Why I Threw Out My Winning YouTube Formula for Something Riskier 😬

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This is the most successful video on my channel.

Not just from a views perspective, but also from a monetary one.

It’s also the video that encouraged me to pivot and change how my channel operates, including its perspective, goals, topics, and overall philosophy.

Why did this video do so well?

It used a provocative title, fast-paced editing, and covered a topic that was hot news at the time.

If I had uploaded this video six hours earlier or even eight hours later, it might not have gained the traction it did.

I’m extremely proud of it, and it will go down as one of my many achievements with my channel.

So, why pivot? Why change a winning formula?

I believe in skating to where the puck is going to be, rather than resting on my laurels and patting myself on the back by looking at the past.

With the rise of numerous AI channels proliferating on YouTube and an avalanche of new channels on the horizon, I think authenticity will win in the long run for YouTubers. Offering even a sliver of genuine content will set us apart.

This video did well because it fit a format that’s currently popular, but for me, that success feels short-lived and not a viable long-term strategy.

So, what am I doing with the channel now?

I’m taking some risks. By that, I mean I’ve done a complete 180 and started making content that 95% of my current subscribers likely aren’t interested in and probably never will be.

I’m moving my channel from a commodity-driven model to a business-focused one.

This will be a platform where my opinions matter, people tune in to hear my views, and the content shifts from purely entertaining to educational. More importantly, it will be a channel that advertisers will want to sponsor or run ads on.

To be honest, I don’t know how long this transition will take, but I feel in my gut that this is the right move for both me and the channel.

From the outside looking in, this might seem like the dumbest move ever. Honestly, even I sometimes think it’s the wrong decision.

But if it is, I’ll learn from it and move forward.

What’s the strategy?

The strategy is to create content that both my viewers enjoy and that will attract my dream sponsors.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to monetise this channel, and it felt like one of the best moments of my life. But in truth, AdSense income is too sporadic to rely on.

Optimising for AdSense is now a thing of the past. It’s nice if it comes, but it’s no longer my main focus.

I’ve identified 100 dream sponsors and will be reaching out to them monthly. Some will receive cold emails, others snail mail, and some will be approached through collaborations and interviews.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes or how many come on board. I’ll keep publishing videos and gathering feedback from both viewers and potential advertisers.

I’m not going to lie—this will be a long, hard journey. It’s not the easiest path, and it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. But I’m writing this post to hold myself accountable and to look back on as a reminder of why I started.

I hope you’ll wish me luck on this journey. As always, I’ll share what I learn along the way in this forum—both the good and the bad. 😜

A few months ago, I would never have written a post like this. But after two bereavements in my family, I’ve realised life is too short.

I don’t want to look back and wish I had done this or that.

If I fail, I’ll fail publicly.

At the end of the day, why should I care what others think or if they chuckle at my failures?

At least I’ll know I tried my best, gave it everything I had, and, most importantly, lived with no regrets. 🙂

If you’re planning a similar shift with your channel or have recently gone through a transition like this, I’d love to hear from you and learn about your story.

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