YouTube! RSS, Shorts, and how three teenage pals got 1.4 million subscribers
If it weren't for YouTube, only Hollywood tycoons and big advertisers would be able to publish videos. There would be no creator economy. Mr. Beast would just be the guy checking you in at Planet Fitness.
Thankfully, we don't have to live in that world. YouTube exists and everybody has a free, easy way to publish videos—to a potential audience of billions.
But getting even a few of those billions to actually watch your videos—that's the hard part. There are of course some tricks. Some hacks. Some best practices, as they say in business school (probably).
In this newsletter we've got a wealth of news, wisdom, and info about YouTube. Down below, you'll find our primer on YouTube Shorts, and an insightful interview with some YouTube megastars. But first, some very big news for podcasters.
Last week YouTube announced you could now publish there via RSS. So now you can send your audio-only podcast to YouTube the same way you do to Spotify and Apple—sort of. There are a bunch of quirks and limitations.
Our Ashley Hamer dove in and figured it all out as soon as the news broke. Her resulting article explains what YouTube did, how it works, who should use it, and who shouldn't. If you're a podcaster, or want to be, you should read this.
Also helpful, maybe
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The long and the short of YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts aren't new at all, and we have no news about them. But we do have a guide to understanding and making them, and if you're not already doing that, you should be. YouTube is clearly pushing these videos on viewers—they don't acknowledge that, but if you post Shorts versions of longer videos, you'll see for yourself. Plus, it's just so obvious why short-form content is popular; you should be experimenting with it for promotion at the very least. Here's our Shorts primer.
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How Answer in Progress made it—big
Answer in Progress is the epitome of creator economy success. Three high-school pals start a YouTube channel, next thing you know they've got 1.42 million subscribers and all sorts of sponsorships and other income. Note that "next thing you know" means 12 years—that longevity alone is impressive. For our How They Made It series, the trio told us about about why they started, how they built a massive audience, and how they pushed through the we-give-up times. Here's their story.
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Create mastery, live
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AI-ify your workflow
In the last few months Descript released a series of new AI Actions—tools that can help you shave time off your workflow, eliminate tedium, bolster your creativity, lose the weight you gained over the holidays, and finally become the person you've always aspired to be. But how to work these modest new tools into your creative process? Let AI-action heroes Christiana and Gabe show you how, on January 23. Register here
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Remote recording 101
While we and seemingly everybody have been busy slinging new AI tools, what hasn't changed is the basic skillset you need to make a really great podcast or video show. And for most everybody, remote recording is a core part of that skillset. Come learn how to make fast, reliable recordings, with hosts and guests anywhere and everywhere, using SquadCast and Descript. Join Arielle and Zach on January 30. Register here
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