[Journey] YouTube Long Form $50/Day [automation]

Dresden

Dresden

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I decided to post this publicly to keep myself accountable.

I have a pattern of starting things, getting excited, then moving on too fast. This time I want to actually stick with it and build something consistent.

The Goal​

Make $50 per day using mostly automation.
I already run a YouTube channel that averages around 100k views per video, so I know a bit about youtube.
This channel is all done by hand.
The question is if I can build a system that can run smoothly and scale without me doing everything manually on other channels.

The New Niche​

  • USA (Tier 1 traffic)
  • Audience 30+ years old
  • Strong CPM
  • Not a trendy niche. It's more evergreen
I’ve followed this space for a while, so I understand what people care about and the type of content that needs to be made.

The System (Step by Step)​

I’ll keep this simple.

1. Script Generation​

First, I use AI to scrape the data I need for the topic.
Then it turns that data into a 10–20 minute script.
I still read through it. I don’t just blindly trust it. I fix awkward wording and make sure it flows naturally.
The script has a lot of instructions, it does not produce fluff, just fact after fact without wasting time.
Goal here is to save a lot of time but keep quality. I'm going to be honestly, this will not work for all niches.
Like my 100k channel, there is no way I'd be able to generate scripts with AI. I'd fail. But for this niche, it's possible.

2. Voiceover​

  • Generate voiceover using ElevenLabs
  • Listen through the entire thing
  • Fix pronunciation or weird sentences
  • Drop it into Premiere Pro
I don’t skip the listening step. Bad audio ruins retention fast and that is the meat of the entire video.
If you have shit audio, you still might get some views, but you're going to hold the entire channel back if it does start growing.
I have plenty of human sounding voices, and a lot of effects added to them to make them sound better. It must be good and nearly 1:1 human sounding.

3. Transcript + Keyword Creation​

Once the voiceover is final:
  • I run the exported audio through Whisper to generate a transcript
  • Then I feed that transcript into AI again
  • AI breaks it down sentence by sentence
  • Generates stock footage keywords
  • Exports everything into a structured .json file
This file basically tells the system what visuals to use and when.

4. Stock Footage Automation​

This part took the most work.
I reverse engineered the API of a stock site since they required payment and only for business to get access.
Now:
  • Now I'm sending requests
  • Pulls the correct videos
  • Downloads them automatically
  • Organizes them into folders
No manual searching. No dragging and dropping clips one by one which honestly takes me the most time amd honestly kept me away from starting new channels.

5. Automatic Video Assembly​

Using:
  • Python
  • ExtendScript
The script:
  • Opens Premiere
  • Imports the clips
  • Places them at the correct timestamps
  • Matches them to the voiceover timing

Why ExtendScript instead of full FFMPEG automation?
Because I can still open the project normally. I can swap out clips easily, I can make small manual fixes, and it's more flexible.

It’s automated but not locked and I still want to be able to review and edit the videos to focus on the quality side. I don't want to produce trash.

6. Export + Subtitles​

After premiere pro export:
  • I use FFMPEG to burn subtitles into the video
  • Then upload to YouTube
Subtitles help with retention, especially for older audiences.

Current Progress​

  • Started 4 days ago
  • 5 videos posted
  • 84 views and growing.

Too early to draw conclusions, but the system works from start to finish. It takes me about 1hr to make a video daily with this system and most of that time is taken by generating the script. I will hire this out later on if all goes as planned.

Seems like the newest video is kind of breaking out, it's getting around 20 views per hour. Not amazing, but lots of engagement for so little views.

Already getting comments and likes which is honestly the best part right now.

Also I've been getting tons of impressions in this niche. About 1,000 impressions per video, but my CTR has been terrible. YT is probably still figuring out my audience so we'll give it sometime before we start trying out other thumbnails.

The first few videos were hitting suggested, but this new one is right where we want it, in the browse feeds. The CTR is slightly improving.

We are going to be focusing on 1 video per day and might increase this number later.
 
Last edited:
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There is no earning at the moment?
 
Last edited:
Dresden said:
I decided to post this publicly to keep myself accountable.

I have a pattern of starting things, getting excited, then moving on too fast. This time I want to actually stick with it and build something consistent.

The Goal​

Make $50 per day using mostly automation.
I already run a YouTube channel that averages around 100k views per video, so I know a bit about youtube.
This channel is all done by hand.
The question is if I can build a system that can run smoothly and scale without me doing everything manually on other channels.

The New Niche​

  • USA (Tier 1 traffic)
  • Audience 30+ years old
  • Strong CPM
  • Not a trendy niche. It's more evergreen
I’ve followed this space for a while, so I understand what people care about and the type of content that needs to be made.

The System (Step by Step)​

I’ll keep this simple.

1. Script Generation​

First, I use AI to scrape the data I need for the topic.
Then it turns that data into a 10–20 minute script.
I still read through it. I don’t just blindly trust it. I fix awkward wording and make sure it flows naturally.
The script has a lot of instructions, it does not produce fluff, just fact after fact without wasting time.
Goal here is to save a lot of time but keep quality. I'm going to be honestly, this will not work for all niches.
Like my 100k channel, there is no way I'd be able to generate scripts with AI. I'd fail. But for this niche, it's possible.

2. Voiceover​

  • Generate voiceover using ElevenLabs
  • Listen through the entire thing
  • Fix pronunciation or weird sentences
  • Drop it into Premiere Pro
I don’t skip the listening step. Bad audio ruins retention fast and that is the meat of the entire video.
If you have shit audio, you still might get some views, but you're going to hold the entire channel back if it does start growing.
I have plenty of human sounding voices, and a lot of effects added to them to make them sound better. It must be good and nearly 1:1 human sounding.

3. Transcript + Keyword Creation​

Once the voiceover is final:
  • I run the exported audio through Whisper to generate a transcript
  • Then I feed that transcript into AI again
  • AI breaks it down sentence by sentence
  • Generates stock footage keywords
  • Exports everything into a structured .json file
This file basically tells the system what visuals to use and when.

4. Stock Footage Automation​

This part took the most work.
I reverse engineered the API of a stock site since they required payment and only for business to get access.
Now:
  • Now I'm sending requests
  • Pulls the correct videos
  • Downloads them automatically
  • Organizes them into folders
No manual searching. No dragging and dropping clips one by one which honestly takes me the most time amd honestly kept me away from starting new channels.

5. Automatic Video Assembly​

Using:
  • Python
  • ExtendScript
The script:
  • Opens Premiere
  • Imports the clips
  • Places them at the correct timestamps
  • Matches them to the voiceover timing

Why ExtendScript instead of full FFMPEG automation?
Because I can still open the project normally. I can swap out clips easily, I can make small manual fixes, and it's more flexible.

It’s automated but not locked and I still want to be able to review and edit the videos to focus on the quality side. I don't want to produce trash.

6. Export + Subtitles​

After premiere pro export:
  • I use FFMPEG to burn subtitles into the video
  • Then upload to YouTube
Subtitles help with retention, especially for older audiences.

Current Progress​

  • Started 4 days ago
  • 5 videos posted
  • 84 views and growing.

Too early to draw conclusions, but the system works from start to finish. It takes me about 1hr to make a video daily with this system and most of that time is taken by generating the script. I will hire this out later on if all goes as planned.

Seems like the newest video is kind of breaking out, it's getting around 20 views per hour. Not amazing, but lots of engagement for so little views.

Already getting comments and likes which is honestly the best part right now.

Also I've been getting tons of impressions in this niche. About 1,000 impressions per video, but my CTR has been terrible. YT is probably still figuring out my audience so we'll give it sometime before we start trying out other thumbnails.

The first few videos were hitting suggested, but this new one is right where we want it, in the browse feeds. The CTR is slightly improving.

We are going to be focusing on 1 video per day and might increase this number later.
Click to expand...
4 days and 5 uploads. If you just maintain this consistency for one year, the earning target will surely be accomplished. I wish you achieve double of your target in one year.
 
Very interesting!
I have made about 15 videos with AI.
Used Grok to make an image and then make a video from that image.
They are all about 16-second videos.

Script using ChatGPT and voice from https://luvvoice.com/

And all this to the Camtasia to make 16-second YouTube shorts clips. The topic is "advertising videos about the service."
Right now, 6 videos are uploaded and have views from 26 to 337.
No likes and no comments :D

It´s not automated, but it takes lots of time for this.
I'll definitely follow your journey if I can pick up any little tips from time to time.
I am not going to get any money from that channel, but it´s an advertising channel, so it may convert to sales someday.
If the "keywords" collide at Google Search someday.
 
savitaprasad said:
There is no earning at the moment?
Click to expand...
Not yet, the channel was started a few days ago. I am earning from others channels but will not include that here.

FawzTalks said:
i encourage you to stick to ur plan, u will see success soon !


bro, he just said started 4 days ago !
which earning can he get !
Click to expand...
For sure, thank you.

awesomewebsites said:
4 days and 5 uploads. If you just maintain this consistency for one year, the earning target will surely be accomplished. I wish you achieve double of your target in one year.
Click to expand...
For sure. The biggest problem is being consistent especially if it takes a long time to create a video with no results. Hopefully this pipeline makes it easier.

Lifeisnotgood said:
Very interesting!
I have made about 15 videos with AI.
Used Grok to make an image and then make a video from that image.
They are all about 16-second videos.

Script using ChatGPT and voice from https://luvvoice.com/

And all this to the Camtasia to make 16-second YouTube shorts clips. The topic is "advertising videos about the service."
Right now, 6 videos are uploaded and have views from 26 to 337.
No likes and no comments :D

It´s not automated, but it takes lots of time for this.
I'll definitely follow your journey if I can pick up any little tips from time to time.
I am not going to get any money from that channel, but it´s an advertising channel, so it may convert to sales someday.
If the "keywords" collide at Google Search someday.
Click to expand...
Good job. Keep uploading more videos, they compound in the long run and you get free advertising. Just some time wasted. Yes, it does take a lot of time this is why I'm trying to automate most of it. Can't imagine running a few channels, I'm already burnt out from my first one but there's good money to be made on YT :rolleyes:

Quest said:
Goog luck,

Will your channel get monetized?
Click to expand...
Yes. The channel is like any other stock footage channel on YouTube. I will be adding transitions and switching up the video templates a bit so the videos look a bit different every time. Going to do that next week.

Update

Channel is growing bit by bit. I've received around 100 views from one video when I first made this post, other videos are getting views naturally. I already have 1 video ready for release but going to hold off for a bit and let this one grow.

I've noticed on my other channels that posting a new video, usually suppresses the previous one. So I'll give it time this time around.

Also a good amount of likes and comments coming in which is very important for me right now. I now know that the videos are working since they're getting such engagement with only a handful of views.
 
Following this. The automation angle is interesting - you already have proof the content works at 100k views per video, which is the hardest part most people skip.

Curious about a few things. What tools are you planning to use for the scripting and production side? There is a big difference between automating a faceless channel with stock footage versus one that needs custom visuals or voiceovers.

Also what is your posting frequency target for the automated channels and are you going to test the same niche as your existing channel or a different vertical? Matching an established formula to a new niche usually works faster than starting fresh with a new content format at the same time.

Following for updates.
 
Elon Snup said:
Following this. The automation angle is interesting - you already have proof the content works at 100k views per video, which is the hardest part most people skip.

Curious about a few things. What tools are you planning to use for the scripting and production side? There is a big difference between automating a faceless channel with stock footage versus one that needs custom visuals or voiceovers.

Also what is your posting frequency target for the automated channels and are you going to test the same niche as your existing channel or a different vertical? Matching an established formula to a new niche usually works faster than starting fresh with a new content format at the same time.

Following for updates.
Click to expand...

Bro, it's all in the first post lol Like seriously, everything you asked here is laid out in the first post step by step.

khajoor said:
Best of luck man,

Keep us posted
Click to expand...

I will.

Update

Up at 4 subs, the video is still getting 20 views per hour. This is a really good result for 4 subs at only 300 views. Usually the subs have always taken the longest for me, the watch hours are really easy to complete. I'm going to need around 60k-70k views give or take to hit 1k.

In the beginning I was getting views from suggested so the CTR was ruined. Now I am finally getting Browse Feed views and my CTRs are recovering. Going to post my next video, hopefully it makes it into Browse Feeds right away.
 
Good luck on your journey. Are you aiming to only make money on the views or you got any products/affiliate in mind?
 
Impressive setup! Love how you balance automation with quality control. :)
 
CyberShaman said:
Good luck on your journey. Are you aiming to only make money on the views or you got any products/affiliate in mind?
Click to expand...
I'm still thinking about that but for now I am only going for ad views. Once I grow the community, I'll think about other ways to monetize like Patreon maybe but we'll see if I can make that work. This is a niche that is very loyal so I might be able to make something more happen, we'll see.

Ben Arthur said:
Impressive setup! Love how you balance automation with quality control. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you. Quality control is very important imo. I don't like posting random trash on autopilot. Honestly, the video editing does not matter so much for this niche, but the script is important.
 
So quick update.

Just like I thought. I've uploaded another video as the previous one was growing, and the views were cut for the previous one completely. I should've just waited while building a backlog of videos, that's what I'm going to be doing right now.

So far we have 7 videos live. 467 views in total. 5 subs in total. Once I have that first breakout video, even 20k-30k views, I should be able to hit monetization. The amount of comments, likes, subscribers I am getting at such a low amount of views is really encouraging.

We are still getting most views from the suggested feed. This is honestly hurting my videos CTR. When they are in browse feeds, everything improves, CTR/AVD etc. Hopefully we start hitting those soon.
 
Major setback...

So Google decided to disable the email for my channel. I was at around 162 subs and last week I woke up to my email being closed. I don't think it has anything to do with the content, I was accessing the account from a proxy sometimes to change thumbnails etc. as I never had a problem before but since my email was new, I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. This has happened to me in the past on very fresh and new emails.

They gave me an option for appeal but it was rejected.

So I've started again on a new channel but on an older email. I've mirror flipped the videos, made new thumbnails and titles, reuploaded and I'm going again. Really mad about this because I was getting good traction and really positive comments. I am finishing up the new pipeline now while those videos are being reuploaded.

I am still using what was explained in my first post, but now the images are passed into after effects and the video is built there with extend script. I have 30 different animation templates that I've created, and the AI selects the best animations to use during each scene. It builds out smooth animations for transitions, and looks very professional now. No hard cuts, but smooth hovering effects, really smooth slide ins, dissolves etc. Really regret not using extendscript in the past, it is amazing and gives you full control.

Well boys and girls, guess we're starting over.
 
Dresden said:
Major setback...

So Google decided to disable the email for my channel. I was at around 162 subs and last week I woke up to my email being closed. I don't think it has anything to do with the content, I was accessing the account from a proxy sometimes to change thumbnails etc. as I never had a problem before but since my email was new, I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. This has happened to me in the past on very fresh and new emails.

They gave me an option for appeal but it was rejected.

So I've started again on a new channel but on an older email. I've mirror flipped the videos, made new thumbnails and titles, reuploaded and I'm going again. Really mad about this because I was getting good traction and really positive comments. I am finishing up the new pipeline now while those videos are being reuploaded.

I am still using what was explained in my first post, but now the images are passed into after effects and the video is built there with extend script. I have 30 different animation templates that I've created, and the AI selects the best animations to use during each scene. It builds out smooth animations for transitions, and looks very professional now. No hard cuts, but smooth hovering effects, really smooth slide ins, dissolves etc. Really regret not using extendscript in the past, it is amazing and gives you full control.

Well boys and girls, guess we're starting over.
Click to expand...
I can understand the pain and it really frustrates
 
Nice setup, but I’d be careful with full automation on long-form. You still need strong scripts and solid editing to keep retention high. Try testing one channel first with strict QA: human review, watch-time checks, and CTR data before scaling. Also double-check YouTube SEO (titles, descriptions, tags) and thumbnails—the content quality comes first, but the workflow helps.
 
RankHustler said:
Nice setup, but I’d be careful with full automation on long-form. You still need strong scripts and solid editing to keep retention high. Try testing one channel first with strict QA: human review, watch-time checks, and CTR data before scaling. Also double-check YouTube SEO (titles, descriptions, tags) and thumbnails—the content quality comes first, but the workflow helps.
Click to expand...
Bro that is literally what I am doing.... don't think you read the post just generated AI replies lol

Man this forum is being ruined by you spammers
 
Dresden said:
Bro that is literally what I am doing.... don't think you read the post just generated AI replies lol

Man this forum is being ruined by you spammers
Click to expand...
the new AI Detect system really didnt change much on BHW
BTW good luck with Journey bro!
 
Kiemash said:
the new AI Detect system really didnt change much on BHW
BTW good luck with Journey bro!
Click to expand...

Ah I didn't know such a system existed. I mean you can tell 100% that someone using em dashes on a forum is generating using AI. I've been here for over a decade now and no one has ever used em dashes here before lol Now it's every other post. Part of the reason I don't even come here anymore. You open up a thread and have 50 comments repeating the same shit over 20 pages lol

Thank you
 
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