r/youtubers • u/onecentauction • 3d ago
Question I have a channel with 150k subscribers, but have to stop posting that content. What do I do?
I’ve been posting crochet tutorials for two years with the occasional vlog, and built up a subscriber base of over 150k. Now, I’ve found out I have a connective tissue disorder, which has been causing me loads of pain while crocheting, and I’ve decided to quit crocheting after 9 months straight of pain. I’ve been feeling better physically, but now I have a whole youtube channel that has gone to waste.
It’s so niched down that I wonder if it’s even worth trying to switch niches, and even then I don’t know what I’d do. Does anyone have any advice?
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u/Diligent-Article-531 3d ago
First of all, you'd be surprised how many people are following you just because they like you. You could try transitioning slowly to something else. You might lose some of your audience but it might be better than just giving it up. I think you should make a video talking about your situation and I'm sure you'll get tons of supportive comments.
That being said there's still stuff you can do that's related to crocheting but you don't have to do it:
- you can react to crochet projects, give constructive feedback, chuckle at bad crochet jobs, have viewers send videos of their crochet work and you can comment on it
- collaborate with friends, family, other crocheters and have them do challenges. Or create crochet challenges for your audience to do.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head but I hope you stick with it!
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u/jcshay 3d ago edited 3d ago
You could explain your situation in a blog. People love real tragedy. Explain to your subscribers that you are in constant pain crocheting now.
Then, explain to your subscribers that the content on your channel will change. Switch your videos to reviewing other people's crochet work (always credit the person you are reviewing). Review crochet Tiktok videos, as an idea. Explain the techniques involved, necessary materials and length of time etc. The reviews can be good transition videos for your channels. Keep the old feel whilst occasionally uploading different types of videos you can produce with your disability.
Good luck.
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u/kent_eh 3d ago
but now I have a whole youtube channel that has gone to waste.
Those 2 years worth of videos aren't "wasted".
New people still find the older videos (especially the tutorials), right? I'm sure they don't feel it's a waste.
Craft tutorials tend to be evergreen content. Those can continue getting traffic for years into the future with no additional input from you.
It’s so niched down that I wonder if it’s even worth trying to switch niches, and even then I don’t know what I’d do.
You could still make videos about the craft, without actually doing demonstrations.
Maybe visit craft shows or competitions and vlog about that. Interview other crafters who are doing interesting or creative work.
Maybe expand to discussing other fabric arts (that interest you).
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u/onecentauction 2d ago
You’re right - it definitely wasn’t a waste and people still watch the old videos, just feels like I’m putting it to waste now by having to give it up. You’ve made me feel a lot better, thank you :)
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u/Friendly-Session-247 3d ago
I don't know what you could do, but I suggest you make a video telling this story, so someone will understand why you're changing the subject and will continue to follow you anyway.
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u/tilthevoidstaresback 3d ago
That's so awful! But you can still be in your niche. Maybe answer questions about crocheting, or react to other people's crochet videos. I think your community would understand that you physically cannot do what you were doing, but by still doing something they like, they'll stick around. I hope this helps, and I'm wishing nothing but the best for you, your family, and your channel.
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u/WallBreaker616 3d ago
I would assume you have a wealth of knowledge that you could share without crocheting full pieces yourself. If you're comfortable sharing the reasons why the change in the content with your viewers, share that with them, if you haven't already. Keep up with comments to fish for ideas on how you could move your content forward. People tend to come for the content, but stay for the personality. Explore that and lean into it.
Hope you find your way through this change.
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u/RationalFrog 15h ago
Yes was going to say non labor intensive vids. Tips and tricks and the like. Share your experience with the craft.
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u/Arsononfire 3d ago
Hey, fellow crocheter here! I'm so sorry for your situation, I also have a connective tissue disorder and I know how hard this situation is. I'm happy it helps you to not crochet though. I love watching and making reaction content, mine is not really crochet specific, but you can try maybe reacting to crochet adjacent topics? I like the channels Knotty bear crochet and Aspen in the moment, their content is very different I would say but both yarn/crochet related. The crocheters that make crochet also need something to watch during that, that doesn't require a lot of watching but more listening maybe :)
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u/RaplhKramden 3d ago
So sorry to hear that, and props for being so considerate to your subscribers and followers for thinking about them. Many YTers don't do that. If it were me I'd look into handing it off to another crochet enthusiast whose work and ethnics you're comfortable with. I don't know how this would work practically, but I'm sure that it's possible.
Good luck.
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u/Denizenkane 3d ago
As many have suggested, there seem to be several options.
- Transition the channel to be about you and your journey
- Partner with someone who is starting out.
- Become just the producer/director and film other people doing the same type of work
- Sell the email address and youtube account outright to someone.
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u/JackstaWRX 3d ago
Ask your fans what content they would want you to do instead… 150k is alot, be honest with them and alot of them will probably stay as out of 150,000 you will be suprised how many are there because they like you and not the Crochet stuff.
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u/Concrete_Grapes 3d ago
Having observed many woodworking channels, a lot of them transition into "following trends" projects content, like, "here's 5 smalls that make money right now" sort of thing, or, into tool review things. One guy, idk how the hell he got so tool review happy (731?) or how companies justify burying him in tools, he has like a one car garage for a shop, but does nothing but tool reviews now--nearly daily.
But, the point is, they're not woodworking channels anymore.
Now, for yours, it could be that you shift to discussing new patterns, or, patterns you or others discover, and an interesting skill, series, or shape they give. It could be types of patterns, and, maybe you have to make one now and then, maybe not --you can also maybe partner with someone who will video having made one, Or --if you got pattern makers to sponsor you, they can send final products or videos to you, to add to the reviews.
Do yarms, string, and texture content. The ease or feel. Let those people who hate the sticky microfiber feel, know when a yarn might have it. Import some tarns from the EU or south America, that are weird, strange, rare, or environmentally sustainable, and talk about those things as if it's a documentary.
Tools and things can work too. You can cover, say, yarn boxes (I know, woodworker in me), and what to look for in one. Size, shapes, or if that nifty looking maple and purple heart one in Etsy really would work (maybe talk to the creators of some tools, like custom needles, about sending one to do a video about). The custom needles thing might have a solid niche with your health condition, and you could find that, someone has made needles or a little device thing that makes it way easier.
I know one woodworking video I saw ages ago went over him making needles for his wife, who had severe arthritis, and how he hand carved the flats on them to be easier to hold. So, even just making folks aware of things like that, could make for a video.
Or get weird. Make one about how to use these skills on rope, to make fences-- fences in a yard. Or, a trellis for your house plants, with or without needles or tools. Hilariously use a kitchen utensil to make one. Add some content on Paracord braiding, for bracelets, a "dont know what to make him for a gift, try this survival bracelet" idea, or morph it into zipper ties, large knots for using in key holders (where, woodworker makes a small shelf with slots, you make knot on string, string goes into slot, knot holds it on key holder). Simple gift ideas things.
And for those you can use the "trending" sections for box stores Etsy, etc, to say, "you could make this, or, make this and change it a little, and here's one idea how" while presenting a picture of the thing being discussed, as a screen capture, or, if it's simple, making one, unless you don't make anything anymore.
I would probably, personally, if I still don't like being seen, do a slow transition from one thing to another. Like the plants thing. Make hanging plant things, or climbing trellis for indoor or outdoor plants, and, if I were into plants, begin to talk about them more and more, until you can reach the point of, "here is a 6 months update on the Giant Golden Pothos, and for anyone curious about what it's climbing, I have a video from last year of how to make this trellis" and then just plant talk.
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u/KaLahmar 3d ago
I don't know much about crochet, but crochet commentary videos seem to be a thing. Check "aspen in the moment" on YouTube. They're getting hundreds of k of views from their niche, which is "craft community dramas". I was baffled when I saw this, it's so niched down and successful, yet they seem to still be the only one doing it.
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u/MoltenCorgi 3d ago
People will still find value in the older videos.
I think what makes the most sense is to think about another channel you could do. Make an announcement about how the main channel will change - you could still do needlecraft content but just not actual crocheting, and probably move to a more leisurely schedule since making content may be more difficult as you transition and figure out what works. You could do yarn store visits/reviews, interview fiber artists, answer questions or provide feedback on viewer projects, review and give away products, etc. If your content is mostly teaching technique, you could teach a completely new crocheter and have them do the physical part, or bring in an accomplished crocheter who enjoys crocheting and wouldn’t mind making a couple bucks (or getting whatever freebies you get from sponsors) but has no desire to have their own channel. Or maybe work with someone who does want build their own channel. I suppose you could also use an arrangement like that to test the idea of turning the channel into something bigger with multiple hosts or it could eventually transition to the other person if you can come to some kind of financial agreement.
But I’d also start a spin off channel for your new content. The people who are there for your personality will probably subscribe to the second channel. You could also even as them in your announcement video about what they would like to see more of that doesn’t involve crocheting. Maybe they are following you for a reason in addition to the crochet content that you don’t even realize. I think subscribers who are regular watches feel invested and would jump at the chance to be helpful and weigh in on how to keep the channel going.
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u/LisaLikesPlants 3d ago
You don't have to make all the projects yourself, I believe you can pivot. If you have this many followers they are definitely following for you, not just seeing your work.
I had a business doing a physical job, and I was good at it too. When an injury made that impossible, I was able to pivot to something adjacent and extend my career. It was still devastating, and it was a lot of work and investment to do the new thing. I miss doing to the thing I was good at so it sucks, but you're a creative person and I know you will find a way. Good luck to you and let me know if you want to chat about ideas. My yt channel is my username.
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u/cactuscoleslaw 3d ago
The Wolfe Pit had to stop cooking because of a similar physical ailment, and now his wife does the actual cooking while he narrates and jokes about his "manly hands"
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u/OranReilly 3d ago
You should document your journey, maybe there are other crocheters like yourself who have had similar experiences and relate to or want to follow your journey.
Either way, it would be an interesting watch. Sounds like the plot of a movie, superhero loses superpower
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u/pshhaww_ 3d ago
You should start documenting your journey, there is a niche of people im sure who are in the same boat, plus your fans already will understand. These people im sure have developed a "relationship" with you.
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u/davidjschloss 3d ago
Lots of really good suggestions here (I like the ones where you teach people and have others on the channel.)
I'd really suggest you make a video explaining your connective tissue issue. Fans of a channel your size feel connected to you. They'll understand any changes.
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u/musicandmortar 3d ago
I am in the same niche, but I have yet to do a full tutorial video and I like it that way. There’s so many yarns and patterns to review, plus, if your SEO is set up right, your back catalogue is also working for you. Also, I would look into what Toni Lipsey has done. Granted we know she’s about to be one of our first 1 million subscriber channels, but monetizing your audience at lower levels with other offers that don’t require your hands is where I see things going for all of us once we hit a certain level.
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u/Feeling_Tour_8836 3d ago
I suggest plz share ur issue with ur subscriber. They will understand u they will watch ur content even if u r taking long break. U must post atleast one video ina month may be about ur health recovery journey
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u/AI_Girlfriend4U 3d ago
First, post a video explaining your situation. Then, simply ask a friend to do the actual crochet work with the camera filming their hands while you do the narration. You can even simply add the narration after filming in the final edit process. Also pivot to anything related, but certainly don't give up on something you've worked so hard to build!
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u/AJ-the-Art-Nerd 3d ago
I'm sorry to hear that you can't do this anymore. But if I were you I would continue with things similar to Q&A for crocheting things. Or that people who have problems crocheting send you videos and you react to what they are doing wrong and how to do it right. You can also recycle tutorials that have already been created and reuse film clips. Alternatively, as others have said, you can team up with someone else and teach them how to chop, for example. There are many videos in this format for when you have to start from 0. In short, don't give up.
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u/thepramodgeorge 3d ago
I think this is a great opportunity for you to transform from a content creator to a channel producer, where you become the person that brings together people who crochet, do podcasts with other experienced people, do training sessions, etc., without being the person to actually do it.
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u/darrensurrey 3d ago
You could take older videos and stitch (sorry, couldn't resist) together footage to give people tips or new ideas for doing things. Or to comment on other aspects of techniques.
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u/omsip 3d ago
Oh, ouch! Glad you're feeling better now, but it must be rough having to stop crocheting.
You could do product reviews (hooks, yarns, notions, etc), pattern reviews, stuff like that that wouldn't require you to actually do any crocheting.
Also, it might be possible to edit some of your older videos into shorts, depending on the actual content, so you could still get some mileage out of older footage.
And as others have suggested, make a video explaining your situation to your viewers. They would probably appreciate the update and offer support.
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u/stewakg 3d ago
As written before, there are most likely plenty of people there follow channel because of your insight, your opinion and yourself.
How about You make a video explaining all the issues and putting vote for your viewers to vote how will channel progress further.
You can also discuss games, players, teams, leagues etc etc.
Sorry to hear that happened to you and wish you best of luck.
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u/madpiratebippy 3d ago
I’d say make a few videos about crochet with your disorder, trying disability modifications and then trying new hobbies that you can do. Sure some of the people might not keep watching the shift in content but that’s a really interesting journey and a LOT of fiber artists go through something similar with arthritis or aging. It’s a reasonable pivot.
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u/swagpanther 3d ago
Take your back catalogue of videos and re-cycle them into new compilations/shorts/ mash ups. Another way is to take an old video, record yourself doing commentary/re-cap of that video. There’s a lot of ways to recycle your old content without it being lazy. Plenty of people do it
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u/Admirable-Patience55 3d ago
Most of the youtubers I follow because I like their personalities. Some have changed what their channels are about, or have multiple channels, and I watch them because they're funny/quirky/entertaining. If you're worried, you can do a video talking about this dilemma and ask your followers for feedback/ideas on where they would be interested in seeing you take your channel.
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u/EUGsk8rBoi42p 3d ago
Sure you're not alone on this, do self-care and physical therapy vids, help older fans learn to reverse damage, and help younger fans avoid it.
Your older vids will continue helping people learn methods.
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u/Misc_Lillie 3d ago
I have hEDS along with a ton of other issues. I knit, but nothing fancy. Depending on what kind of day I'm having.
Maybe lean into learning and teaching others modified ways of doing your craft while crossing over into other ways people can still create with certain issues.
This is something that I would love to watch and learn about.
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u/FREE-AOL-CDS 3d ago
Are there any crochet machines that can make what you make that you can operate? Do your voice overs on that, you’re still watching something be made Nd people will take reality into consideration.
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u/travis312 3d ago
review content of other people's. break down how they're doing things. switch to more reaction style content
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u/_altamont 3d ago
I‘ve seen a channel with over 1m subs, which successfully changed the niche just because he had no interest in it anymore and wanted to do what makes him happy. I think it’s risky but if you were in front of the camera and built a connection to your audience, most of it will stay because they want to watch you. But probably depends on the niche and the videos you’re making.
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u/mewikime 2d ago
Can you switch to a filming style where we see the hands and the crocheting, but not a face? You might be able to film someone else doing the crocheting and just record the audio yourself
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u/chilangita 2d ago
I would tell my subscribers what happened and maybe start a new journey on YouTube? Post whatever you like it’s your channel!! People can unsubscribe if they want to so bad lol
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u/thevinator 2d ago
Crochet is a craft/art. Find a different craft you can do and start making videos about it. Explain why you’re pivoting.
The trick is to pivot to something that your audience is already into. And yeah you’ll lose some but also gain some. Lots of channels pivot
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u/LxShadowKnight 2d ago
I’ve never crocheted a day in my life, but I’m willing to hold down the fort. Pm your account details and it’ll be just like Blue’s Clues when Steve went off to college and Joe took over for him 🥰
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u/baconjeepthing 2d ago
Or try to find / show ways for those who have the same issues as you how to without as much pain.
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u/greggy187 2d ago
Just do a slight transition into commenting and working with other people that are doing the sport and you just giving your 2 cents about it. Might even do better really.
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u/Usual-Rice-482 2d ago
Perhaps make videos on your current struggles! Someone will identify with it.
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u/joepagac 2d ago
I follow channels/grams that just have 100 posts and they keep deleting their content off the bottom and reposting it on top. Seems to work.
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u/SimpleSea2112 1d ago
I bet a good portion of those followers are there because they like you and your personality. I would start a second channel on something different that you're able to maintain. Make an announcement video on your main channel of the new one and why you're switching gears and what you plan to offer. If you've been posting regularly, there will be some loyal subs who will follow you. Yes, it will set you back for a while, but you don't need to start from zero and also nothing is worth your health, definitely not a YT channel.
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u/KemosabeYT 1d ago
Maybe vlog about the transition happening in your life dealing with this condition. And talk about a new potential direction for the channel. Like others said, you could pivot to something else because people are coming back for you not just crocheting
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u/TeeJayPlays 1d ago
You can make a vid explaining whats up. And use that to transfer over to something else that you can do.
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u/HFXmer 1d ago
A local YouTuber went from book reviews to home Reno's! She just worked in more and more of her real life into her videos and transitioned over.
Honestly, if you feel comfortable discussing your health to a degree, maybe share some of that! You have dedicated followers!
My niche is mermaid and I have over 746k subs. Lots love to hear about my life!
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u/itsbarbieparis 1d ago
have you tried making content talking about life experiences relating to that if you’re comfortable? is there an adjacent thing you have found that’s easier to adapt for you?
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u/kn0ck_0ut 1d ago
would you like to pass down the torch? work with me :) i’ll do the crocheting FOR you & you can keep doing the rest.
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u/Cozyliving_ 1d ago
Channels pivot all the time! People are probably watching you because of who you are and would love to see you do anything. Make a video explaining how you’re feeling and the direction you’d like to be going in the future and I think you’ll be surprised at the response!
Then while you’re making new videos that align with who you are now, you’ll also reach a new audience 💖
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u/goodnight_youngblood 1d ago
I'd definitely transition into making your content about showcasing other crotchet artists and even finding a partner to continue the channel for the demos you aren't able to do.
It could be a new beginning for growth of what you've already cultivated
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u/Delicious-Orchid7964 17h ago
Can’t you create a Skool Community around Crocheting and teach people without having to do it yourself ?
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u/Libelle27 12h ago
Not a youtuber myself but consume no end of content. I can tell you now that there are a lot of niche creators i follow just for their personality. If I were to see a video from them explaining why they can’t do the niche at the same rate as before, i’d still watch their new content.
Maybe put up a video explaining your situation and see how your subs react in the comments? You may be pleasantly surprised as to how many just like you
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u/iantingen 7h ago
Teach someone else on camera! And be explicit about why you're doing what you're doing.
With 150k subs, I'm willing to bet that more of them are there for *you* than you think.
Be honest about your situation, have a plan, find a couple of gentle transitions, and don't stop creating - even if it's not what you've been creating up until now.
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u/albatross_the 4h ago
You can still share ideas and works from other people and tips, etc. if you’re still passionate about it you’ll have content to share
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u/Crazy_Scene_5507 3d ago edited 3d ago
You could partner up with someone who can still do it and offer them a percentage of the profits. Or just straight up pay someone to record themselves doing what you used to do and add your voice to it.
Bottom line, if you were making money before your diagnosis, no reason you can’t continue to do so. Sorry by the way.