How I Hit 3,000 Youtube Subscribers After 500 Videos: What Worked, What Didn’t, and How to Keep Going

After creating over 500 videos and finally reaching 3,000 subscribers, I want to share my journey—the highs, the lows, and everything I’ve learned. Growing on YouTube isn’t easy, but it’s possible if you don’t give up. In this post, I’ll walk you through what worked for me, what didn’t, and how you can stay motivated on your own YouTube journey.

Before we dive into the details, let me introduce myself. My name is Cole Conor, and I believe I was put here to do three things: Create, Inspire, and Love. I’ve been making videos since I was 15 and music since I was 17, so creating content has always come naturally to me. That said, YouTube has its own set of challenges, even for someone who enjoys creating as much as I do.

Finding My Path on YouTube

YouTube was never about chasing trends for me. I’ve always been a long-form content creator, meaning I focus on videos that dive deep rather than the quick, snackable content you see with shorts. It’s not that I haven’t tried short-form content—at times, I have—but my passion is in the longer stuff. With over 500 videos on this channel alone, and many more on other channels, it’s been a long journey to get to where I am now. Each time I upload a video, I note my subscriber count in the description, and recently, I hit the milestone of 3,000 subscribers.

To be honest, just a couple of years ago, I was dreaming about reaching 1,000 subscribers. It felt impossible at times. Seeing others achieve that milestone so effortlessly while I was grinding away and feeling stuck was incredibly frustrating. But the key to my growth? I never gave up. And I hope my journey can inspire you to keep going too.

What Worked for Me

Trying Different Things

When it comes to content, I’ve experimented a lot. I’ve tried vlogs, teaching videos, storytimes, cinematic short films, music videos, and even reaction videos. Not every type of content is something I want to stick with, but experimenting helped me figure out what resonates with my audience and, more importantly, what I enjoy making. I hate the idea of niching down—I even have merch that says No Niche—but I’ve learned that while I’m interested in many things, I naturally gravitate toward a few topics. For example, I love football, but I’m not making content about it. Instead, I’ve settled into niches like real estate photography and helping entrepreneurs make money. This balance allows me to make both teaching videos that provide value and more creative, passion-driven content.

Balancing Value with Passion

The sweet spot for me has been combining teaching content with more personal, creative videos. Teaching videos, especially in real estate photography, are my bread and butter—they drive the most views and engagement. But I also love making videos that explore deeper subjects, like how it feels to grow older or navigating life as a creative entrepreneur. This balance keeps me passionate about what I’m doing while still offering value to my audience. People care about your journey when you’re providing value. As they get to know you, they start to care about what you have to say on different subjects, not just the core topics you’re known for. This is something that has made a huge difference in building a loyal audience.

Using Tools to Improve

Tools like TubeBuddy and ChatGPT have been game-changers for optimizing my content. With TubeBuddy, I use the keyword explorer to find the right topics and keywords that can give my videos a better chance of being discovered. ChatGPT helps me refine my ideas and even improve my hooks—like the one at the beginning of this post. These tools save me time and help me create content that resonates better with my audience.

Giving Value for Free

One of the biggest things that worked for me was giving away free resources. For example, my most popular video—how to edit luxury HDR photos—offers free presets. This doesn’t just help viewers; it also grows my email list, which now has over 3,000 subscribers. Providing free value builds trust and keeps people coming back for more.

Experimenting with Thumbnails

Thumbnails matter, and I’ve experimented with various styles—from simple, informative thumbnails to more cinematic ones. I’ve found that my audience responds well to thumbnails that match the tone of the video. For example, my teaching videos have more direct, to-the-point thumbnails, while my creative projects like music videos or short films have a more artistic feel.

Storytelling and Upping My Production Game

Improving my storytelling and production quality has been a major factor in my growth. Whether it’s upping the quality of my lighting, background, or editing, or focusing on better storytelling, I’ve made a conscious effort to constantly level up. Videos like F* Your Algorithms and I Fell in Love at First Sight are perfect examples of how I’ve stepped up my game, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

What Hasn’t Worked for Me

Honestly, the things that haven’t worked are just part of the journey. Not every experiment pans out, and that’s okay. I’ve tried reaction videos, for example, and while they performed well, they didn’t feel fulfilling to me long-term. The same goes for certain vlogs or other styles I’ve dabbled in. The key lesson? Try things, but don’t get stuck in something you’re not passionate about.

My Tools for Growth

• TubeBuddy: For keyword research, SEO optimization, and tracking video performance.
• ChatGPT: For generating ideas, writing hooks, and improving scripts.
• Notion: For organizing my ideas, planning my content, and keeping track of my uploads.

What’s Next?

I’m currently focusing on building more community and interaction with my audience. While I’ve experimented with platforms like Discord, I haven’t fully committed the time to growing that space. But as my channel grows, I plan to invest more in engaging with my audience and creating a sense of community around the content I’m passionate about.

My goal is to take my channel from 3,000 to 10,000 subscribers and beyond, all while maintaining the creative freedom that brought me to YouTube in the first place. To do that, I plan to keep refining my content, building trust with my audience, and creating videos that align with my entrepreneurial journey.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Give Up

One of the most important things I’ve learned in this journey is to keep going. There will be times when you feel like quitting, but consistency is key. If you need to take a break, do it—but always come back when you’re ready. YouTube growth takes time, and while it can be frustrating, it’s worth it if you’re passionate about your content.

In the end, it’s all about finding your rhythm, staying true to what you enjoy, and building an audience that cares about you as much as they care about your content. If I can reach 3,000 subscribers, you can too—just don’t give up.

Thanks for reading, and I hope my journey inspires you to keep pushing forward on your own.

Create. Inspire. Love.

Cole Connor