017. Full-Time Freelancer to Full-Time YouTuber w/ Javier Mercedes, pt 1

Story Greenlight with Jeff Bartsch

The idea of becoming a full-time content creator is an attractive one to many people. But when you talk to people who are actually doing it, you find that it takes more than just putting videos up online and waiting for money to drop in your bank account.

Plus, the people who do it in a sustainable way always do it in light of who they are, and how their story has shaped them along the way.

Javier Mercedes began in the world of audio engineering, recording sessions with former US Presidents and A-list movie stars. He expanded his career into videography and television editing for ESPN, ABC, and FOX Sports. Today, he’s a full-time YouTube creator and online entrepreneur.

In this first of a two-part conversation, you’ll hear how Javier’s background shaped his creative path, and how he uses his skills to serve a massive crowd of people AND support his family as a full-time creator.

Get ready to take notes on how YOU can take control of your creative life with part 1 of our conversation with Javier Mercedes.

Connect with Javier on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-R_lZ5qRnNEq3gXdnoKqZw

Level up your own video content with Javier’s custom digital products for Adobe Premiere Pro: https://www.javiermercedes.com/products

LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE: Got comments, reactions, or just wanna say hi? Leave a voice message for us and we may use it in an upcoming episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/StoryGreenlight

SHOW NOTES

1:43 Dodging diseases with young children in the house

2:55 Javier’s elevator pitch

3:28 Jeff growing up as jack of all trades, master of none

4:09 Javier growing up obsessed with audio and video tech

8:24 Studying audio but having to go through music school

14:34 Javier moving into studio sound work

16:06 Javier working with Morgan Freeman

17:20 Javier’s beginnings of teaching at the recording studio – video tutorials for interns

18:30 Moving to Austin and video freelancing with TheCHIVE – teaching incoming editors

21:25 Starting on YouTube – creating tutorials based on problems Javier faced at work

25:12 Balancing high production value projects with YouTube tutorials

30:29 Jeff on building a business that replaces high-dollar freelance work

31:35 When Javier first began making money from YouTube

33:30 Joining Cody Wanner’s #nosmallcreator group and daily vlogging for a month

36:05 Starting as a cooking channel

37:43 Switching from full-time editing to part-time freelance editing – 90% freelance, 10% AdSense and affiliate income

38:43 How YouTube channels can use Amazon affiliate links

40:41 The need for health insurance when going full-time on YouTube

41:28 Javier’s early publishing schedule

42:18 Channels driven by search vs personality

43:19 Better-paying gigs mean more free time for YT

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