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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Be yourself" is about the worst advice you can give some people.
The Breakdown
Hey fam!
DEEP DIVE
If you’ve ever recorded yourself in front of a mirror or created social media content, you’ve heard the advice to “be yourself.” While this sounds straightforward (and with good intentions), it’s challenging, especially when you’re starting out.
My Content Journey → One Year On
I recorded my first YouTube video a year ago, and even now, I’m figuring out my style. Initially, I tried to avoid overly-edited videos but I felt I needed some level of editing to get my ideas across.
Creating heavily-edited videos has made my content feel stiff.
I enjoy discussing interesting topics at length but YouTube is a fine art of providing value whilst keeping it short.
And spending hours creating what I think is a good video but then seeing a massive viewer drop-off after just 5-10 seconds sucks.
Despite these challenges, I find the process enjoyable. I’ve been a YouTube fan since I was a kid, watching everything from Call of Duty gameplay to football videos.
Being on the other side and uploading a video is a special feeling that never gets old.
Growing up, I watched a lot of gaming videos. My favourite game → Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (too many memories).
My early videos felt heavily edited and not truly representative of me. Watching YouTube growth videos and playlists, I noticed a recurring theme: “be yourself.” However, this advice can feel generic and unhelpful when you’re still trying to find what works for you.
Unlike those who can talk off the cuff, I tend to ramble, making it harder to stay on point.
I’ve followed the rise of YouTubers like Sam Sulek, who’ve based their channel around being authentic and straight-talking. This is the style of content I feel more comfortable doing.
So, last Tuesday I recorded my latest YouTube video in my car, without any graphics, fancy edits or b-roll.
It hasn’t gone viral but I felt more comfortable and natural recording it. I’ll still create well-edited videos, but being honest and sharing my experiences is the way to go.
It’s easy to feel under pressure to find your style and ‘be yourself’.
The Balance → Takeaway
The advice to “be yourself” feels misleading for now. While studying successful YouTubers and moulding your style after them helps, doing it too much feels inauthentic. I heavily script my videos line by line, which can make recording feel unnatural.
This is a challenge I want to overcome, and I know many others face the same issue.
Finding your path in content creation (and self-improvement itself) is tough, but every step, no matter how small, is progress.
Recently, I’ve been feeling burnt out. Connecting with my audience through more authentic, less edited videos might help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. It’s been a year since I uploaded my first YouTube video, and while there have been many challenges and few successes, it’s all part of the journey.
TIPS & TRICKS
TAKE ACTION TODAY
Open your phone camera app to record a short, unscripted video.
Pick a topic you’re passionate about and speak from the heart.
It will feel uncomfortable at first, but it’ll help you connect with your audience (and yourself) on a deeper level.