YouTube Creators Hub Podcast
Episode Summary: The $10K/Month Creator Who Started With a Hair Tutorial and an iPhone
Host: Dusty Porter
Guest: Courtney, Founder of Swavy Curly Courtney
Introduction to Courtney and Her Channel
In this episode, Dusty Porter welcomes Courtney, a content creator and educator who runs the Swavy Curly Courtney YouTube channel. Courtney's mission is to empower women with wavy and curly hair to embrace their natural textures through honest and relatable education. Her channel, which boasts approximately 185,000 subscribers as of the recording, serves as a vibrant community for women seeking to enhance their curl care routine.
Origin Story and Channel Growth
Courtney shares the humble beginnings of her channel, which started as a personal passion project. Initially working as a preschool teacher, her fascination with natural curls was sparked by a coworker’s flawless ringlets. This curiosity led her to self-educate on curl care and eventually document her journey on Instagram. As her followers grew and frequently inquired about her hair care regimen, she transitioned to YouTube to provide longer-form content.
Courtney [03:19]: "I created an Instagram account not only to talk about this subject that I was really interested in, but also to document my own progress with getting my hair healthier."
Her commitment to consistency—uploading three videos per week—combined with the YouTube algorithm favoring her initial content, propelled her channel to significant growth. The channel was monetized in June 2019, marking the pivotal moment when Courtney realized her passion could become a viable full-time endeavor.
Balancing Content Creation with Personal Life
Courtney discusses the challenges of maintaining a rigorous upload schedule while managing family responsibilities. Working from home provided her with the flexibility to integrate content creation into her daily routine, such as styling her hair during breaks.
Courtney [08:43]: "It's being really excited about the stuff that you're filming that will carry you through until it becomes a full-time financial gig."
The Power of Niching Down
A key factor in Courtney’s success was her decision to niche down into wavy and curly hair care, an area with limited content at the time she began. This specialization allowed her to stand out and build a dedicated audience.
Courtney [10:34]: "There wasn't anybody who was Caucasian who had a looser curl pattern. I don't have tight curls. Looser curls behave so differently than tighter curls."
Overcoming Fear and Handling Negative Feedback
Courtney reflects on her initial fears of negative feedback and the impact it had on her content. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to oneself despite inevitable criticism.
Courtney [11:50]: "If I could go back and tell baby YouTube Courtney something, it's that the hate comments don't matter and your people are going to find you and stick around with you."
Community Building Strategies
Building a strong community was primarily facilitated through Instagram, where Courtney engaged with her audience through live sessions and stories. This platform allowed her to create a more intimate connection with her followers compared to YouTube’s comment sections.
Courtney [14:34]: "People really like seeing you show up and just talk to the camera real quick. Chatty. So that's where I fostered the majority of my community."
Content Creation Process: From Idea to Publishing
Courtney outlines her workflow, which begins with weekly ideation sessions every Sunday. Her process involves selecting a video topic, filming, editing, and then creating thumbnails and titles. She utilizes Canva for designing engaging thumbnails, appreciating its user-friendly tools.
Courtney [17:42]: "I start with the video idea. Every Sunday I sit down and I really think through what video I want to do for that week."
Monetization Strategies
Courtney employs multiple revenue streams to achieve her $10K/month goal:
- YouTube AdSense: Initially boosted by her husband’s support in increasing watch hours.
- Sponsorships: Collaborates with brands that align with her values, ensuring authenticity in her endorsements.
- Affiliate Marketing: Utilizes trackable links and coupon codes to earn commissions on sales generated through her recommendations.
- Digital Products and Services: Offers downloadable guides and virtual curl coaching sessions to provide personalized support to her audience.
Courtney [28:43]: "I have a personal goal of hitting $10,000 a month, and I usually hit that."
Future Plans and Expansion
Leveraging her success on YouTube, Courtney is currently attending cosmetology school with the ambition to open a curly hair salon in her hometown of West Texas—a region lacking specialized services for curly hair. She plans to document this journey on her channel, further enriching her content and providing additional value to her viewers.
Courtney [30:26]: "I am actually going to cosmetology school and we'll be documenting some of that on the YouTube channel for fun, but also just sharing more tips and tricks on how to care for curls on a head of hair that is not my own."
Advice for Aspiring Creators
Courtney offers heartfelt advice to those embarking on their own creator journeys. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the audience and serving them with genuine intent.
Courtney [31:39]: "Show up with a service heart and I think that'll carry you a lot further than anything else."
Conclusion
This episode of YouTube Creators Hub provides an inspiring look into Courtney’s journey from a passionate hobbyist to a successful full-time creator. Her insights into niching down, community building, and diverse monetization strategies offer valuable lessons for aspiring YouTubers aiming to elevate their channels and achieve financial sustainability.
Notable Quotes:
- "If I could go back and tell baby YouTube Courtney something, it's that the hate comments don't matter and your people are going to find you and stick around with you." — Courtney [11:50]
- "Show up with a service heart and I think that'll carry you a lot further than anything else." — Courtney [31:39]
Connect with Courtney:
- YouTube: SwavyCurly Courtney
- Instagram: @swavycurly
- Website: SwavyCurly.com