Reflections on Two Years of Building a Cybersecurity YouTube Channel
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Chapter 1: My YouTube Journey
As of December 2023, my YouTube channel has officially turned two years old, which feels surreal. Two years ago, I never envisioned myself consistently producing content for YouTube, yet here we are.
I established my channel to provide insights on Cybersecurity, Cloud Security, and Artificial Intelligence. For more information, feel free to check it out below:
My Background
Before diving into YouTube, I had absolutely no experience with the platform. However, I took a leap of faith to see where this venture would lead me. Fast forward two years, and my progress is not what I expected. While I wish I could tell you I achieved monetization within months and am raking in hundreds of dollars, that's not quite the case.
Currently, I have just over 4,000 subscribers, which is minimal compared to other channels. My monthly earnings hover around $20, but despite that, this experience has been one of the best decisions I've made. Launching a YouTube channel is undeniably one of the most demanding yet creatively fulfilling endeavors you can pursue. It compels you to adopt a mindset geared toward content creation.
Chapter 2: My Story
I have spent over 20 years in cybersecurity and relocated to the UK in 2021 under a Global Talent Visa. As I approached my 40th birthday, I made a commitment to give back to the tech community and move away from the traditional 9-to-5 work routine. I explored various avenues for contributing—speaking at conferences, writing books, or creating courses—until I had a lightbulb moment. I realized I was overcomplicating things.
YouTube, a platform well-known and widely loved, presented an accessible way to start sharing educational content. Taking the plunge, I created my YouTube channel named “Cloud Security Guy” and began crafting my first video, which I now look back on with a mix of nostalgia and embarrassment.
Baby Steps
I genuinely meant it when I said I was clueless about video creation. I had to acquire all the necessary skills on the go, and Canva proved to be an invaluable resource. It is arguably the best tool for beginners like myself—completely free and offering fantastic templates.
I began recording videos using Canva and uploading them to YouTube, committing to a weekly schedule to ensure at least one video was released each week, even if it was the most subpar video imaginable. I learned about video flow, keyword ranking, and thumbnail creation—all through Canva!
In 2022, one of my videos titled “Artificial Intelligence vs Cybersecurity” unexpectedly ranked as the top video on Google for that topic, earning thousands of views, which was an incredible milestone.
Is Monetization Possible with 4,000 Subscribers?
The short answer is both yes and no. With my modest 4,000 subscribers, I am not in a position to retire off YouTube ad revenue anytime soon. However, YouTube has still provided me with a nice supplementary income. How, you ask? By using it as a tool for driving traffic to my other offerings.
YouTube excels at directing traffic to my products like eBooks, courses, and blogs.
I've made sales through platforms like Gumroad, Thinkific, and Amazon, all thanks to traffic generated from my YouTube channel. Additionally, many have reached out for advice, which has significantly expanded my professional network. The key is to avoid being overly promotional; focus on creating quality content that offers value to viewers, allowing them to decide if they want to explore your other products.
Key Takeaways
Reflecting on two years of video creation, here are the key lessons I would share with newcomers:
- Just Start! Don't let negativity hold you back. Every year, new creators find success on YouTube, and you could be next.
- Consistency is Crucial. Improvement comes with each video. Avoid the trap of striving for perfection; just hit that Publish button!
- Think Long-Term. Treat YouTube as a long-term investment. Allow at least 18 months before expecting to monetize your channel.
- Avoid Monetization as Your Main Goal. Focusing solely on monetization can drain the enjoyment from your creative process. Instead, concentrate on creating content you love.
Best of luck on your YouTube journey!
And as a final note, it wouldn’t be a proper YouTube-related article if I didn't invite you to subscribe to my channel!
Taimur Ijlal is an award-winning information security expert with over 20 years of global experience in cybersecurity and IT risk management within the fintech sector. Connect with Taimur on LinkedIn or explore his YouTube channel “Cloud Security Guy,” where he shares insights on Cloud Security, Artificial Intelligence, and general advice for cybersecurity careers.