Built Online Podcast Episode 88: How to Make $100K/Year on YouTube with Scott Voelker
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Host: Cody McGuffie
Guest: Scott Voelker
Introduction
In Episode 88 of Built Online, host Cody McGuffie delves into the strategies and insights of Scott Voelker, an experienced online entrepreneur who has successfully built a thriving YouTube channel capable of generating $100K per year. The episode provides a comprehensive look into Scott's journey, dissecting his methods for audience building, content creation, and monetization on YouTube.
Guest Background: Scott Voelker's Entrepreneurial Journey
Scott Voelker brings over 17 years of experience in the online business landscape. Throughout his career, Scott has continually pivoted his business strategies to adapt to changing market dynamics. His latest venture, "Live Video School," exemplifies his focus on leveraging YouTube as a primary platform for audience building and revenue generation.
Notable Quote:
"It’s been 17 years until now I'm ready to say, you know what, I think I'm capable of sharing what I've done over the years and using YouTube."
[07:16]
Building a Successful YouTube Channel
Scott's YouTube channel, "Live Video School," achieved an impressive growth of 19,000 subscribers in just nine months. This rapid expansion is attributed to his strategic focus on audience building rather than merely chasing subscribers through traditional methods.
Initial Challenges and Strategic Shifts
Initially, Scott attempted to grow his channel by leveraging his existing email list, which at the time was predominantly composed of Amazon-focused subscribers. This approach yielded minimal subscriber growth, highlighting the importance of aligning audience interests with content niches.
Notable Quote:
"I started again, and I only had a hundred people go over and subscribe."
[10:59]
Recognizing the mismatch, Scott pivoted to concentrate on creating content specifically targeted at small channel creators. This shift involved producing consistent, high-volume content tailored to niche audiences, ultimately aligning his offerings with the interests of his new subscriber base.
Content Strategy: Quality Meets Quantity
A cornerstone of Scott’s strategy is the balance between producing high-quality content and maintaining a high output volume. With 238 videos published in nine months, Scott emphasizes the importance of consistency and volume in gaining visibility and traction on YouTube.
Outlier Titles and Minimal Editing
Scott and his son, Scotty, implement a method they refer to as "outlier titles." This involves analyzing successful videos from channels with relatively low subscriber counts and crafting similar, optimized titles to attract views.
Notable Quote:
"We are not just throwing up stuff that we find interesting or, you know, we're like, oh, we're gonna just try to get views, right? It's not about just trying to get views. We're focusing on one niche."
[18:13]
By minimizing the emphasis on shorts and avoiding excessive editing, Scott maintains authenticity and rapid content production. This approach not only streamlines the creation process but also fosters a genuine connection with the audience.
Engagement and Relationship Building
Beyond mere content creation, Scott prioritizes building meaningful relationships with his audience. This is achieved through strategic calls to action that encourage viewers to engage and opt-in to his email list without overtly asking for subscriptions.
Seamless Integration of Offers
Instead of directing viewers immediately to external links, Scott integrates value-driven offers within the content itself. For instance, he might mention a free guide related to the video topic several minutes into the content, prompting viewers to request it via comments. This method ensures a natural flow of engagement and enhances the likelihood of conversions.
Notable Quote:
"If you watch any of my videos, I won't do it right away. Like a lot of people be like, hey, before we get started, if you want to download my guide, go ahead in the description, whatever. I don't, that I'll wait sometimes three, five minutes in."
[34:09]
Additionally, Scott leverages pinned comments and top-of-description links to maximize visibility of his offers, ensuring that even passive viewers can access valuable resources.
Effective Monetization Strategies
Monetization on YouTube, while beneficial, is not the sole revenue stream for Scott. Instead, he relies heavily on his email list to generate income through various offerings:
- Audits: Charging a fee for detailed evaluations of subscribers' YouTube channels.
- Workshops: Hosting paid workshops focused on specific aspects of YouTube growth, such as title optimization and thumbnail creation.
- Webinars and Memberships: Offering in-depth training sessions and exclusive membership content to foster ongoing learning and support.
Notable Quote:
"So the money is not coming directly from YouTube, it's coming directly from my email list."
[35:32]
This diversified approach ensures a steady revenue flow, independent of YouTube's changing algorithms and monetization policies.
Implementing the 100K Roadmap
Scott introduces a structured approach to achieving $100K per year through YouTube:
- Attention: Crafting compelling titles and hooks to attract viewers.
- Relationship Building: Converting viewers into email subscribers through value-driven offers.
- Monetization: Leveraging the email list to sell high-value products and services.
Notable Quote:
"So, you are going to get to monetization. If you get to monetization, I mean, I look at that as like gravy. Right? Like, that's extra."
[35:43]
This roadmap emphasizes a sustainable growth model that prioritizes audience loyalty and diversified income streams over immediate monetization.
Key Insights and Conclusions
1. Consistency is Crucial:
Regularly publishing content increases visibility and the likelihood of videos resonating with a broader audience.
2. Niche Targeting:
Focusing on specific niches allows for tailored content that addresses the unique needs and interests of a dedicated audience.
3. Authentic Engagement:
Building genuine relationships through meaningful interactions and value delivery fosters a loyal subscriber base.
4. Diversified Revenue Streams:
Relying solely on YouTube monetization is limiting; integrating multiple income sources ensures financial stability and growth.
5. Minimalist Production:
High production values are not a prerequisite for success. Authentic, value-driven content can outperform overly polished videos.
Final Thoughts
Scott Voelker's approach to building a profitable YouTube channel underscores the importance of strategic audience building, consistent content creation, and diversified monetization methods. His success serves as a blueprint for aspiring YouTubers aiming to turn their passion into a lucrative online business.
Notable Quote:
"We're going to get to a hundred thousand very, very quickly and it's going to probably be mid six figures next year."
[40:44]
By following Scott's 100K Roadmap, creators can navigate the complexities of YouTube growth and achieve significant financial milestones.
Where to Learn More
For listeners interested in implementing Scott Voelker's strategies, additional resources and the full 100K Roadmap Blueprint are available at LiveVideoSchool.com.
End of Summary