The secret to overnight success

Author

Kevin Urrutia
May 30, 2023

Welcome to the 17 new Always Learners this week! If you enjoyed this post, please forward it to your curious friends so they can join us.

Here’s what we got for you today:

  • The secret to overnight success is that there are no overnight successes.

  • Her Chrome extension makes ~ $840K a year 🤯

  • Swift

The secret to overnight success is that there are no overnight successes.

I know you're dreaming of building a successful YouTube channel, but it's not going to happen overnight. In fact, it takes most creators an average of 492 videos and four years to hit 1 million subscribers. That's a lot of work! But don't get discouraged. If you're patient, persistent, and willing to put in the effort, you can achieve your goals.

  • It takes an average of 492 videos for a creator to hit 1 million subscribers.

  • It took roughly four years for the average creator to hit 1 million subscribers.

  • The average channel had 118 million total views.

  • To hit 1 million subscribers in five years, a creator should commit to producing two high quality videos per week.

  • It is important to be patient and persistent, as it takes time to build an audience.

  • Creators should learn from their mistakes and continue to improve their content.

  • Creators should market themselves and their content to reach a wider audience.

Here are some actionable bullet points for you to implement:

  • Set realistic goals. Don't expect to become a successful YouTuber overnight. It takes time and effort to build an audience.

  • Create high-quality content. This means investing in good equipment and editing software. It also means creating content that is interesting and engaging to your target audience.

  • Be consistent. Post new videos on a regular schedule. This will help your audience know when to expect new content and keep them coming back for more.

  • Promote your channel. Share your videos on social media and other online platforms. You can also reach out to other YouTubers in your niche and collaborate on projects.

  • Be patient. It takes time to build a successful YouTube channel. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep creating great content and promoting your channel, and eventually you will start to see success.

What I Learned This Week…

#1 🧠 

Lyft’s secret plan to take control of its maps — and its future

This article dives into the fascinating journey of Lyft, where they transformed their navigation experience from relying on Google Maps to creating their very own mapping system. It all began with a little frustration, as Lyft couldn't fully control the product that drivers and riders interacted with daily. But hey, it's pretty weird not owning 80% of the pixels your users see, right? So, they embarked on a scrappy adventure to build their own maps, which turned out to be a game-changer.

What made this breakthrough possible? Well, Lyft's brilliant team realized that OpenStreetMap (OSM) had evolved into a robust platform, ready to support their mapping needs. OSM, often referred to as the Wikipedia of maps, offers a free and open-source alternative to the big players like Google and Apple. And guess what? Other companies like Amazon, Meta, and Snapchat have also joined the OSM bandwagon, contributing heaps of valuable information to its ever-growing database.

But Lyft had an ace up its sleeve—its own treasure trove of data from countless Lyft rides crisscrossing the busiest streets every single day. Armed with this invaluable resource, they launched a pilot program that employed car-mounted cameras to gather real-time data on road closures, construction, and other potential obstacles. This data injection helped them keep their maps up to date and deliver a seamless experience to their users.

Fast forward to today, and Lyft's home-grown mapping system powers a whopping 70% of all rides on their platform. They've done the impossible! By creating their own maps, Lyft was able to fine-tune the navigation experience for drivers and passengers alike. No more cluttered screens with irrelevant distractions! They optimized the visuals, providing drivers with a photo of the pickup area to navigate unfamiliar streets like champs. Real-world updates became the norm, keeping passengers informed about any traffic jams that might delay their rides. And let's not forget the cherry on top—they integrated CarPlay and Android Auto functionality for drivers, making the whole experience even more seamless.

The best part? The response from Lyft's drivers has been overwhelmingly positive! A staggering 98% of drivers who tried Lyft's maps stuck with them, choosing them over popular alternatives like Google, Apple, or Waze. Why? Well, Lyft didn't force them into it; they gave drivers a choice and actively sought their feedback to continually improve the mapping experience. And it worked like a charm!

Now that Lyft has conquered the mapping realm, they're setting their sights on enhancing the rideshare experience even further. They're brainstorming rideshare-specific features that can truly set them apart. Imagine drivers being able to share valuable information about accidents, traffic jams, or the best passenger loading zones—a real game-changer, right? Riders might have the option to choose a scenic route instead of the fastest one, adding a touch of adventure to their journey. And to make life easier for everyone, Lyft plans to create pickup and drop-off guides for popular destinations like airports, stadiums, and parks. These little tweaks might seem small, but they could make all the difference between a stressful experience and an effortless ride that leaves passengers wanting more.

#2 🧠 

#3 🧠 

💎 5 Link Monday 💎

The five best links I saw this week…

Let's dive in

Have an amazing week!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to let me know on Twitter

Kevin Urrutia

P.S. Hit reply with your favorite learning this week!

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