Scriptwriters don't "grow" channels (and that's ok)

Hey

This is probably the most "real talk" newsletter I've written for months.

It started out as me journalling to myself, but the more I wrote, the more I realised I wanted to share this...

Scriptwriting is a weird part of YouTube.

Especially as a “freelance scriptwriter”, you’re basically “subbed in” to keep an existing train rolling.

You’re not really expected to grow the channel.

Good scriptwriting is necessary to grow a channel faster, but it’s not sufficient.

This has pros and cons:

On the plus side, if a video completely bombs, it’s probably an issue with the core idea, how it’s framed, or how it’s packaged.

It’s rare that you can point to the script and say “this is the main reason the video failed”.

On the flip side, just as you can’t really be blamed for a video flopping, you can’t really take credit for a video going viral either 😂

You occupy a weird middle ground where your value is probably quantified more by your ability to free up your client’s time than it is by your ability to write “viral scripts”.

Protecting your reputation

This is why I get a bit uncomfortable when I’m introduced on podcasts as “the writer behind 25,000,000 views!”

Like, sure, it’s not a “lie”. But it’s not nuanced either.

I mean, who could have guessed that my time working with viral video machine Mike Shake would suddenly add another 10m views to “my” view counter?

It comes down to this:

Your reputation is more important than anything else, especially if “proving your value” isn’t completely straightforward.

Your “view count” (which is often misleading) is way less influential than what influential people say about you.

I still have relationships with creator teams I worked with literally once, even if the script went kinda badly.

Yes, good work is important, but how you conduct yourself both during the relationship AND in the aftermath (on Twitter, podcasts, etc) has a longer-term impact than anything.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t shout about how many views you’ve contributed to.

But don’t use it as a crutch.

And definitely don’t inflate the number of videos you say you’ve worked on just to sound more impressive.

Back yourself as a person and as a creative to do good work - your reputation will carry you forward.

That's all for this week!

I definitely owe a few of you replies from the last couple of emails.

I'll get back to those - and any thoughts you have on this one - next week ✌️

Speak soon,
George 👋