Why I'm Excited about YOUTUBE for 2026 | Ep. 77

Curious how creators grew their YouTube channels in 2025?

In this episode, I highlight the strategies, series, and mindset shifts that made a difference for real people inside Video Brand Academy.

From understanding analytics to building a video funnel, you’ll hear what actually works—and what to focus on in 2026.

Ready to build your own YouTube strategy?

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VIDEO: Why I’m Excited about YOUTUBE for 2026 | Ep. 77

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When Analytics Stop Feeling Scary—and Start Creating Momentum

One of the biggest breakthroughs I heard this year came from Mikki Steyn , and it centered on something many creators avoid: analytics.

Mikki Steyn started understanding what the numbers were actually telling her; everything shifted. Her subscriber growth improved. Her confidence grew. And most importantly, her videos started working together instead of operating as one-off uploads.

She applied the spiderweb strategy and finally understood how YouTube’s algorithm works with creators who build intentionally.

Building a Video Asset Engine

One of the biggest lightbulb moments this year was seeing proof of something I’ve been thinking about a lot: building a video asset engine.

A video asset engine means your content works for you even when you step away.

Here’s how I define it:

If you can take a week off from publishing and your channel still gains views, subscribers, or leads, you’ve built assets instead of obligations.

YouTube becomes the engine, and your content becomes the system that keeps running long after you hit publish.

That’s what YouTube does best when strategy is in place. Your videos become long-term assets instead of short-lived posts.

This is exactly why I’m so bullish on YouTube for 2026. It rewards consistency over time, not constant hustle.

That’s not luck. That’s leverage.

Simplifying Your Way to Consistency

Kelly Ferguson’s experience looked completely different, and that’s exactly why it worked.

After taking a long break from YouTube, she knew that overthinking would stop her before she even started. So she made a conscious decision to simplify everything.

No deep dives into analytics. No perfectionist thumbnail tweaking. Just getting on camera, talking about something useful, and hitting upload.

That consistency built confidence. The confidence built clarity. And the clarity built momentum.

She now understands her process, knows what she enjoys talking about, and has created steady, meaningful growth not because everything was optimized, but because she actually showed up.

Success didn’t come from perfect planning. It came from removing friction.

Uploading simple videos.
Talking about one clear idea.
Hitting publish without overthinking.

That simplicity builds momentum. Momentum builds confidence. And confidence leads to consistency.

Once you have consistency, refinement becomes much easier.

Note: Sometimes the smartest strategy isn’t doing more. It’s doing less consistently.

Why Series Content Keeps Winning

A recurring theme across the community this year was the power of video series.

Kassandra Malony started her YouTube channel in September and already has 650 subscribers in a very specific niche, teaching educators how to work with blind students. What worked for her wasn’t random uploads, but intentional series tied to her existing funnel.

She adapted a 12-week launch funnel into a YouTube series, creating depth, continuity, and a stronger connection with her audience.

The series removes decision fatigue. There’s no guessing what to post next. You’re simply continuing the conversation.

You already know what the next video is.
YouTube knows how to recommend your content because the topic connection is clear.
And viewers stay longer because they’re naturally curious about what comes next.

The series also deepens relationships. When someone watches multiple videos in a row, trust builds faster. That parasocial connection is one of YouTube’s biggest strengths, and series content amplifies it.

For 2026, I’m doubling down on series because they work for both creators and the algorithm.

And the algorithm loves that clarity, too. When viewers watch multiple videos in a series, YouTube understands who to show those videos to and keeps doing it.

Karen Wilson echoed this shift after going all in on YouTube mid-year. Once she committed to series-based content, everything became easier. No blank screens. No second-guessing. Just the next video in the sequence.

Why Early-Stage Growth Still Counts

Kristen Wold is in what I’d call the very early stage of YouTube posting weekly, building a behind-the-scenes series as she prepares for a January program launch, and slowly growing her audience of trauma therapists.

The numbers are small right now. But the foundation is strong.

Sonia Wilkinson shared a similar reminder: she published one video this year and received 88 views.

That’s 88 real people.

Every channel starts somewhere. Growth doesn’t come from waiting until everything is perfect, it comes from publishing, learning, and refining as you go.

Turning YouTube Into a Lead Engine (Not Just a Content Platform)

What I’m most excited about moving into 2026 is helping creators turn YouTube into a consistent lead engine.

Not random views.
Not viral spikes that disappear.

But intentional content that leads people somewhere.

Whether someone is selling a coaching program, planning a membership, or refining an existing funnel, YouTube works best when it’s connected to a clear next step.

The creators who made the most progress weren’t chasing trends. They were building pathways.

Kassandra Malony put it perfectly: she’s not building new products. She has her funnel. She simply wants more of the right people entering it.

This is exactly how YouTube works best for business owners. Not as random content, but as a strategic entry point that attracts the right audience and naturally leads them into your ecosystem.

Kristen Wold is planning the same shift using YouTube to serve her audience with free content that leads into coaching and eventually a membership.

This is where YouTube stops being “just content” and starts becoming infrastructure.

Why I’m All In on YouTube for 2026

I hear people say “I’m going all in on YouTube next year” every single year.

What’s interesting is how often I hear it from the same people.

They bookmark videos, save posts, and they tell me they’ll start soon.

And then nothing changes.

That’s why my focus for 2026 is action. Not intention, execution.

Inside Video Brand Academy, we’re kicking off the year with an all-in on YouTube 2026 event, complete with workshops, tools, and hands-on guidance to help creators actually follow through.

My goal isn’t just to teach YouTube strategy. It’s to help people use it.

What I’m Personally Excited About Next

I’m excited to lean into more video podcasts, more tutorials, and yes, Tutorial Meredith mode is coming back in full force. I have a massive backlog of Descript and video tool tutorials ready to go.

But more than anything, I’m excited about watching creators build systems that support their businesses instead of draining them.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just getting started, rebuilding consistency, or ready to scale, YouTube rewards clarity, consistency, and connection.

The creators who succeed aren’t the ones with perfect setups. They’re the ones who keep showing up, learning, and building intentionally.

If you’re ready to stop saying “next year” and actually go all in, I’d love to support you inside Video Brand Academy. There’s currently a seven-day $1 trial available, but it’s going away at the end of 2025.

So don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Let’s build your video asset engine, your YouTube funnel, and a strategy that actually supports your business.

2026 isn’t the year to think about it.

It’s the year to do it.

If you have an online business with a course, program, or any other kind of offer, and you’re not currently generating consistent sales on autopilot, I’d like to introduce you to the hands-off YouTube funnel that has made me over $20k on a $147 course! That way, you too can make consistent sales of your offer, with the beauty and simplicity of organic, evergreen traffic from YouTube! Start here with my free “AIT Method” training.