What it's Like Working for a YouTube Channel

Currently, YouTube reaches more 18-49 year olds than any cable network in the U.S., capturing the attention of almost ⅓ of all people on the internet. Passionate, creative people work tirelessly to create the content we love to watch which oftentimes captivates us for hours. Many of these ‘channels’ are more than just a group of friends with access to a camera, rather, they are bona fide businesses.Meet Ryan Hasegawa: @ryanhasegawa. He’s one of the guys behind the camera and in the editing room for JustKidding Films or 'JK Films’ growing JK News channel. They have over 1.5 million subscribers on their main channel and a fan base spanning the globe. JK Films started with a group of friends making comedic sketches. Now, it’s a thriving business employing a team of over six employees working full-time with a dedicated studio and office space. This lean team produces content across four channels with new content published weekly and averaging hundreds of thousands of views for each video.I sat down with Hasegawa to discover what he's learned working for a YouTube channel. Although he shared that there is a sense of fun and creativity in his role, he made it clear that the job still requires a serious attitude and focus to be successful. Working for a YouTube channel includes a constant learning curve, ability to adapt to new requirements, and being a sociable team player.Here are Hasegawa’s top takeaways as a video editor and camera operator for JKFilms’ News Channel:1. Be humble and work hard.There’s always someone who knows more or has a different perspective on the work. Hasegawa recommends putting your pride aside and being open to asking others if there is a better or more efficient way to do something. Whether you are writing, editing, or filming, you should be able to refine your skills by being open to the advice of others.2. Be fun to work with.If you’re fun and a nice person to work with, people will be more inclined to work with you for future projects. Hasegawa says you don’t need to be an expert in everything, but if you’re likable, people will help you when you need it.3. Roll with the punches.Things rarely go according to plan. Always be ready for a curveball because it will happen. “Have a plan b, c, e, f, g…” as Hasegawa puts it. If something isn’t going your way, don’t panic. The situation can be resolved by remaining calm and addressing the issue with a clear perspective. Figure out your options and adapt to the situation.4. Build your resume on small projects. Leverage them into better opportunities.Initially trying to break into the film industry, Hasegawa thought the only way in was to work for one of the big studios and work his way up from the bottom. Because of that, he initially discounted a lot of the work that was available through YouTube. Hasegawa suggests taking on freelance work through YouTube or other internet distribution sites. Working on smaller projects helped him gain experience, which lead him to more jobs. Take little victories and build on them.5. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.Applying online, submitting resumes, and LinkedIn searches didn’t get Hasegawa his opportunity to interview with JK Films--it was a tip from a friend. Going to school allowed him to meet people and build a network of contacts. It ended up being one of these contacts that opened the door for him. His college friend let him know when there was an opportunity at JK as an editor. Don’t underestimate the power of your network when it comes to getting a job.6. Manage your time. Find a system that makes sense for you.Hasegawa has multiple videos that need to be shot and edited on a weekly basis. His job requires an efficient time management workflow to balance days spent filming and editing videos for JK Films. If a video requires special effects or the editing software crashes midway while it’s being exported, you need to have a system to work through these issues efficiently. Hasegawa has learned there is a standardized structure to editing a video in phases that keeps the process uniform. Find your workflow, and manage your time as best as you can. After all, time is a limited resource so take advantage of every second.7. YouTube is one of the new frontiers for film and digital content.Although it has been around for years, the YouTube audience is continuing to grow and content creators are continuously innovating. Distribution of video content through new online mediums is definitely creating a lot more jobs. This new space is also a great practice ground for people who want to gain more experience. They can share their beginner content with others who can critique and view it.8.. Make your channel different. Do your research before you begin.Hasegawa made it clear not to underestimate how much hard work it takes to run a channel. Especially if you want to make a living out of it. Whether you pursue a channel as a hobby or for your career, it will require a significant amount of time and hard work to establish your presence. It’s also important to figure out what makes you different from other channels on YouTube. Research what areas are overly saturated and avoid doing similar videos. Knowing what’s already out there will inform how you can add a unique spin on something.What are you waiting for? If you’ve always wanted to start your own channel you can take small steps now to build toward that goal. Be courageous to ask questions about things you want to learn. Build a network by being curious and proactive about the skills you’re developing. And remember to have fun between all of the hard work and small projects along the way.Check out JK Films: https://www.youtube.com/user/JustKiddingFilms