How to Succeed as a Sailing YouTuber
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There are plenty of us that got hooked on sailing through binge-watching sailing channels like Sailing La Vagabonde (you know — back in the mono days). I mean what’s not to love about following Elayna and Riley banter their way through learning to sail and cruise the world — complete with ridiculously swoon worthy island adventures to fuel your own dreams of freedom? It’s the perfect turquoise liquid to drown your office cubical sorrows in. And if it sparked the idea: Could I do this too? Then you’re not alone.
But let’s not beat around the bush *stubs out cigarette*. YouTube is competitive and there are a lot of sailing channels. So what are the chances of you being successful if you join in?
Maybe you’re setting up to sail the world and are planning to record your journey on YouTube — hoping to help fund your travels, OR have started posting videos already on your own channel. Either way, it’s pretty normal to be asking this one important question: How do I make it?
The world of YouTube has transformed the way we share our lives, and for those in the sailing and adventure niche, it’s an unparalleled platform to tell stories and inspire audiences. So I took a deep dive into the world of YouTube with Daniella — a YouTuber expert and creator of the Master YouTube Course, to ask the burning questions about whether it’s possible to still ‘make it’ in the sailing YouTube world, and what it really takes to create a successful channel.
And there’s good news for storytellers.
In our recent interview, she offered her insights into what it takes to grow quickly as a new creator in a seemingly over-saturated space — and why there’s still room for fresh voices.
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Is the sailing YouTube space too saturated?
Facing the “Too many sailing channels” POV
The reality of YouTube: It’s not all fun
The editing dilemma: Is it worth outsourcing?
Dig into your niche
So how do you stand out?
How about personality vs. camera presence: What really matters?
What makes people click (and keep watching) a YouTube video?
Get out there and hit record
Debunking the thumbnail myth
Can we get some more advice for newbies?
The Master YouTube Course: Fast track your success
Be honest. Is the sailing YouTube space too saturated?
The content creator landscape has changed significantly over the years. Jump into any sailing forum (or Facebook group) where there’s a chance someone shares their new sailing channel and you’ll feel the eye balls rolls and scathing comments, “We don’t need more bikini flaunting sailing channels” “Oh god here we go — buy a boat, start a YouTube, ask for money”.
I put this to Daniella about whether the sailing niche on YouTube is oversaturated. Her answer was nuanced.
“It’s a yes and no question,” she said, laughing. “It is too saturated in the sense where you can’t come in and like, know jack shit—and sorry, that’s my Americanism right there—and then make shitty videos. A lot of the older YouTubers that have been around since, what, 2007, were able to learn on the job. Now? You can’t really start as a complete newbie.”
Daniella explained that today’s audiences expect polished content right out of the gate. “The expectation of how much you know in advance of posting that first video is higher now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed—it just means you need to come in prepared.”
Facing the “Too many sailing channels” POV
But still, what about the perception that there’s too many sailing channels already? Daniella responded: “Who cares what anyone else thinks?”
“There are new channels popping up every day, and I watch the first videos because I want to see how they’ve approached it. At the end of the day, it’s all about storytelling. If you can tell a good story, there’s room for you.”
For those doubting their place, Daniella emphasised self-belief and resilience: “People have been telling entrepreneurs they can’t succeed forever. If someone tells you there’s no room for your channel, you’ve got to become your own cheerleader and do it anyway. But go into it with realistic expectations—success on YouTube takes time, effort, and stubbornness.”
What’s she’s saying is give the middle finger to the naysayers, shake yer hips and do your thing. I like it.
The reality of YouTube: It’s not all fun
There are plenty of sailing channels that start off with a bang — firing out content every week and then realising just how time consuming editing is and how the demand to produce can impact on daily sailing life and cruising plans.
Daniella’s straight up on the hidden challenges of YouTube.
“YouTube is hard. It’s really hard. There are way easier ways to make money, but it’s also incredibly fun if you love storytelling.”
The most underestimated aspect, she said, is the constant demand for creativity. “Being creative all the time is exhausting. When you’re in a corporate job crunching numbers, creativity feels like a relief. But when you’re creating day in and day out, it can be draining. Sometimes, I crave spreadsheets because they use the other side of my brain.”
So how do you prevent burnout and create a posting schedule you can keep? It comes down to time spent editing.
The editing dilemma: Is it worth outsourcing?
To outsource editing or not?
For many new creators, editing is one of the most time-consuming and challenging parts of building a YouTube channel.
“Editing is tedious. It’s not just about putting clips together; it’s a series of micro-decisions that wear you down. You replay the same segment over and over, trying to get it perfect. It’s exhausting.”
“A skilled editor will take 30 to 40 hours to produce a 20-minute video. Imagine doing that yourself while trying to handle filming, scripting, and marketing.” And I add: sailing, provisioning, planning and fixing everything that breaks.
Daniella was candid about the costs and complexities of outsourcing this process. “A skilled editor for even a basic quality level will cost you a minimum of $15 an hour, which quickly adds up to $500 or more per episode.”
For those starting out, she recommended understanding the true time commitment.
Outsourcing, while expensive, can be a game-changer for creators who can afford it. Going back to channels like Sailing La Vagabonde (SLV): “They only edited their own videos for three years before outsourcing. Now, their production value is through the roof because they’ve invested in professionals. When you’re starting, you might not have the budget for it, but outsourcing can save you time and maintain your creative energy.”
Beyond the financial investment, she highlighted the challenge of finding editors who understand not just the technical aspects of editing, but storytelling. “A lot of editors know the tricks, but they don’t know how to tell a story. I’ve had to train every editor I’ve worked with. That’s why creators like Elayna (SLV) provide super-detailed PDFs and storyboards for their editors — it’s about curating the footage, not just cutting it.”
For those starting out WITHOUT the budget for professional help, Daniella had a simple but powerful piece of advice: put out the highest quality content you can, on a schedule you can keep, and get creative with your niche.
Leo Sampson found his niche documenting his rebuild of the historic gaff cutter ‘Tally Ho’
Dig into your niche
For those hoping to break into the sailing YouTube world, Daniella was clear: “Sailing is a niche, but you can go deeper. If you’re a mechanic, lean into DIY boat repairs. If you’re a family, highlight the lifestyle aspect. Your unique value proposition — what you bring to the table — will define your success.”
She introduced a concept she uses with her students, the Vlogger Formula, a checklist designed to help creators evaluate their strengths. “It’s about understanding what you bring to the table. Some people tick a lot of boxes — they’re beautiful, they’ve got great personalities, they’re doing cool things. But even if you’re not ticking all those boxes, you can still succeed if you know your strengths.”
So how do you stand out?
Find what makes you special and lean into it. Daniella shared her own experience launching a YouTube channel focused on craft beer. “We were from Colorado, the craft beer capital, and just happened to love beer. There weren’t a lot of sailing channels talking about it, so we became known as the craft beer people. Before we knew it, people were sending us beer — our boat was packed with it!”
She also noted that differentiation isn’t just about the creator, but also about the visual appeal of their surroundings.
“It’s not just physical beauty that draws people in — it’s the beauty of the places you’re in. Gorgeous scenery can captivate an audience, even if the storytelling isn’t top-tier.”
Connecting with your audience is key to success
How about personality vs. camera presence: What really matters?
When it comes to personality, Daniella made an important distinction: “It’s not so much about having the ‘right personality’ — it’s about camera presence.” She elaborated, “Do you have friends in real life? If yes, then you can have friends on YouTube. There’s a niche and an audience for every personality — introverted, extroverted, even people who come off as abrasive.”
Her point was clear: authenticity is key.
“If you can’t be yourself on camera, that’s where people struggle. Audiences can feel when someone isn’t being genuine, and it turns them off. It’s hard to put into words, but authenticity has a certain feeling — it’s what keeps people watching.”
What makes people click (and keep watching) a YouTube video?
Daniella emphasised that compelling videos are built on getting the fundamentals right and listed 3 key aspects:
Clean camera work
Clean your camera lens, hold it horizontally, and make sure your footage isn’t cockeyed. You’d think people would naturally do this, but they don’t.Storytelling
Videos need goals. A ‘day in the life’ video? That’s a goal — you’re showing a day in your life. If you don’t understand story structure, though, your videos will feel aimless, and people won’t stick around.Packaging
Thumbnails and titles are key. If you’re not getting a click-through rate above 10% in the first 24 hours, your channel’s not going to blow up. It’s just how it works.
On storytelling, she highlighted a common mistake among new vloggers:
“It’s very typical for early creators to pick up the camera and just start telling their life. But videos need to feel like they’re working toward something. Goals and story arcs keep your audience engaged.”
Debunking the thumbnail myth
One of the biggest takeaways from the interview was Daniella’s advice on thumbnail design.
“People are still doing those big expressive faces on thumbnails, and honestly, that’s terrible advice. MrBeast himself said that was just a phase he tested and then abandoned.”
(For reference MrBeast is the most followed creator in the world and has over 330 million YouTube subscribers)
Instead, Daniella recommends experimenting with what works for your niche and audience: “Packaging isn’t just about looking good—it’s about aligning your thumbnail and title with the promise of your video. People need to know what they’re getting.”
Get out there and hit record
Despite the challenges, Daniella’s message was ultimately encouraging. “YouTube is hard work, but it’s worth it if you’re passionate about sharing your story. Focus on being authentic, telling great stories, and packaging your content in a way that makes people want to click. If you can do that, there’s still plenty of room for you in the sailing niche—and beyond.”
Kinda reminds me of a half-time pep talk by my old Coach Brian who was always trying to be diplomatic but actually raging on the inside for us to “Get out there and kick ass!”.
Really — you’ve just gotta stay focused on your own game in this ever-evolving digital space.
Can we get some more advice for newbies?
Daniella’s generous with her advice and quick to reiterate her powerful message for success:
“It’s not about trying to be everything—it’s about being authentic and offering value. Whether you’re teaching someone how to fiberglass a boat or sharing an inspiring story, if your audience walks away feeling like they’ve gained something, they’ll come back.”
For those unsure where to start, Daniella hinted at a new interactive tool she’s working on: “It’s a way for people to see how they stack up and get recommendations for improving their channel. It’ll help creators focus on their strengths and navigate their path.”
As she put it, “It’s not just about making videos — it’s about finding your voice and building a sustainable creative career.”
The Master YouTube Course: Fast track your success
For YouTube creators, the journey can feel isolating and riddled with trial and error (seeking consolation in subreddits, suffering gut-twisting anxiety, self-doubt and severe existential crisis “Is it even worth it?!” “I have no idea what I’m even doing”. “What even is life??” *pours whiskey*. All the while hitting publish and crossing their fingers that they’re gonna go viral.
To be honest (because that’s all we are around here friend — you’re at the right place) finding your voice IS HARD. And many creatives struggle to a) find their point of difference, and b) carve out their own niche.
But Daniella’s Master YouTube Course aims to change that by offering creators not just the tools to succeed, but an engaged, supportive community to grow alongside. Hallelujah!
"People who take my course skip the frustrating trial-and-error of following advice from creators who blew up quickly, often without realising how their unique circumstances fueled their success," Daniella explained. "Instead, my course offers practical strategies that genuinely work for everyone else.”
The real game-changer, though, is the unique review spaces within the program. “We have a video review space and a thumbnail review space. I encourage everyone to share their videos, thumbnails, and titles for feedback. It’s hard to overstate how useful this is because so many of us create in isolation. You’re emotionally attached to your work, and it’s almost impossible to see it from a fresh perspective.”
It’s like Daniella can read your mind.
How to think like an Entrepreneur
For Daniella, success on YouTube means treating your channel like a business from day one and is part of what creators learn in her course. “Some creators can succeed without this approach — they’re the exception. For the rest of us, we need to think strategically about how to monetize and grow.”
She encouraged creators to view the process as an entrepreneurial journey, combining creativity with business acumen. “If you start with the right mindset, a clear niche, and a solid monetisation plan, you’re setting yourself up not just for YouTube success, but for a sustainable creative career.”
Monetisation: The “DARES” Model for long-term success
When it comes to making money on YouTube, Daniella shared an eye-opening statistic: 77% of channels monetise the same way — through ad revenue, Patreon, and sponsorships. While effective, these methods tie creators to the relentless content production cycle, which can lead to burnout.
“When you rely on brand deals or ad revenue, you’re constantly on the hamster wheel — always chasing the next deal. But with a scalable, automated product, you free yourself to focus on creating the content you love.”
Instead, Daniella teaches her students to think strategically about monetisation with her “DARES” framework:
Digital
Create something that can be delivered digitally, like an online course.Automated
Set up systems that don’t require constant manual effort.Recurring
Aim for income streams that renew annually or monthly.Evergreen
Build something that doesn’t need to be remade frequently.Scalable
Choose a product or service that can grow without requiring more of your time.
A community of creators
One of the key features of Daniella’s Content Creator course is the core philosophy: we grow faster when we grow together (which doesn’t sound like a new grad investment banker trying to rally up new business quick, in a sweaty polyester suit oozing cologne that smells like musk and top notes of “I’m going to take your money and disappear”. Nope — when she says it: I BELIEVE HER. And it smells delightful.
She has indeed set up an amazing space for creators to share their content and gain valuable feedback before they go live with it on YouTube. Members are encouraged to give as much as they take. For example, every video review request comes with the expectation that you’ll review someone else’s work in return.
This has built a thriving community where creators genuinely care for each other’s success — with valuable networking happening every day.
“One member posted a logo for feedback, and it wasn’t very good. I gave her constructive advice, and she came back with a much-improved version. But then another member went above and beyond — they took her logo into Photoshop, refined it, and mocked it up on hats and her boat. Just to help out.”
Whether you’re an aspiring adventure YouTuber or an established creator looking for fresh inspiration, this course is more than just a roadmap with resources and tools — it’s a community that helps you thrive — without burning out.
As Daniella puts it:
“This isn’t just about building a channel; it’s about building something meaningful and sustainable that grows with you. And when you look back and see how far you’ve come, you’ll know you didn’t do it alone.”
Free resources (these are GOLD!)
Daniella has put together an incredible number of free resources for YouTubers (to the point where I’ve actually said it’s TOO MUCH FOR FREE are you crazy?!!!) but she’s sticking to her guns.
Get her in-depth articles and free 38-page guide about everything from hooking viewers, writing a script, making great videos, post-production, effective marketing and so much more!
In summary
Daniella knows her shit. YouTube is where she spends her days — and the number of channels she’s helped skyrocket with views and subscribers is impressive. (She’s humble so I’ve linked them here).
Are you serious about taking your adventure content to the next level? Join Daniella’s Master YouTube Course today and start building a successful channel that grows fast — with a community you love — and supports you financially.
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