Why I Quit YouTube After 63 Videos (And Why You’ll Thank Me Later)
First hear my story about hubris—and how it cost me 63 hours of my life.
Two years ago, I dove into YouTube like a kid hyped on caffeine. I bought ring lights, scripted intros, and edited 63 videos about “tech gadgets.” My reward? 3 subscribers (two of whom were my friends) and a crushing realization: YouTube is a grindhouse for beginners.
Then I discovered social media (Instagram Reels and tiktok). I posted a 12-second clip titled “3 Projector Mistakes You’re Making (Guaranteed)”—zero editing, zero script. It hit 50k views in 3 days. A week later, I hit 10k followers.
The lesson? YouTube isn’t the only game in town. Today, I’ll show you why Instagram Reels and TikTok are 10x better for beginners—and give you a free content calendar to grow fast.
Platform Showdown: Instagram Reels vs. TikTok vs. YouTube Shorts
Forget what the “gurus” say. Let’s dissect the cold, hard data:
1. YouTube Shorts: The Burnout Machine
Pros
Monetization (If You Survive the Grind)
Yes, YouTube offers ad revenue for Shorts—but only after you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past year. Here’s the reality:
- 92% of creators never reach this threshold (source: TubeFilter).
- Even if you do, payouts are meager: 0.010.03 per view (vs. 35 RPM for blogs).
Example: A creator with 100k Shorts views might earn 30/month—barely coffee money.
Cons
Saturation: 72 Million Channels Fighting for Scraps
YouTube has 72 million active channels, with 500 hours of video uploaded every minute. Standing out requires:
- Hollywood-level editing: Jump cuts, trending sounds, and custom thumbnails.
- Daily uploads: YouTube’s algorithm rewards consistency, not quality.
Case Study: My “Best Budget Projector” Short took 6 hours to edit (lighting, transitions, SEO tags). Result? 14 views and a bruised ego.
Editing Nightmare: 10 Hours/Week for 15 Seconds of Fame
- Time Sink: A 15-second Short often requires:
- Scripting (1 hour).
- Filming (2 hours).
- Editing (3 hours).
- SEO optimization (1 hour).
- ROI: Most Shorts die after 72 hours, buried by newer content.
Zero Traffic: The Algorithm’s Cold Shoulder
YouTube prioritizes established channels. New creators face:
- Shadowbanning: Limited reach until you “prove” your worth.
- No Discovery: Shorts don’t appear in regular search results.
Verdict: YouTube Shorts demand blockbuster effort for indie returns. Save it for Year 2.
2. Instagram Reels: The Silent Growth Hack
Pros
Built-In Audience: 2.4 Billion Users (But Less Saturated)
- Reels Advantage: Only 22% of Instagram users post Reels (vs. 80% on TikTok).
- Engaged Demographics: 63% of users log in daily (source: Statista), with peak activity from 7–9 PM local time.
Link in Bio: Your Traffic Goldmine
- Direct Traffic: Use tools like Linktree to link your blog, products, or lead magnets.
- Case Study: @PlantKillerRehab grew 10k followers by driving Reels viewers to a free “Plant Rescue Checklist”.
- Funnel: Reel → “Link in bio” → Email opt-in → Affiliate offers.
- Result: 1,200 email subscribers → $3k in affiliate sales (plant pots, grow lights).
Aesthetic Flexibility: Brand Beyond Reels
- Carousels: Share tips (e.g., “5 Signs Your Plant is Dying”).
- Stories: Polls, Q&A, and behind-the-scenes to boost engagement.
- Guides: Curate evergreen content (e.g., “Beginner’s Plant Care Hub”).
Cons
- Algorithm Shifts: Instagram frequently tweaks Reels’ reach (stay agile).
- Content Variety Needed: Reels alone won’t cut it—mix carousels and Stories.
Verdict: Instagram Reels = Beginner-Friendly Growth with built-in monetization paths.
3. TikTok: The Viral Lottery Ticket
Pros
For You Page (FYP) Magic: 55% Daily Engagement
- Zero Followers Needed: My “Projector Fail” video (showing a rain-soaked disaster) hit 200k views with 92 followers.
- Viral Mechanics: TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes watch time and shares over followers.
Zero Gatekeeping: Creativity > Clout
- No Perfect Aesthetics: Raw, relatable content wins (e.g., “Day 1 vs. Day 30 of Plant Parenthood”).
- Trend Jacking: Use trending sounds (e.g., “Oh No” meme) for instant relevance.
Cons
Link Limitations: No Clickable URLs Until 1k Followers
- Workaround: Use “Link in bio” comments or promote your Instagram (where links are allowed).
Trend Obsession: Content Expires Faster Than Milk
- Example: The “Silent Disco” trend dominated March 2024—and vanished by April.
- Fix: Evergreen hooks like “5 Timeless Hacks for…” balance trends + longevity.
Verdict: TikTok = Quick Wins for traffic, but build your email list ASAP.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Shorts: Avoid unless you have a team or 20 hours/week to burn.
- Instagram Reels: Best for brand-building and traffic conversion.
- TikTok: Ideal for virality and audience testing.
Your Homework: The 30-Minute Social Sprint
- Pick One Platform: Instagram or TikTok (don’t overcomplicate it).
- Create Your Profile:
- Username: Match your blog (e.g., @BudgetProjectorZone).
- Bio: “Teaching normies to host epic backyard movies 🎥 | Free setup guide ↓”
- Link: Use Linktree to link your blog + freebies.
- Post Your First Reel/Short:
- Script: “Myth: Projectors can’t handle rain. Fact: [Show waterproof projector in action].”
- Tools: Use CapCut (free) to add text overlays + trending audio.
FAQs: Your Social Media Fears, Busted
Q: “How much time does this take?”
A: 2 hours/week (batch-create content on Sundays).
Q: “What if I hate being on camera?”
A: Use screen recordings (e.g., “5 SEO hacks”) or text-overlay videos.
Q: “Which platform pays fastest?”
A: Instagram (brand deals) > TikTok (Creativity Fund) > YouTube (months of grinding).
Tomorrow’s Teaser: The Viral Blog Post Blueprint
“Day 8: How I Wrote a Blog Post That Got 50k Views in 30 Days”
- Sneak Peek: Steal my headline formula (“X Ways to Y Without Z”) + subheading hacks.
- Freebie: My Viral Blog Post Template (tested on 100+ posts).
CTA: “Want to write posts that go viral? Hit ‘Save’—tomorrow’s guide is your golden ticket, and if you are new here then must read this blog”