My Journey to 500 Subscribers – What I Learned & How You Can Grow Too
I started my YouTube channel four years ago, just for fun. I filmed everything—travel, photography, random projects—without a plan. But in the last three months, I started taking it seriously. I built a website, made a content plan, and focused on growing my brand.
Now, I want to share the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way. If you’re a small creator trying to grow, this post is for you!
Lesson #1 – Find Your Focus (Or You’ll Waste Time)
At first, I made all kinds of videos. Travel vlogs, photography experiments, reviews—basically, whatever seemed fun. But the problem?
- Editing took forever because every video was different.
- My audience didn’t know what to expect.
- Growth was slow because my channel had no clear niche.
The fix? I narrowed it down to three things:
- Portraits – My true passion.
- Gear Reviews – Helping others choose the right tools.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content – Sharing my process as a creator.
Once I did that, my editing became faster, and subscribers started to stick around.
Tip for You: Choose a niche that excites you but also provides value to your viewers.
Lesson #2 – Consistency is More Important Than Perfection
For years, I posted randomly whenever I felt like it. But when I got serious, I set a schedule:
- One video per week.
- Simple, repeatable formats to make editing easier.
- No overthinking—just hit upload.
At first, it felt overwhelming. But then I realized:
- YouTube rewards consistency. Even if your videos aren’t perfect, regular uploads keep your channel growing.
- Perfection is the enemy of progress. I stopped being overly picky and started focusing on getting content out.
Tip for You: Set a schedule you can stick to, even if it’s just one video a week.
Lesson #3 – YouTube Can Bring You Clients & Business
One thing I didn’t expect? My YouTube videos started bringing me paid opportunities.
Examples:
- A wedding video editing gig that pushed me outside my comfort zone.
- A collaboration with Intercontinental Da Nang because of my content.
- A portrait session booking from someone who watched my videos.
If you’re a freelancer, photographer, or creator, YouTube isn’t just about subscribers—it’s a way to showcase your skills and attract clients.
Tip for You: Use your videos to build credibility in your niche. Your audience includes potential clients, not just subscribers.
Lesson #4 – Find a Supportive Community (It Changes Everything)
Growing alone is hard. I struggled with doubts, slow growth, and feeling lost. But then I joined Romedia Connected, a community of content creators in the Netherlands.
Here’s how it helped me grow faster:
- Feedback on my videos so I could improve.
- Monthly creative challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone.
- Networking with professionals who had years of experience.
Having a support system made a huge difference. Instead of second-guessing myself, I had people to learn from and get encouragement when things felt tough.
If you want to grow as a creator, I can highly recommend joining Romedia Connected.
Use my promo kortingscode: RCAFF-JIM20 for €20 off an annual subscription!
Lesson #5 – Experiment, Adapt, and Keep Learning
Every time I tried something new, my channel improved. I stopped worrying about making “the perfect video” and started testing different formats.
Things that worked for me:
- Adding behind-the-scenes content (more engaging than just showing final results).
- Creating more review videos, which people actually searched for.
Not everything worked right away, but experimenting helped me figure out what my audience liked and what I enjoyed making.
Tip for You: Don’t be afraid to change your style if something isn’t working. Growth comes from trying new things.
Final Thoughts – My Advice to New YouTubers
Reaching 500 subscribers was a big milestone, but I know it’s just the beginning. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be:
- Pick a niche early, but don’t be afraid to adapt.
- Stay consistent, even when growth is slow.
- Join a community (like Romedia Connected) for support.
- Keep experimenting—you never know what will work.
If you’re a creator, keep going! The first few months feel like you’re talking to nobody, but every video helps you grow.
Curious about my favorite camera gear? Check out my detailed review of the Sony A7CR here.
Ready to Grow Your YouTube Channel? Let’s Do This!
If you’re struggling with growing on YouTube, I hope this post helped!
And don’t forget—if you want to connect with other creators, use my Romedia Connected promo kortingscode (RCAFF-JIM20) for €20 off!
