E592: How to Finally Do Video... Without Dreading It

In this episode, Dave interviews Steve Chou, who shares his journey of growing his YouTube channel from virtually nothing to over 400,000 subscribers in just a 2 to 3 years. We discuss the biggest ways you can make creating video content for e-commerce easier, the importance of SEO, and the differences between short-form and long-form video content. 

In this episode, Steve emphasizes the significance of watch time in video ranking and shares his strategies to engage audiences effectively. Finally, Steve shares what's in store for the upcoming Seller Summit, happening on May 6th.

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Want to learn more about video from experts, or learn about new strategies for Amazon? Seller Summit covers everything content creation and e-commerce at Fort Lauderdale, Florida this May 6th. Check out Seller Summit here! 

The Big Takeaways

• Starting with reading blog posts out can help ease into video.
• Joining a YouTube mastermind group was a turning point for Steve.
• A "hook" in the first 30 seconds are crucial for engagement.
• Watch time is a key factor in YouTube SEO.
• Short form videos can attract a wider audience quickly, which could be useful for brand awareness.
• Your video content should align with audience interests to avoid confusion from the algorithm.
• "Social selling" is becoming increasingly important for e-commerce.
• Faceless content creation is possible but requires a personal touch to get a "human" element in your content.
• Building a subscriber base through contests or giveaways can be effective.
• Video content takes time to gain traction.
• Short-form videos can be chopped up from long video content, which contributes to a broader content strategy.
• Consistency in content creation is key to success.
• Investing in good audio equipment is the bare minimum for good videos.
• Thumbnails with very exaggerated facial expressions can increase click-through rates.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 05:07 - Steve's Journey to YouTube Success
• 10:01 - Content Creation Strategies
• 14:58 - Short Form vs Long Form Video
• 19:52 - Building a YouTube Channel for E-commerce
• 20:45 - Creating Stories with AI
• 24:20 - Faceless Content Creation in E-commerce
• 28:10 - Launching a YouTube Channel for E-commerce
• 30:57 - The Power of Video in E-commerce
• 32:23 - Essential Equipment for Video Creation
• 35:20 - Thumbnail Tips for Higher Click-Through Rates
• 37:09 - Overview of Seller Summit 2025

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!