Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at one of WordPress's biggest YouTube channels?
Tony had a fascinating chat with Ryan Priddey, who's been steering the video ship at WPBeginner for the past few years. And you’re going to love it.
We loved Ryan's refreshingly down-to-earth approach to video content. No smoke and mirrors, just practical strategies that have helped their channel grow immensely.
Over the hour-long conversation, Ryan pulled back the curtain on everything from content planning to the quirks of YouTube's algorithm. Whether you're thinking about starting a YouTube channel or already knee-deep in content creation, his insights are gold dust for anyone looking to build an audience online.
You can watch the full video here:
And here are a few key takeaways from this chat:
1. Balancing Old and New Content
Pro Quote
"If we notice that a video is starting to decay, we don't try to update it - we just make a new one. And we make it better." -- Ryan Priddey, WPBeginner Video Content Manager
Here's what's cool about WPBeginner's video strategy - they don't just pump out new content and forget about their older stuff. When they spot an older video that's not performing like it used to, or when WordPress has evolved beyond what the video shows, they don't mess around with band-aid solutions. They roll up their sleeves and create a completely fresh take, packing it with new features, better explanations, and all the insights they've picked up from viewer comments.
2. The Art of Long vs Short Videos
Longer videos are their bread and butter, working like detailed guidebooks for viewers. Think of them as the "pillar" content - the meaty tutorials that really dive deep. Interestingly, these tend to pull in more views than their shorter counterparts.
3. The YouTube Shorts Mystery
Here's a quirky finding: their Shorts would sit quietly for about 90 days, then suddenly start picking up steam. It's like YouTube needed a three-month coffee break before deciding to show their content to people!
4. Keeping It Real with Production
Pro Quote
"I never feel comfortable in front of the camera, but that's okay. The authenticity comes through when you're just being yourself - mistakes and all." -- Ryan Priddey, WPBeginner Video Content Manager
Let's talk about what happens behind the camera at WPBeginner. You might think a channel their size has teleprompters and scripts everywhere, but nope! Ryan keeps it surprisingly simple with just pen and paper.
He's found that when you ditch the perfectly polished script, something magical happens - people actually connect with you more.
5. Smart SEO Without the Fuss
You might think YouTube SEO is some mysterious dark art, but Ryan's take is refreshingly simple. They pop their most important keywords right at the start - in titles, descriptions, and even the first few seconds of their videos. No fancy tricks, no keyword stuffing, just straight-up clarity about what the video delivers.
6. The 'Start Simple' Philosophy
Pro Quote
"All you need is a phone and your expertise. That's it. Don't let anyone tell you that you need expensive gear to get started." -- Ryan Priddey, WPBeginner Video Content Manager
Here's something that might surprise you - that smartphone in your pocket? It's all you really need to kick off your YouTube journey.
Ryan's big message is that people get way too hung up on having the perfect setup, when what viewers really care about is what you know, not what you film with.
7. Navigating the Algorithm
This is where WPBeginner gets clever. Instead of boxing themselves into the WordPress corner, they open their arms to anyone curious about building websites.
Think about it - someone searching "how to build a website" might not even know WordPress exists yet. But they might just become their next subscriber.
8. Platform Picking Made Simple
Pro Quote
""Think about what format you're comfortable with. Creating for YouTube is completely different from TikTok - pick the one that matches how you want to communicate." -- Ryan Priddey, WPBeginner Video Content Manager
Look, different platforms vibe with different styles - YouTube isn't TikTok isn't Instagram. Ryan's advice? Pick the one where you feel most like yourself. If the thought of dancing on TikTok makes you cringe, maybe stick to detailed YouTube tutorials!
9. Building Content That Lasts
While other creators chase every trending topic, WPBeginner plays a smarter game. Sure, they keep an eye on what's hot, but they never forget about those key topics that people search for year after year. It's about building a library of content that keeps working for you long after you hit publish.
10. The Authenticity Factor
Here's the most liberating part of our chat with Ryan - those moments when you mess up? When you stumble over your words or have to correct yourself mid-explanation? Keep them in!
Viewers actually love seeing real humans being, well, human. Some of their most successful videos include moments that would've hit the cutting room floor in most productions.
Pro Quote
"I've had videos where I completely messed up explaining something, addressed it right there on camera, and those ended up being some of our most popular videos." -- Ryan Priddey, WPBeginner Video Content Manager
Trust Us – You Don’t Want to Skip This Conversation.
What really stands out from this conversation with Ryan is that you don't need fancy equipment or Hollywood production values to make an impact on YouTube.
It's about showing up consistently, sharing what you know, and not being afraid to let your personality peek through the cracks of professionalism.
The beauty of Ryan's insights is that they work whether you're running a WordPress tutorial channel or teaching people how to bake sourdough bread.
At its core, successful content creation isn't about chasing algorithms or following rigid formulas - it's about finding that sweet spot between what you love to create and what your audience needs to learn.
And sometimes, the best way to start is simply to pick up your phone and press record.
