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My Journey on YouTube

A woman in a red shirt forms a heart with her hands, expressing "8 Reasons Why Pensacola Has My Heart." Against a sunset-lit cityscape, she shares her journey on YouTube, capturing the vibrant essence of tall buildings and waterfront lights.

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My Journey on YouTube

By Paola Chapman, Realtor, Managing Partner at IXL Real Estate

Two years ago, I stood at the edge of a decision that terrified me—starting a YouTube channel. For weeks, I hesitated, paralyzed by the thought that the entire world could see me. My insecurities screamed at me, and I almost walked away before even giving it a real chance.

I had no idea how hard this journey would be. My channel, focused on real estate and informative content about Pensacola and the surrounding areas, seemed like a great idea. But YouTube isn’t just another social media platform—it’s the major leagues. If I wanted to make it, I had to take it seriously.

A woman with long hair sits on a white rocking chair on a porch, embodying the essence of her journey. Dressed in a red top, black pants, and shoes, she smiles with clasped hands on her lap. The backdrop reveals part of a house with a window and door, reminiscent of scenes from YouTube vlogs following life stories.

So, I did. I enrolled in a class on how to create a channel, followed a coach online, and spent countless hours studying successful YouTubers. I absorbed everything—how to structure videos, capture attention, and optimize content for better rankings. It was overwhelming, but I pushed forward.

But the hardest part? Balancing YouTube with my full-time career in real estate. The long hours of showings, contracts, and client meetings didn’t stop. On top of that, I had to carve out time for filming, editing, designing thumbnails, and learning YouTube’s ever-changing rules. It meant sacrificing time with my family, missing out on moments I wished I could be present for. There were nights when exhaustion made me question if it was worth it.

And then, there were YouTube’s strict guidelines. To even qualify for monetization, I needed thousands of watch hours and a high level of engagement. My videos had to capture and hold attention, and I had to grow my subscriber count against intense competition. The quota was tough, and many don’t make it—but I kept pushing.

Despite the struggles, I didn’t quit. I kept producing videos—over 150, both in English and Spanish. Slowly but surely, my channel grew. And then, finally, it happened. I received the news that YouTube would start paying me. I had officially become a YouTube Partner.

What once seemed like an unreachable goal is now a reality. The journey was tough, filled with sacrifices and challenges, but every late-night edit and moment of doubt led to this. And this is just the beginning.

Go to my channel and subscribe and share it with all your friends and contacts!

http://www.youtube.com/@paolachapman328

If you’d like to know more about how I grew my YouTube channel, I’d be happy to share a few tips!

Text reads "CUÁNTO CUESTA VIVIR EN PENSACOLA?" in bold letters. An aerial view of a scenic landscape with roads, trees, and houses unfolds like a journey. A person with long hair is looking to the right, wearing a sleeveless top in the foreground, as if capturing their adventure for YouTube.