My YouTube Journey: From Product Sales to "Bad Kid" Success
My initial foray into YouTube channel management involved selling my company's software. We priced the tool at $19.99/month or $79.99/year. Sometimes, a single YouTube video would generate dozens of sales within a week, resulting in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in revenue, not accounting for recurring subscriptions.
Early Revenue and Ambitious Goals
While this YouTube channel was just one sales avenue and its revenue was relatively insignificant for the company, it boosted the confidence of my colleagues. Back then, I aspired to achieve a similar level of income myself, believing YouTube offered much more potential. We even collaborated with small YouTubers (a few thousand subscribers, similar average views). Even a simple product mention could earn them hundreds of dollars, sometimes even with imperfect English. Even without sales, significant traffic could generate decent ad revenue. I believed I could surpass their success.
The Unexpected Advantage of Being a "Bad Kid"
Fast forward several years, and I have indeed earned money from YouTube, as I had envisioned. However, my initial perception of intelligence being key was wrong and even hindered my progress. It's noticeable that many successful online content creators aren't traditional experts; rather, they're unconventional individuals, or "bad kids" as I like to call them, rather than economics or finance professors.
Why "Bad Kid" Traits Thrive Online
These "bad kids" often outperform traditional experts online because of their traits. Characteristics like rule-breaking, recklessness, curiosity, mischievousness, and a penchant for getting into trouble, which are usually frowned upon, are actually advantageous in the social media landscape.
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Breaking rules allows for unique creations.
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Recklessness fosters bold innovation.
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Curiosity fuels countless ideas.
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Mischief yields real-world experience.
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Playfulness allows you to understand what is authentic and real to your audience.
While "smart people" analyze rules, traditions, possibilities, and risks, "bad kids" recklessly explore the digital world.
Understanding the Audience
The reality is, most people are like these "bad kids" – driven by basic desires, and often lacking discipline and highbrow tastes. Only someone who has embraced their inner "bad kid" can truly understand and connect with this audience, communicating and influencing them effectively. "Smart people" often speak a sophisticated language understood by only a small percentage, while "bad kids" build rapport and captivate a wider audience.
The Need for Balance
Thankfully, social media is more complex than simply being a troublemaker. "Bad kid" traits provide a foundation, making the path to success easier, but don't guarantee it. True success requires wisdom, an understanding of social media dynamics, and effective strategies.
The Final Hurdle: Letting Go of "Smartness"
These elements can be learned through experimentation and observation. However, the most challenging aspect, and the reason why many intelligent individuals struggle on social media, is the willingness to abandon being a "smart person". Learning to embrace being a "smart idiot" rather than an "idiotic smart person" is the key to unlocking social media success. It's about being okay with embracing calculated risks, a bit of recklessness, and abandoning the need for absolute control.
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