Starting a YouTube Channel Over 40? Avoid These 5 Mistakes
Starting a YouTube Channel Over 40? Avoid These 5 Mistakes
If you’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel over the age of 40, first of all—yes, it’s not too late. In fact, I started mine at 43, and I’ve grown it to over 43,000 subscribers by simply being consistent and learning as I go. But truthfully? There are a few costly mistakes I made early on that definitely slowed me down.
And I’m sharing them with you in case they can help you avoid some of that frustration.
(Prefer to watch instead of read? Here’s the link to the video version:
Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to Start
I first thought about launching a YouTube channel back in 2012. But I hesitated. I didn’t think I had the perfect setup, my apartment wasn’t fancy enough, and I was afraid I didn’t “sound right” on camera.
Here’s the truth: none of that mattered. I just needed to start. Waiting cost me years of growth. If you’ve been thinking about starting, please don’t wait any longer. Film your first video. Hit upload. You will improve along the way.
Mistake #2: Creating Videos That Weren’t Really Me
In the beginning, I worked with someone who gave me a list of keyword-heavy video ideas. Sounds smart, right? Except… none of the topics actually matched my experience. So I made a few awkward videos that didn’t reflect my voice or my knowledge—and honestly, they didn’t do well.
My advice? Talk about what you know and love. Speak from experience. It makes a difference in how your videos connect with viewers.
Mistake #3: Editing Every Little Breath
I followed advice that said to cut every single breath to make videos “tighter.” But guess what? It made my videos feel robotic and choppy—and took me hours to edit. People breathe. Viewers aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for connection.
Now, I keep it simple. I edit for clarity, not perfection. And my videos are better for it.
Mistake #4: Neglecting My Audio
I didn’t use a microphone for a long time. I filmed in a room with high ceilings and wood floors, and the echo was… not great.
If you’re just starting, you don’t need an expensive setup—but do get a basic external mic. Good audio keeps people watching. It’s more important than video quality in many cases!
Mistake #5: Underestimating the Power of Thumbnails
I used to make pretty thumbnails in Canva that looked great to me—but they weren’t designed to stand out on YouTube. My click-through rate was low because my text was too small, and they just didn’t pop.
Eventually, I started hiring a thumbnail designer, and it made a huge difference. Your thumbnail is your first impression—make sure it’s clear, clickable, and easy to read on mobile.
Bonus Advice for Women Over 40 Starting YouTube
If you’re over 40 and ready to start your channel, here’s what I wish someone had told me:
Don’t wait to feel “ready.” You’ll learn by doing.
Commit to at least one video per week for a year. Same day. Same time.
YouTube is a long game—but the rewards are real.
Your voice matters—your experience is valuable.
Want to Know How I Use YouTube for Marketing?
I don’t just use YouTube to post videos—I use it to build a business. If you’re curious about attraction marketing and how I’ve built a lead-generating YouTube channel without ever feeling salesy, I’d love to share more.
➡️ Just send me an email with the subject line Attraction Marketing to: megangrahambeauty@gmail.com
Stay healthy and beautiful,
Megan
