Dissecting Booktube: How To Grow Your Channel 

Solid advice and I couldn’t agree more, honesty and originality seem to be what people are responding to at the moment, which is awesome to see. And thank you for the mention

"Personality is so essential. It's something that I struggle with because I don't have one." LMAO Big Mood. I feel this so hard I struggle to bring personality into my vids. I find it easier to script videos out first even if I don't stick to it completely and my less-scripted videos just don't feel like that best I can put. Although I'm a tiny channel and I do mainly single-book reviews I have found that my longer, in-depth reviews are the ones that have the most views and still continue to get more views than shorter, cursory reviews. This is a really helpful video - especially about being conscious of what type of content appeals to viewers and being on top of it.

As a booktube newbie I found this extremely informative and unlike any other “how to start on booktube” video. Thanks for the great content! 💛

I don't plan on starting a booktube channel, but I'll watch anyways cause it's Jordan.

Booktube is heading in a direction where there will be a return of regular crossover with movie adaptations. It is already happening with To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Darkest Minds. With potential adaptations on the horizon for big-name writers in the YA community on the rise, I think there will be more movie talk yet again with booktubers. Sponsored or not. I really enjoyed this video and you really discussed some intriuing topics for reads and channels alike Jordan.

Definitely recommend 'Insert literary pun here'! Her reviews are beautifully done and unfiltered. Sadly she will not posting as usual anymore.

I've found that I've started to treat RU-vid as more of a space for podcasts (sort of). If I'm at the gym or cleaning around my flat, I can throw on a reasonably long video that for the most part I don't need to actually see. I can't really do this with lists or short-form content, since it's just too broad. It'll hit number ten, and I'll have completely tuned out numbers three through nine. Since deeper videos stick with the same theme or content, it's easier to keep track of. For instance, I listened to an hour-long breakdown of the first Fifty Shades film without paying much attention, and still found that I paid more attention, and probably learned more about writing, than I did with a ten minute video on [Insert Clickbait List Title Here]. All of this is anecdotal, obviously, but there you go. I remember one RU-vidr actually saying they've started to include fewer graphics because people are viewing his videos more as podcasts than as visual content.

As a consumer of consumer of BookTube, I will say that other consumers are having conversations about the future of BookTube. We’re tending to follow smaller creators who do the super honest longer book reviews as well as original content. I have a feeling that the traditional BookTubers will fall off more and frankly you can see it already.

Watching this after 2 years and this video is a gem. Absolutely loved what you said. Extremely helpful for all budding booktubers. ❤✅

I've been watching this kind of stuff in prep for starting my own booktube channel (under a pseudonym, haha this doesn't count as self promo!) and it's such a relief to not only see new stuff past the standard "How to RU-vid" tips, but to hear that standard content isn't necessary to get views - I personally never watch TBRs or wrap ups, I don't get the appeal (maybe it's a generation thing?) and I won't do them because I don't read that fast. I love discussion videos and reviews of books I'm interested in, so that's what I'll be doing. Done.

This is honestly so much better and more informative than the videos everyone else is doing all those "buy an expensive nikon camera and stand by the window at noon etc".

You always know exactly how to dissect a subject and present it so nicely.

This is very eye opening, Jordan. I’m new to the community and started because I wanted to talk thoroughly about books and ended up trying to fit in with the rest of the crowd. I became uninspired by posting book hauls and trying to follow along with all the tags that I ended up not enjoying. This video made me realize that I just need to be dedicated to what it is I want to do... critically review books and not be worried that people will dislike my ranting. I’m not ranting, I’m pointing out discussion topics! Reading and discussing books makes me a better writer.

This was such an interesting listen. You raised points I don't think I've seen in other videos on this subject. I'd love to join the community but I don't feel like I have the face/voice/confidence/personality for it. It's hard when you see super-polished videos with professional lighting and mics etc. One day perhaps.

Absolutely loved watching this video so much! As someone who is new to Booktube (returning after 5 years of not posting content) I found myself a little intimidated starting back up again on a new channel. This was so refreshing to watch and so super helpful! Thank you so much for this!

You were right - this was a discovery video lol. I got your video in the recommended section and appreciate the tips very much. Booktube is a niche community and i think it is great for new people starting out as there are loads of small channels to interact with who will kindly talk back with you. I agree that passion and originality is the most important thing you want to come across

omg you just mentioned me, ahhhhh I am so honoured. It's 1AM and I've been binge watching your videos for hours lol, will I ever go to sleep again who knows

This advice still seems applicable. Thank you so much for putting it out there and for noting so many cool RU-vidrs! I'll have to keep my eye on the trends.

Your content is always so well thought out and I really appreciate it! 💜

Wow! you are so articulate, and I really appreciated this in depth review, especially since I just started my Booktube channel and am learning to navigate the waters. thanks! x

This video was well done and very true as to the realities of booktube and how things are currently working.

How do you always know what video I need? Thank you for this video 😂

This is the best how to booktube advice video ever. I feel like my channel is struggling and I can see some of the points you hit within my own content. Going implement these changes!

* takes notes *

Thank you for making this video! It verbalized everything I was trying to understand about booktube

This was a great perspective on the Booktube community, you are so great at looking at the big picture. I don't know how you do it!

Super informative, and from a different angle. Some of these concepts are being implemented in how I’m doing my videos. I’m figuring out what works for me as I go. I’m gonna save this for future references. And you referenced a lot of the growing RU-vidrs that I enjoy watching. Also, who told you, you don’t have a personality? It may not be a big one, but it’s an interesting and engaging personality. Thank you for this video, Jordan!

Thinking of starting a Booktube channel to share my 'knowledge' of writing so far. Thank you for making this video! It's very helpful, especially if you're a person who over thinks even the smallest of things and decisions XD Although it's 2:04 AM in the morning and I should be asleep because of so many reasons, you uploaded and I'm watching this video even if it means ruining my sleep schedule.

I"m going to start my channel soon and your video is by far one of the best ones that i have watched so far. Thanks for all the info and keep it up!

Thank you so much for this video!! It was extremely helpful and has really motivated me to finally start up my own booktube channel. I also love you channel and I’m so glad I found it! ❤️

I’m excited to watch this! Thanks for all your hard work Jordan

Jordan, I love this. Thanks for talking about kinds of quality content instead of just the standard "Buy a good camera/get good lighting" stuff :)

I'm just starting BookTube, and this was so helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for the tips! I just started today! Very excited 😬☺️

Thank you! This video just motivated me to go with an idea I was procrastinating on.

Thanks for these tips! I'm just starting out and trying to learn more about the community. Love the data driven approach!

This video was super interesting. I’ve been thinking about starting over recently because my channel started out a collab channel and then it was mostly just me making videos and I’ve been a little all over the place. I’ve been hesitant to start a new channel bc like you said it feels like everyone is just making the typical tbr, wrap up, and reviews and that got boring. But after watching this I got a few ideas! I think my favorite videos are reading vlogs (especially Regan and Naya’s). Or Caleb’s videos where he just chats. It’s also kind of interesting that everyone seems to read the same books. I find I gravitate towards channels that also show older or underhyped books. And channels that give us a glimpse into who the people are (which is why I love reading vlogs so much). Again, great video! -M

Great video Jordan!! Thanks for these tips, its so cool to have this be personal to Booktube. Love this.

Your guidance in this video is incredible, thank you so much for this!

This was such a great video with so much useful info! As a booktube newbie I definitely found your points super helpful so thank you!

Good tips. I just rebranded my channel and decided on different "content". Just waiting for my new cameras to show up.

This is SO insightful! It has definitely helped me out figure out how to grow my channel!

Yey! Finally got to watch this. This was so interesting and I've actually been considering diving into the adaptation side of the book/movie community. I know it's not completely within booktube but still. It's a very good analysis of the booktube community but at the same time I also think its generally a good analysis of how youtube niches work in general! Really great video. I'm feeling you on the personality so much, I also need to script my videos otherwise there's no hope for me!

Jordan you're so smart and helpful, I've been feeling at such a loss with all content creation lately, and this is helping me think in a more solid direction, which is so useful and nice! Thank you for putting so much effort into this!

This is great advice, Jordan! Thank you so much!

Im a new booktuber and glad i found this video 😌

One example when talking about how personality is so important is jessethereader. He's content isn't super funny or brutally honest, but he is always enthusiast about the things he's talking about and he is able to make other people feel the same enthusiasm and joy towards reading

This was such an interesting video💖 thank you for the advice

Hey jordan i just wanted to say i love your content and it is through watching your channel that i finally found the courage to join the booktube community and start my own channel. No pressure to subscribe at all, i just wanna put myself out there and say hey, theres a new one in this community!

Thanks so much for all the tips!!

This was so informative and helpful! Thank you!

I appreciate this a lot. I’m def looking into getting into book tube.

i wasn't expecting to click on this video, i'm already a subscriber and i've been wanting to make a youtube channel for years. i finally did it even though my videos looks like it was taken back from the 90's. I love InsaneReader too for his honest and hilarious content! I think i'll have crafty videos because i'm just always making something, so i started with some book hauls (i'm obsessed with those) and I'm reciting my poetry. I think i'm going to focus on poetry, and helping others not feel so intimated by the art form. your advice in here was so great, i hope i can get skilled enough with my edits and equipment. also feel like food is something a lot of people are encorporating - so like eating hot foods or eating pizza while talking over things. im not going to do that though lol. im still getting past my comfort zone, thanks for your advice!!

I’m a new creator! 3.5 Months in and adore it here! Some amazing tips! Especially the discovery content! So so so helpful Jordan! Fantastic information regarding longer form reviews

Interesting and thoughtful perspective! Thanks for the content👍

Super interesting and insightful! *tries to figure out what category my channel falls into 😂

DeEply informative video

This was a very informative and helpful video, thanks! I suppose my channel is an off mix of the artist community on youtube and the even smaller and niche community of booktube that's sort of been dubbed mangatube. Your videos are fantastic, and as you said I really love in-depth discussion videos.

Thanks for this video. Trying to figure my booktube shit out. I think I am going just to try to be authentic to myself I guess since I don't read a lot of YA.

Lol if you didn't have a personality I wouldn't be interested in your content! Keep up the great work, Jordan!

Such an eloquent, informative, and wonderful video oh my goodness!!! You are such a great person to have in the community, especially with putting out videos like these. I love the discusison of where Booktube is going because this is something on my mind often. Being the niche community it is, it seems are growth can go only go so high (i.e. Christine being the biggest booktuber, but her subscriber count still being *far* smaller than that of big youtubers in the rest of the youtube world). And that combined with the fatigue over only staples like tbrs/hauls is what I think might actually launch booktube into being more creative and inventive with its videos. Coming up with new and fresh ideas I think is what people are looking for. More uniquely titled videos and more interesting reviews. Don't know how much sense I made there lol but just overall this video is so good! Great job and keep it up :)

loved this video!! i'd honestly never heard the terms discovery/staple/etc content before but the way you explained them was super informative and helpful.

For my channel I’ve definitely been trying to have unique ideas for videos instead of just doing a ton of basic tags and stuff.

This was wonderful Jordan, awesome advice, dear♡♡ I'm getting a weird sense of déjà vu from your statement about Shane.... XD

12:52 i totally see your point there, when i recently finished reading the red rising trilogy, first thing i did was to look for a long review that really got into the book instead of just a 5:00 minute thing with a score at the end (also, the trilogy was amazing, i was in like feverishly looking for the next part, i even went back and reread the 1st one and i never do that)

Thank you for an interesting and informative video! This is very useful for me as a fledgling authortuber/booktuber. :)

Thank you

To save my life, I do not get a lot of views on my book review videos. Seriously, I go super deep and come up with content no one is talking about and get 3 views (the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for example). It is very frustrating!

I swear the reason I love your channel is because you don’t put up hauls. Without reviews, hauls / unhauls are the most boring rubbish I’ve ever seen. Review or skedaddle. Also people reviewing without spoilers ? Very irritating - I love a good review, with non spoiler as you do, and as Kat from paperbackdreams does, and then 123 spoiler team! Edit for clarity : the reason this drives me nuts (the lack of review) is that booktube is about books! It’s fun to enjoy books, not for the sake of ‘look how many I can buy!’ But ‘look at how wonderful these are and what they do!’

I'm trying to take my channel into that analytical side. If you want good analytical content I would suggest The Dishonored Wolf, E;R, Rags, and if you want really, really analytical content watch MauLer.

Can't wait to watch the video! Love you Jordan!! ❤️❤️❤️

"Need good thumbnails....?" *looks at hands*

This was such a useful video! Do you have any recommendations for current trends for new Booktubers? xx

JH's vision of booktube future: book adchannels, comedy/inventive bookchannels, didactic bookchannels. What about book issues channels? An ever- wider bunch of niche booky channels? Channels that talk about a whole array of different types of diversity + books? Maybe a few channels will merge with TV shows. Who knows quite where booktube is headed? In the wise words of Gandalf, look not too far ahead. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.

this was so helpful Jordan thank yooooouuuuuuuu

loved this so much. thank you for making this video :))

Amazing video!!

So off topic, Jordan but I need help. In my 'love triangle' neither of the two males are dying for the MC's affection. One is trying to guide her out of her mental illness without convincing her he loves her and the other is trying to avoid her as much as possible because he knows she's a hot mess because she's his ex. The only ex to take him seriously for that matter since he likes girls and plays a lot of them. Only she was the first one to fall for his gag and humor his 'masculinity' so he gives out hints he still wants to pursue her in order to not lose that feeling of still being wanted despite every untoward thing that has occured between them. The former understands her condition and knows she's in a vulnerable position where she will reach out and cling to any shred of affection she can get. Does that still count as a love triangle?

Thank u so much i just made a channel and I’ll definitely take this into consideration

How much would you apply this advice to authortube? It sounds like this can crossover a lot!

I really want to start booktube channel but I have just started reading again a year or two ago. I have read so little and so slow. I am afraid that I would repeats myself with book that I read.

12:50 yes, all of that. BookTube has an Entropy/Enthalpy problem. Entropy: trending towards minimal effort and maximum disarray; Enthalpy: trending to a loss of heat (in this case momentum). The content is indelible even if BookTube creators refuse to see it as such. RU-vid thinks it is in the shrimp dredging business, so they need creators creating content (net mesh) to catch eyeballs & ignite engagement. The frequency of new material is more important than if it is profound. Sometimes I feel RU-vid is resistant to learning the lessons of the Hollywood studio system of the last century. I'm not sure they care if creators burnout, the content has been posted, in time it will be discovered (will little help from RU-vid), unfortunately at the expense of a creator that needed time to germinate & discover their voices.

How on to grow booktube?

How on to grow booktube

Interesting. My content is so different I’m never sure if I qualify as a booktube channel. 🧐 I guess it’s because writing content is too disparate to be called a genre.

Wow, I'm naive! I still thought that BT was about readers sharing their love of books! (Ones they're reading, not ones they are collecting on shelves & never actually reading.) But if you're saying many people are sponsored, of course they're going to say what their sponsors want to hear. What a turn off!

I often wonder if you ever feel unqualified to give out writing advice, due to being unpublished, due to your age, or to an overall lack of experience, but I never make it in time to one of your livestreams to ask about it.

How do you get rid of copyrights? This is a problem for me and my channels always deleted because of some stupid copyright. HELP!

yaasss

I don't think that I'm actually a part of this community. Still fun watching your stuff though.

I was daydreaming but i woke up when you say tell us your thoughts so i will tell you mine, i love booktube but MOST youtubers are addressing to the new generation and promoting useless novels which mostly talk about black magic without mentioning the color; i can predict that the millennials will be more losers than spoiled because this catagory of the society which love reading read garbage, also which i would like to see and maybe i will launch a channel for this reason is to encourage the clean minds which is not readers to read and one way to do it is a spoiler review in an apealing way of perfect and forgotten books. I know people who use to read sci fy a lot when they were young and now they are fully grown up but they are detached from reality and still addicted to this non sense.

*JORDAN YOU NEED TO READ RED SISTER BY MARK LAWRENCE GURL PLEEEASE*

If i close my eyes im okay and idk wtf is wromg with me and why the eye rolling every 10 seconds makes me want to claw my eyes out... haha

How on to grow bootie

Your content is always so well thought out and I really appreciate it! 💜

Super interesting and insightful! *tries to figure out what category my channel falls into 😂