Before You Stop Posting On Instagram or Youtube... You NEED to Watch This.

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Before I decided to quit posting on social media for a year, I wondered how my break would impact my income, my YouTube channel, and my Instagram account.

A year later, I live to tell the tale...

In this video, I will share behind the scenes of how my sabbatical impacted my YouTube video views, my Instagram following, and my income.

This video will also cover all my observations and my recommendations for creators who are thinking of taking a break from social media.

How can you set yourself up for success?

How do you know which platform you should focus your efforts on?

What are the short-term and long-term impacts of no longer being consistent?

How have my own learnings affected my own social media strategy for 2024?

Watch this video to learn the answers!

♡ What's in this video:

00:00 What You'll Learn
00:53 Impact on YouTube Adsense Revenue
02:11 Does YouTube STOP Recommending Your Videos?
02:52 How to Get on YouTube Homepage
03:52 Strategies to Increase Watchtime
05:49 List Link Hack
07:03 YouTube Views Drop
08:08 Impact on YouTube Search
08:46 Impact on Subscriber Count
09:25 Why I'm Glad I'm Not a Vlog Channel
09:49 Which Video Got Me Subscribers
10:12 My Recommendation for YouTubers
10:57 Passive Income
11:51 Thoughts on YouTube
12:45 Impact on IG Followers
13:14 How Many People Unfollowed?
14:16 Impact on IG Engagement
14:42 YouTube vs. Instagram
17:03 Recency vs. Watch Time
18:24 Lesson 1: Know How Platforms Work
20:00 What is your long term vision?
20:59 Lesson 2: Diversifying Income
22:24 Lesson 3: Audience is an Asset
23:13 Passive vs. Active Income
24:20 Lesson 4: Content Quality vs. Quantity
25:13 Lesson 5: Value Makes People Miss You
26:58 Reaction Now That I'm BACK!
28:12 Do I regret my decision?
30:38 My NEW Social Media Strategy?

♡ Products:

♡ YouTube Optimization Tools I Use:

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♡ Stay Connected:

[VanessaLau]

What was the most surprising thing for you? Let me know in the comment section below and stay tuned for my next video where I'll share my updated social media strategy now that I know what I know.... 😵

[JaysonJudson]

When you quit I had 9 subs, and you gave some of the best advice I had heard at the time.

And it’s something I do in every video that I do, and it’s to record in sections, don’t stress yourself out trying to record the entire video in one sitting or you will lose your mind.

You don’t know or understand how much impact that had on me.

I watched a ton of your videos/shorts and today I am at 78k subs.

Glad you are back.

[stefaniaglo]

One thing I'll tell you! Both of your last videos popped up as soon as I opened my youtube. I'm so glad you are back. You built a successful business from scratch once I have no doubt you'll do it again. Talent and experience can never be replace. You got this Vanessa! 🎉

[jackywacky]

Awesome video. I am small YouTuber, and I think that for small channels the most important thing is to get good presence from the beginning. If you are not popular, people won't care even if you have the best videos and the best content on platform. I am not beginner anymore, but I know how hard it can be (and honestly if I didn't use a lot of Fame- ster, I would have quit a long time ago. It made everything much easier for me, especially getting to 1000 subs and view hours).

[candice_soulcadencecoaching]

Can confirm two weeks later youtube is definitely pushing your content. I’m brand new to it and a video showed up on my front browse page as a recommended video. Then I watched a few more, and this morning, YouTube made this one the first on my “you might like” list. So, welcome back! Looking forward to seeing your older content & what you have coming up!

[CROIXsather]

One of the most valuable YT videos for new creators out there, bar none. I am surprised that youtube penalized you so severely, so quickly. Obviously it would happen, but much faster. But also encouraging that there is also staying power and sustainability. This is is a lesson on how important it is to build a business outside of YT and that YT should be seen as lead gen and a bonus to a complete business.

[TechnoPandaPodcast]

The learning I will take from your experience is that if you want to take a break, just take a break. Don't make any announcement. Just go and when you feel happy come back!

[Ntutrieu]

I had to quit my mentor because I was beginning to lose my identity. So definitely understand where you’re coming from. Welcome back ❤❤

[doreennekesaofficial]

Thanks for being real about that hook 😊.

"You never know the results of your decisions. You are only sure of your reasons."

My huge takeaway away.

I'm applying this not only on my Youtube channel but also in my life.

[Dongfang_Qingcang]

YouTube pushed out your last 2 videos to me and kept to do so until I finally gave in 😂 and then I regretted that I didn't do it immediately, because I was so impressed that I finally got to see your personality and I LOVED IT! this made me want to hit the bell notification because I like the new videos more than the older ones

[InfiniteCrtors]

I just found you and this is the 3rd video I have watched. My partner and I are going to start a YT channel soon. It's a steep ask for us both. However, your video content and the value of sharing your experiences and knowledge are definitely helping! Thank you for showing your authenticity, your vulnerability, your honesty, and your valuable lessons. You are definitely and infinite soul and creator. Bless you Vanessa :)

[fabiolahurel]

🙋🏻‍♀️I’m among those subscribed while you were away- I was searching over ways to create valuable content. Then I started watching all your videos and definitely found an inspiration. I was kinda sad thinking you had stopped posting and got very happy when I saw your first video after your sabbatical break😄. I 💯agree in your philosophy and I’m a believer of the power of your channel 💪🏻💪🏻

[starsnoireart]

I wish I had seen this video 2 years ago!

I abandoned my first YouTube channel because I wanted to pivot. I thought I’d have more success with my new content on Instagram.

It worked out to an extent. I had some reels go viral and boost my account very quickly. But unfortunately, I didn't have the systems in place to sustain the growth, nor had I really thought long-term about my instagram strategy. I had no idea how volatile instagram was, and I didn't realize that reels were going to have to become the lifeblood of my account.

In the end, I burnt out.

If I could do it over I would re-invest all of my efforts into growing my YouTube channel. A couple good things came out of instagram, but choosing to focus on it instead of YT was a mistake in my opinion.

[piroskavigh]

I was subscribed to your content before and when you made your first video it popped up instantly. The second video popped up again. The tips about YouTube and consistency are so interesting. I've never seen anyone talk about this before. It's mental what you've been able to achieve and how hard you've been working for it. And I know YouTube will reward you now again that you're back ❤

[vanessakaliwo]

You're amazing! When you first announced you were leaving I had this thought: I'm so happy she's putting herself first and taking the time she needs for herself. She may never come back and that's okay, but if she does I know whatever insights she'll share with us will be GOLD! And you didn't disappoint!

I especially resonated with the part of the video talking about being unsure about the results of your decisions but being confident in your reasons for your decisions. I'm in a season where I'm letting go of my old business model and approaching things differently. I don't know what the results of this decision will be but I'm so aligned to my reasons. Thank you for being you and for everything that you do!

[MeyTribe]

RE- Youtube revenue
The break you took was a year, so that's a LONG time
I found that in certain times of the year, a break for a month or two- my ad revenue is the same, even higher, as some of my evergreen videos get picked up that time of year no matter how much I post.
BUT, great video all together, also the previous one. Happy to see you back. Been considering that break as well for myself, a longer one, not just a month or two...

[CoreyPaulMusic]

Your ability to convey such valuable information in a clear, honest, and transparent way is a gift! It's like watching an artist paint, LOL. So glad to have you back. We definitely missed you!

[denttime]

I took a break on IG. Posted about 5 videos later. Received 19.1 million views on latest vid. But the secret is passion outlasts motivation. Great job Vanessa. Congrats being back and your recent engagement. 👍

[mrs.carolenamamea]

Valuable information shared, appreciate you posting. Just wanted to let you know, I never opted out. Welcome back, Vanessa. Once an influencer, always an influencer. You just possess that resilient and committed nature. I just cannot see you not being an influence. Love what you do. Keep it up Ms. Lau.

[maiwinn]

You came back super strong in terms of the quality you deliver. You answered a lot of questions I was on the fence about deciding on. Thanks again!