All the Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My YouTube Channel

Jade Beason, one of the most successful YouTubers today, turned her passion into a thriving six-figure business within months of uploading her first video. With eight years of marketing experience under her belt, she’s a pro at navigating the ups and downs of YouTube. Here’s what Jade wishes she knew before starting her channel—expert advice from someone who’s been there and done that.

1. Starting a YouTube Channel Is Not as Hard as You Think

One of the biggest things Jade wishes someone had told her was how easy it can be to start a YouTube channel. She spent months sitting on the idea, making no progress until her husband, on a whim, decided to try it himself. Within 24 hours, he had filmed, edited, and uploaded his first video using nothing but an iPhone 12.

Many aspiring creators think they need fancy cameras or prior experience speaking on camera, but Jade learned the hard way that none of that matters at the start. She was worried about what people would think, but soon realized that most people are too busy with their own lives to judge. One of her favorite quotes sums it up: “You’d worry less about what they thought if you realized how little they did.”

The takeaway? Just start. Use whatever you have on hand and figure out the rest as you go.

2. Don’t Worry About Views in the Beginning

One of the common fears of new creators is, “What if nobody watches my videos?” Jade emphasizes that in the early days, very few people will watch, and that’s actually a good thing. It’s a time for experimentation, getting comfortable on camera, and finding your style. No creator wants their first few, often imperfect, videos to go viral.

Jade explains that there are two types of YouTubers: the ‘nerds’ and the ‘creatives.’ Creatives produce content effortlessly, always brimming with new ideas and trends. On the other hand, nerds are planners—they focus on analytics, schedules, and consistency. Both types can find success on YouTube, but identifying your type early on helps you recognize your strengths and weaknesses.

Creatives often struggle with consistency because they don’t plan or schedule their content, while nerds may lack spontaneity and creativity, getting caught up in the process rather than enjoying it. Knowing your type will help you improve where you’re weakest.

3. Create a Special Link to Boost Subscriptions

One clever tip Jade shares is creating a special link that prompts people to subscribe when they visit your YouTube channel. This little tweak can significantly increase your subscription rate.

Here’s how to do it: take your standard YouTube channel URL and add ?sub_confirmation=1 to the end of it. For example, if your channel URL is https://youtube.com/@mychannel, the link would be https://youtube.com/@mychannel?sub_confirmation=1.

Adding this link to your Instagram bio or other social media profiles can nudge visitors to subscribe, giving your channel a much-needed boost in the early days.

4. It’s Not All About Views

Jade emphasizes that success on YouTube isn’t just about racking up views. She explains that there are two types of subscribers: surface-level subscribers and advocates. Surface-level subscribers watch videos only when the content interests them. Advocates, however, are your most loyal fans—they watch everything you upload, support you, and engage with your content no matter the topic

To nurture advocates, Jade suggests creating unique, behind-the-scenes content that may not garner the highest views but will deepen your connection with your most loyal followers. While mainstream topics like social media marketing can draw high views, it’s the personal content that builds community.

To cater to both groups, consider creating two separate channels or introducing channel memberships with exclusive content. Your advocates are the ones who will like your videos before even watching them, and they are the lifeblood of any successful YouTube channel.

5. Hack Your Watch Hours

Jade shares a simple strategy to boost your watch hours: create highly targeted videos and send them directly to viewers who are likely to watch them. Engaging with your audience through comments and sharing links to your other videos can drive up your watch hours significantly.

This approach isn’t easy, and Jade admits it’s not something you need to do all the time, but it’s an effective way to give your watch hours a little push, especially when you’re just starting.

6. Quality Over Quantity as You Grow

When you’re new, it’s tempting to churn out as much content as possible, but Jade advises that your content strategy should evolve over time. While quantity may help you learn and grow at first, quality becomes more important as your channel matures. High-quality videos that are thoughtfully produced will resonate better with your audience and keep them coming back.

7. Avoid Scripting Word-for-Word

Scripting videos word-for-word is a common pitfall for new creators. According to Jade, it can make you sound robotic, and the filming process can feel like a chore rather than a creative outlet. If you aren’t trained in reading scripts naturally, it’s best to avoid this approach.

Instead, Jade recommends using bullet points or prompts to guide your videos. If you feel the need to script everything, you might not be familiar enough with your topic—something that can be improved with more practice and research. The goal is to speak naturally and connect authentically with your audience.

8. Learning Never Stops

Lastly, Jade emphasizes that learning is a continuous process on YouTube. The platform is constantly evolving, and so should you. Staying curious, seeking new strategies, and being willing to adapt are key to long-term success. Whether it’s keeping up with the latest algorithm changes or refining your on-camera presence, the learning journey never truly ends.

Jade Beason’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to start a YouTube channel or take their content creation journey to the next level. Her candid advice is a reminder that success doesn’t come overnight, but with persistence, a willingness to learn, and a bit of creativity, anyone can turn their YouTube channel into a thriving business.

Here’s is a link to Jade’s recommend YouTube Template for Business. It’s free to download and it contains 125 free YouTube templates for your business, completely customizable to help you create the perfect YouTube channel.