Celebrating 1 Year on YouTube: 6 Ways Starting a YouTube Channel Transformed My Art Business
Celebrating 1 Year on YouTube: 6 Ways Starting a YouTube Channel Transformed My Art Business
I recently celebrated my 1-year anniversary as a content creator, marking a full year of sharing videos on YouTube about my small art business. Reflecting on this milestone, I realized how starting my channel and consistently uploading videos for a year has positively impacted my life and improved my art practice. In this blog post, I want to share with you 6 reasons why creating content on YouTube has been a game-changer for my art business. If you’re an artist or creative thinking about starting a YouTube channel, I hope my journey inspires you to take the leap. And if you already have a channel, perhaps you’ll relate to some of these reasons.
1. Improving Your Skillset and Embracing Personal Growth
Creating YouTube videos has motivated me to step outside my comfort zone and explore new techniques in my art practice. It has given me the courage to begin oil painting, a medium I have had on my mind for a while but never dared to try and inspired me to create more affordable products from my art like greeting cards and prints, which has made my artwork more accessible to a wider audience. I believe one of the best ways to succeed as an artist is to try new things, even if they seem intimidating at first. If you’ve been hesitating to experiment with new techniques or materials, remember that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone. Seeing other aritists succeed by taking risks can be the push you need to try something different. Don’t be afraid to explore new mediums, create new products, or share your journey. You might be surprised by where your creativity can take you.
2. A Consistent Practice
Making YouTube videos has given me a reason to be consistent with my art practice. Although I have a small art business that has commissions and online tutorials this didn’t necessarily mean that I was being consistent with my creative practice. Making videos has given me a structure each week, sometimes life doesn’t allow you to make weekly videos which is what I would like but I’m always thinking of ideas and making notes even when I can’t film or edit. If you struggle with staying consistent in your art practice, creating videos for YouTube can feel like a powerful way to stay accountable.
3. Appreciate The Small Things
In my videos, I often include a segment where I share family outings or how the seasons are changing around me. Filming these moments has made me more aware of the beauty in nature and the simple daily routines I might otherwise overlook. Capturing these moments on camera has given me a better appreciation for the small things in life—like spending time with family, and the charm of everyday environments. It’s a reminder not to take these things for granted,. Sharing these experiences may help you to find joy in the seemingly mundane.
4. Invest in Yourself
It's important to invest time in yourself and your dreams. Whether you're feeling unfulfilled in your current job or need a break after caring for young children all day, creating videos has provided me with the motivation to take some time to prioritize myself and my art. Offering an outlet to prioritize growth and creativity. It’s pushed me to learn new skills that I hadn’t needed before, such as storytelling, video editing, and understanding YouTube strategies. By investing time in developing these additional skills, you may find a deeper sense of fulfilment and purpose from your daily routine.
5. A Stable Income
As I work towards becoming a full-time artist, I've realized the importance of having diverse income streams. Relying on just one source of income as an artist can be risky and limiting. While I’m passionate about creating and sharing content on my YouTube channel, I know that depending solely on it for income isn’t practical. However, I do see the potential for YouTube to contribute more financially to my business in the future. My primary focus remains on my art, but I hope that, over time, the growth of my channel can provide an additional revenue stream.
6. Building A Community
YouTube offers great potential to grow a supportive and inspiring community of creatives. It’s a platform where people can connect with like-minded individuals, share positive feedback, and build meaningful relationships. The sense of community that can be built on YouTube is really special. Encouraging comments and feedback shared within others can be a great source of motivation and growth. YouTube offers a powerful platform to share your story with the world, something that can be challenging on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You can connect with people on a deeper level, allowing them to resonate with your journey.
What’s next for my channel? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my first year on YouTube. As an artist, spending days painting or managing a small art business can sometimes feel isolating. YouTube has provided an outlet to share my journey with others. Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore new ideas for videos and continue growing. It’s essential to make time for the things you love and the passions that inspire you.