I Published 60 YouTube Videos in 30 Days. Here‘s What Happened.

In the world of content creation, video reigns supreme. Platforms like YouTube have become the go-to destination for entertainment, education, and brand discovery. But with over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, standing out is no easy feat.

To grow a successful channel, consistency and quality are key. But what happens when you crank that up to the extreme? I decided to find out by challenging myself to a 30 day video publishing sprint. That‘s right, 60 videos in just 30 days – an average of two per day.

Why would any sane creator attempt such a feat? Beyond sheer curiosity, I had a few key objectives:

1. Accelerate my channel growth. My YouTube analytics revealed that subscribers from video views converted at 4x the rate of other traffic sources. More videos should equal more subscribers.

2. Optimize my video workflow. Producing at such high volume would force me to streamline my process from ideation to promotion. The lessons learned would make me a more efficient creator long-term.

3. Produce an evergreen content library. Each video is an asset that can generate views and convert leads for months or years to come. A month of focused production would pay dividends well into the future.

4. Prove the ROI of video marketing. By tracking key metrics like watch time, subscribers, and conversions, I could demonstrate the tangible impact of increasing my publishing frequency.

Spoiler alert: the results exceeded my expectations. But more on that later. First, let‘s dive into exactly how I approached this daunting challenge.

Defining the Strategy

Pulling off a successful video sprint requires more than just hitting record and hoping for the best. I needed a clear strategy to keep me on track and ensure every piece of content was purposeful.

Setting SMART Goals

The foundation of any good strategy is well-defined goals. I set a mix of reach and performance targets following the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound):

• Increase watch time by 50% compared to the previous 30 day period
• Gain 1,000 new subscribers
• Improve average view duration (audience retention) to 50%
• Generate 500 new email leads from video CTAs
• Maintain a consistent publishing schedule of 2 videos per day for 30 days

These goals directly laddered up to my overarching objective of growing my channel and engaging my audience. They also gave me specific benchmarks to measure my progress and adjust course as needed.

Mapping Out Themes and Keywords

To fill my content calendar, I first needed a comprehensive view of my topic landscape. I conducted extensive keyword research to identify high-volume, low-competition opportunities relevant to my niche.

Using tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ, I analyzed keyword data including:

• Monthly search volume
• Keyword difficulty score
• Average view count of ranking videos
• Average subscriber count of ranking channels

These insights allowed me to prioritize keywords with the greatest potential for discoverability and reach. I then grouped them into overarching themes to create content pillars for the month, such as:

• How-to tutorials
• Product reviews
• Industry news and trends
• Interviews with experts
• Behind-the-scenes content

By organizing my videos into themed clusters, I could create a cohesive viewing experience that encourages binge watching and deeper exploration of my channel.

Crafting a Publishing Schedule

With my themes and target keywords identified, it was time to map out my publishing cadence. I created a day-by-day content calendar in Google Sheets, detailing:

• Video title
• Target keyword(s)
• Planned length
• Filming and editing deadlines
• Publish date and time
• Promotional channels (email, social, etc.)

Batching was key to staying on schedule. Rather than filming and editing each video in isolation, I aimed to produce a week‘s worth of content in 2-3 dedicated filming sessions. This saved hours in setup and allowed me to reuse props, backgrounds, and outfits.

I also frontloaded the work, ensuring 50% of the videos were fully complete before the first publish date. This buffer helped mitigate any unexpected delays or creative blocks along the way.

Optimizing Production Quality

While the focus of this challenge was on quantity, I didn‘t want to sacrifice production value. Viewers have come to expect crisp visuals, clear audio, and engaging edits from the channels they subscribe to.

Investing in the Right Gear

Before hitting record, I assessed my filming setup and identified areas for improvement. Over time, I‘ve discovered that a few key equipment upgrades can make a world of difference:

• Camera: I use the Sony A6400, a powerful mirrorless camera that shoots 4K video and has reliable autofocus. While a smartphone can work in a pinch, a dedicated camera will take your image quality to the next level.

• Lens: A versatile lens allows you to get a range of shots without constantly swapping glass. I opted for the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 for its wide angle and low-light performance.

• Microphone: Audio quality can make or break a video. I invested in the Rode VideoMic Pro+, a shotgun mic that minimizes background noise and produces crisp, clear voice recordings.

• Lighting: Good lighting can instantly elevate the professionalism of your videos. I use a simple softbox setup with LED bulbs to achieve even, flattering light indoors.

While gear can get expensive, these one-time investments will pay off in the long run through increased viewer retention and perceived value.

Streamlining the Editing Process

Editing is often the most time-consuming part of video creation. When producing at scale, it‘s essential to have a fast, efficient workflow. A few tricks I‘ve learned:

• Use templates: Create reusable project files with your intro, outro, lower thirds, and other graphics preset. No need to start from scratch each time.

• Master keyboard shortcuts: Most editing programs have dozens of keyboard shortcuts that can shave seconds off repetitive tasks. Take the time to learn the essentials and watch your editing speed soar.

• Embrace the rough cut: Rather than obsessing over every jump cut, focus on nailing the overall story and structure. You can always refine later, but perfectionism is the enemy of productivity.

• Outsource when possible: If budget allows, consider hiring a video editor to handle the more technical aspects of post-production. This frees you up to focus on content and promotion.

My average editing time per video went from 4 hours to just 1.5 by implementing these efficiencies. Those extra hours add up when you‘re publishing 60 videos in a month.

Maximizing Reach and Engagement

Creating the videos is only half the battle. For this challenge to be impactful, I needed to get eyeballs on my content and encourage meaningful interaction. A few key areas I focused on:

Optimizing for Search (SEO)

YouTube is the world‘s second largest search engine, which means keyword optimization is crucial. For each video, I:

• Included the primary keyword in the title, ideally within the first 50 characters
• Used the keyword 2-3 times in the description, along with variations and related keywords
• Tagged the video with relevant keywords, as well as common misspellings
• Created keyword-rich playlists to signal topical relevance to YouTube‘s algorithm

I also made sure to say the target keyword within the first 30 seconds of the video, as YouTube analyzes spoken word for ranking purposes.

Crafting Engaging Thumbnails and Titles

Titles and thumbnails are the digital equivalent of a book cover – they determine whether a viewer will click or keep scrolling. Throughout the challenge, I A/B tested various creative elements to see what drove the highest click-through rates (CTR).

Some top performers:

• Close-up, expressive faces (think surprise, joy, or intrigue)
• Concise, compelling titles that spark curiosity or promise value
• Bold, contrasty colors that stand out in the feed
• Recognizable branding to increase recall and subscriber loyalty

I also made sure to keep titles under 50 characters to avoid truncation on mobile devices, where 70% of YouTube views take place.

Encouraging Viewer Interaction

YouTube‘s algorithm heavily favors videos that generate robust viewer engagement, as it signals the content is resonating with audiences. I focused on driving four key metrics:

1. View duration: The longer a viewer stays on your video, the more likely YouTube is to recommend it. I kept my intros short and punchy, teased upcoming content to pique interest, and used pattern interrupts like graphics or scene changes every 8-10 seconds to maintain attention.

2. Comments: Comments are a strong signal of relevance and engagement. I posed questions to my audience throughout the videos and responded to every comment I received to boost the overall comment count.

3. Likes/dislikes: While not as impactful as comments, likes and dislikes still influence video performance. I included clear calls-to-action to "like if you enjoyed this video" and monitored sentiment to ensure my content was hitting the mark.

4. Shares: Videos with high share counts tend to have greater organic reach. I made a point to create highly shareable content (think funny or inspirational) and directly asked viewers to share if they found it valuable.

By keeping viewers engaged and encouraging active participation, I saw a significant boost in overall watch time and retention.

The Results

After 30 grueling but exhilarating days, it was time to analyze the impact of my efforts. The results spoke for themselves:

Watch Time:

• Previous 30 days: 20,000 minutes
• Challenge results: 32,000 minutes
• Increase: 60%

Views:

• Previous 30 days: 50,000
• Challenge results: 90,000
• Increase: 80%

Subscribers:

• Previous 30 days: 500
• Challenge results: 1,875
• Increase: 37%

Email Leads:

• Previous 30 days: 200
• Challenge results: 650
• Increase: 225%

To put it simply, the challenge was a resounding success. Not only did I hit my target metrics, but I vastly exceeded them in most cases. Clearly, there‘s truth to the notion that quantity breeds quality on YouTube.

Beyond the raw numbers, this experience taught me invaluable lessons about discipline, efficiency, and the power of consistency. It forced me to level up my technical skills, streamline my creative process, and think strategically about every piece of content.

Key Takeaways

If you‘re considering embarking on your own 30 day video challenge, here are the most critical lessons to keep in mind:

1. Start with clear goals and a defined strategy. Shooting 60 videos without clear direction is a recipe for burnout. Take the time to map out your themes, keywords, and publishing schedule before hitting record.

2. Invest in quality equipment and learn to use it well. While gear isn‘t everything, it does make a difference in production value. Upgrade your setup as your budget allows and hone your technical skills. Your audience will notice.

3. Batch your content and embrace templates. Filming and editing individual videos in isolation is a huge time sink. Streamline your process by creating reusable assets and knocking out a week‘s worth of content in a few sittings.

4. Optimize for discovery and engagement. No amount of video will move the needle if no one sees it. Make titles and thumbnails a priority, keep viewers engaged with strong hooks and visuals, and always include a call-to-action.

5. Don‘t neglect promotion. YouTube is only one piece of the puzzle. Share your videos across email, social media, and relevant online communities. The more touchpoints, the better.

6. Prioritize data over assumptions. Every audience is unique. Pay close attention to your analytics to see what‘s working and adjust course as needed. Testing and iteration are key.

7. Remember the long game. The true benefit of a video sprint is the evergreen asset library you‘re building. While daily view counts may level off after publishing, these videos will continue to generate traffic, leads, and authority for your brand long-term.

An Evergreen Content Machine

To illustrate just how valuable this video library can be, let‘s take a look at my monthly YouTube numbers six months after the initial challenge:

Metric	Challenge Results	6 Months Later	Change
Views	90,000	150,000	+67%
Watch Time	32,000 min	60,000 min	+88%
Subscribers	1,875	4,500	+140%
Email Leads	650	950	+46%

Even without publishing daily, my channel has continued to grow at an impressive rate. Those 60 videos are truly the gift that keeps on giving, attracting new viewers and subscribers every single day.

And this is just the beginning. As my library grows and I continue to refine my strategy, I expect to see these numbers climb even higher. That‘s the power of creating evergreen, keyword-optimized content at scale.

Ready to Take the Challenge?

If you‘re feeling inspired to level up your own YouTube game, I highly encourage you to consider a 30 day video sprint. It won‘t be easy, but I promise it will be worth it.

Start small and scale up as you gain confidence and momentum. Hone your script writing, filming, and editing skills. Experiment with new formats and promotion strategies. Most importantly, stay consistent and keep showing up for your audience.

With the right plan and a healthy dose of hustle, you too can unlock the power of video to grow your brand, engage your community, and drive real business results. So what are you waiting for? Your 30 day challenge awaits.