YouTube? At Your Age? Absolutely.
You’ve got time, stories, wisdom—and maybe a little mischief still in you. That’s exactly what YouTube needs.
Let’s be honest: you’ve seen a thing or two. Maybe you’ve raised kids, built a career, survived heartbreak, learned to make the perfect biscuit, or just figured out how to laugh at life. That’s gold. There are people out there—millions of them—who’d love to hear what you have to say. You don’t need a fancy camera. If you’ve got a phone and a window with decent light, you’re good to go. Just press record and talk like you’re chatting with a neighbor. People aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for real.
Not sure what to talk about? Start with what brings you joy. Gardening tips, travel stories, life advice, faith, fishing, book reviews, memories from “back when.” If you love it, talk about it. Someone out there is going to feel seen because of you. And no, you don’t need to post every day. Once a week, once a month—it’s your channel. Your rules. The key is to just start.
There’s purpose in sharing. In showing up. In leaving something behind that’s a little bit you. So if this idea’s been tugging at you, here’s your sign: go for it. The world’s waiting to hear from you—and it’s about time you took up some space.
And if you need help coming up with a name or that first video idea, I’m here. Let’s make it happen.
Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.
You've Picked Your Niche... Now What?
You’ve picked your niche. That’s huge. Most people never even get that far. You’ve made the call—whether it’s birdwatching in retirement, fixing up old tools, telling stories from the road, or sharing what you’ve learned in sixty-plus years of living. You’ve got your “thing.”
Now what? Well, now it’s time to snoop around a bit. Not to copy anyone, but to get a feel for the lay of the land. You wouldn’t build a house in a neighborhood without first walking around and seeing what’s already there, right? Same thing with YouTube. Pull up YouTube and search for the kind of videos you think you’ll be making. Watch a few. Ask yourself why certain ones caught your eye. Was it the title? The thumbnail? Did it make a promise you just had to click on? And here’s the real question: is there something missing in all those videos? A gap that you—yes, you—could fill? Because chances are, there is.
Now let’s talk titles. Titles matter. A lot! You can pour your heart into a video, record it with perfect lighting, and say all the right things—but if the title’s boring, nobody’s going to click it. Think of your title like your front porch. It doesn’t need to be flashy, but it should feel inviting. If it’s just labeled “Some Thoughts,” no one’s stopping by. But if it sounds like something they need—or want—they’ll knock.
A good title makes a promise. Something specific, something human. You’re not tricking anyone. You’re just telling the truth in a way that makes people curious enough to hear more. “My garden setup” doesn’t tell me much. But “How I grow 20 pounds of tomatoes in 3 buckets on my patio”? That makes me want to click. “Thoughts on life” is vague. But “What I’d tell my 40-year-old self”? That’s a conversation starter.
This is where a little term called “click-through rate” comes in. Don’t worry—it’s just YouTube’s way of measuring how many people clicked your video out of all the folks who saw it. If your title pulls people in, YouTube notices. And if YouTube notices, it starts showing your video to more people. So yeah, your title matters.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t about gaming the system or trying to be clever for the algorithm. It’s about getting your message into the hands—and hearts—of the people who need to hear it. The folks who don’t even know yet that what you have to say is exactly what they’ve been searching for.
So keep it simple. Be clear. Be a little curious. Be yourself. You’ve already got something to say. Now it’s just a matter of making sure people hear it.
Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.
Name Your Channel... Make It Your Own!
Naming your channel is one of those little steps that feels bigger than it should. Like naming a dog. Or a boat. You want it to feel right, but you don’t want to spend the next three days stuck in analysis paralysis while YouTube just sits there, blank.
Good news? You don’t need a perfect name. You just need a friendly one.
The name of your channel is the first impression, but it doesn’t have to be clever or profound. It just has to sound like you. If your channel’s about gardening, maybe it’s something simple like “Patio Garden with Nancy.” If you’re sharing life stories and lessons, maybe it’s “Life, Lived Fully” or even just your name—“George McMillan”—which, by the way, adds a nice personal touch. No one expects you to sound like a brand. In fact, most people are *relieved* when you don’t.
Now about that photo. I know—this part makes some folks want to run for the hills. But listen: it’s important. People want to see who they’re watching. You don’t have to get fancy. Just use a nice, clear photo of your face. Maybe one where you’re smiling or doing whatever it is your channel’s about. You in the garden. You holding your dog. You in your kitchen apron. It builds trust. And connection. Two things that are surprisingly rare online these days.
And then there’s the little description that goes under your channel name—the “About” section. This is your chance to give new visitors a friendly wave. Tell them what your channel’s about and why you’re doing it. You don’t need a speech. A couple of sentences will do.
Something like: “Hi, I’m Alan. After retiring from 40 years in the classroom, I finally have time to explore woodworking, storytelling, and a little bit of travel. This channel is where I share what I’m learning and what I wish I’d learned sooner.”
Short, honest, warm.
The goal here isn’t perfection—it’s presence. When people land on your channel, they’re not looking for a logo or a mission statement. They’re looking for *someone*. A real person. A face they can recognize and a voice they can trust.
So name your channel. Add your photo. Say hello in your description. Don’t overthink it. You’re just opening the door and saying, “Hey, this is me. Come on in if you like.”
And the people who are meant to find you? They will.
If you’d like help coming up with a great channel name or want a second opinion on your photo or description, just reach out—I’d be happy to lend a hand.
Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.
Now... What Kind of Videos to Make?
Once you’ve named your channel and put your friendly face up there, the next big question hits: *“Okay… now what kind of videos am I actually making?”*
And the answer is simpler than you think: just make one. A small one. A *simple* one.
You don’t need a camera crew. You don’t need lighting rigs or a microphone that costs more than your car. If you have a phone or a computer with a webcam, you’re already more equipped than you need to be.
The secret most people don’t realize? Viewers aren’t looking for slick. They’re looking for *real*. A real voice. A real person. If your camera’s a little wobbly or your dog walks through the background—that’s not a dealbreaker. That’s life. And it actually makes people like you more.
Just set your phone on a stand or prop it up on some books. Sit near a window if you can—that’s your lighting. Then take a deep breath and talk like you’re chatting with a friend. No big performance. No script necessary (unless you want one). Just talk.
You don’t have to tell your life story. Maybe you share something small: a tip that helped you. A story from your day. A quick tour of your garden. Your favorite way to make a grilled cheese sandwich. Whatever feels natural. The first one will feel awkward. That’s normal. Everyone feels like a bit of a goof the first time they talk to a camera. But here’s the trick: you get better every time. Not by reading about it. Not by watching 50 tutorials. By *doing it*.
And that one simple video you post? It might be exactly what someone else needed to hear that day.
So don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You’re ready enough. Grab your phone. Press record. Say something small and real. Keep it relaxed. Keep it you.
If you want help figuring out what your first video could be about—or want to run it by someone before you post—just holler. I’m here.
**Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.**
Consistency Is Very Important!
One of the best things you can do for your YouTube channel—after naming it, adding your photo, and posting your first simple video—is this: **keep going.**
Now, I don’t mean filming every day or turning your living room into a studio. I mean just picking a pace that fits your life and sticking with it. Once a week is great. Once every two weeks works too. Whatever schedule you choose, the key is: make it yours—and try to keep it going.
This whole YouTube thing? It’s a bit like planting a garden. You don’t throw seeds in the dirt and expect a tomato by morning. It takes tending. A rhythm. Showing up, even when it doesn’t look like anything’s happening yet.
Now, here’s where that mysterious YouTube algorithm sneaks in. (We’ll do a full article on it later, don’t worry.) But for now, all you need to know is this: YouTube likes consistency. When you post regularly—even just once every week or two—the system starts to notice. It says, “Ah, this person’s serious,” and slowly begins to show your videos to more people.
But don’t let that scare you. This isn’t about pressure. It’s about momentum. Making videos gets easier the more you do it. You’ll get more comfortable, faster at editing, better at talking to the camera. And viewers? They start to show up too. They begin to expect you. Look forward to you. Maybe even rely on you.
So pick a schedule that feels good. Put it on your calendar like you would a doctor’s appointment or a coffee date. And if life gets in the way one week? No problem. Just get back on track when you can. The point isn’t perfection—it’s presence.
A steady trickle of videos, made with care and a little personality, will take you much farther than one big splash followed by radio silence. This isn’t a race. It’s a rhythm. And once you find yours, it’ll feel pretty natural. If you’re unsure what a good posting schedule might look like for you, or want help planning out your next few video ideas, I’m just a message away.
**Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.**
No Rush, No Pressure—Just Keep Getting Better
When you start making YouTube videos, it’s tempting to feel like you’ve got to learn everything right now. Titles, editing, thumbnails, background music, lighting, talking to a camera without freezing up like a deer in headlights—it can all feel like a lot.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to master everything at once. Not even close.
The best way to grow a channel that lasts—especially one that brings you joy and doesn’t burn you out—is to take it one small improvement at a time. Learn a new thing here. Try a little tweak there. That’s the pace that works. That’s the pace that sticks.
Maybe this week you figure out how to trim the beginning of your video so it starts clean. Next time, you might try adding a bit of background music or a title screen. Later on, you’ll feel brave enough to try a thumbnail with text. These aren’t tricks. They’re just little steps toward making your videos more watchable—and more you.
This is a long-haul journey, not a viral sprint. You’re not chasing trends or trying to be the next overnight success. You’re building something real, something steady, something evergreen. That means your videos can still be helping someone—or making them smile—months or even years after you post them.
And the people who show up to watch you? They’re not looking for flashy. They’re looking for honest. Helpful. Human. If your videos get just a little better with each one, that’s more than enough.
So don’t stress about being perfect. Just aim to learn one new thing at a time. The rest will come when it’s ready.
If you’re not sure what to try next—or you’d like someone to walk you through the basics—I’m here.
Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.
If You’re Having Fun, You’re Doing It Right!
Let’s be honest: this YouTube thing? It’s a long game. You won’t wake up tomorrow with a million subscribers or a plaque on the wall. But here’s the secret no one tells you—you don’t need any of that to win.
If you’re having fun, you’re already winning!
That’s not fluff. That’s the truth. Because when something’s fun, you stick with it. You don’t need outside motivation. You show up because you want to. And that’s the magic sauce for anything that grows.
Sure, growth will come. Views, subscribers, nice comments—that all happens over time. But it happens because you kept showing up. And you kept showing up because it felt good. Because it made you smile. Because it gave you a sense of purpose. That’s what matters.
Some weeks, your video might get five views. Other weeks, it might get fifty. But if you’re doing something you enjoy—sharing stories, teaching what you know, just chatting about life—those numbers don’t matter nearly as much as how it feels when you press “Publish.”
And let’s not forget: every single big YouTube creator you’ve heard of? They started small too. With awkward videos. With doubt. With no audience. The only difference is—they didn’t quit.
So don’t worry about being perfect. Don’t worry if it’s taking longer than you hoped. Just keep going. Keep it light. Keep it fun. Because when you’re enjoying the ride, you’ve already won.
If you’re ever feeling stuck or need a little push to keep going, I’m always happy to help remind you why you started in the first place.
Please consider joining my Membership at Retired With Purpose, my YouTube channel, so you can post questions and have deeper discussions on the RWP Members Blog.
