With over 5 years on YouTube, Sharla’s video idea depository has never been empty! Find out you’re also able to continually create engaging content for the web through these simple anti-blocker tips and tricks.

Isn't it funny how it's always the random stuff that gets all the views?

@Andy, give me any cat video and I'll watch it a million times over.

Great tips Sharla! passion is definitely the main one for sure, if your passion reflects in your videos then the audience will reflect that and be excited right along with you, it's great.

Oh man, I remember Sharla's bread video!! Classic!

For me, the stuff that got the most views/watch time was either stupid random videos that were quickly put together, videos with good SEO that took off, or tutorials.

As far as AdSense goes, the tutorials by far got me the most money and were consistent, even when they had comparatively less views/watch time than anything else I put out and even when I wouldn't upload anything on my editing channel for months. People are always searching how to do something.

With vlogs however, traffic is more inconsistent and short-lived. Sometimes people tune in to see what you're up to and then leave your channel to wait for the next video, and other times it might be three vlogs later that they come back. So you end up with videos doing really well for the first couple of days and then petering out right after, getting only a drop or two of views/watch time for the rest of its life on YouTube.

I don't say this to discourage people from vlogging, but rather to tell people to focus more on your value proposition as a YouTuber. The value that most vloggers offer to their audience is primarily a personal connection; you feel like you're on the journey with them wherever they are, which is what drives people to watch their videos. But once people are done with the video, it's like yesterday's news.

What can continue to bring people in to watch your videos even after they've been up for awhile is offering something practical. When it comes to living in Japan for example, how about learning how to distinguish laundry detergent so you know which one to get if you have sensitive skin? Where in Japan can I get this food from my home country? How can I make certain dishes without an oven? What do I do if I wasn't home when I had a package delivered to me? How can I save money in Japan?

And success doesn't happen overnight either. You can look back on anybody's channel and see that they didn't start out making the content that they do today. Sharla for example shot her early stuff on the webcam of her laptop. You just have to take action and make stuff, and as you continue to make stuff, you become more efficient at it and that leaves you more room to improve on the quality of your work, which you then become more efficient at as well.

Edit: Not sure why it double-posted. Sorry about that.

If you're passionate about the stuff you are doing: people will recognize that and those who like the same things will feel the connection with the content maker -> they will come back for your content

Correct! Example number one: Sharla's bread video exudes her passion for Japanese bread!

Andy, mate, I think I've learned a couple of tips and pointers from some of your videos so thank you from a fan!
I totally get your push for people to focus on their value as a YouTuber. I think with being a vlogger, consistency is so so SO important. Sometimes the daily menial stuff is important to others, like what you mentioned about finding laundry detergent for people with sensitive skin, places to buy groceries from your country in Japan etc. That's crazy!!! That's literally ALL the questions I'm still asking myself today, despite living in Japan for more than a year now. Can you do me a favour and answer those for me LOL

Thanks so much!

Now the easy answer on how to find those items is usually at Costco or if you have a military base hookup. If all else fails, there's import shops, but their selection is hit or miss and the prices are super high usually. I've heard that Amazon.jp has improved their selection since I was last in Japan as well.

I’m dying to find some chicken salt (which I’ve learned is only an Australian thing), or like really rich pasta sauces, linguini- literally all the items I miss and am finding difficult to adapt to is about food HAHAHA We have a video in our Tokyo Creative play channel where we toured the military base in Kanagawa with one of our favorite influencers, Patrica Vergara and you can see parts of me in the video where I’m agape at all the food in the grocery store.

There’s Kaldi in Japan which is imported food but yeah definitely quite pricey... remember to stock up on your favorite foods before you guys come!!!

Meh, I'd rather pack as light as I can. You only really need a week's worth of clothes, laptop, camera, and an unlocked phone. Otherwise you'll have to lug all that crap around Narita and to wherever you're staying. Plus I doubt the hostels have much storage space anyway, so you'll just be making things harder for yourself.