CSAT 42 Sara Dietschy Talks About Being a Full-Time YouTuber

Roberto Blake interviews Sarah Deitchy, a top-tier YouTube creator, about her journey and insights into the business of YouTube. Sarah, who has been creating content since 2011, emphasizes the importance of thumbnails and titles for viewership. She discusses her transition from vlogging to focusing on tech content, which has significantly boosted her views. Sarah also shares her experience with brand deals, highlighting the need for creative control and the value of early preparation. She advises aspiring creators to offer unique value and to treat their channels as businesses. Roberto seeks advice on finding a business manager and improving his content strategy, with Sarah suggesting leveraging his expertise in business and creativity.

Sarah Deitchy's Introduction and Morning Routine

• Roberto Blake introduces Sarah Deitchy, highlighting her role as a top-tier creator and his favorite boss.
• Sarah shares her morning routine, mentioning her love for overpriced coffee and how she saves money by not splurging on fancy items.
• She explains her preference for simple luxuries like coffee and how it aligns with her lifestyle.
• Roberto and Sarah discuss the potential reaction from Graham Stephan if he knew how much Sarah spends on coffee in New York.

Sarah's YouTube Journey and Early Struggles

• Roberto transitions the conversation to Sarah's YouTube journey, noting her four years of full-time YouTube work.
• Sarah recounts her early days on YouTube, starting in 2011, and the long journey to breaking out in 2016.
• She discusses the challenges of building her channel, including the pressure to vlog daily and the struggle to find her niche.
• Sarah emphasizes the importance of following her heart and creating content she enjoys, which eventually led to her success.

Navigating YouTube's Algorithm and Content Strategy

• Sarah talks about the impact of YouTube's algorithm on her content strategy, particularly the need to niche down as her subscriber count grew.
• She explains how she transitioned from a variety channel to focusing on specific types of content that resonated with her audience.
• Roberto and Sarah discuss the importance of thumbnails and titles in driving viewership and how Sarah has recently started paying more attention to these elements.
• Sarah shares her experience of seeing significant viewership increases after focusing on thumbnails and titles.

The Business of YouTube and Brand Deals

• Roberto and Sarah delve into the business side of YouTube, discussing the importance of brand deals and how Sarah has managed to secure them.
• Sarah explains how she leveraged her Adobe Creative Residency to build a strong foundation for her YouTube career.
• She describes the process of receiving inbound brand deal offers and how she has maintained a high level of creative control in her collaborations.
• Sarah emphasizes the importance of not relying on brand deals for income and diversifying revenue streams through merch and courses.

Creative Collaborations and Building a Network

• Roberto asks Sarah about her experience with creative collaborations and how she has built a network of creative professionals.
• Sarah shares her early days of creating "Creative Spaces TV" and how she leveraged her connections to film high-quality videos with creative individuals.
• She discusses the importance of offering something of value to potential collaborators, such as providing a professional video profile.
• Sarah highlights the significance of having a strong portfolio and the ability to demonstrate quality work to secure collaborations.

Balancing Creativity and Business in YouTube Content

• Roberto and Sarah discuss the balance between creativity and business in creating YouTube content.
• Sarah emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity while also considering the business aspects of her channel.
• They talk about the challenges of creating content that is both engaging and sustainable for the audience.
• Sarah shares her approach to creating videos that are informative and entertaining, balancing product reviews with educational content.

The Role of Gear and Production Quality in YouTube Success

• Roberto and Sarah discuss the role of gear and production quality in YouTube success.
• Sarah explains her approach to investing in quality equipment while maintaining a balance between cost and functionality.
• They talk about the importance of having a reliable setup for filming and the impact of production quality on viewer engagement.
• Sarah shares her experience of upgrading her studio setup and the benefits it has brought to her content production.

The Importance of a Professional Studio Setup

• Sarah details the investment she made in her professional studio setup and the impact it has had on her content quality.
• She explains the costs associated with renting a dedicated office space and improving the sound and lighting in her studio.
• Sarah emphasizes the importance of having a turnkey solution for filming to ensure consistency and high-quality content.
• She shares her regrets about not investing sooner in a professional setup and the benefits it has brought to her channel.

Advice for Aspiring Creators and Business Partnerships

• Roberto asks Sarah for advice on finding a business manager and improving his content strategy.
• Sarah advises that finding a business manager is similar to finding a business partner and emphasizes the importance of a long-term relationship.
• She shares her experience of being approached by a persistent manager who believed in her potential and eventually became her business partner.
• Sarah suggests that Roberto focus on creating content that showcases his excitement and passion, which will resonate with his audience.

Final Thoughts and Future Plans

• Roberto and Sarah discuss their future plans and personal interests, including their thoughts on purchasing new gaming consoles.
• Sarah shares her excitement about the new Xbox and her plans to explore Halo again.
• Roberto talks about his recent focus on Twitch streaming and the benefits of having a dedicated space for content creation.
• They conclude the conversation with mutual appreciation and encouragement for each other's future endeavors.