doing them so I've pretty much stopped with those. I admit my thumbs are often an after-thought and I've scoured my videos looking for just the right facial expression that I can work with. The thing that's been working for me recently is my face with a natural expression that I may or may not have posed for, and 1 short sentence in big letters. If I can't get it in big letters then it's too long. I try to make that sentence have some intrigue of some sort or just a simple descriptive statement. I have noticed that when my thumbs are too cluttered they don't do well. And some of my videos just aren't going to do great and I'm OK with that. Sometimes I just want to make the video I feel led to make and I don't care if it's a popular topic. In fact I NEVER chase popular video topics that others in my niche are doing. I will however double down on a topic that's doing well for me or one that some of my subs have requested.
Your videos look like they are largely "discussion based". So use all the lettering you want. On a project based video I like no letters......for example , If I build a shed....the thumbnail would be better served with a simple, clear picture and wont improve with words. But if you are discussing ideas....words might help a lot
Thanks, Dave. I appreciate ALL your videos. They have been encouraging for my channel and motivation for what I can do on my property. I stumbled on your videos, trying to encourage myself that I could do a standpoint well a couple of years ago. I have been following you since.
Thankyou dave, Im newer to youtube, I remember seeing your other channel while back. This channel came across my feed.. 😎You always have been a true person with helpful tips and information.
Thanks a lot for all the information you learn as you go and I was putting too much videos but at the same time I probably put around three video per week. The last three did pretty good.
I counted...you said thumbnail 236 times. Lol absolutely kidding and you're a fantastic teacher and give crazy wise advice for us aspiring or green horns! Thank you Dave!!!
Thanks for this video Dave. Lots of good advice. I think you're spot on regarding the thumbnails, and I for one need to brush up my game in that department. Cheers.
Thank you for another super helpful video! I did take your advice to “move the camera” for my last video. Wow, what a difference. Thank you! Great advice.
I do not watch those video where the person does not know how to film a video in widescreen landscape. I do not watch pinstripe portrait films. yes you may be filming on a phone but it can film in widescreen landscape and be seen on more devices, PC, TV screen as well as phones and tablets. Oh, and thank you for not not playing music during your video, I can understand it better without it, if I wanted music I can play my own.
Enjoying the channel so far, new subscriber here, just started my own channel and having a blast with it. Look forward to watching more, be safe out there.
Hey, Mr Whipple! Thanks for posting :) Hope your Christmas was peaceful and enjoyable ... God Bless y'all :) P.S. My next homework assignment ... Study the newer Bushradical thumbnails:) I got SO much from watching the primitive skills channel you recommended! Later :)
I wish I had started a channel a few years ago found myself without a home living in a camper building my own home for cash with no previous experience other than tagging along on building and remodeling projects as a kid. I learned so much about camper living in northern Michigan and building a pretty cool very small house. Missed opportunity
I wouldn't say that is a missed opportunity. I would say you have a really interesting story to tell about a "missed opportunity" and give updates on what and how that story looks today.
Maybe you are correct about uploading, IDK. As a viewer, I know the content providers I like and know when they upload and "tune in" then. Important I believe. Agree about short intros....Greetings and Go.
It's great advice. One of your last points on thumbnails and talking head videos is where I'm sticking. I'm trying to keep it authentic and I cringe at all these thumbnails with the creators face set in a really faked pose. But I really enjoyed your video and it's making me think. I'm trying to get out into the countryside more. So might try including that to make it interesting because I really struggle to think of an image to cover some of the topics. Thanks again for the videos
Wow! I don't have a YT channel, but I certainly watch a lot. I had no idea what grabbed me & what didn't. I went to my favorite YT'ers and clicked on their most popular videos & I'll be darned, I found in 99%, the no words, good picture & short, sweet clear descriptive title were the common denominators. If they use words, they are small and pretty subtle obviously wanting the words to take the backseat and NO intro. I'd like to see how they'd do if they took the words out of their thumbnail.
Color of your puffy coat and your nice background was a perfect choice to emphasize a talking head. But that’s why we’re here to listen and hopefully learn something. Thanks for sharing, Full stop.
Looking at your thumbnails I would say to be very careful with red letters......if you squint your eyes a little they disappear. Red on a dark background is hard to read also. Thanks for the comments
One thing that I've noticed some channels doing, even larger channels, is they'll change their thumbnail and/or title a few hours after releasing the video. Or sometimes it's the next day. Are they doin A-B tests, or are they trying to fool me into watching the video again?
Interesting and cogent points. Even though I don't make videos. I write. And everything you've said here applies to written documents as much as it does to video. Good stuff!
Thx again. Appreciate your knowledge. I had a video coming out later today...I immediately changed the Thumbnail. 😊 Hope it helps. You know, we're not looking for this YT channel to make us a living...we just need it to support us a little bit. It's turning out to be an expensive hobby.
LOL, it can be expensive. One thing to always keep in mind is to make sure the video you're filming has a high ceiling of potential viewers before you invest much in making the video
Everything you say I did on my off grid styled youtube Channel in the beginning and never got anywhere couple hundred veiwss per video and a few subs, once I started honing down especially the thumbnail and title but also editing style I would like to think I succeeded, I am at 3.4k subs now and gaining by the day anywhere from 20-50 on a normal day with quite a few thousand veiws per video. The best being 106k veiws now and gaining and usualy 5k-20k a video. It's a big learning curve coming from as you say a blue collar back ground, I did not even know how to turn a computer on and hated cameras when I started.
@davewhipplevideo Off Grid and Unorganized All the previous videos I was talking about have been removed though as we moved mid summer and that property was no longer ours so we felt it would be best for security to remove so thers nothing but this summers stuff going forward.
You might want to try some voiceover. What your doing in your videos could benefit from some story telling ion the background. I watched your biggest video and you had some nice shots
Just a thought on popular content, scenario: 'a lot of content you see has been uploaded since you created a video on X subject and has out performed your version as a low volume creator'. Not always from established accounts either. While thumbnail and content quality may have some bearing, there is also an element of 'it' factor, you've either got 'it' or not. While many can and do go on to cultivate this as a learned skill, there is always going to be a large volume that miss the mark, or take a lot longer to find the right audience. What I thought was my best thumbnail, bombed, I spent hours getting the image right. To be fair the video was too long. That was the first and only time I did plan the thumbnail first. I've disabled the video, the image will return on a future video.
Hey Jon. To boil it all down, everything I teach on this channel revolves around the idea that TH-cam is a search engine.....it's not social media. So making your videos about something "findable" and "useful" with the most clarity will always be the best practice. One of my favorite channels is also from the UK...it's called "Delboy's Garage" and it's a motorcycle repair channel....Del gets the clearest shots and walks you through a repair like your favorite teacher from school.......it's a winning formula. So I try to steer people away from clutter and confusion towards clarity and I believe every channel type can benefit from that approach. With or without the "it" factor.
@@davewhipplevideo Very familiar with Delboys Garage, very envious of his rather smart garage too! I don't disagree with your comment, I've just spent an hour or so recreating several thumbnails and titles - immediately after watching it... I have another channel that has several 'evergreen' videos that just keep going and I'm getting great community comments on. Had though, at the time of creating them, I'd been better at presenting / production they would be doing even better. It's as much part of the package, is all I was saying.
I Have to Disagree with many of your points here Dave, When Vlogging and attempting to gain an audience or attention many of the tactics you say don't work, I would say are more of things YOU just don't like, rather than a video killer. When Sharing Ones life in a video, rather than a How To video I would say it takes those TN popping tactics to catch peoples attention and it helps, along with the title to let the viewer know what they might see in this video. If words on TNs didn't work you Wouldn't see Thousands of Videos with millions of Views on them when using this method. It is true though that most of these words on TNs do provoke a bit of Drama or get the viewer questioning what the youtuber may be talking about in the Video......It's a Hook In my opinion. I get sucked in all the time this way when Browsing myself, LOL.
Hey Jay, Like i said, my top videos have no words in the TN. So my experience has been that it is best not to use words......and let me add this.......a LOT of the time I see words in a light color on a light background and cant even be read easily. Or fine print on a busy background. To me it's just clutter. Always do the "squint test" squint your eyes and see if the words vanish, see if you can read them.....if not then they are not helping. And you know vlogging is not my thing so I cant comment on best practices.....but clear thumbnails are my thing and I do believe in them.
I have a question. 🙋🏻♀️ Which category on TH-cam do you have selected for videos with cabin builds? The categories are so vague. Should it be DIY, people and blogs, or something else? Loving this channel!
Thanks Dave, I was feeling depressed cause I was watching all the talking heads out there and just couldn't relate to them though they were talking about the same things you are. What's the difference? Blue collar vs. white collar presentation. I love watching bushradical too.
Thanks.....I get what you mean, there are a LOT of people out there teaching the TH-cam platform and how to make better videos...But most of them are referring to making talking head style content , not how to video, or videos with lots of shots and detail.
You're right, I like 'cheapaudioman' and he has a stupid intro which I endure and wish he would stop it. But 'Nikki Delventhal' I enjoy her intro and I look forward to her new videos at Friday 9am.
Thanks for the video Dave that’s gonna give me something to think about and maybe making some changes myself but I do have a question. What do you mean when you say subject isn’t the subject in the title? I’m confused.
I often wonder why you don't do more product links? 'DIY Solar Power With Will Prowse', is a great channel with many product links and he has gone from little money to owning many houses and cars, etc. 'Ambition Strikes' is the same thing.
It amazes me how many TH-cam videos contain thumbnails that aren't even included or related to what's in the video. They will use borrowed wrapping to lure viewers to open an empty box. And once a viewer discovers it's empty, the creator just lost his credibility, which is very hard to regain. I agree that the thumbnail and title are the keys to clicks, but credible creators don't use fake wrapping and labels to disguise an empty box. Once we unwrap it, we're asking where's the beef. And the prime beef is in places like Bush Radical.
I cannot stand that fancy schmancy intro to a person's videos. I will often just go somewhere else. I just don't think all that stuff is needed and it bothers me when I can't just skip it
@@davewhipplevideo I just looked, I think all do ok, all from your advice. I have 82.5% from TH-cam recommending my content. cant ask for more than that. Thanks you ✌❤
@ haha I’m glad you found the humor in that comment. Truthfully I have been watching you for years. I love this new content. Maybe do some guitar videos? Might be fun!
Yup. ALL my best videos are photo only. And I didn't plan it that way....I just got to a point where big yellow letters looked corny to me and I quit using them......looking back I see ALL my best stuff is the stuff with no letters
I can't stand intros and I can't stand a set phrase when ending a video. No mindless repetition is best. No "good night and good luck" stuff. I can't stand when people do an intro to the topic at hand, such as "I'll get right into it". Don't tell me. Just get right into it.
I guess I’m just a misanthrope but, it seems really annoying and tedious trying to do everything “just right” to win over people’s 5 second (exaggeration with sarcasm) attention span. It’s like you’re in a competition for views, so you can make your $. That just doesn’t seem like an enjoyable game to me. I still don’t get how we as a society have become so impatient and inattentive.
The point is to ALWAYS make the best video you can make for the viewer.....if you want to waste their time then youtube is not for you. People pay for your content with their time........it's your job to deliver a good video. So, if you don't respect "quality" and doing your best for the viewer, you really don't get it.
I think the best practice is to always strive for the absolute best viewing experience for the viewer....and the better you do the more people will appreciate your work and the better you'll do as a creator....it's a win -win
I can't stand when channels use click bait and the thumbnail makes no sense as to what the video is about!! Keep up the great work Dave. 👍
I spent 12 or 13 years posting on my youTube channel and have made every single mistake you mentioned along the way. When I started out there were no channels about how to have a successful youtube channel and I was definitely a slow learner. I did end up with some success (200,000+ subscribers and the top viewed video for how to sew a memory bear) but got burned out creating weekly sewing tutorials. Hoping to eventually restart with a homesteading channel because I do a lot of interesting things that I think others could learn from. But I want to make my videos intentional and not just post to be posting. Anyway, I really appreciate your channel and the reminders of the things I have learned over the years, but may have forgotten.
Thanks Witney! It's good to see a big TH-camr here in the comments. Good luck moving forward with a new channel.....and I totally agree...It's best to be intentional and not have to post just to post
Dave, for a new-small channel like mine, the info you are sharing here is absolutely the most helpful source I’ve found. Your new channel and your main channel videos deliver, every time! We really appreciate you!
I think with your case, Mr dave, along with all these proper suggestions, your voice, appearance and presentation that anyone can build something if they just take the project on, is like a warm familiar blanket of encouragement without any irritation. And your acoustic stylings in the background, for me, just take it to another level. Many viewers might not realize its effect, but the music is huge, and bc it’s your own music that makes it even more special. Add to all of this that you make content interesting for so many people who just wish they could build their own cabin, even though most probably never will, and you’ve got the perfect combination for success. You’re a likable dude who everyone would want as a friend. Not downgrading the other important factors, but all around your channel is just so well done.
I appreciate the compliment
Cool shout out to the Bairds with the cap. You guys are so blessed to have them and your other Alone buddies.
As a You Tube user only, I have to agree. The picture or thumbnail catches me first and the title is the hook that draws me in. But there is another thing: viewer loyalty. When you hit a nerve and your channel is appealing to a certain base, those people will keep following you, if you keep delivering what they like. Don't be afraid to be consistent.
Dave, I've been a big fan of your videos for yeeeeeears. (Mick & Brooke too.) You & Brooke have raised a fine son BTW. I can't thank you enough for what you bring to the YT platform. I've just launched my first video on Christmas Day. So far it's done very well. But I want you to know that the comfort I take from watching THIS VIDEO is that I am doing things right. However, I do need to apply my creative ideas better towards my thumbnail. So I thank you for pointing that out. I'm very pleased with the titles of the videos. (All 31 scheduled) I like how you don't use bells and whistles as well as clutter and distractions in order to draw viewers to your channel. You just simply sit in front of a camera and be yourself. I've modeled my channel after this and I thank you for being such a great example setter. I hope and pray the best for you and yours. Have a Blessed, Safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Michael Bennett.
P.S. I am also applying lessons from this comment section in order to know how to properly appeal to the audience I want to attract. So THANK YOU to all the commenters below too.
Keep it touch and let me know how things are progressing. Thanks Michael.
Great information, Dave!!! Thank you for that. I've been focusing on shorts because they're simple and direct. I have actually been second-guessing myself lately, but I think I will continue with them now. You are appreciated!!!
Again Dave, you're throwing out so many valuable nuggets( if folks just listen ). Love your simplified approach and focusing on the couple of things that are actually important( I need reminded a lot ).
Hey Dave, I discovered your channel Bushradical a couple of months ago and I've loved all of the content you put out. I have taken a lot of inspiration from your voice overs and the way you film. I have had an undperforming channel for 4 years and by watching these videos you've posted here I've realised all the mistakes I've made. So I've overhauled all of my titles and thumbnails and have taken on board the thought's you've provided on the best shots and editing practices. 2025 is going to be a good one! Thanks a lot, from South Africa.
Great video! Thank you for your honest advice!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for keeping it real, Dave. Also, thank you for taking the time to do these videos with this information!
Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the advice time to start paying more attention to the thumbs and title I’ve had some videos do really well and I’ve had some videos tank. One comes to mind. It is so cluttered and so little views really do appreciate your videos and your advice. Thanks.
You have verbalized many of my unrealized frustrations with youtube episodes - long intros, title not indicative of subject, not staying on subject, and shorts that result in subscriptions, but then I have no idea why. Thanks
Yup, a lot of issues people have getting views are things we all "kinda" know anyway...I'm just putting them into words
I’m gonna take what I’ve learned from you over the past few weeks and apply it to an upcoming video. I’ll report back in a few weeks. Thanks Dave.
Dave, I am 81 years old and have no plans of ever having my own youtube channel but I sure enjoy all your content and am so excited about the changes you are making on that abandoned cabin that you and Brooke bought. It is already looking good.
Happy New Year to you and your whole family and God Bless ❤❤❤
Dave,
I appreciate your time and effort on this channel to try and help those who are just beginning and those who have spent some time trying to grow. I have a good friend Nathan Elliot with a channel “Out of the Woods”, and we talk about your success quite often. My son, daughter and I have a small channel called “Smoky Mountain Outpost.” We are homesteading and our content is centered on this subject. Approaching our sixth year with around 600 videos and what you are saying is true. We are still trying to figure out what we are missing to help move forward. We thank you for reminding us about the basics. We will watch this again. Good information here for anyone who is creating with intent to grow.
Dave thanks for your knowledge on the subject, your time and may you have a blessed New Year.
Smoky Mountain Outpost
Richard, Patrick, Jennifer
Thanks, You too
As a viewer, I believe one thing I look for, is the host believable, is he likable. That’s what first drew me to your other channel, you exude those qualities. Thanks for the info!
Thanks
Thanks for the info Dave, I myself is facing burn-out on a lot of channels I watch. Misconception clickbait is what call it, half true/half false its just waste of my time. Way too much talk is another. if someone has an agenda, stick with it, don't constantly change it. If someone sets a plan in place, don't drag it out over a year. This is just some, I could go on, but. Have a great day!
I am guilty as charged. I've been adding "headlines" on the thumbnail. After looking at them again, they weren't even close to what the video was really about. I went back and found what I thought was a good image from the video and cleaned many of my video thumbs. I've got more to do, but your explanations were clear, concise and complete. Every time I watch your content, I learn so much more. Thanks for the help and looking forward to your next ones.
Thanks, glad it was helpful!
What you say makes a lot of sense. Subject, title and thumbnail. It seems easy but actually is very hard. It’s basically trying to come up with fresh content and show it in an entertaining way. That’s not easy. TH-cam has been flooded with subject matter covering all kinds of things. We’re not at the ground floor of TH-cam creation anymore and newbie’s will have a very hard time. But I keep trying. I don’t quit easily. Good stuff Dave. God bless.
Dave, I appreciate that you would take your time to bring us this information.
I'd like to push back on your CTR and analytics misconception. I think there's some very valuable conversation to be had here.
I think we agree that the algorithm, if perfect, wants your videos to have the highest views possible. If the algorithm shows your thumbnail to 9k people and 0 click on it there is an understandable issue (I get that 0 in this analogy is extreme, but extremes and limits are great in math/algorithms to understand input to output). There could be a number of issues, or combination of issues, but there is an issue none the less. If the algorithm is optimized, it must consider many things when determining who gets the next impression (There are many more obviously, but these are in the top 5 highest weighted at least):
- Channel niche and viewer history
- Video tags and transcript scanning
- AVD and mid-roll adds (hot topic here!)
If you are getting low CTR/view count it means you are feeding the algorithm unclear instructions. Your inputs to the algorithm are not matching your expected output. There is a fairly large market for just about any genre on youtube. Getting 100 to 1k views on a video means the creator or channel has an input problem that is fixable. Some are quick fixes, others can be a much longer and effortful adjustment.
I'd love to chat more about this with anyone who's interested.
Another good video Dave. Thanx for your efforts.
Guilty of overlooking the thumbnail and title on my small channel. Thanks for drilling down on those points……I’m going to look at all my videos and make some changes! Oh, and you are correct with you HAVE to have quality content!
thanks
Thanks Dave, very helpful. I own a wood flooring shop and want to explain a bunch of misunderstood parts of the industry. As you talk I'm picturing thumbnails and titles!
Right now, I’m pretty happy the way it’s going. It’s kind of funny how people love woodstove
Nice cabin by the way.
@ I no I’m asking a lot would you advertise my channel, you could talk about it on your channel and i could talk about your channel on mine, I no your wife do that , it helps both channels.
Sorry but I can't do that. Once in a while I'll mention a channel I know pretty well but I dont do the "sub for sub" or "mention for mention". It's just bad policy. And I dont have any experience with your channel I just checked it while running through comments....you do have a nice looking cabin.
@@davewhipplevideo thanks for replying ,all is great, just love your channel, keep on working hard
Great advice! My channel is not a blue-collar channel so "project" pictures don't always relate to my channel (sometimes they do - so I'll experiment with no-words thumbs based on your advice for those). But I've noticed my thumbs with my face are doing better for me than without but an over-exaggerated facial expression that was so popular a couple of years ago don't do that well and I hate doing them so I've pretty much stopped with those. I admit my thumbs are often an after-thought and I've scoured my videos looking for just the right facial expression that I can work with. The thing that's been working for me recently is my face with a natural expression that I may or may not have posed for, and 1 short sentence in big letters. If I can't get it in big letters then it's too long. I try to make that sentence have some intrigue of some sort or just a simple descriptive statement. I have noticed that when my thumbs are too cluttered they don't do well. And some of my videos just aren't going to do great and I'm OK with that. Sometimes I just want to make the video I feel led to make and I don't care if it's a popular topic. In fact I NEVER chase popular video topics that others in my niche are doing. I will however double down on a topic that's doing well for me or one that some of my subs have requested.
Your videos look like they are largely "discussion based". So use all the lettering you want. On a project based video I like no letters......for example , If I build a shed....the thumbnail would be better served with a simple, clear picture and wont improve with words.
But if you are discussing ideas....words might help a lot
Thanks, Dave. I appreciate ALL your videos. They have been encouraging for my channel and motivation for what I can do on my property. I stumbled on your videos, trying to encourage myself that I could do a standpoint well a couple of years ago. I have been following you since.
Thanks! I appreciate it
Thankyou dave, Im newer to youtube, I remember seeing your other channel while back. This channel came across my feed.. 😎You always have been a true person with helpful tips and information.
Thanks
Hi Dave, you have given good advice and great advice . I am a small channel. I am working hard ....
Thanks a lot for all the information you learn as you go and I was putting too much videos but at the same time I probably put around three video per week. The last three did pretty good.
I counted...you said thumbnail 236 times. Lol absolutely kidding and you're a fantastic teacher and give crazy wise advice for us aspiring or green horns! Thank you Dave!!!
Thank you! I am in my early sixties and just started a TH-cam channel. This is very helpful!
Which videos of yours would you consider “evergreen”? Maybe one of your building a cabin by yourself videos?
I try to make every video a stand alone video. Most of my stuff is evergreen
Thanks for this video Dave. Lots of good advice. I think you're spot on regarding the thumbnails, and I for one need to brush up my game in that department. Cheers.
Hey Thor.... Thanks for the comment. You run a great channel, nice lighting and set. And Amazing playing!!
Man… I feel like you are talking directly to my channel!😮
Thank you for another super helpful video! I did take your advice to “move the camera” for my last video. Wow, what a difference. Thank you! Great advice.
I'm glad it made a difference.
I do not watch those video where the person does not know how to film a video in widescreen landscape. I do not watch pinstripe portrait films. yes you may be filming on a phone but it can film in widescreen landscape and be seen on more devices, PC, TV screen as well as phones and tablets. Oh, and thank you for not not playing music during your video, I can understand it better without it, if I wanted music I can play my own.
My guy! 😊always providing value Dave
Enjoying the channel so far, new subscriber here, just started my own channel and having a blast with it. Look forward to watching more, be safe out there.
Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!
Thanks again Dave! I love going to TH-cam College with you! Going to go remove my wording in my thumbnails! 🤦🏻♀️
I love it that you're filming this video from your little cabin.
Hey, Mr Whipple! Thanks for posting :)
Hope your Christmas was peaceful and enjoyable ... God Bless y'all :) P.S. My next homework assignment ... Study the newer Bushradical thumbnails:) I got SO much from watching the primitive skills channel you recommended! Later :)
I wish I had started a channel a few years ago found myself without a home living in a camper building my own home for cash with no previous experience other than tagging along on building and remodeling projects as a kid. I learned so much about camper living in northern Michigan and building a pretty cool very small house. Missed opportunity
I wouldn't say that is a missed opportunity. I would say you have a really interesting story to tell about a "missed opportunity" and give updates on what and how that story looks today.
Thanks for the tips! I definitely learned a few things.
Glad it was helpful!
Maybe you are correct about uploading, IDK. As a viewer, I know the content providers I like and know when they upload and "tune in" then. Important I believe. Agree about short intros....Greetings and Go.
It's great advice. One of your last points on thumbnails and talking head videos is where I'm sticking. I'm trying to keep it authentic and I cringe at all these thumbnails with the creators face set in a really faked pose. But I really enjoyed your video and it's making me think. I'm trying to get out into the countryside more. So might try including that to make it interesting because I really struggle to think of an image to cover some of the topics.
Thanks again for the videos
Thanks......Thats why I love project based videos and HOW TO content....it makes the thumbnails easy
Thanks Dave! Great video! Might have to try redoing a thumb. A recent release went to about 13k views and basically stopped,
Wow! I don't have a YT channel, but I certainly watch a lot. I had no idea what grabbed me & what didn't. I went to my favorite YT'ers and clicked on their most popular videos & I'll be darned, I found in 99%, the no words, good picture & short, sweet clear descriptive title were the common denominators. If they use words, they are small and pretty subtle obviously wanting the words to take the backseat and NO intro. I'd like to see how they'd do if they took the words out of their thumbnail.
Happy New Year to you and your family! We hope you had a blessed Christmas. Thank you for these tutorials! They help tremendously! God bless.
Thanks again for the great information.
Color of your puffy coat and your nice background was a perfect choice to emphasize a talking head. But that’s why we’re here to listen and hopefully learn something. Thanks for sharing, Full stop.
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Hey Dave you’re a great man. I enjoy watching you and I would like to do something similar one day
These are great videos Dave, Thanks!
I appreciate all the tips Dave ! I have to not focus on my thumb nail as much, Great video !
NO.....you HAVE to focus on your thumbnail. But be simple and clear with it
@@davewhipplevideo I mean I think I maybe put to many words , a bit cluttered :)
Looking at your thumbnails I would say to be very careful with red letters......if you squint your eyes a little they disappear. Red on a dark background is hard to read also. Thanks for the comments
@@davewhipplevideo Thanks Dave :)
A picture is worth a thousand words
They should be 1,000 words that make sense......not 1,000 words of clutter and confusion
Hello What are bad ideas ?
Soooo what you're saying is... thumbnail and title are important ✅ 😂 Jokes...good job Dave. You rock 🤟💪👍❤️
Title and Thumbnail are "marketing 101", you are selling a product... thanks Dave!
You got it!
Thank you for the great advice
Thank You for the good info.
One thing that I've noticed some channels doing, even larger channels, is they'll change their thumbnail and/or title a few hours after releasing the video. Or sometimes it's the next day. Are they doin A-B tests, or are they trying to fool me into watching the video again?
They are probably tweaking the title to dial it in.
You know I hit Subscribe and All. But I only found your video on Suggested videos. I hit the ALL once again. Your video knowledge has helped. Thanks
Interesting and cogent points. Even though I don't make videos. I write. And everything you've said here applies to written documents as much as it does to video. Good stuff!
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Definitely a lot of good information here thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thx again. Appreciate your knowledge. I had a video coming out later today...I immediately changed the Thumbnail. 😊 Hope it helps.
You know, we're not looking for this YT channel to make us a living...we just need it to support us a little bit. It's turning out to be an expensive hobby.
LOL, it can be expensive. One thing to always keep in mind is to make sure the video you're filming has a high ceiling of potential viewers before you invest much in making the video
Everything you say I did on my off grid styled youtube Channel in the beginning and never got anywhere couple hundred veiwss per video and a few subs, once I started honing down especially the thumbnail and title but also editing style I would like to think I succeeded, I am at 3.4k subs now and gaining by the day anywhere from 20-50 on a normal day with quite a few thousand veiws per video. The best being 106k veiws now and gaining and usualy 5k-20k a video. It's a big learning curve coming from as you say a blue collar back ground, I did not even know how to turn a computer on and hated cameras when I started.
whats your channel?
@davewhipplevideo
Off Grid and Unorganized
All the previous videos I was talking about have been removed though as we moved mid summer and that property was no longer ours so we felt it would be best for security to remove so thers nothing but this summers stuff going forward.
You might want to try some voiceover. What your doing in your videos could benefit from some story telling ion the background. I watched your biggest video and you had some nice shots
Just a thought on popular content, scenario: 'a lot of content you see has been uploaded since you created a video on X subject and has out performed your version as a low volume creator'. Not always from established accounts either. While thumbnail and content quality may have some bearing, there is also an element of 'it' factor, you've either got 'it' or not. While many can and do go on to cultivate this as a learned skill, there is always going to be a large volume that miss the mark, or take a lot longer to find the right audience.
What I thought was my best thumbnail, bombed, I spent hours getting the image right. To be fair the video was too long. That was the first and only time I did plan the thumbnail first. I've disabled the video, the image will return on a future video.
Hey Jon. To boil it all down, everything I teach on this channel revolves around the idea that TH-cam is a search engine.....it's not social media. So making your videos about something "findable" and "useful" with the most clarity will always be the best practice.
One of my favorite channels is also from the UK...it's called "Delboy's Garage" and it's a motorcycle repair channel....Del gets the clearest shots and walks you through a repair like your favorite teacher from school.......it's a winning formula.
So I try to steer people away from clutter and confusion towards clarity and I believe every channel type can benefit from that approach. With or without the "it" factor.
@@davewhipplevideo Very familiar with Delboys Garage, very envious of his rather smart garage too!
I don't disagree with your comment, I've just spent an hour or so recreating several thumbnails and titles - immediately after watching it...
I have another channel that has several 'evergreen' videos that just keep going and I'm getting great community comments on. Had though, at the time of creating them, I'd been better at presenting / production they would be doing even better. It's as much part of the package, is all I was saying.
All true, and sadly TH-cam is the biggest instigator of most of these bad ideas.
true
Thanks for the great advice. I'm from Canada ontario. Just started a project building a nice little cabin in the woods
Type andre turcotte cabin build
Hahaha, I am watching at 6 pm on Sunday
Keep all the videos coming
I think a lot of TH-camrs are totally surprised at which of their videos get the most and least amount of views
I Have to Disagree with many of your points here Dave, When Vlogging and attempting to gain an audience or attention many of the tactics you say don't work, I would say are more of things YOU just don't like, rather than a video killer. When Sharing Ones life in a video, rather than a How To video I would say it takes those TN popping tactics to catch peoples attention and it helps, along with the title to let the viewer know what they might see in this video. If words on TNs didn't work you Wouldn't see Thousands of Videos with millions of Views on them when using this method. It is true though that most of these words on TNs do provoke a bit of Drama or get the viewer questioning what the youtuber may be talking about in the Video......It's a Hook In my opinion. I get sucked in all the time this way when Browsing myself, LOL.
Hey Jay, Like i said, my top videos have no words in the TN. So my experience has been that it is best not to use words......and let me add this.......a LOT of the time I see words in a light color on a light background and cant even be read easily. Or fine print on a busy background. To me it's just clutter. Always do the "squint test" squint your eyes and see if the words vanish, see if you can read them.....if not then they are not helping. And you know vlogging is not my thing so I cant comment on best practices.....but clear thumbnails are my thing and I do believe in them.
I have a question. 🙋🏻♀️ Which category on TH-cam do you have selected for videos with cabin builds? The categories are so vague. Should it be DIY, people and blogs, or something else? Loving this channel!
I believe my content is listed as "How To"
@ Thank you!
Thanks Dave, I was feeling depressed cause I was watching all the talking heads out there and just couldn't relate to them though they were talking about the same things you are. What's the difference? Blue collar vs. white collar presentation. I love watching bushradical too.
Thanks.....I get what you mean, there are a LOT of people out there teaching the TH-cam platform and how to make better videos...But most of them are referring to making talking head style content , not how to video, or videos with lots of shots and detail.
I just report data and evidence
This isn't a popularity contest
?
Dave I love you so much. You are the best TH-cam teacher Thank you
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Great info. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Another one 🎯
You're right, I like 'cheapaudioman' and he has a stupid intro which I endure and wish he would stop it. But 'Nikki Delventhal' I enjoy her intro and I look forward to her new videos at Friday 9am.
Thanks for the video Dave that’s gonna give me something to think about and maybe making some changes myself but I do have a question. What do you mean when you say subject isn’t the subject in the title? I’m confused.
I believe you misheard that ......I like a title that says EXACTLY what the video is about.
@ ok thanks
Good stuff
Glad you liked it!
I often wonder why you don't do more product links? 'DIY Solar Power With Will Prowse', is a great channel with many product links and he has gone from little money to owning many houses and cars, etc. 'Ambition Strikes' is the same thing.
It amazes me how many TH-cam videos contain thumbnails that aren't even included or related to what's in the video. They will use borrowed wrapping to lure viewers to open an empty box. And once a viewer discovers it's empty, the creator just lost his credibility, which is very hard to regain. I agree that the thumbnail and title are the keys to clicks, but credible creators don't use fake wrapping and labels to disguise an empty box. Once we unwrap it, we're asking where's the beef. And the prime beef is in places like Bush Radical.
LOL thanks. I love the "where's the beef reference"
I cannot stand that fancy schmancy intro to a person's videos. I will often just go somewhere else. I just don't think all that stuff is needed and it bothers me when I can't just skip it
ME TOO!
Except for Woodness Goodness. He has great intros.
thanks Dave, I think people are finding me through my shorts.
Are they watching your long form content?
@davewhipplevideo yes but many Watching but not subscribing.
@@davewhipplevideo I just looked, I think all do ok, all from your advice. I have 82.5% from TH-cam recommending my content. cant ask for more than that. Thanks you ✌❤
🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
🔥🔥🔥🔥
what are a thumbnail?
the little picture you click on......
First comment for the WIN!!
I notice sometimes you and Brooke will change the title of your video about an hour or so after it goes public does this help reach a larger audience?
I'm always tweaking titles to make them as clear as possible. Fewer words. Better choices of words.
So this guy can build incredible little cabins, he has common sense, AND he has a wonderful voice/camera presence? This fellow is obviously A.I. 😂😂😂
LOL...Thanks
@ haha I’m glad you found the humor in that comment. Truthfully I have been watching you for years. I love this new content. Maybe do some guitar videos? Might be fun!
I would have liked it if you would put up examples of your best thumbnail. Then show same thumbnail with levels of clutter.
Iwill in a future video
I noticed about 6 years ago you stopped using words on your thumbnails. So just a great photo of the subject in the thumbnail?
Yup. ALL my best videos are photo only. And I didn't plan it that way....I just got to a point where big yellow letters looked corny to me and I quit using them......looking back I see ALL my best stuff is the stuff with no letters
Yep! Just a picture. It's less cluttered
@@davewhipplevideo 10 4 thanks.
I can't stand intros and I can't stand a set phrase when ending a video. No mindless repetition is best. No "good night and good luck" stuff. I can't stand when people do an intro to the topic at hand, such as "I'll get right into it". Don't tell me. Just get right into it.
I guess I’m just a misanthrope but, it seems really annoying and tedious trying to do everything “just right” to win over people’s 5 second (exaggeration with sarcasm) attention span. It’s like you’re in a competition for views, so you can make your $. That just doesn’t seem like an enjoyable game to me. I still don’t get how we as a society have become so impatient and inattentive.
The point is to ALWAYS make the best video you can make for the viewer.....if you want to waste their time then youtube is not for you. People pay for your content with their time........it's your job to deliver a good video. So, if you don't respect "quality" and doing your best for the viewer, you really don't get it.
@ yeah I guess I didn’t look at it that way. I wasn’t thinking about it in those terms.
I think the best practice is to always strive for the absolute best viewing experience for the viewer....and the better you do the more people will appreciate your work and the better you'll do as a creator....it's a win -win
Your somnnn