The Think Media Podcast: Episode 402 - How This Mom Went Full-Time on YouTube (Full Strategy)
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host: Sean Cannell
Guest: Swavy Curly Courtney

Introduction

In Episode 402 of The Think Media Podcast, host Sean Cannell engages in an insightful conversation with Swavy Curly Courtney, a dedicated content creator who transformed her passion for wavy and curly hair care into a full-time YouTube career. With 177,000 subscribers and over 23 million views across 576 videos, Courtney shares her journey, strategies, and the multifaceted approach she employs to sustain and grow her online presence while managing family life.

Breakout Moment: Embracing Imperfection

[02:32] Courtney: "Perfectionism is the enemy of good, of done, of complete. Just go ahead and put it up there. It doesn't have to be perfect."

Courtney recounts how one of her least polished videos, titled "Curl Clump Hacks," unexpectedly garnered significant attention, even reaching nearly a million views. Filmed with subpar equipment and lacking in professional editing, the video's success highlighted a crucial lesson: content quality, while important, can be secondary to addressing a pressing need within her niche. The strategic use of the word "hacks" in the title, inspired by Think Media’s own recommendations, proved instrumental in attracting viewers.

Developing a Content Strategy: Consistency, Intensity, Focus, Joy

Courtney outlines her four-principle framework that has been pivotal in her YouTube success:

1. Consistency:
   [17:31] Courtney: "It is setting a schedule for myself and not breaking that promise to myself, being consistent no matter what, filming when I don't feel like it."

   Despite facing physical challenges due to rheumatoid arthritis, Courtney maintains a strict content creation schedule. Her dedication ensures that her audience knows they can rely on regular uploads, fostering loyalty and sustained viewership.

2. Intensity:
   [17:43] Courtney: "It takes a lot of intensity to push through on days like that... It takes a lot of intensity and focus in the moment of filming to communicate that feeling through the screen."

   Courtney emphasizes the importance of conveying genuine care and passion in her videos. This intensity resonates with her audience, making her content more impactful and engaging.

3. Focus:
   [18:21] Courtney: "Oh, the editing, man, the ADHD and the editing, you've got to dial in and focus, go into the deep workflow state for the editing."

   Managing ADHD, Courtney underscores the necessity of deep focus during the editing process to ensure her videos meet her standards and effectively communicate her message.

4. Joy:
   [19:13] Courtney: "My kindergarten teacher taught me a rhyme that has stuck with me to this day. I'm 35. It is Jesus first, yourself last, and others in between. And that is joy."

   Incorporating joy into her content creation process, Courtney believes that serving her audience with positivity and genuine intent enhances the overall quality and reception of her videos.

Monetization Beyond AdSense

Courtney delves into various revenue streams that have supported her transition to full-time content creation:

1. Affiliate Marketing:
   [30:37] Courtney: "There's also one called Howl [H O W L]. I've enjoyed that one. It links to Nordstrom, Ulta Sephora, multiple different stores."

   By partnering with affiliate programs like YouTube Shopping, Howl, and LTK, Courtney earns commissions by recommending products that align with her niche. She meticulously builds relationships with brands to secure favorable commission rates, ensuring her recommendations are both authentic and profitable.

2. Digital Products and Online Courses:
   [38:12] Courtney: "I'm selling a $30 product guide. In this product guide, I share over 300 different products that I have tried and I give nine different points of comparison."

   Transitioning from one-on-one coaching sessions, Courtney identified repetitive patterns that led her to create comprehensive digital guides. These affordable products offer immense value by consolidating her extensive product knowledge, making it easier for her audience to make informed decisions.

3. Sponsored Content and Brand Partnerships:
   [26:18] Courtney: "The things that weren't successful for me, probably it was me. If they're... I wouldn't take that as a stamp of saying, don't try this thing because it could really work well for you. It just didn't work well for me."

   Initially, sponsorships on platforms like Instagram provided a steady income. Courtney emphasizes the importance of authenticity in brand partnerships, ensuring that any sponsored content genuinely benefits her audience.

Leveraging Tools and Technology

Courtney discusses the pivotal role of tools like Vidiq in optimizing her content strategy:

[21:31] Courtney: "Thanks to AI, I get to be a little bit lazy. The tool Vidiq... scans the video, figures out what the topic of the video is and then presents you with like five or six different options to title your video and scores them on an SEO score."

Vidiq assists Courtney in generating effective video titles that enhance clickability and SEO performance. Additionally, features like automated comment responses and channel audit tools streamline her workflow, allowing her to focus more on content creation and less on administrative tasks.

Balancing Family and Content Creation

Courtney openly shares the challenges of managing a bustling family life alongside her YouTube career:

[48:36] Courtney: "For me, it gets hard to stay disciplined... Knowing that I am going to have small windows of opportunity to create content and produce that income, I know it's going to be an all out dead sprint."

By strategically utilizing moments when her children are engaged (e.g., mother's day out programs), Courtney maximizes her productivity. She emphasizes the importance of grace and adaptability, acknowledging that balancing caregiving and business demands requires flexibility and resilience.

Final Advice and Insights

As the conversation concludes, Courtney imparts valuable wisdom to aspiring creators:

[53:20] Courtney: "Know that there will be highs and there will be lows. Nobody prepares for the lows... If you are showing up for your audience with those four core pillars... know your why. If your why is to show up and serve people, then you've won."

Courtney underscores the inevitability of fluctuating engagement levels on YouTube, encouraging creators to remain steadfast in their mission and to prioritize serving their audience over chasing viral success. Her emphasis on authenticity, consistency, and intentionality serves as a guide for sustained growth and fulfillment in the creator economy.

Conclusion

Episode 402 of The Think Media Podcast offers a comprehensive look into the strategic and personal elements that facilitate a successful full-time YouTube career. Courtney’s blend of disciplined content creation, diverse monetization strategies, and unwavering commitment to serving her audience exemplifies the dedication required to thrive in the competitive world of online content. Her insights provide actionable takeaways for both novice and veteran creators aiming to elevate their channels while balancing personal responsibilities.

Relevant Timestamps and Quotes:

• Breakout Video Lesson:
  Courtney: "Perfectionism is the enemy of good, of done, of complete. Just go ahead and put it up there. It doesn't have to be perfect." [03:48]

• Consistency in Content Creation:
  Courtney: "It is setting a schedule for myself and not breaking that promise to myself, being consistent no matter what, filming when I don't feel like it." [16:58]

• Intensity in Engagement:
  Courtney: "It takes a lot of intensity to push through on days like that... It takes a lot of intensity and focus in the moment of filming to communicate that feeling through the screen." [17:43]

• Focus Amidst ADHD:
  Courtney: "Oh, the editing, man, the ADHD and the editing, you've got to dial in and focus, go into the deep workflow state for the editing." [18:21]

• Joy and Serving the Audience:
  Courtney: "Jesus first, yourself last, and others in between. And that is joy." [19:13]

• Affiliate Marketing Strategies:
  Courtney: "There's also one called Howl [H O W L]. I've enjoyed that one. It links to Nordstrom, Ulta Sephora, multiple different stores." [30:37]

• Creating Digital Products:
  Courtney: "I'm selling a $30 product guide. In this product guide, I share over 300 different products that I have tried and I give nine different points of comparison." [38:12]

• Embracing Highs and Lows:
  Courtney: "Know that there will be highs and there will be lows. Nobody prepares for the lows... If you are showing up for your audience with those four core pillars... know your why. If your why is to show up and serve people, then you've won." [53:20]

For more insights and strategies on growing your YouTube channel, visit Vidiq.com/think for special trial offers as mentioned by Sean Cannell during the episode.

Connect with Courtney:

• YouTube: Swavy Curly Courtney
• Instagram: @SwavyCurlyCourtney
• Facebook: Swavy Curly Courtney

This summary captures the essence of Episode 402, highlighting the key discussions, strategies, and personal experiences shared by Courtney to inspire and educate aspiring YouTube creators.