Why everyone with a 9 to 5 should start a YouTube channel

Summary

Jack Biggerstaff argues that people with full-time jobs can use YouTube as a low-cost way to build an audience and eventually create a side business. His channel grew from 460 to more than 1,400 subscribers in about two weeks, with several videos reaching 20,000–55,000 views and sending traffic to his businesses.

His main strategic point is to build trust and an audience before launching or marketing a business. He says he previously built businesses first and struggled to find customers without an established audience.

YouTube Growth Playbook

• Be more natural on camera. Replace scripted, teleprompter-led videos with a title, thumbnail, and set of talking points.
• Speak to one viewer. Address the person watching rather than speaking vaguely to a large audience.
• Prioritize packaging. Put effort into the title and thumbnail before filming; they need to earn the click. Make the first 30 seconds match the video’s promise and hold attention.
• Be useful and credible. Be transparent and offer learning, inspiration, or motivation. The goal is to build trust and direct relevant viewers toward a business—not simply to become a YouTuber.

Business Model and Execution

Treat YouTube primarily as a marketing, audience-building, and trust channel, rather than as the main source of income. Learn what problems the audience has, then build an offer that solves one of them.

Jack favors digital products and communities as lower-risk starting points than inventory-heavy businesses because they do not require buying stock upfront.

Potential business models include:

• Paid communities or coaching based on a skill, experience, or shared interest.
• Service businesses, such as website and email design for trade and e-commerce businesses. Jack plans to discuss using AI in these services.
• E-commerce, which he describes as more demanding and capital-intensive, though potentially viable.

Examples and Lessons

Jack’s first e-commerce order cost about £4,000. He did not know whether the products would sell, and says some inventory remains unsold.

He cites communities focused on skateboarding, Pokémon, and knitting to illustrate that a paid community can be built around many interests.

Jack also runs a community for people aiming to leave a 9–5 by building businesses in their spare time. It includes a group strategy call every Monday at 7 p.m. for guidance and accountability.

Metrics, Targets, and Recommendations

• Reported channel growth: 460 to more than 1,400 subscribers in roughly two weeks.
• Video views: Some videos received 20,000, 30,000, and 55,000 views.
• Practice: Jack recommends expecting the first 100 videos to be rough and improving through practice.
• Consistency: He emphasizes publishing over months or years, comparing it to building fitness and noting that results can compound over time.
• Equipment: He recommends starting with a phone, tripod, microphone, and ideas, arguing that substantial upfront spending is unnecessary.
• Long-term goal: Earn enough from a side business to replace a salary and make a transition to full-time work possible. No specific revenue, conversion, or profitability targets are given.

Presenter/source: Jack Biggerstaff, speaking on his YouTube channel.