Video timeline
00:00 Introduction
01:28 Reason 1
02:35 Reason 2
03:13 Reason 3
03:59 Reason 4
04:43 Reason 5
05:28 Summary
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Video transcript
Have you ever thought about starting a YouTube channel... but talked yourself out of it with thoughts like "Who would even want to see my videos?"
Well, today I want to tell you why you should absolutely do it — even if nobody watches at first.
I’m Jo Gakonga, a teacher, CELTA and MA TESOL tutor and I’ve been making video based content at ELT-Training since 2012 and I can tell you that having a YouTube channel has been the cornerstone of everything good that’s happened to me professionally in the past decade or more— so much has come out of it that I never expected. I have creative work, a supportive community, complete freedom to live and work wherever I choose AND the best income than I’ve ever had as a teacher.
This all started with a YouTube channel and of course it didn’t happen overnight but EVEN IN THE BEGINNING, with very few viewers, there were SO many positives to doing this, so if you’re thinking about it, here are five reasons you should DEFINITELY have a go.
1. You’ll Grow – both emotionally and Intellectually
Getting on camera isn’t easy at first. It feels exposing — like you’re putting your authority, your ideas, your face (!) out there for judgment. ‘Who am I to tell people about anything?!’
But that’s exactly where the magic happens. You'll build confidence and emotional resilience with every video you make and you can’t do either of these things if you don’t START.
As well as growing as a person, when you start teaching through video, you naturally learn new skills too: filming, editing, lighting and presenting. And you know what? Learning something new alongside your teaching makes you a better teacher. It reminds you what it’s like to be a beginner again — struggling, improving, celebrating small wins — just like your learners.
2. You Can Put Your Teaching Skills to Good Use
You’re a teacher! You already have so many teaching skills – you can organise information, deliver it in an engaging way and really HELP people understand and learn. And don’t tell me that you can’t. You go into a classroom every day and do this. You already have such a head start on so many people making YouTube videos and the skills you have are totally transferable.
3. It Can Make You Money (With Low Risk)
Teaching isn’t renowned for being a lucrative profession so a bit of a side hustle is never a bad thing. You don't need millions of views to start making a bit of money selling online resources, or attracting new learners.
The other side of this coin is that it’s very low risk, you don’t have to give up your day job and it won’t cost you a lot – the main investment is your time. What’s not to like about doing something creative and meaningful and it making you a steady little side stream of income?
4. It Makes You More Visible
It doesn’t matter how good a teacher you are if no one knows about you. When you have a YouTube presence, you’re more findable. People will start noticing — schools, course providers, other teachers - and that visibility can lead to speaking gigs, freelance work, collaborations, or even job offers. All of this has certainly happened to me.
It’s like planting seeds — you never know what amazing opportunities might grow.
5. It’s Fun and Creative
Finally – and the best reason of all really is that honestly, it’s just fun. Planning videos, trying new formats, connecting with people — it taps into your creative side in a way that traditional teaching sometimes doesn’t. It feels good to make things you’re proud of — and to hear how your voice and ideas have helped others.
And video has a long shelf life- some of the most popular videos I’ve got on my site have been there for over a dozen years!
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign — this is it. You don’t need fancy equipment. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to start. Even if no one watches at first, you’ll still be building skills, confidence, and possibilities you can't even imagine yet.
And if you’re nervous and want some help starting, check out my Video Creation for Educators programme. It’s an 8 week programme that will give you confidence and teach you filming and editing skills in a supportive community. It’s the short cut that will give you the impetus to get going and start on this new adventure.
Check it out at the link below and feel free to contact me if you want to talk about how the programme can help you get yourself out there like all of these teachers have done.
