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7 Game-Changing Reasons Writers Should Launch a YouTube Channel in 2025

It’s a brand-new year, and so let’s be honest. Every new year we often ask ourselves the same questions: “Is blogging dead?” or “What are the best practices for social media this year?”


They’re questions that have been asked time and again, every single year, because businesses and digital marketers want to know whether the things that worked for them in the past are still efficient and profitable.


When it comes to content marketing, specifically, the question of blogging and SEO often comes into question, especially with the steady and continuous rise of AI.


A lot of businesses see blogging and SEO as a less-efficient and profitable option now, particularly all thanks to all the “new” and rehashed content being churned out by AI users on a daily basis.


So Why YouTube? Are We Giving Up?

The thing is that AI (even with all its benefits) still tends to use a lot of the same words and phrasings in every piece it writes. Oftentimes it provides nothing more than a rehash of everything that’s already been said and published on the internet.


It’s up to us, as writers, then, to add in our unique perspectives and experiences into the AI-generated mix.


But then, why YouTube?


1. Discoverability on YouTube is WAY Better

When you really think about it YouTube operates almost exactly like any other search engine. In fact, when you really think about it, the video platform is owned by Google itself. Of course they’re going to maximize it for search.


This just means that YouTube makes use of the same algorithms, the same keyword data, and the same user data that Google has in its possession.


Additionally, when it comes to discoverability and exposure YouTube isn’t exactly sub par when compared to Google and other search engines either.


Think about every Google search you’ve ever done. Chances are you’ll have seen videos attached to the search results. Whether you’re searching for how to cook a certain dish, fix your toilet, change a tire, tie a tie, or navigate the new features on your smartphone, YouTube and Google go hand-in-hand.


In fact, chances are that if someone’s searching for how to fix something, or learn something, they’re more likely to hop on over the YouTube rather than Google.


Add to that the fact that YouTube has been working on helping small channels and creators get seen on the platform. In September of 2024 they launched Hype, which is a feature that allows users to help promote smaller channels and give them that extra push.


Now, while this feature is still actually in the testing phase, and isn’t available globally, YouTube has actually said that they have a dedicated team that works on helping smaller channels get more views.


I don’t know if you’ve noticed recently (because I certainly have) but there have been more videos from smaller channels and creators that have been appearing on my home feed recently.


Compare that to discoverability on Google (which can be extremely competitive) where it could take you six to twelve months just to see any traction come from publishing good, keyword-optimized articles.


2. Video Consumption Continues to Rise

Another reason why writers should be considering YouTube is because of the fact that video consumption continues to rise.


In fact, here are some stats you might want to seek your teeth into:



I mean, I was there at the beginning of YouTube and social media (during the days when we still used platforms like Friendster, MySpace, and Yahoo Messenger).


I saw how social media conquered the internet landscape, and how Facebook was initially just filled with pictures and status updates (because we didn’t have very good cameras on our phones back then).


Now, more and more of the content on social media is video. And more and more of us prefer to consume video as well because it tends to be a better fit for our busy schedules.


3. The Barrier of Entry is Low

In the beginning, YouTube was filled with silly videos about silly things. Who here still remembers the Numa Numa video of Gary Brolsma where all he did was dance to the song Dragonstea Din Tei?


Over time, more and more people gravitated onto the platform, and it became filled with high-quality video productions of people that wanted to show off their picture-perfect lifestyles, routines, and habits.


Eventually, all that came to an end, and these days more and more people are tired of all the fakery. These days, we just want to see real people, with real personalities and real perspectives, sharing their actual, real insights and opinions.


So no… You don’t need a DSLR camera to shoot your YouTube videos.


In fact, more and more content creators are shooting videos from their phones, inside of their cars, or their bedrooms, or their kitchens.


Heck, even Gary Vaynerchuk argues this same point!


Just open the camera app, point, then click. With just that, you can already start building an audience on YouTube.


4. Audio & Video are Easier to Consume than Text

Now, if you’re a writer like I am, then believe me, I hear you loud and clear. I can hear the screams about video destroying literacy and reading culture.


Now, I’ve always been a reader. In fact, I majored in Literature back in my college days. I love to read, and continue to do so to this day.


However, at the same time, I also love audio and video content.


I recently discovered that I have this thing called aphantasia.


You know how when you ask someone to picture an apple in their heads, they’re able to see the image of an apple in their heads (its color, texture, and shape) so clearly?


Those of us with aphantasia can’t do that.


Simply put, aphantasia is a condition wherein one does not have a visual imagination. We can’t picture things in our mind. All we see is the deep darkness of the back of our eyelids.


It’s not necessarily a medical condition or disability. It’s just the way some people’s brains functions.


This is why, despite loving to read fiction, and majoring in literature, I’ve always had a difficult time picturing scenes and characters in my head. Whenever I watched a movie based on a book, and people say, “He looked exactly like I pictured him when I read the book,” I could never relate, because I could never picture the characters in my head.


Looking back, it makes sense why I’ve always preferred reading comics and manga over novels. The pictures did the imagining for me.


Every time I’m reading a novel, I find that I had to read some pages again and again just to get an idea of how the scene is moving and playing out. In a sense, it greatly affects my comprehension.


This is why I recommend writers consider starting a YouTube channel (or even a podcast) this year.


Which brings me to my next point…


5. People Can Listen to You While Doing Something Else

I was also there when podcasts first started to enter the zeitgeist. I fell in love with them instantly because I could listen to podcasts during my lunch break, while driving, doing chores, exercising, or taking a walk.


Podcasts were one of my biggest sources of information and learning for years because they were just so easy to consume.


Now, believe it or not, I treat many YouTube videos and channels the same way. If you have YouTube Pro, for example, you can turn off your phone and still listen to the video as if you were consuming a podcast.


In fact, I’m pretty sure that a lot of people consume YouTube content in this manner (just leaving the video playing in the background while they wash the dishes).


This just adds another point to the fact that you don’t need a camera that takes videos in 4K or even just 1080p. All you probably need is a decent microphone so that people can hear and understand you.


6. You Can Always Start a Faceless YouTube Channel

One major reason I recommend writers start a YouTube channel this year is because (yes, you read that right) you don’t really need to show your face on YouTube.


Faceless YouTube channels are actually a thing!


In fact, when you go over to YouTube, you’ll find that there are a lot of YouTube creators that make a good amount of money and get a whole lot of views without ever showing their face.


This is perfect for those of us who are extremely shy and introverted.


You don’t need to show your face!


Of course, there’s a caveat to choosing to start a faceless YouTube channel over one where you show your face: It’s more difficult to build a connection with your audience.


If there’s one thing a lot of people agree on these days, it’s the fact that more and more people are increasingly lonely. We’re all searching for connections these days, for friends we can relate and talk to, for a partner we can share our entire lives with.


It’s easier to build a relationship if you can see the person you’re talking to. It’s easier for you to determine whether you like this person’s energy or not.


Additionally, there are a lot of faceless YouTube channels out there that are also voiced and narrated by AI.


Do they get money and views?


Sure.


But I have yet to feel any connection towards the creators of these fully AI channels. I may learn stuff, sure. But a part of you just can’t shake that feeling that the AI voice just isn’t connecting. It’s too pristine. Too “perfect”.


Of course, if that’s all well and good with you, go for it!


However, I do recommend that as much as possible, if you’re going for a faceless channel, that you still use your own voice. After all, podcast listeners have connected with the hosts of their favorite podcasts by simply having their voice in their ear for hours on end.


I remember Pat Flynn talk specifically about this in one of his podcast episodes. I believe he was at a conference at the time, and he was surprised at how friendly people were whenever they came up to him to chat. These people were, of course, long-time listeners, and for them it felt as though they were seeing an old friend because they were so used to hearing his voice. Whereas for Pat, it was the first time he was seeing and speaking to these strangers.


We all crave that human connection. And so if you aren’t comfortable just yet making those connections with the help of your face, at least do it with your own unique and authentic voice.


For what it’s worth, it’ll be the best practice for that one day in the future when you get invited to speak at a panel, conference, or even a TED talk! At least that way, you’ll have learned how to modulate your voice well, minimize stuttering, and maybe completely eradicate all those umms and ahhs for when you do your keynote or speech.


7. You Get to Avoid the Social Media Hamster Wheel

If there’s one thing I learned after 8 years working as a social media manager, it’s that I absolutely hate social media.


Once upon a time, it was all fair and just, and you could actually reach your audience of friends and followers with your posts and pictures, and status updates. But over time, Facebook, and everything else like it went the way of advertisers and businesses.


Can you still make it big on social media?


Of course! I don’t doubt that at all.


What I dislike about it is the fact that success on social media requires you to jump on this content hamster wheel and churn out post after post after post until you either run dry, or burn out.


I mean, do you know what the lifespan is for each of your social media posts? Here’s a breakdown:


  • Twitter/X: 43 minutes

  • Facebook: 76 minutes

  • Instagram: 19.75 hours

  • YouTube: 8.83 days

  • Pinterest: 3.76 months


Taking a look at those numbers, it’s no wonder most people roll their eyes when they’re told by experts that they “have to be consistent”. The problem with consistency in this case is that it requires you to burn the candle at both ends.


With YouTube, you at least have more space to breathe in between posts. You can surely come up with 52 ideas inside of a year, versus one idea for all 365 days of it. And that’s not the worst of it, because most gurus will tell you to post multiple times a day — all to chase those illusive likes.


Another difference between YouTube and the likes of Facebook and Instagram is that (like a well-optimized blog post) people can still find and come across your YouTube videos years after you first post them. Because YouTube is a search engine (and Meta and X are not).


Your grandma’s secret recipe for chicken noodle soup will continue to be found and discovered years after publication if people found it helpful, insightful, or entertaining.


The same can’t be said for an Instagram reel you posted even just a month ago. No one’s searching for that. And even if you do add all the relevant hashtags and keywords, you won’t find much traffic or engagement being pushed towards it as the days go by.


Time to Spread Your Message Further through YouTube

With this, I do hope that you (as a writer) will consider starting your own YouTube channel this year. Because I’m certain that that’s one of the things that I aim to do.


And if I’ve convinced you somehow (and you’ve already started your YouTube journey), then by all means please feel free to share your YouTube channel in the comments so I (and other readers) can check it out.

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