I could ask a deep question for response engagement but I know I'll get more comments if I just say drop your favorite emoji below.. so let's hella do that. Mine is 😲

I love how the intro starts with the you talking about ADHD really got me hooked into the video

I wish I had this video back when I was starting. I was so mad because I had great content but wasn't getting any attention. 1k was mission impossible. I was lucky when I found out I can boost my channel with initial subs just enough to start getting noticed. I got myself first couple of hundred subs for very low price (personally used fame ster). After that my main channel gain a ton of organic traffic.

Point #5 hit me like a semi-truck. I loved IT and it was my main hobby. Ever since I was knee-high to a duck, I was buried in computers. Building them. Playing them. Everything in between. Now? Slowly starting to hate it. Why? I pivoted into IT as a career due to life events halting my science career goal. I monetised my IT hobby by making it my job/career. Holy fucking shit Harris, this was such an eye opener and made me realise the source of all my negativity over the past 2-3 months. Thank you. Seriously. Thank you.

"You don't see the struggle in these KZfaqrs, because you usually don't find them until they're finished with the struggle." That is a line right there, my friend. Too often we compare our start points to others established points. Like for me, I see KZfaqrs' edits on their community page or Twitter and think how are they doing these things while looking at my very basic edit. Thing is, they put in the time and resources to learn and practice before these videos and I'm here trying to do what they did from the very beginning in my journey. And I'm finding out, that simply does not work. You have to put in the time.

Gotta say dude, this was one of the better videos I've seen overall recently. General ideas, explicitly food for thought, nothing as a criticism and did a good job feeling personal (as if I was hearing from a coach). Good stuff

These are definitely some of the most unique takes I’ve heard in a while. And you know what? They actually feel genuine. Thanks Harris!

A some tips I have discovered myself to get the ball rolling. 1/ Create relevant content that has a long shelf live, If people find your content a week/month/year from now.. Is it going to be relevant? 2/ Consider about starting by making a Series. I am starting by making series content, 1 episode a week, videos that are to the point give people what they want. Not biting off more then I can chew. And ending the series with a finale to round up the series. Then moving onto the next series. 3/ Find a thumbnail that works for you, then use that as a recognisable 'style' that looks similar to your other thumbnails. If somebody watches your video or likes it, they will recognise it in the suggested feed and that impression is more likely to stick. Result/ If people find 1 of the episodes, they are told early in the video that it is a series and can find the other episodes on the channel. Meaning people who find the channel and like the content are encouraged to go find more in the channel playlists. Meaning that someone just catching one of your videos is introduced to multiple pieces of content. And people interested in the series are more likely to tune in for the next episode. Hope this helps others. 👍

Thanks Harris, I'm still at the beginning too and I'm trying to improve a bit regularly, but the hardest part is really: finding new video ideas. Could you make a video about it?

The last one is so important. For me, I've worked in music for around a decade now. And though there are certain aspects of fun to it still, in general it now no longer is. I can't watch music videos or go to shows without looking at it from a business perspective anymore and it is hurtful once you realize it. Make sure you keep something to yourself! Happy creating everyone! And thanks for these videos. 🎉

Work with something you are passionate and never like anything else in your life :)

0:22 Magic (works until you forget to take it and then you're doomed)

Number 5 was one of the best tips I’ve ever heard. Good stuff! Needed to hear it!

The most real intro ever!!!! Until I was medicated for adhd, I thought everyone got distracted by everything.

Glad you were able to get help, btw! It really is a game changer when you realize what you thought was normal *wasn't* normal. Blew my whole dang mind.

The thing about turning every hobby into a job hits hard. The thing is, we don't know which hobby job will generate any kind of success and we all want one of them to be our main career.

I've decided to make my "passion" YT channel recently (not this one) and I am currently working on my first video. I am doing 3 things that I think will bring people in. 1. Work on story telling - Aka what ever I make, i got to have a goal. and tell the story of how it goes, do i fail, what do i do to try to make it work and so on 2. Focus on Quality over Quantity - I love to try to push the videos out fast, but I prefer to make this out of love and passion, and even learn more about edit over time! 3. Use my ideas of random things and make content about it - here's basically how i get interested in random stuff and make content of what I learn or do in my way. (this is basically often what people say, woaw i never tyhought of that or that was random, my springle of random personality habbit xD)

#5 is great advice. I learned this with coaching football. I played in both high school and college and thought I would love coaching. I did but it just became so much. After 5 years I no longer wanted to watch football and just needed a break from all things football. Its been a few years and I still haven't regained my love for it that I once had. It kinda sucks but I think that love might grow back over time.

Just wanted to say I’ve been watching you since I first started streaming 2 years ago and have grown and learned so much from you and how authentic you are. Thank you. I’m now officially a full time content creator and a ton of that is thanks to your help and guidance! 🙌 getting that silver play button delivered this week!

4:02 it took me about 4 years to find success on youtube! it’s not easy!! to expand on your point, i think you need a balance on quality vs quantity. consistency is most important so if you are tempted to spend an extra week(s) making a video absolutely perfect, don’t. it’ll drive you crazy and you’ll lose steam/motivation all together before your channel has even gotten the chance to pop off. favor consistency instead but still making sure the quality and good structure of the video is there! done is better than perfect esp. at the start (depending on your genre etc)

The last point is definitely a call out, and honestly can be put in many scenarios! I run a small business and find that everything I draw I have to monetise … so I’m trying to have some personal projects which I don’t share and just keep to myself too, which I think definitely helps :) I’m still working on making content for KZfaq relating to my art and characters and glad I stumbled upon this, such a useful video! Will need to try that diagram sometime :) thank you for sharing this video with us!

Late diagnosis ASD and ADHD here as well, I see you Harris 🤟. On the subject of "Niche". I think the whole niche down idea scares people because they think it's putting them in a box. If one has two separate niches that they want to create content in, and have the time to do both, just have two channels. That's what I do, and it's much less stressful. It's also cool because if one of the channels "goes off" down the road, I can do a "BIG REVEAL" about the secret project I've had going behind the scenes. Cheers to you for always pitching the reality rather than the "dream". We definitely need you in this space and I'm glad you're here.

#1 should be, “Be realistic!” so many people start thinking about the possibilities without any free time to do the one thing that has to be done. Making content. While I understand how much time is required my spouse has unrealistic expectations. 30 min once a week is what I’m allowed to use for creating daily long form videos. And she still says the content I make will allow her to retire which is unrealistic given the time I’m given.

Talking about fabulous hair, that’s litteraly the reason I found your channel. I saw some of your tweets pop up on my feed regularly and I was like « Who’s this dude with a slick haircut » and the rest is history (back when you had your dual lighting profile picture, in your previous house iirc)

Thanks for advice! I'm cutting/cropping Twitch footage of my first youtube video right now. so I wanted a groundwork for where to start. I watched 3 of your videos, and now I feel more prepared to do so. :3

+1 for Harris getting back into guitar 🤘 I know those early alpha gaming days were a huge grind for you, brother. And there was probably a ton of frustration and doubt. But I have very fond memories of watching your streams and videos back then. Keep crushing it, my friend

I love that you started the video immediately with your ADHD diagnosis! My boyfriend just got diagnosed as well and I immediately saw him less depressed and more able to do all the things he wants to do after getting professional help

That last one is sooo important. Great tip, not just for a social media career but just life in general.

I've missed these kind of videos so much, thanks Harris 😍

What a great video Jake, thank you. Still trying to figure out my niche, but we'll get there. Your videos are so helpful and that last tip really hit home. Crazy how things get ruined when money (the thing everyone chases) gets involved. Keep up the great work

I really appreciate this video. While you are echoing things others have said for years, it also shows how true and important those things are. The neat thing about quantity over quality is the quality gets better the more you do it, so it'll naturally improve over time. The niche down is my hardest point. I've got 5 niches I'm playing in and it's very difficult to keep up with everything. I've spread myself thin trying to throw my eggs out as far as I can, staying away from the one basket thing. in that though many pages suffer due to lack of attention. (that quantity thing) As time goes things will balance out I hope. again,,, thank you for all your efforts in recording and teaching. the content is priceless information, and great entertainment.

Thanks for this video - I found you when I was wanting to grow my gaming channel for World of Warcraft. I noticed after playing the game and recording it and throwing it up on KZfaq - over time i stopped playing all together. I am a fulltime Uber Driver and rather successful in today's Rideshare environment and so now I am building a channel showcasing my daily drives with earnings and tips and tricks on how i am successful in today's gig economy. My goal - is to be as transparent as I can by mentioning my struggles, my success and my earnings.

I love this. I started watching your advice in 2020 about what it takes to being a content creator and in there you stated " you should probably be doing more" and at that time I was just doing twitch. Well since then I've learned how to video edit on filmforth and started uploading content on KZfaq now and there's been little progress with glimpses of boosts here and there. I'm 6 months in on this venture and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Really glad to always get tips with your videos I feel like I'm on the right track every time I decide to challenge myself to do more and follow advice.

Thank you sooo much for these good tips! I enjoy what content I post but I was getting burned out and trying so hard to not make my videos to get monetized. I struggle a lot and you helped me see that just doing something I love and have a passion for, it doesn’t matter how many views, subs, or likes I get as long as I love it! 🥰

As a fresh content creator I must confess that this video really resonated with me. Really valuable core values to hold on to.

Finding out what value your audience is looking for and providing them with that value consistently is the best way I have found to grow my channel. 12k+ subscribers in a little over a year. Could possibly be faster but it works.

Whoa. Thanks for sharing your path! I’ve been working on video creation for about 4 years now, and hearing you say it took a long time…several times takes so much pressure off! I really appreciate someone like you sharing the real-life path you had.

Welcome to the ADHD train. I actually went off medication at a young age cause I didnt want to have to rely on medication, and even if it were to help me nowadays, im always worried cause of the common side effects of it

As a fellow recently diagnosed adult, I felt the same when I started medication. One word of caution: be mindful ❤ just because you CAN now do the things more easily that were hard to start or hard to finish before, that doesn't mean you HAVE to do all the things. Remember to recharge, too.

Another great video from Senpai Gaming! Harris can you talk about: - hashtags (how many and what hashtasg should you use) - video length - is reels still hot? - is SEO hotter than ever on YT? should I use more words in the video description Would love to hear your thoughts on that :)

7:26 I know you said don't quoute me on it... but I am glad to finally hear those hoenst words from someone. ^^' This is exactly what I noticed ever since strting my channel, it is a sad truth but one you should keep in mind nonetheless.

I love you saying to find something you love doing without worrying of monetising it! Respect for that!

I feel like more people need to follow #5. There needs to be separations from your online persona and your private/family life real self. Keep some things to yourself. There's no need to overshare too much.

The comments made sense, specially the last part about keeping something which is not monetized. I have a bit of a strange channel as I only create ONE piece of real content pr year.....yup.....only 1. Tapping into what you stated, I could probably earn a lot more if I wanted....but I don't want it to become a chore/job. So that's why I only create ONE. I want my hobby to stay a hobby, but to earn a little money, so it can fund the hobby...pretty great setup :D

The hobbies to job statement is so true!

I've only watched 12 seconds so far, but Immediately I had to say I can VERY much relate! Got diagnosed in March at age 42, with ADHD (primarily inattentive). Made a whoooole lot of sense for me, and glad I pushed myself to get diagnosed! Meds so far have not been working great (Concerta rather than Adderol), but I knew it'd be a longer term experiment for me. Concerta kinda fucked me up too much and gave be some real bad anxiety a few weeks back to the point of a mental breakdown, which I don't think it's meant to do ;) I've had friends with it that have taken meds that say it's life-changing; I just haven't had that happen yet..

These are all great tips, and you’re so right about passions feeling more like jobs once you start to monetize them. I’ve struggled with finding the balance myself and it can actually be a really bad feeling. Good on you for bringing it up

I got diagnosed and prescribed Vyvanse a few months ago, and my thoughts after a month were the same lol. “How did I get to where I am professionally, with the way I used to do things?!😅” Great video too :)

Your last tip just gave me warm fuzzies about starting my new channel where I definitely found a niche where two of my passions (one a hobby, one my career field) overlap beautifully... and I plan to make NO PLAN to monetize. I want to create just to create. I miss having a creative outlet, so I'm learning editing, learning filming, leaning into streaming content with the express purpose of MAKING content out of it. All things I've never really let myself have time to do since it was always just stream-stream-stream and don't bother with creative content, just get keep subs and paychecks coming. Playing games for fun has been like pulling teeth lately. I'm going to hit the reset button and start over. This time, I'm not going to let other people telling me in a million videos I should monetize-monetize-monetize ruin my fun. That might be right for them, but that's not who I am.

That line about us not knowing the struggle is so real. It's not just on KZfaq. People are going through stuff that post on all social media. We only see what people want us to see and when they have gotten big, you don't see what it took to get there.

You know, I'm so glad you started out with the ADHD thing. I'm in my 40s, and I've honestly been wondering here lately if that was an issue for me. I've found it really hard to focus on projects I am working on or see anything through. Its like my head is so full of different thoughts that I'm pulled in a million different directions, and I drop one thing to work on something else, only to drop that one later. Idk if that is what ADHD is like, but it's really been creeping in the back of my mind.

I’ve been making videos for years now about beating 100 games every year and I like the idea of cutting those huge Playthroughs up into 10 minutes highlight reels. Thanks Harris!

as someone who got followers from one video, or what i think most people think will happen the first time they post, i actually hate it. I was just uploading casually for fun and a video which i think is objectively shit blew up before i really had a plan or a goal ready for me to jump into, now i have what feels like a dead channel where i have subs but get no views, or engagement, or cross platform growth, just one video. and since i do still have followers i feel like i cant post what i want because for the few who do actually care about what they followed for i would just be alienating them, for legal reasons i cant post the content that originally did well, if i make a new channel i wont have the monetization options i have now, etc. it just creates a lot of hassle. i would much rather have 1000 dedicated subs, that i built gradually, over the 155k inactive and meaningless subs i have now.

My ADHD brain hearing Harris 👁👄👁

What a great video! I loved the last point keep something you enjoy un-monetized! I just rebranded my channel from a finance channel to a yard and home diy channel. I hope it works out!

This is some really good advice. I started posting videos back in 2016 and haven't even gotten to 500 subs yet. KZfaq is really frustrating at times so this advice helped. The only thing I'll say is I've always been on the fence at niching down. Cause just me as a person I can't stay with 1 thing for too long or eventually I'll get bored of it. Plus my worry is that people will only follow me for that niche and not me, so when I decided to change things up, they'll all leave. Plus I have no idea what to choose for my niche

Adderall is not how "normal" people think. ADAD traits and tendencies can be managed by healthy habits. Medication can help get you on the right path. But is not a long term ideal solution for your health. Always speak to multiple doctors. Good luck.

I appreciate this. I have ADHD as well. I honestly still struggle with meds. I have been doing KZfaq for about 3 years, and have just this past year seen the most success. Knowing that even after your early success. You still struggling was an eye opener for me. So thank you.

I love being a musician/guitarist. I get pay checks for it, but I don't really love it any less. what I do find however, is the enthusiasm at having to constantly re-represent myself. that's why I'm finding live streaming harder, and moving towards creating better youtube videos. Kind of like the Beatles ideology at the end of their touring days, "let the album tour the world..."

Been doing KZfaq for 1.5 years now and I really appreciate you sharing your journey. Helps me to want to keep going.

"Let some hobbies just be hobbies" This one hit pretty hard

So, Harris’s videos from back in 2019 taught me to make a youtube channel to help my overall exposure. Before that time I never thought to make a youtube channel and was only streaming! Now I have over 4k subs and 2mil views in total. I really appreciate that advice Harris gave back then and now. KZfaq is a Marathon not a sprint FOR SURE. Thanks for the video Harris!

yes! thank you. im already following a lot of this so its super nice to have the confirmation im on the right path :) ty for making these.

I appreciate this video ! This is someone just starting their content creation journey this year and these are questions I have thought about , and some I now can move forward thinking about. Regardless, I am excited to grow and learn new skills.

I got diagnosed over a year ago. I felt like I fought with one arm behind my back my whole life! Best wishes going forward

The 4 circle Venn Diagram and the 4th one of those points to find something that you can do a lot of, hit me real hard

so, i've been thinking about this because i always wanted to make... content, but i struggle with the motivation and like the... technical side of it because i dont have great equipment. my laptop is from 2015 and it cant run premiere for shit, but your approach to the venn diagram, the ikkigai -meaning of life as japanese call it- is refreshing and down to earth. thanks man!

hey man this video was really good on an emotional level for me, been regularly posting on youtube and feeling a bit lost at times but this has given me a kick up the backside thanks

That "don't stream all your hobbies" bit made me chuckle cause sometimes people suggest I play games on stream and I'm like "no... I like games too much"

Love these tips! I especially love the one about not monetizing every hobby. That is huge!

Patience is key and rightfully #1 IMO... in a world where everyone WANTS what they want FAST - I told myself NOT to push it and keep going on a steady pace so I don't burn out fast. 2 years later - 1200 subs - and steady growing at about 20 to 40 more a month. Can't complain...! I learned most if not all my content creation tips and tricks from this very channel. And these tips are right on the money.

Great video as always. All tips that never hurt to hear anew as we tend to hang on to them for a limited time and then forget. Cheers!

The last tip... underrated advice!

Great video!! I am starting dance classes tomorrow with the mindset of not wanting to monetize it in any way and also allowing myself to suck at it and just have fun lol

“Quantity has a quality all its own” - good quote, hard to attribute, but I think about it all the time!

OMG! The beginning 🤣 I thought the same thing when I was first put on Ritalin for my ADHD (late twenties). It felt very odd. 😅 I can definitely say #2 worked for me. I niched down until I had around 5,000 subs and then I started expanding on what I was doing a bit (still related to my original niche). Now that I have over 10,000 subs I feel a bit safer to expand every further (still related to my original niche).

One of the reasons why I enjoy your videos and respect your perspective and input on topics regarding the content creation sphere, if that fact that you've had the extreme up and down and experienced the long grind. It's relatable, its hopeful. The 4 circle vendigram points was a very interesting advice. It's nice to come back to that chart with every video idea. That way you don't end up spending time on something that may not help you in the long run. Side note, congrats on the diagnosis. As someone with ADHD myself, I'd love to see a video from you one day on how you feel your ADHD helped or hindered your content creation career. I think it may be really help to other neurodivergent creators starting out.

So I have a question for the comments section and Senpai Gaming as well, regarding tip #4: I post dnd, anime/story analysis, travel (occasionally), and want to incorporate gaming vids as an in between to my video essay formatted videos that take longer. Do you think including gaming content (which doesn't do as well as my other content) would end up hurting my channel overall? Or is there enough overlap between anime fans, dnd fans, and people who play video games that it wouldn't dilute the channel.

Harris, real talk dude. I hope the diagnosis didn't derail you and the family. Something like, regardless of it's outcome, is a big deal. Yeah, maybe leading the video with that wasn't the more right way to start but at least you understand and if folks stay then they're true fans of your work. Thank you for the video and thank you for the content thus far. You've brought great knowledge and enjoyment to my YT consumption over the last 4 yrs and can't wait to see what's next.

Thanks will try that especially the not giving up part !

I remember when I first got prescribed Concerta for my ADHD and I was like WOAH!! Is this really how normal people think? I felt so productive!

Also been recently diagnosed with ADHD! Would love to see a video talking about your experience with it. I am not on any medication yet though due to a previous heart condition and waiting to find out if it's gonna mess me up lol

hey harris! would love to hear your opinion on this, related to tip #3: im starting a new channel right now... should i upload one video to start, or multiple right away? i thought it might be good for someone who enjoys one video to have at least one other video to check out immediately and deepen their relationship to my channel, instead of seeing a blank channel page. but i also dont want to kill the growth of each individual vid. love your channel, have learned so much - thanks for everything you do!

One of the best videos I've watched for kickstarting my old channel, thanks for the good information!

I have my 4, and I saw immediate success. I pushed myself too hard after that success and burnt myself out. I'm easing back into it, and it's so exciting.

Man Harris I can say every time I listen to your Advice, I find myself having to backup and really think about everything I do on here. So many times I get discourage or overwhelm with the content that 1. As you said we find people when they have been through their struggles and 2. Being smart with our time. Thanks for always looking out for us❤

I just want to hug this man. Thanks for all the help you've been providing

Great advice especially the part about not monetizing everything

I'm about 4 months into the journey you called out at the beginning... it gets even better

Nice video, To all the new youtubers out there! Keep pushing and never give up, you can do it!!

This is great advice, thanks! Good luck to everyone else trying to grow their channels 🙏👌

Hi Harris - I'm following you now for a while.. what is it.. like 2 years. Back then all I had was a vision.. close to 2 year later I have gained experience and polished some hard skills and started a brand new gaming channel approx a year back that is sitting atm on 1,1k subs. I can second every single word of your video and what I love on top of the information you share is that you do it with style. The "nice hair" comment was almost crossing the line - but hey you are Harris and that's part of you. As you said, have something for what people come back. It's like a dentist.. if you find the right one you don't want to look for another. Back to the video- I feel like doing all you say but again.. as you said I had to go through it. Now I'm in the "be patient" phase. 1k, 10k, 100k I see such lovely comments wishing me more and more success and visibility that makes me thing that people are obsessed with "THAT" number. Sure, I'd but happy to get a silver button but at the same time I'm not chasing it. I create videos with my best knowledge and nice quality... and I hope that will be enough.

"find something you enjoy.. and just enjoy it.." - that is one good reminder there.. thank you for this video.. .

I like the 3 things to ask yourself that you mentioned: 1. What are you good at? 2. Do you love to do it? 3. Can you make videos about it forever? These 3 things really intersect like the checks and balances, if one is untrue then the others will suffer.

for god sake, I really enjoy watching your videos and learning a lot not only in hardware media, introspection is also a thing in this channel.

I think the one that hit the most was "let some hobbies be hobbies" I'm a gamer and also a guitarist. I wanted to play guitar and play games on my channel and it's just not working. So after watching this, guitar is gunna be my hobby and gaming is gunna be my content. Thank you for the awesome advice!

Very nice tips man. Especially the hobby thing!

It is life changing. Just check your blood pressure daily. I developed wide pulse pressure which lead to debilitating migraines. I switched to Vyvanse, and it has helped my focus (which improves productivity). The emotional regulation is incredible for me. It’s not a perfect fix, but the improvement is incredible and it helps me feel less nerfed…it’s my CD buff.

Great video!!!! Love the journey you have been on and are open to sharing.

That last one is HUGE! Since I've been making content, I struggled to find something I can enjoy, without having to record or stream it. That hobby is building Gundam model kits. I haven't built a lot of them, yet, but it is a thing that I can spend a few hours on, without having to think about content creation.