The 3 phases of YouTuber burnout

Most YouTubers burnout right before their big breakthrough.

At first, it’s all exciting.

You're filming, editing, and wearing all the hats.

But eventually, the grind starts to wear you down.

You’re not lazy.

You’re just caught in the phases of burnout and most creators don’t see it coming until it’s too late.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this newsletter, we’re going to break down:

• The 3 phases of YouTuber burnout

• How to spot where you are right now

• How to tackle each phase before it takes over

Let’s do this.

Phase 1: The Overload Phase

In the beginning, everything feels exciting.

You're juggling the creation of titles, thumbnails, shorts, scripts, editing, and all the other pieces that make up a YouTube channel.

But this excitement quickly turns into pressure.

You have this feeling that you need to perfect everything to get noticed.

But striving for perfection on every upload is unsustainable.

How to combat overload:

1) Set realistic goals:

Stop trying to do everything at once.

Focus on improving one aspect of each video and slowly scale up.

2) Avoid perfectionism:

Don't get caught up in making every video "perfect."

Perfection is an illusion.

Your goal should be to focus on consistently uploading good videos, not "perfect" ones.

Uploading regularly is more important than being obsessed with minute details.

3) Leverage tools like Notion:

Organising your workflow with something like Notion is a game-changer.

Not only does it help you stay more organised, it can also act as an accountability partner as you can visually see when you need to be uploading your next video.

You can download my free Notion workspace for YouTubers here.

Phase 2: The Plateau Phase

After some time, you will hit a wall.

Your audience isn't growing as expected, and that initial motivation and excitement starts to disappear.

This is the plateau phase, and it can be frustrating.

But, unfortunately, it is inevitable.

It's what separates creators who succeed versus those who give up on YouTube.

How to combat stagnation:

1) Spend more time on video ideas:

Take a step back and think about what would really resonates with your audience.

And make sure that aligns with the type of content you want to create.

If you're creating content purely for the viewer, you will burnout quickly because you'll begin to hate what you create.

Vice versa, if you're only creating content for yourself, then your channel won't grow.

Remember: the video is for you AND the viewer.

2) Experiment with new formats:

Don't be afraid to try different content formats.

The beauty of being a new creator is that you have the freedom to pivot in whatever direction you choose.

Use this is to your advantage and explore different styles of videos.

Phase 3: The Identity Crisis Phase

This is the toughest phase.

You start asking yourself, "Am I even good at this?"

This makes you question your worth and role in the YouTube world, leaving you wondering if chasing your dream is even worth it.

How to combat identity crisis:

1) Focus on intrinsic rewards:

Shift your focus from external validation (like views and subscribers) to internal rewards.

Here are a few examples:

• Set a goal to produce a certain number of videos in a year

• Set a target to brainstorm a certain number of new video ideas each week

• Identify specific aspects of video creation that you think you need to work on (packaging, scripting, editing, etc.) and set weekly goals to learn more in these areas

The paradoxical thing is, once you stop worrying about the results, the results will come.

2) Surround yourself with a supportive community:

Whether it's a group of fellow creators or viewers who genuinely enjoy your content, community is everything.

They can offer encouragement, constructive feedback, and keep you motivated when you feel lost.

And. thankfully, we live in the greatest generation of all time because social media gives us the ability to connect with like-minded people from all over the world.

3) Seek help from others:

If you're really struggling, don't be afraid to reach out for help.

Whether it's talking to a mentor, coach, or friend, getting a new perspective can help you navigate this tough phase.

This is where my coaching program can help you.

You can have a professional like me beside you when things get foggy.

Someone who's seen the map, and can walk you through the hard parts.

Here's what I will do for you:

• I will help you brainstorm video ideas that are proven to succeed

• I will create thumbnails and titles that are designed to attract clicks

• We will meet weekly for 60-minute strategy calls

• You will have 24/7 access to my personal phone number

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, reply to this email with a link to your YouTube channel and I'll send over the details.

1/3 spots filled.

Thank you for reading.

Speak soon,

Rory