How To Become Popular On YouTube Without Any Talent v2 (By Kevin Nalty, Nalts)

Version 2.3, Feb.
2010
Kevin “Nalts” Nalty is one of YouTube's least talented

"weblebrities," with nearly 150 million views of his more
than 1,000 online videos. He is one of the most-viewed
personalities on YouTube, and his videos routinely rank
among the "highest rated" and "most discussed.” You
need only watch several of his videos to know these
rankings are not due to his video-making abilities (at least not that alone).
Here, the career marketer reveals some of his"insider secrets" to developing

a following on YouTube (and other online-video sites), and getting your
videos widely viewed. The techniques he shares do not include "tricks" that
ultimately undermine a video, but proven strategies that are not often
intuitive.
To sign up for his weekly newsletter and information about his forthcoming
book, “Beyond Viral Video” (Wiley 2010), visit willvideoforfood.com. To see
his videos: youtube.com/nalts (we recommend you watch all 1,000 at once).
Version 2.3 February 2010 © Copyright February 2010, Kevin “Nalts” Nalty, Nalts Consulting,
LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this document can be reproduced in any form without
express permission from the author.
© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 1

About This eBook
After languishing in viral video for nine months, doctors told Nalty his
viral-video career would be dead within weeks. But he persevered, and
now reveals some easy-to-apply techniques that can help you become
popular on YouTube.
In more than 34 pages – packed with real experience, examples and

video links – the marketer and video creator shares some proven
methods to develop a
global audience via
YouTube.
The techniques are built

on experience, and will
help you avoid some of
the many pitfalls and
violations of the
"unwritten rules" of the YouTube community. They'll also save you
from wasting time with ineffective approaches, and hopefully help you
persist in your YouTube endeavors and have fun.
The book offers basic – but sometimes counterintuitive – advice on how

to become a welcome participant of YouTube, build friends, develop a
loyal following, promote yourself or other causes, and have a blast
along the way.
Should You Read This Book?
If you're asking yourself the following questions, this book may be

for you:
• How do I gain YouTube popularity without cheating or appearing

desperate? What works and what might create a backlash?

• How can I get more views without spending an inordinate
amount of time promoting them to people?
• How can I help make my videos appeal to a wider audience?
• How can I use YouTube to promote myself, friends, sponsors, or
causes?
Table of Contents
I. Foreword...........................................................................4
Thank You........................................................................................................4
Glossary of Terms............................................................................................6
II. Do You Really Want to Be a YouTube Star?........................7
III. Understanding the Community of YouTube........................9
IV. Methods Behind Madness...............................................11

A. Collaborate With Other YouTubers.............................................................11
B. Pursue Quality Subscribers (Not Quantity).................................................12
C. Be Patient..................................................................................................13
E. Post Routinely............................................................................................14
F. Going Beyond YouTube: “Seeding”............................................................14
F. Be Hot (or at Least Interesting)..................................................................16
G. Commonalities of the Most-Popular Videos................................................16
V. Avoid These Tricks At All Costs........................................19

B. Spamming..................................................................................................20
C. SEO Your Video, But Don’t Keyword Bloat.................................................21
E. Getting Too Self Critical.............................................................................22
F. Waiting to Be Discovered...........................................................................22
G. Infringing Copyrights.................................................................................23
VI. How To Make Videos You & Viewers Will Enjoy.................23

A. Stick To Your Brand (Be Yourself)..............................................................23
B. Short, Fast and Big Finish..........................................................................25
D. Package Your Video...................................................................................27
VII. YouTube and Profit.......................................................28
VIII. Conclusion & Summary.................................................30

IV. Select Feedback from Version 1.2...................................32
V. Additional Resources.......................................................34
V. Additional Resources

I. Foreword
Thank You
This is the second version of this free eBook, which was first published
in January 2008. I'd like to thank my wife, Jo (aka WifeofNalts) and
children for their support and patience. My passion for online video has
been intense over the past four
years. I'd like to also thank Jan for
editing and for helping me with
WillVideoForFood.com, and the
active “WVFF Back Row” for
making the comments more
interesting than the posts. Thanks
to the many "peeps" who have
been so supportive to me on
YouTube. I wish I could list many of you by name.
Sorry
I suppose my "sorry" section is as important as my "thanks." Invariably

when you make yourself as accessible as I do online, you end up
entertaining many but offending some. I ignore much of my e-mail and
YouTube messages simply because I don't have the capacity to be
diligent about communication and also keep a full-time job and raise a
family. I try, but can't spend the hours a day it would take to read and
reply to my messages. Often people who don’t know what it’s like to
get hundreds of messages from strangers each day interpret this as
arrogance. As a result, I'm fairly haphazard about my communication.
Rather than sort and prioritize, I tend to impulsively check messages
when I'm in the mood, and then ignore everything when I'm not feeling

social. So if you feel like I've "blown you off," it's probably because I
never even saw your note. Please don't take it personally.

So Let’s Get Started: Why Talent Isn’t Enough
I hope you realize that the title was meant as self-deprecating humor
and not a warranty. You are, in fact, going to need some talent. But
contrary to conventional wisdom, talent is not the only ingredient for
success. In fact there are far more talented people than I on YouTube,
some living in obscurity and more deserving of my incredible audience.
But they're lost in a sea of garbage, maybe because they don't
understand how to market themselves, and they soon decide that they
may not be very talented. It's sad, really.
Your primary goal is to have fun via this medium, which may create a
loyal following, and help you promote yourself or other causes. In
general, I find three characteristics of the most-viewed YouTube
“stars”: they enjoy making videos, they persist, and they are talented.
The former two traits are as important as talent itself, and when
someone stops having fun or becomes undermined by criticism, the
talent itself serves little value.
Here's an important “take away,” so you might want to highlight

this paragraph. YouTube fame (f) is a function of your talent (t)
multiplied by your marketing (m).
f = t x m.
I really should stay as far from mathematical examples as I do from

sports analogies. But this is vital. If you rank as a 9 (out of 10) in
talent, and this book helps to bring your marketing skills up to a 5
(again out of 10), then you are a healthy 45. But if you're really not
interesting (say, a 2 out of 10) then this book may not help much.
Sorry.
I will touch briefly on how to make your videos not suck, but I've seen
some really, really talentless people on YouTube. I shudder to think
that one of them is turning to this book for salvation. Not to be Simon
Cowell or anything, but if all of your friends and family find your videos

lame, then you may want to take up pottery (unless creating them
brings you internal joy, which is just as important).
Still reading? Great. If you take nothing away from reading this, please
remember this: The act of "uploading" is only one tiny step on your
YouTube adventure, and if you stop there you're not going to get very
far.
Glossary of Terms
I'm going to be using some terms in this book that are worth defining.
• Collab Videos: Making a collaboration video with someone else

on YouTube. This is an important way to introduce you to the
YouTube community, and can be time consuming but fun. Pipi
taught me this.
• Subscribers: You know how your magazines magically show up

in your mailbox? Hard core YouTubers wake up each day and
check their "subscriptions." If they've subscribed to you, they'll
know each time you post a new video. You want quality not just
quantity of subscribers because they're the ones who will rate
your videos. If they like what they see, your video will get
"honored" and appear on some of the "most viewed" or "most
discussed" lists, which gets you a secondary audience.
• Honors: Temporary status a video garners if it's the most

viewed most discussed or highest rated in a certain time period.
A video receiving these honors will, temporarily, be placed on
lists and be more likely to surface on a YouTube search.
• Partner: YouTube shares advertising revenue with "partners."

To learn more, see YouTube's partner page. If you're thinking
you're going to retire on YouTube Partner proceeds you're in for
a shock. But it's still nice to receive income based on the
advertising that appears around your videos. Unlike when this

eBook was first published, I now know a dozen people who are
living full-time on YouTube Partner income.

II. Do You Really Want to Be a YouTube
Star?
Let's evaluate YouTube "fame" for a moment, and make sure you
really want what you're apparently after. I find most people in pursuit
of YouTube "weblebrity" status are looking for one of four things:
1) They're a performer looking for a stage.
2) They're looking to sell a product or service.
3) They're trying to fill a self-esteem void with positive feedback,

ratings and views (therapy is cheaper in the long run).
4) They're hoping to connect with similar people and share

experiences.
I'm going to start by tempering your desire. If you enter YouTube with
desperation for fame, people are going to find you really annoying.
You'll give off a scent like those people selling Amway at neighborhood
picnics. You might even annoy people more than I do.
YouTube popularity is not all it's cracked up to be. You'll find yourself
spending inordinate amounts of time on YouTube, you'll lose a great
deal of your privacy, and you'll get insulted in ways you've never
imagined (someone wants to defecate in my mouth).
Each day you'll feel guilty because you're ignoring someone's cry for
help -- watch my video, mention my sick friend, be in my
"collaboration" video, tell me what you think of my son's video. Soon e-
mail will feel like a portal to hell – with desperate and thirsty souls
screaming for just a drop of water.
In some ways YouTube fame brings all of the negative side of real
stardom without the money and perks. You'll almost certainly become
addicted, and sometimes will fail to differentiate between your own

view of yourself and the opinions of your viewers. The first time you
get featured or have a video that goes viral will create a mad rush of
adrenaline, followed by a sugar crash.
But enough psychobabble. I just wanted to make sure you realize

there are some downsides. Now let's explore the fun things you're
going to experience if you have at least some talent and deploy the
techniques you're going to learn here.
There are some fantastic things about having an established audience

for your videos. First, you'll meet some terrific people. I started online
video in December 2005 with naïve hopes of supplementing my
income. I certainly
wasn't in pursuit of
meeting virtual
friends, as I'm busy
enough with my day
job and my family. I'm
doing good enough
neglecting my "flesh"
friends much less
forgetting birthdays
of virtual ones. But
I've met some really
amazingly creative and interesting people on YouTube. Some are
passing relationships where we e-mail or mention each other in an
occasional video. And others I've met in person to shoot videos, grab a
drink, or huddle together at YouTube gatherings that make Star Trek
conventions look cool.
I've been brought to tears by videos by my friends, and gained new

perspectives from individuals – from all over the planet – with whom I'd
otherwise have no contact. And I've laughed until I could barely
breathe. Lately I've leveraged my YouTube experience to help
marketers benefit from online video, and that's been helpful in

eliminating the mound of debt we've assumed along the way. But most
gratifying is the joy of interacting with other creators, and getting
instant feedback when I experiment with a new approach. Where I
used to burden dinner guests with my videos, I now can post a video,
go upstairs and shower, and return to find hundreds of comments that
tell me if the idea sank or sailed.
III. Understanding The Community of

YouTube
Did you know YouTube is more

than a search engine for
videos? It's actually a lively
community, and until you
understand and respect that
community, you're not likely to
be widely seen. Certainly there
are exceptions -- I call them
"one hit wonders." Sometimes
a video is so darned
remarkable that it goes viral on its own merit. But please don't bet on
that, because you have a greater chance of getting killed by a llama.
Many of the most popular videos on YouTube never help the creator
generate a regular following, so their next attempt is futile.
If you're new to YouTube, you may want to imagine yourself

walking into the high school cafeteria. What's your body language
saying?
• Sit with me because I'm afraid to sit alone.
• I came to eat, so please stay away or I'll eat you.
• Hi. I'm a cheerleader. Want to sit with me and be popular?
• Where's the table for the people who hate everyone else here?

Because YouTube is a visceral medium with two-way interaction, you
can't simply post your video and return a few days later to see if you're
the next Numa Numa kid. People are going to talk back to you
eventually. If you listen and respond, they might stick around and
watch more. They may even tell their friends about you. But if you're
posting to YouTube like you're sending out mass holiday letters, your
community "reputation" will be poor.
There's a core group of YouTubers that hang out on live video-

conference websites, e-mail each other constantly, and interact with
each other. You can learn a lot from this group, and they'll influence
your YouTube reputation. If I had more time (and didn't derive social
anxiety from live video), I'd be on Stickam.com, BlogTV or other
websites "hanging out" with these people regularly.
As with any community, there are countless of unwritten rules. To "fit

in" you'll have to watch a lot of videos and get a sense for these
yourself. But I'll give you the quick guide.
Like any community, YouTube has unwritten rules, and I outline some
of these in a video called "YouTube Etiquette." Nobody wants to admit
this, but there's a subtle social ladder based on how many subscribers
you have. It's rather repulsive, and I try not to look at the numbers. I
find that a creator's ego can unjustly bloat as their subscribers grow,
and I often prefer to "hang" with
the less popular, more interesting
people. But this social ladder is
important.
For example, I get a lot of requests

to collaborate with people that
have no videos or subscribers, and
it is a lot easier to ignore them
than someone who has talent and a following. I know some famous
YouTubers that simply won't collaborate with someone who obviously
doesn't watch their videos. If you try to do a "collaboration" video with

HappySlip before you know her – and have developed your own
following – she's likely to ignore you (she ignores me most of the time
too, but that's survival when you're blasted with 100 e-mails a day). So
initially interact with people who have as many subscribers as you, and
find your own "pod" within YouTube. There are countless subcultures
built around people and their friends, and this group stays with you like
your freshman roommates (or the stink of garlic).
Some YouTubers leverage their talent (in music or graphic design) to

create custom material that popular YouTubers can use. This makes us
far more interested in helping these creators find their way to the top.
IV. Methods Behind Madness
If you're a scanner, here comes the important part. I like lists because
they simplify things, and are actionable. So let me jump right into
some of the techniques that have helped me on YouTube. I'd also
encourage you to watch a few videos and blog posts I've done on this
subject:
• YouTube Etiquette: This is meant as humorous, but it has some

tips about posting, watching, interacting, collaborating, and
meeting other YouTubers.
• How to Promote Your Video: This is playfully titled "How to Cheat

on YouTube," but it's got some decent basic tips like good titles,
attractive thumbnails, compelling content, short videos and a
"big finish." More importantly, it touches on the subject of quality
not just quantity of subscribers. I speak about frequency of
posting (my unofficial tagline is "Nalts posts a video every time
you poop"). I also warn about the ineffectiveness of some
techniques (like tag whoring and desperate "watch me" requests,
and I'll elaborate these here). It outlines the power of making

collaboration videos or those that invite responses (like
contests).
• How to Promote Your YouTube Videos (blog post).
A. Collaborate With Other YouTubers
There's probably nothing you can do on YouTube that has more impact
than collaborating. I spent nine months uploading my videos, only to
find 20-50 people had viewed each. Quite by accident, I began
interacting with people and collaborating with other YouTube creators.
That is when things began to change. Collaborations are a fun
experience, and also introduce you to the audience of the person with
whom you collaborate. For example, when popular YouTuber, Renetto,
shaved my head, I got some exposure to his rabid fans. When I stalked
HappySlip's NYC apartment, she was kind enough to post my video on
her blog, and suddenly some of her subscribers subscribed to me. If
you collaborate with someone whose content is similar to yours, this is
more likely to occur.
I overlooked something critical in the first version of this book. If you

want people to discover you and your videos, it’s more important that
you are in the video of a popular YouTuber (versus having them in
yours). Generally a collaboration video is more valuable to the
individual with the
lowest numbers of
subscribers.
TheStation, a relatively
new collaborative
channel, rocketed
overnight to one of
YouTube’s most-
subscribed because of the collective promotion by a number of

YouTube “stars” including Sxephil, ShaneDawson, and LisaNova.
ShayCarl, who was a stranger on this book’s first version, is viewed
exponentially more times than I. He first “popped” when Sxephil told
his viewers to subscribe to him, and now ShayCarl has one of the most
active fan bases on YouTube (you may be amused to see his 2-year-old
feedback on the initial version of this book at the end of this
document).
B. Pursue Quality Subscribers (Not Quantity)
A year before this book’s first version I had 200 people subscribed to
my videos. In January 2008 I had 25,000. Now it’s surpassed 150,000.
Obviously many of these people subscribed and don't check their
subscriber page, or lost interest in YouTube. But among these
subscribers are people who share my sense of humor. Only a small
portion people who “graze” YouTube actually subscribe to videos and
check them routinely. But this core audience is vital, because they are
the ones that will watch your videos, give you feedback, and rate you
favorably. I'm able to post a video, and have it appear in YouTube's
"most highly rated videos of the day" because I have a group of
subscribers that generally like my stuff (don't ask why). Then, when
other YouTube "browsers" search for the highest rated videos of the
day, they're finding my videos – thanks to my subscribers.
There are a few of us that live on these "most watched" and "most
discussed" pages, and many of us aren't
very talented. But our subscribers like us,
and that propels us to "honors," which give
us access to a secondary audience. My
videos almost always get "honors"
because I have a quality base of
subscribers. But if I suddenly inherited all
of the subscribers of Smosh, I'd probably
get destroyed. Some of them would like

me, but an old, balding guy who drinks out of a coffee mug bearing his
YouTube name would not amuse many of them. So it's quality, not just
quantity you want.
C. Be Patient
Those creators who posted on YouTube early (2005) have a powerful

advantage over the rest of us. They got in early and developed a
regular fan base when the pickings were slim. Renetto and MrSafety
are good examples, although only the latter has persisted. They're
almost as talentless as me (I say in jest), but they have established
audiences that really enjoy their content. It's very hard for a newcomer
to rank initially. Please remember it's a marathon not a sprint! Save
some energy and pace yourself.
D. Interact
The YouTube audience is watching less television and become
enthralled with online video because it's mostly real and amateur.
We're all tired of scripted television, or worse yet, the faux reality
television. Viewers want to see real people who are accessible and
authentic, and with whom we can connect. This means you should try
to read and reply to as many comments on each video as possible (and
not just your own). This is easy at first, but becomes overwhelming as
time goes on. Still, my favorite part of YouTube is the discussion that
takes place on the video within the first 24 hours. I almost never check
comments from old videos, but I tend to jump online to my most recent
video and read and reply to interesting comments. If you ever want to
catch the attention of a YouTuber, try commenting on their most
recent video. The more popular they are the less likely they read
YouTube messages or e-mail.

E. Post Routinely
A year my slogan: “Nalts posts a video every time you poop” was
accurate.
But I soon received feedback that my videos were losing quality, and
many people suggested I emphasize
quality over quantity. I listened, and it was
a tremendous mistake. In the past few
months I’ve posted only 10 times per
month, and I’ve seen my momentum
decrease dramatically. I’m now doing my
best to post routinely, and it’s a critical
component to success. The video creators who currently top the charts
have one thing in common: they post frequently, if not daily. This does
not mean that posting regularly will propel you to fame, but once
you’re “on top” it’s important to keep your edge, and stay “top of
mind” to those who watch your videos. Unlike when this eBook was
first published, only a minority of my daily views comes from
subscribers or recent videos. People will more likely discover and view
your videos if you’re predictable about posting on specific days or
times. There are exceptions. Some of the most-subscribed YouTubers
(Fred, Nigahiga, and KevJumba) post less frequently.
F. Going Beyond YouTube: “Seeding”
Remember that YouTube is the most popular video site and #1 search
engine, but only one place where YouTube videos are seen. When you
post your video you may want to market it on niche sites, blogs, and
discussion groups. I tend to avoid this because it's time consuming and
often a violation of the unwritten “social media rules.” For instance,
when I did a video about my obsession with The Office, I resisted the
temptation to send the link to those blogging about the show. Unless
you devote the time to personalizing your note (format below), then

you're probably going to look like a spammer. That said, marketing
your videos to blogs and social media sites has helped many popular
creators.
Here's an example of an e-mail I'm happy to get:
Dear Kevin: I've been reading WillVideoForFood.com for quite some

time, and particularly enjoyed your recent post on (insert topic). I
work for a company that does (insert company), and I would
imagine this would be of some interest to your readers. Could I send
you information for the possibility of being mentioned in a future
post?
Now contrast that with a random

comment (including a link) on my blog
from a promoter or public relations flack.
Or worse, a form letter from a company
that's simply interested in pushing its
message. These feel like junk mail – at
best you'll get some moderate uptake.
There are countless social media vehicles that can help you promote
your videos (MySpace, Friendster, FaceBook, Digg). I find these
overwhelming and not nearly as productive as my other techniques,
but other YouTubers swear by the power of these. A good resource on
this subject is CharlesTrippy's "Viral Video Fever."
My best personal example of the impact of “seeding” videos to blogs

and websites is the success of my parody of the MacBook Air. When I
received an Apple e-mail that
announced the slick new product, I
spent 20 minutes shooting a video
that depicted my PC feeling insecure
about being overweight. I called it
”MacBook Air Obsessed With Thin”

(which I later changed to “MacBook Air Parody” to optimize it for
search engines).
Just before going to sleep, I sent the video’s URL to a few Mac blogs.
Gizmodo (a very popular blog) posted it, and it was quickly discovered
by tens of thousands of people. (it’s now approaching 700,000 views.
Obviously the video’s topicality was also a factor… A little “blog
gasoline” on the “video spark” is well worth its time.
F. Be Hot (or at Least Interesting)
I asked for feedback my first eBook,

and Yuri from New Zealand wrote: “I've
seen people with no talent at all with
YouTube partnership… Is it about
looks? You did state that YouTube is
like the first day of school and I noticed
that popular kids are more handsome
or pretty.”
I wish I could tell Yuri that looks don’t matter, but they do. Many of the
most popular YouTube creators are attractive looking. Pretty females
have a higher likelihood of success than a middle-aged guy like me.
But there are exceptions, and I can’t quite envision Sxephil, ShayCarl
or KassemG on the cover of GQ.
I truly believe that it’s important to have energy, engaging body

language, positive attitude, and humor. In the early days of YouTube,
there were many surly vloggers. Today most of the most-viewed
amateurs are fun people who have viewers with parasocial
relationships with them.

G. Commonalities of the Most-Popular Videos
This is a new section to this version, and an oversight. There are

certainly common attributes about vides that attract views and
subscribers.
Pranks: My two most-popular videos are pranks: “Farting in Public”

shows my nephew’s friend Spencer using a fart machine to elicit stares
in a library. It was featured on YouTube’s homepage in March 2007 (a
time when a homepage feature had far more impact). But that video
has been eclipsed by “Scary Maze Game,” a 52-second prank I almost
chose not to post. Jo (my wife)
has a friend who introduced me
to Jo with promises we were
future husband and wife. She
brought her three sons to visit,
and I put her son on a website
game that requires careful
navigation of the mouse through
mazes. Before you complete the
maze, the screen erupts with a scream and a photo of an image,
presumably from The Exorcist. Another wildly popular video, “Scary
Hitchhiker Prank” which I’ve since removed out of guilt, featured
YouTube prankster (EdBassmaster) pretending to be a convict who I
offer a car rider. Spencer, who thought he would be making a drive-
thru prank, was indeed terrified as EdBassmaster described how he
recently “shanked” someone in prison (I think poor Spencer has
forgiven me since). Indeed the YouTube audiences enjoy the realism
and shock of a good prank. Some of my pranks (like a huge frog I used
to scare my wife on a Bermuda vacation) have appeared on MTV’s
Pranked, which does not take unsolicited pranks but features some of
the best.

Dancing: It’s no coincidence that one of the most-viewed YouTube
video of all time is a great dancing routine. “Evolution of Dance” by
Judson Laipply is mandatory viewing.
Music: Britain’s Got Talent singer Susan Boyle was propelled to

national visibity partially because her beautiful singing in April 2009
was widely circulated on YouTube. See her most popular video and
you’ll appreciate why a simple housewife with an enchanting voice
enchants people. Most of the “most-viewed videos of all time on
YouTube” are also professional or amateur singers.
Children: “Charlie Bit My Finger,” which shows a young British child

biting the finger of his brother, is the most-viewed video of all time,
and the subject of countless parodies and homage’s. Who can resist
Hahaha, featuring the unbridled and contagious giggles of a child
amused by an adult’s funny sounds. Or the “serious face” of a child
mimicking his mother? My four children are no small reason that I have
been viewed so many times. And Shay Butler may be funny, but his
“tard” children provide some wonderful moments.
Political Humor: Ben Relles, creator of “Obama Girl,” has franchised

a magical mix of topicality,
pretty women and musical
satire. His “I’ve Got a Crush
on Obama” has won
numerous awards for its viral
appeal. Ben is the only other
successful YouTube creator
who shares my background
in marketing and advertising.
Fails: What is it about a pratfall, blooper or mistake that is so

intruiging? The term “fail” has become a universal phrase for “the
opposite of success,” and has resulted in its own Wikipedia page. One
of my favorite YouTube channels is “Failblog,” which offers an endless
stream of short, hysterical goofs. The channel is not “monetized” by

the creators (see Failblog’s blog) since the clips are usually “ripped”
without permission from television or other sources. But it’s hard not to
binge on these videos like popcorn. If your video’s title includes the
word “fail,” it might likely get more views.
Music and Song Parodies: The #1 most-subscribed YouTube female

musician of all time, “Venetian Princess,” has made a career of song
parodies. Her song parodies of Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry
have been seen tens of millions of times, and her most popular video is
a satire of Britney Spears’ Womanizer.
Vlogging: For every vlogger (video blogger) that has achieved most-
subscribed status, there are millions of others hiding in the depths of
the YouTube ocean. But the active viewers of YouTube want to connect
with a video creator personally, and poorly edited “moments of life”
intrigue them.
How-To: While “do it yourself” (DYI) is not the most popular content,
it’s well poised for profit. Howcast is a site devoted exclusively to short,
succinct “how to” content that is well optimized on search engines and
mostly “evergreen” (as opposed to topical humor).
V. Avoid These Tricks At All Costs
There are ways to artificially drive the views and ratings of your videos,
and "tricks" you can use to spam your videos to others. Ultimately
these won't help much because you'll lose credibility and annoy
people. It's cheap, tacky and may give you a short-term boost, but it's
just not worth the effort. Save your money and avoid buying software
or service that promise to get you viral.
Here are some other mistakes I've seen people make as they try to
popularize their videos. Maybe you can save yourself some time and
humiliation by reading this list.

A. Blatant Self Promotion
I often get accused of blatant self promotion because YouTube began

as a community site for open dialogue, and I'm a marketer. So I can't
resist a logo, a token hat, and a Nalts logo mug that sneaks into frame
with all the subtlety of a migraine. Perhaps
subconsciously some of my self-promotional
behavior is driven by a desperate attempt to
gain popularity to fortify my self worth. But a
lot of what I do is meant as a self-deprecating
humor. It's also fun to annoy people.
Still, self promotion can go terribly wrong. I

wish I could show you some of the desperate
e-mails I get requesting me to gratuitously mention someone else so
they can get "famous." I get many requests to be in collaboration
videos when the creator has no audience of his own, or any idea of
what they are trying to do (other than to borrow some fame). It's
awkward and embarrassing. Most of the popular YouTubers are
insecure people with no experience in fame, so they are inconsistent
about what collaborations they join. But fame desperation is a general
turnoff, and something to avoid at all costs.
B. Spamming
Unless there's a good reason to send someone a video, let them find it
on their own. For instance, I almost never send someone a link to my
recent video unless they're mentioned or in it. There's nothing for the
ego like getting invited to watch a video in which you make a cameo or
you're referenced. But I stopped reading my YouTube mail because
90% of the messages were:
• What type of equipment to you use? (Never mind that I explain

that in my profile page).

• Will you watch my video and tell me what you think? (No specific
reason is provided; It’s just a desire to be seen by a popular
stranger).
• You are so incredibly sexy (okay- that's not one I've received
before, but I wanted to make sure you're still awake).
There are other forms of spamming videos

through social networks and "friends" lists,
and candidly, I don't even understand most
of these. LisaNova (one of the most popular
YouTubers) faced severe backlash for
apparently spamming people with her
videos (see example of parody). She made
a public apology on the subject, as well as a
parody that has more than 2 million views.
The bottom line is that your videos should
be viral based on the content and some
promotion, but not through lazy and automated ways that will annoy
people.
Stay away from the fee-based promotional tools that are done by a
'bot!
C. SEO Your Video, But Don’t Keyword Bloat
Many people have a naïve belief that if they bloat their "keywords"
with terms like funny, humor, comedy and even other YouTuber's
names, it will propel the video to the top of a related search. Indeed,
this myth is not without some basis of truth. Keywords not only help
people find the video, but they can propel it to the top of Google and
ensure it appears beside related content on YouTube.

When I was first featured on YouTube I noticed that people were
posting their videos as replies, and mimicking my video's keywords.
This is misleading and annoying, and will eventually penalize a video's
performance. Remember- YouTube is now
owned by the master of defying search
engine manipulation: Google.
A better approach is to use relevant
keywords in hopes that your video appears
besides related videos. It's not a bad idea to
misspell either. For example, sellers of
Heelys shoes are spending massive
advertising budgets to have their sites
appear on the common misspelling,
"Healies." But my video (called "Poor Man's Healies") is unintentionally
one of the top results… simply because I can't spell.
One of the most effective ways to ensure your video is

“search-engine” optimized is to be selective about the terms or
phrase (rather than trying to optimize for words that are highly
competitive). Then use those terms consistently in your title, and the
first words of your description and keywords. In general, shorter titles
are preferable, so that’s a tradeoff to consider.
D. Abusing "Video Responses"
YouTube allows you to reply to another video, and this is a functionality

that's often abused. Many people tack their videos onto popular
videos, knowing that bored people will click them out of curiosity.
Some video creators police this vigilantly by not allowing people to
post replies without their approval (they select a YouTube option that
moderates videos instead of permitting them automatically).

I don't have time to groom the video
replies, so I sometimes let anything get
posted. However I become very annoyed
by people posting videos that have no
relationship to mine, and will occasionally
"block" them (prevent them from interacting with me).
E. Getting Too Self Critical
If you’re frustrated because you aren’t finding an audience, move past

it. Focus on doing videos that make you happy, and give it time. If you
begin to doubt yourself, your videos will get worse. And don’t allow a
few negative people to take you from your course. Give “haters” no
power, and as Dori says in the film, Finding Nemo, “just keep
swimming!”
F. Waiting to Be Discovered
YouTube editors once had the most powerful jobs in modern media,
and could literally turn obscure talent into overnight fame by simply
featuring a video. Once a YouTube
community manager (BigJoeSmith)
brought me to the homepage with Viral
Video Genius, but the video was only
moderately well received. The second
time was my "break out" video, and it
was called "Farting in Public." I will
confess that I sent this video to the
editors. I've only done that one or two
times.
The biggest change since the first iteration of this eBook is that
featuring is not the primary driver. The videos that are sporadically
featured (in what’s called “spotlighting”) are mostly Partner videos

(those that are “monetized” with advertisements). So becoming a
Partner is an important move, and then it’s persistence, persistence,
and persistence. This is a common theme in a YouTube documentary
(“I Want My Three Minutes Back”), which documents the long journey
of me and several other YouTubers.
G. Infringing Copyrights
Ensure your work is entirely your own, or that you have sufficient
permission. Otherwise your content can be removed, and you will
jeopardize your YouTube Partner status. Rather than using a popular
song, find a talented amateur musician who might share his or her
songs in exchange for a credit.
VI. How To Make Videos You & Viewers

Will Enjoy
If anyone should have the "magic recipe" for a good online video, it
should be me. But I'm still learning each day, and that's part of what
makes it so fun to create videos. People often ask me why I don't focus
on creating fewer good videos instead of posting routinely. There are
two reasons for that. First, if I stop creating for more than a few days, I
generally don't feel like posting anymore. Second, I have no Earthly
idea which of my video ideas will resonate and which will become
popular. There are a lot of factors involved, so I play the odds with
volume and frequency. As I mentioned earlier, the unintended outcome
of this routine posting is that it also keeps your audience loyal and
aware.
That said, there are a number of things I'd advise to help you make
better videos. Technically, the barriers to entry are extremely low
(access to the web, a computer, and an inexpensive camera). But here

are some tips to making your videos interesting and more likely to be
shared and, therefore, become "viral."
A. Stick To Your Brand (Be Yourself)
I know that my videos would be more popular if I made them more

edgy and sexy. But it's not consistent with my style, and so I forgo that
upside. It's not sustainable to create content
that doesn't reflect your personality, and it will
confuse your audience. Find a unique style and
stay with it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't
experiment. Some of the best YouTube
creators have a very specific and "ownable"
style. What The Buck does daily celebrity
gossip. Smosh does sketch comedy. HappySlip
makes clever comedies about her family, and
demonstrates her musical talent and appealing personality.
These creators aren't just talented, they know their audience and
consistently provide for them. Some, of course, participate more
extensively with the YouTube community, and others have their eyes
toward larger media opportunities. To see other popular YouTubers,
visit the "most subscribed of all time" section and get a feel for what's
popular. Just resist the temptation to imitate these styles too closely.
Find your own niche.
I tend to prefer variety in my

videos – from simple vlogs (talking
to camera) and real family
moments to sketch comedy to
"candid camera" style videos. I've
even done suspense/thriller style,
but usually with a comedic
element. When "Farting in Public" was featured, I picked up thousands

of new subscribers, and some of those stuck around while others left
disappointed that all of my videos weren't in the same candid style.
In writing “Beyond Viral Video” (Wiley 2010), I’ve asked a number of

popular video creators what advice the most give to fellow creators.
Many of them encourage others to “find their own voice” and ensure
it’s unique.
B. Short, Fast and Big Finish
There are no hard rules about making a video, and many videos fail
because they try to replicate other “viral” videos. People generally
want short (1-3 minutes, or less), rapid editing and a big finish.
I break this rule often, but it's a basic tenant of short-form video on the
Internet. It takes me much longer to edit a video into 30-90 seconds,
but it's almost always better that way. When you're editing, you
sometimes can't resist keeping some footage. But when I return to the
video weeks later, my undisciplined editing infuriates me. The viewers
will never miss that gag that extended your video from 2 to 4 minutes,
and you'll find your views are inversely related to the length of your
video. If you must tell the story in more than 2-3 minutes, consider
breaking it into a 3-part series.

I sometimes overlook the power of the "big finish," but it's the magical
moment.
If people lose interest or lack excitement at the end, they won't
forward the video to others. If there's a great ending, however, we'll
forgive some of the dips in the middle. And we'll rate it higher and
share it with others. Surprise us at the end, or at least return to a
previous gag so the story doesn't taper away.
There's nothing I enjoy more than finalizing the editing of a video, and
adding music. It helps to have someone watch your video with you,
and note when they look bored. I've chopped my videos down by
watching my wife's blank stare when I preview them to her. You'll
sense what you can lose. Sometimes the best part of the video is what
you decide to leave out.
C. Respect (But Don’t Obsess Over) Production
Want to know a secret? Many top creators have lousy equipment. For
instance, this GooTube Conspiracy trailer was shot on a low-end
camera using a very antiquated computer processor. Many of the
people dominating the most-popular YouTube videos each day are
using simple Flipcams. If you want good tips on equipment, check
Steve Garfield’s blog. For software, check Chris Pirillo.
A mediocre video can become much

more appealing if the creator worries
less about fancy equipment, and
puts time into the lighting, camera
shots, editing and sound. Many
people gravitate to online video
because they're tired of
overproduced television and film. So
you're allowed to have a wobbly
camera and some rough editing. But

there are some basic tips, and countless websites that can help you
improve your production.
• Light your subject softly with lights on two sides (not ceiling
lights that produce a shadow). Natural light (overcast) produces
the best quality.
• When possible, use a microphone or avoid public places with

ambient sound and horrible acoustics. Most YouTube creators
use the mike on the camera, which is usually poor. And there's
nothing that screams "amateur" than the echo of a room.
• Edit tight so no shot lasts more than 5 seconds. The best movies
have rapid-fire editing, and short-form entertainment needs it
too.
D. Package Your Video
Your video is more than the video. Your thumbnail, description, title
and even keyword tags are part of the package. If these elements
aren't consistent with your video idea, it won't have the same impact.
Some creators work hard for a good "thumbnail," which is the image
that appears besides the video title. YouTube once drew these images
by default from the exact center frame of the video (so a 2:00 minute
video will use the image that's at exactly 1:00) or the first or third
third. Now it’s random unless you are a YouTube Partner and have the
ability to upload an image that becomes your thumbnail. Lately some
of the top YouTube talent
has been using bright, neon
colors with a simple image
(often their face) over it.
Using a photo of an
attractive woman in this
thumbnail, which certainly
works in the short term, has

penalized some YouTubers. But many of the curiosity clicks will result
in frustrated viewers that were expecting something else. In general,
the video’s thumbnail is one of the most important drivers of views.
Titles play another significant role in the decision of a subscriber to

watch your video. I sometimes change my title when I think of a
stronger one. For example, I posted a video of Spencer, the boy from
"Farting in Public," beating up his friends with a 4-foot inflatable soccer
and basketball. The title is "Spencer Has Big Balls." That should at least
rouse some curiosity. In general, good titles arouse curiosity and are
short.
VII. YouTube and Profit
YouTube shares advertising

revenue with those that meet
requirements as a YouTube
Partner (see website).
Interestingly, the most frequented
blog posts on WillVideoForFood
are those titled “how much
money does a YouTube Partner
make.”
The company’s criteria is published, but not consistently applied. In

general, your videos have to be your own (no copyright infringements),
they need lots of views, and you should have a steady history of
posting. If you apply and are not accepted, try again after you have
more views.
Again, I am working on a book called “Beyond Viral Video,” (Wiley

2010) devoted specifically to the topic of video marketing. My blog,
WillVideoForFood, is focused on this subject, and here's an article I

wrote for Advertising Age called "Ten Things a Marketers Should
Know About Online Video."
As I mentioned, I started in online video with hopes of entertaining

people and supplementing my income. Initially I made a few thousand
dollars through sites (like Revver and
Metacafe) that shared advertising
revenue. However I found this to be very,
very slow money. I'm not allowed to
speak about my YouTube revenue… but
it’s not significant enough to be my sole
source of income.
That said, I have a number of friends that

are living comfortably full-time on
YouTube Partner revenue. If making
money is your primary goal, there are far, far more productive uses of
your time. Find a topic that has a high Google cost-per-click (litigation,
mortgage, diet, digital cameras), and start a blog about it with Google
Adsense ads sprinkled about. But don't do video for quick money. If I
divided the revenue I've made from online video by the time I've
invested, my hourly wage might be low. However I’m extremely
grateful that YouTube provides a non-trivial secondary income, and
I’ve done a number of sponsored videos (for Fox, Microsoft, Logitech,
Starbucks, Mentos,
Holiday Inn) that are even
more lucrative.
I am careful not to make

these sponsored videos
first entertaining and
second promotional, and I
turn down more clients than I accept. But it's fun to make a video for a
large brand, and help them engage with the online community with far

more relevance than an online advertisement. I especially like being
able to merge my day job (marketing) with my night job (online video).
If you seek YouTube popularity to market yourself or your products, I'd

recommend putting that goal aside until you develop a following. The
community will welcome you more if they don't see you as a walking
advertisement. There are subtle ways to profit from your talents
without looking like a commercial whore (that's my job, okay?),
whether you're a musician, painter or voice-over professional. For
instance, I've done several collaborations with Brett Slater
(slatersgarage.com) and he uses his increasing online popularity to
promote his services – without appearing overtly promotional.
If you're an artist, you might find someone you like on YouTube and
offer them a free song, logo, painting, etc. They'll typically mention you
in a video, and that can help you expand your audience.
VIII. Conclusion & Summary
If you began this book to propel yourself to fame, I hope you've

realized that there are effective strategies and some hidden pitfalls.
More importantly, I hope you realize that there is tremendous
gratification that comes along the way. I hope you'll focus on the fun
journey and not just on the destination of fame. You'll be criticized like
never before, but you'll also get wonderful feedback and meet
fantastic people. And occasionally you find out you've made someone
else's life better, or at least a bit more interesting.
There are other important video sites, but I've focused mostly on
YouTube because it's the "low hanging fruit," and currently where the
vast majority of videos are seen. If you can crack the YouTube code,
you can always explore other sites. The audiences between these sites
overlap less than you'd think. I use TubeMogul to upload my videos to
a dozen sites, but few get anywhere near the views I get on YouTube.

Now, the “Least You Need to Know,” in case you’re a
“scanner” like me:
1. Participate actively in the YouTube Community. It’s rewarding.
2. Be patient but persistent. It takes talent and marketing yourself.
3. Build relationships slowly, and don’t beg others to promote you.
4. Find your niche, and be yourself.
5. Be sure you’re having fun. Otherwise you’ll burn out.
6. Watch a lot of videos to learn what works.
7. Don’t get frustrated when others are gaining more traction.

Learn from it.
8. Avoid “tricks” or gimmicks that promise you views.
9. Keep your videos positive, brief, surprising, and short.
10.Collaborate with people who share your interests.
I'd really appreciate your feedback about this book. Did it meet your
expectations? Thanks to the more than 100 people who wrote
via kevinnalts@gmail.com with the subject heading "Book
Feedback.”
Thanks for reading, good luck on your pursuit,

and as the public relations folks at YouTube say, "Keep Tubing."

IV.
Select Feedback from Version 1.2
My name is Fox, I am 24, and I am

currently employed in the US Air Force as Me and my 10 year old son read your
a bomb tech. Unfortunately we can't online book “Popular on youtube without
really be making videos about that talent” and we both really enjoyed it. We
sooooooo..... have been making and posting videos
since January of this year and I think that
we gained a lot of insight from your book
I wanted to let you know I appreciated the
that will assist us in our online journey.
essay! It verified feelings I had about
embarking, and offered insight into issues
I hadn't considered.
Climbing the mountain because "it's
there.” I find that having the desire to do
I've seen people with no talent at all with something for the sake of doing it because
YouTube partnership. or is it about looks? you LOVE IT! can be important and
you did state that youtube is the same as valuable. I've always said that I put up
the first day of school and I noticed videos for myself primarily and then to
that usually popular kids are more entertain or inform my friends, then
handsome or pretty. anything after that is gravy. (mmmm,
gravy). The love of doing it is important,
and knowing when to walk away from it,

for a while, to get perspective, is equally the right track, but added some nuggets
important. Just a thought.... of gold that I didn't already know.
I believe it's been some time since you Anyhow, thanks for sharing your thoughts
created the book because you stated in and experiences. I thought you were an
the book you had "25,000" subs. And asshat for a while, until I saw that
now, checking your profile, you have a WHATTHEBUCK thing and now after going
significantly larger amount. So I was through your blog a bit you seem like a
curious, has there been anything major pretty cool dude.
that you would put in the book now, that
you didn't have experience with when it
Sent 1/5/08 from “ShayCarl”: NALTS!!
was written?
You are a true genius! Im not just saying
that. I just read all 34 pages of your book
I'm having real bad trouble with promoting and LOVED it..I think that it's good that
and i just really need to know what I'm you did this for free but could definately
doing wrong. I have awesome vids, much forsee you charging for this or something
better than what's viewed millions of similar in the future.Im very new to YOU
times *cough* Fred. TUBE. I made a video called "HE MAN
GERM" in response to SXE Phils contest
"how to get a popular show series or vlog"
Thanks for the great advice as well as the
at the last second and by some unicorn
many links pointing to helpful hints. I've
miracle was selected as one of the top 5.
spent a lot of time searching Google for
Now that video has been viewed ALMOST
sound help that didn't include paying
10,000 times. I’m waiting for it to hit the
hundreds of dollars to advertise or tagging
10k so I can celebrate!! But now I’m
the video with "sex boobs teen"
addicted to this DAMN thing
called YOUTUBE "I could totally quit I just
don’t want to" and my life has turned
While reading i couldn't even stop,
upside down. I have been looking for
because text was so attractive to me,
something exactly like your book this
really enjoyed mini jokes, you answered to
whole time. Anyways I remember what
every question i had, i think book
you said short and sweet.. Thanks for
deserves 10 from 10. From this moment i
being a YOUTUBE mentor...Official SHAY
will stick on to your advices, and hope to
book rating ----3 thumbs up! and since I
become one day famous.
only have 2 thumbs thats pretty dern
Most of what you said in your book was
impressive!!!!
fairly common sense, but in today's day
When I was 17, a young composer-
and age, common sense is very
arranger in the making, I worked for the
uncommon. It just cemented that I'm on

late Judy Garland - who was such a I just finished reading your book and found
spectacularly kind and very wise it to be inspiring, jovial, and vague in the
woman…. (Once) she was backstage at same way my books on Zen Buddhism
the Palace theatre in NY peeking out to are.
the audience that awaited her. She
spotted me nearby and said, "Aren't they
It is so very refreshing to see an industry
beautiful?" I said, "Judy, aren't you scared?
where good people suceed and try to help
How will you ever reach all of those
others out. This may seem silly, but it
people?" She replied, matter-of-fact-ly"Oh,
makes me have some faith in folks in the
Annie, I don't have to reach all of those
entertainment business again.
people, I just have reach one of them."
I would like to thank you for taking the

I am somewhat of a research junkie, so
time to share this important info with the
finding your ebook was like finding a gift
rest of us. More people need to have your
from Santa under the tree! Your lists and
open and sharing attitude. Your book
links give it a great clarity.
should be required reading for an
YouTuber.
V. Additional Resources
• Inside Online Video by Mike Abundo. He is often the first to

report on new trends and site features.
• OnlineVideoWatch (a great source).
• ReelPop by Steve Bryant, a columnist and editor living in New

York, NY.
• Cinematech by Scott Kirsner, who wrote “The Future of Online

Video.” CinemaTech focuses on how new technologies are
changing cinema - the way movies get made, discovered,
marketed, distributed and seen.
• Usertainment Blog, written by a veteran technology-business

journalist.
• NewTeeVee- an "Entertainment Tonight" of online video.

• Fred Graver Blog, written by the guy that once helped
ABC/Disney to explore “Telefusion.”
• Mashable, a site for social networking news.
• DaisyWhitney, one of the leaders of online-video coverage.
• Web Video Doctor, for tips and tricks to help make better web
videos.
• ViralBlog, collaborative team of bloggers hunt the globe for great

virals.
• System Video Blog by Ken McCarthy
• StreamingMedia Blog is a bit “techie” for me, but has some nice
info. Written by Dan Rayburn.
• Xlntads is a website that connects marketers, advertisers and

amateurs, and has a nice relatively new blog written by Mark
Schoneveld.
• WebVideoZone is a terrific resource (includes “members only"

content).
• Less of a blog, but this “Online Video Industry Index” has a nice
links.
• NewsVideographer for journalists looking to leverage online

video.
• ReelSEO- how to optimize your videos for SEO.
• Gadget News: Lots of topics, including online video.
• Ronamok, by Ron the New Media Evangalist
• Hot Air, a new media conservative something or another that is

really interesting. Founded by Michelle Malkin.
• Web Video Report: The bizzzness of online video
• Politics YouTube In Review
• MathewWingram: The intersection between web and media.

• PandemicLabs
• Camcorder Info: More than you’d expect from a camcorder site.
• Viral Video Wannabe: FallofAutumnDistro is one of YouTube’s

more clever self marketers.
• Web Jungle: Advertising, digital marketing & web culture.
• Viral Video Fever: The Charles Trippy DVD collection that will
give you a comprehensive video tutorial of this space (and I'm in
it, okay?).
photo by Joe Shields

How To Become Popular On YouTube Without Any Talent v2 (By Kevin Nalty, Nalts)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Become Popular On YouTube Without Any Talent v2 (By Kevin Nalty, Nalts)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Version 2.3, Feb.

Kevin “Nalts” Nalty is one of YouTube's least talented

Here, the career marketer reveals some of his"insider secrets" to developing

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 1

In more than 34 pages – packed with real experience, examples and

The techniques are built

The book offers basic – but sometimes counterintuitive – advice on how

Should You Read This Book?

If you're asking yourself the following questions, this book may be

• How do I gain YouTube popularity without cheating or appearing

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 2

II. Do You Really Want to Be a YouTube Star?........................7

III. Understanding the Community of YouTube........................9

IV. Methods Behind Madness...............................................11

V. Avoid These Tricks At All Costs........................................19

VI. How To Make Videos You & Viewers Will Enjoy.................23

VII. YouTube and Profit.......................................................28

VIII. Conclusion & Summary.................................................30

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 3

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 4

I suppose my "sorry" section is as important as my "thanks." Invariably

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 5

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 6

Here's an important “take away,” so you might want to highlight

I really should stay as far from mathematical examples as I do from

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 7

• Collab Videos: Making a collaboration video with someone else

• Subscribers: You know how your magazines magically show up

• Honors: Temporary status a video garners if it's the most

• Partner: YouTube shares advertising revenue with "partners."

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 8

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 9

1) They're a performer looking for a stage.

2) They're looking to sell a product or service.

3) They're trying to fill a self-esteem void with positive feedback,

4) They're hoping to connect with similar people and share

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 10

But enough psychobabble. I just wanted to make sure you realize

There are some fantastic things about having an established audience

I've been brought to tears by videos by my friends, and gained new

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 11

III. Understanding The Community of

Did you know YouTube is more

If you're new to YouTube, you may want to imagine yourself

• Sit with me because I'm afraid to sit alone.

• I came to eat, so please stay away or I'll eat you.

• Hi. I'm a cheerleader. Want to sit with me and be popular?

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 12

There's a core group of YouTubers that hang out on live video-

As with any community, there are countless of unwritten rules. To "fit

For example, I get a lot of requests

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 13

Some YouTubers leverage their talent (in music or graphic design) to

IV. Methods Behind Madness

• YouTube Etiquette: This is meant as humorous, but it has some

• How to Promote Your Video: This is playfully titled "How to Cheat

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 14

• How to Promote Your YouTube Videos (blog post).

A. Collaborate With Other YouTubers

I overlooked something critical in the first version of this book. If you

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 15

B. Pursue Quality Subscribers (Not Quantity)

© Kevin Nalty, Nalts Consulting, LLC, February 2010 Page 16