I launched my YouTube strategy 30 days ago. I didn't know what to expect.
Earlier this year, I shared that YouTube was one of my three biggest marketing bets for The Reeder. Not because it’s trendy. And not because “everyone’s doing video.” Because at this stage of my business, not taking YouTube seriously would be irresponsible. Here's why:
-It’s the #1 platform for podcast consumption (I have a podcast)
-It’s the #1 search engine in the world (I want to be found)
-It will help me grow my credibility, newsletter list, and revenue streams (I want to grow) But I’ll be honest: the decision was intimidating as hell. I’ve spent the last decade building my reputation on text: LinkedIn, newsletters, and research and POV-driven content. Even though I’ve recorded 100+ videos over the years, I’d never actually set and executed a YouTube strategy. Never used it intentionally to grow my business. Until now. And know y’oulove some behind-the-scenes content. AMny of you have kicked around the idea of getting serious with YouTube. So I'm bringing you a "learning out loud" moment in hopes it entertains and guides you should you decide to give YouTube the old college try. Here's what you're in for:
Why now was the right time for YouTube
What actually happened in the first 30 days (numbers + reality)
The biggest mindset shifts that surprised me
What worked, what flopped, and what’s next
Ready? Let's ride.
So, why now?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: I’ve been creating video for years: Podcast appearances, conference keynotes, content houses, brand collabs. All of it sitting in Google Drive, collecting dust. I’d post a clip once on LinkedIn, maybe twice if it did well — and then move on. Yes, typing this makes me guilty of the 4th Marketing Commandment: Thou shalt repurpose thine content. Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned. But here’s what actually pushed me over the edge: Momentum compounds faster on video than anywhere else. Colin (my YouTube strategist) explained it simply: “When you stop posting and start again, the algorithm doesn’t hate you. It just needs data to understand what your content is and who to show it to.” I’d been starting from zero every single time. But nt anymore. In 30 days, we went from ~1,000 to 37,800 views on Shorts.
Not viral, but real momentum. And that's the goal.
The 60-Day Strategy (Simple on Purpose)
For the first 60 days, the goal is signal — not scale.
We need to understand what snap, crackle, and pops— and what doesn't.
Because to quote Colin again, "This ain't your LinkedIn audience, and to be honest, we don't know what they want yet."
So here’s the plan:
Repurpose Reed Between The Lines episodes
Pull from my massive video vault
Post consistently (1–2 Shorts/day)
Watch what works
Learn fast
This phase isn’t about being clever.
It’s about letting the algorithm tell us:
Which topics resonate
Which formats work best
Which guests convert attention into trust
Speaking of...
Here are my wins, “losses,” and setbacks
Wins
My channel went from dormant to ~1,500 views/day
100+ clips created and queued
A repeatable system: archive → clip → test → scale
“Losses” (aka data)
A few clips stalled at 5–10 views for no obvious reason
One guest I expected to crush… didn’t (no idea why)
Setbacks
Patience. Not technically a setback, but postponing the "let's create something new!" desire while the signals roll in has been harder than expected.
Ongoing tension between what I want to make vs. what performs
Welcome to being a creator.
What’s Next
Next 30 days
Launch a second channel (Real Devin Reed) for non-work content
Cross-post top-performing Shorts to TikTok + Instagram
Re-Launch The Reeder Facebook page (to publish said top-performers)
Daily Shorts on Real Devin Reed (again from content vault)
Decisions and sequencing
Soon it'll be time to create new videos. And I'm still deciding on what, and just as importantly, when. Ideas that are rattling around my head:
TBH, I might do them all. But not tomorrow, nor all at once. I'm taking my time here because I know this decision will determine my trajectory — and my sanity — over the next 12 months.
Final Thought
The goal isn’t more content. It’s intentional momentum. I'm committed to building an engine from Day 1, so I can take this thing to the moon and back, should I so choose. That means resisting the urge to chase trends and instead stacking small, repeatable wins.
Part of that is saying the goal out loud:
I’m aiming for 1,000 YouTube subscribers — slowly, honestly, and in public by December 31st. If you’ve gotten value from this newsletter or Reed Between The Lines, I invite you to come along.
Subscribe to The Reeder on YouTube. And if a video resonates, a like or comment helps more than you think. This isn’t a victory lap. It’s the first mile marker.
