Summary of The Think Media Podcast Episode 417: "Why Most YouTubers Can’t Grow in 2025..."
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Host: Sean Cannell
Guest: Pat Flynn, Founder of Small Smart Passive Income
1. Introduction
In Episode 417 of The Think Media Podcast, host Sean Cannell engages in an insightful conversation with Pat Flynn, a seasoned content creator and entrepreneur. Pat Flynn brings a wealth of experience from building multiple successful YouTube channels, including his prominent Pokemon-focused ventures. The discussion revolves around the evolving landscape of YouTube, the challenges creators face in 2025, and strategies to overcome them.
2. Pat Flynn’s YouTube Strategy
a. Overview of Channels
Pat Flynn currently manages four active YouTube channels:
- Switchpod: Currently on autopilot.
- Deep Pocket Monster: A long-form Pokemon channel boasting 1.54 million subscribers over four years.
- Short Pocket Monster: A shorts channel that has amassed 2 billion views and 1.3 million YouTube subscribers, alongside 1.4 million TikTok subscribers and nearly 1 million Instagram followers.
- Additional Channels: Pat mentions other minor channels contributing to his overall presence.
Pat Flynn highlights the importance of experimenting with different formats to unlock various algorithmic advantages.
b. Growth with Shorts
Pat’s Short Pocket Monster channel serves as a prime example of leveraging short-form content to achieve exponential growth. By consistently producing engaging shorts, he has tapped into a vast audience, demonstrating the power of strategic content distribution.
Pat Flynn [02:33]: "If you've heard the jingle, 'Should I open it or should I keep it sealed?', those are my videos, man."
3. Starting on YouTube
a. Community Involvement
Before creating content, Pat Flynn emphasizes the necessity of immersing oneself in the target community. Understanding the audience's preferences, pain points, and interests is crucial for delivering relevant and engaging content.
Pat Flynn [02:53]: "Get involved in the community, like, know who it is that you're serving. Watch other videos in the space, read the comments, see what people like, see what people dislike."
b. Consistent Uploads
Pat advocates for consistent content creation as a means to identify what resonates with the audience. Emphasizing quantity over perfection helps creators learn and adapt more swiftly.
Pat Flynn [03:41]: "Count uploads, not likes. Count uploads, not views. That quantity is actually really key to get your wheels going, to get you comfortable, and just to kind of figure out what works and what doesn't."
4. Essential Skills for New Creators
a. Storytelling
Storytelling emerges as the most critical skill for YouTubers. Pat underscores that compelling narratives can significantly enhance viewer retention and engagement, regardless of the technical quality of the video.
Pat Flynn [03:54]: "I mean, I think it's storytelling. I mean, that's not quote, unquote technical."
Using examples like Brady Brandwood’s Leon the Lobster, Pat illustrates how a strong story can captivate millions without relying on high-end equipment.
Pat Flynn [04:59]: "How can you tell a story, Tell a story through the title and thumbnail. Tell a story in your videos to retain people."
b. Lean Learning and Micro Mastery
Facing the challenge of information overload, Pat introduces the concept of micro mastery, advocating for focused learning on specific aspects of content creation one at a time.
Pat Flynn [12:47]: "This is something that I practice all the time. Instead of just continuously hitting publish and just hoping each video is better, pick one little part of the process."
By systematically mastering individual components, creators can build a robust and scalable content strategy without being overwhelmed.
5. Effective Use of Time and Overcoming Information Overload
Pat identifies overlearning as the primary time waster for new YouTubers. In an age where information is abundant, he advises focusing on just-in-time learning—acquiring knowledge as needed rather than preemptively consuming vast amounts of data.
Pat Flynn [09:47]: "What is the next step? This is what I like to call the lean learning process."
He recommends maintaining a digital Shoebox to store non-essential information, thereby minimizing distractions and enhancing focus on actionable steps.
6. Shorts vs. Long Form Content
a. Pat Flynn’s Experiments and Results
Pat shares his 60-day experiment with short-form content, which led to a breakout video hitting 750,000 views on day 35, followed by a surge in subsequent videos. This experiment underscores the potential of shorts in rapidly expanding reach.
Pat Flynn [05:54]: "Shorts are great because you can just experiment… And sometimes you might not catch anything, sometimes you'll get a small fish, but if you keep going, you'll eventually catch that big fish."
b. Monetization Insights
Pat discusses the monetization potential of both shorts and long-form videos. While shorts can drive massive view counts and brand awareness across platforms, long-form content offers more substantial monetization opportunities through ad revenue and deeper audience engagement.
Pat Flynn [61:11]: "And we have an approach where if you have a shorts channel that's pulling in revenue, you can reinvest that into your community."
c. Recommendations for Creators
Pat advises creators to focus on mastering one format before expanding into another. For instance, building a solid foundation with either shorts or long-form content can pave the way for subsequent growth without diluting efforts.
Pat Flynn [48:18]: "I think you need to focus on one, master it, and then you can kind of unlock the next one."
7. Building a Personal Brand and Community
a. Universe Building
Universe building involves creating an immersive and cohesive environment around one’s brand, fostering a strong and memorable identity that resonates with the audience. This strategy transcends mere content creation, aiming to establish a brand ecosystem that fans can explore and engage with deeply.
Pat Flynn [54:34]: "Universe building is about creating a cohesive and immersive world around your brand or personal identity."
b. Importance of Mentors and Networking
Pat highlights the significance of having champions in one’s journey—emotional supporters, peers, and personal mentors. These relationships provide invaluable support, accountability, and guidance, enabling creators to navigate challenges more effectively.
Pat Flynn [38:14]: "You cannot do this alone. You have to get out of your chair and go to events or meet people in online communities and start to form even just one buddy to hold each other accountable with can, can be the game changer."
8. Conclusion and Key Takeaways
In this episode, Sean Cannell and Pat Flynn delve into the multifaceted strategies essential for YouTubers aiming to thrive in 2025. Key takeaways include:
- Prioritize Storytelling: Craft compelling narratives to enhance viewer engagement and retention.
- Embrace Consistency: Regular uploads help uncover what works and build momentum.
- Manage Information Overload: Focus on actionable learning and implement strategies step-by-step.
- Leverage Shorts Strategically: Utilize short-form content to expand reach while maintaining a strong long-form presence for monetization.
- Build a Supportive Community: Cultivate relationships with emotional supporters, peers, and mentors to sustain growth and navigate challenges.
- Adopt Universe Building: Create an immersive brand environment to foster deeper connections with the audience.
Pat Flynn’s success with both his long-form and shorts channels exemplifies the effectiveness of a balanced and strategic approach to content creation. By focusing on storytelling, consistent action, and community building, creators can overcome the pitfalls of information overload and achieve sustainable growth on YouTube and beyond.
Notable Quotes:
- Pat Flynn [02:53]: "Get involved in the community, like, know who it is that you're serving."
- Pat Flynn [03:41]: "Count uploads, not likes. Count uploads, not views."
- Pat Flynn [03:54]: "I think it's storytelling... It's how you tell a story that matters."
- Pat Flynn [05:54]: "Shorts are great because you can just experiment..."
- Pat Flynn [09:47]: "What is the next step? This is what I like to call the lean learning process."
- Pat Flynn [12:47]: "Instead of just continuously hitting publish and just hoping each video is better, pick one little part of the process."
- Pat Flynn [38:14]: "You cannot do this alone... forming even just one buddy to hold each other accountable can be the game changer."
- Pat Flynn [54:34]: "Universe building is about creating a cohesive and immersive world around your brand or personal identity."
This episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for content creators seeking to navigate the complexities of YouTube in 2025, emphasizing the blend of creativity, strategic planning, and community engagement as pillars of success.