Repurposed YouTube vs. YouTube-first content Strategy!

Are you taking your Reels or TikTok videos and repurposing them for your YouTube channel? Is it helping your channel grow? Is it helping your business grow? If you’re like a lot of the folks that I talk to, the answer is probably no, but I have a fix.

Repurposing content from other Instagram or TikTok might seem efficient, but it could damage your YouTube channel’s growth.

In this episode, I discuss why a YouTube-first content strategy is essential for truly maximizing your content’s reach and effectiveness. Discover how focusing on long-form content, audience engagement, and mastering the YouTube algorithm can transform your channel and business growth.

VIDEO: Your Repurposed YouTube Videos Are Killing Your Channel (Here’s a Better Way) | Ep. 21

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The Allure of Repurposing Content

It’s tempting to think that uploading content from other platforms to YouTube is a quick win. You’ve already invested time and energy into creating it, so why not maximize its reach? The logic seems sound:

1. YouTube is a powerful platform for long-term content visibility.

2. It’s both a search engine and a discovery platform.

3. Adding more content to your channel should help it grow.

However, this approach often falls short of expectations. Let me explain why.

The Problem with Repurposed Content on YouTube

Attracting the Wrong Audience

When you repurpose short-form content like reels or TikToks for YouTube, you risk attracting viewers who are looking for quick, bite-sized entertainment. These “doom scrollers” are less likely to engage with your long-form content or become loyal subscribers.

Lack of Engagement

Live streams or Zoom call recordings might be engaging for participants, but they often fall flat as YouTube videos. They typically lack the structure and pacing that YouTube viewers expect, leading to poor retention and engagement metrics.

Algorithm Challenges

YouTube’s algorithm is designed to promote content that keeps viewers on the platform. When you consistently upload repurposed content that doesn’t perform well, you’re essentially training the algorithm to deprioritize your videos.

The Benefits of a YouTube-First Content Strategy Approach

Adopting a YouTube-first strategy can dramatically improve your channel’s performance and business results. Here’s why:

1. Improved Watch Time: Longer, well-structured videos tailored for YouTube tend to generate more watch time, a crucial metric for the platform.

2. Establishing Authority: Original content helps position you as a go-to expert in your niche, building trust with viewers.

3. Algorithm Favor: YouTube is more likely to promote fresh, platform-specific content to new viewers.

4. Better Viewer Experience: Content created specifically for YouTube typically offers a better viewing experience, encouraging subscribers to return for more.

Episode 19 will teach you how to find endless video content ideas that can grow your channel. In episode 17, you will learn the best YouTube growth ideas for brand-new channels like under a thousand. Episode 17 offers some great YouTube first approaches to a small or new channel.

In Episode 16, I gave away my video podcast script outline framework and even if you don’t have a video podcast you can still take the concepts in that framework especially the intro and the hook, and then the call to action at the end and apply them to your YouTube videos so that you have YouTube first content strategy.

In Episode 8, you will learn what’s working on your channel so that you can do more of that and grow faster. That is a YouTube-first content strategy because you’d be looking at the data that is inside your channel to make decisions about what to post on your channel, it’s the ultimate YouTube-first strategy.

Implementing a YouTube-First Content Strategy

To create a successful YouTube-first approach, consider the following:

1. Content Planning: Use YouTube-specific strategies to generate video ideas that resonate with your target audience.

2. Video Structure: Develop a framework for your videos that includes compelling intros, clear hooks, and strong calls to action.

3. Data-Driven Decisions: Analyze your channel’s performance metrics to inform future content creation.

4. Long-Form Focus: Prioritize creating longer, in-depth videos that provide substantial value to viewers.

The Caveat: If It’s Working, Don’t Fix It

It’s important to note that if your current repurposing strategy is working for you – bringing in leads, generating sales, and growing your audience – then there’s no need to change course. However, be honest with yourself about what “working” really means. Are you seeing long-term growth and engagement, or just short-term spikes in views?

I mentioned at the beginning there is a big caveat to all either way like YouTube or not a “Set-it-and-Forget-it” funnel is still the simplest way to generate consistent sales of your online offer. In Episode 1 of this podcast, I broke down exactly what my YouTube funnel looks like and if you’re Savvy on Instagram or Tik Tok or Facebook you could take exactly everything that I say and make it work for the platform that you are on so that your courses and programs sell themselves.

Episode 1 dives into the whole YouTube funnel concept so that you can see what it looks like for me and how you could apply it to your channel and see exactly how the algorithm works to send traffic down that funnel.

Conclusion: Choose Your Strategy Wisely

While repurposing content might seem like an efficient way to grow your YouTube channel, it often falls short of expectations. A YouTube-first approach, though more time-intensive, is far more likely to yield the results you’re looking for – consistent growth, engaged subscribers, and a steady stream of leads and sales for your business.

Remember, YouTube is a powerful platform, but only if you play by its rules and optimize your content for its unique ecosystem. By investing in a YouTube-first strategy, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success and building a truly binge-worthy video brand.

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.