5 Lessons an animated character taught me about winning on YouTube
When I first started animating the character Tegwolo, my goal was to make people laugh by capturing the humor in everyday Nigerian life. I never imagined it would evolve into a media brand like House of Ajebo, a YouTube channel with millions of subscribers. Our latest project, Jeni and Keni, a children's learning channel demonstrates this expansion beyond my initial character.
The journey from a single funny idea to a sustainable media business is a marathon, not a sprint. Many people see the subscriber counts and the viral skits, but they don't see the years of strategy, failure, and learning that happen behind the scenes. For any aspiring creator out there wondering how to turn their passion into a profession, here are five lessons I’ve learned along the way.
1. Your First Fan Must Be You
Before convincing millions, you must be completely sold on your content. You’ll be your own writer, editor, marketer, and motivator for a long time. If you don't genuinely love what you create, you will burn out. In the early days, views were low, and progress was slow. What kept me going? I genuinely thought Tegwolo was hilarious. I was my own biggest fan. That passion is your fuel. If you’re not excited to watch your own video for the tenth time, why would anyone else watch it once?
2. Consistency is More Important Than Virality
Everyone wants a viral video, but virality is unpredictable. A sustainable channel is built on consistency. It’s about building audience relationships based on trust and reliability. Our audience expects new content regularly. This consistency turns casual viewers into a loyal community. They don't just show up for one hit video; they subscribe for the ongoing story. Focus on a realistic production schedule you can stick to. A thousand dedicated fans who show up every week are more valuable than a million viewers who show up once and never return.
3. Learn the Language of Business, Not Just Comedy
I am a comedian and storyteller. But to run House of Ajebo and manage channels like Jeni and Keni, I also had to become a businessman. This is critical for long-term success. You need to understand your analytics: who is watching, where they're from, what keeps them engaged. This data helps you make smarter creative decisions. You also need to understand monetization, budgeting, and team management. You are the CEO of your brand. Don't be afraid to learn about spreadsheets, contracts, and negotiation. Your creativity deserves a solid business foundation.
4. Your Character is Your Brand; Protect It.
Whether your "character" is an animated personality like Tegwolo, a teaching brand like Jeni and Keni, or your authentic self, that is your brand. Every piece of content, every reply, and every partnership defines what that brand stands for. We’ve had collaboration offers that paid well but didn't align with House of Ajebo's family-friendly humor. We turned them down. Protecting your brand's integrity is a long-term investment in audience trust. If your audience trusts you, they will support you, including your brand partnerships.
5. Collaboration is a Superpower
You cannot do it all alone. To grow, you need to build a team. For me, that meant hiring animators, writers, and voice actors to expand House of Ajebo and create new intellectual properties like Jeni and Keni. Collaboration also means working with other creators. The Nigerian creator community is supportive. Working with others introduces you to new audiences and pushes creativity. It’s about community over competition. The same goes for brands. The right partnership isn't just an advert; it's a collaboration that provides value to your audience and resources for better content. Approach it as a creative partnership, not just a transaction.
Building a multi-brand media company on YouTube is both demanding and incredibly rewarding. It necessitates embodying the roles of artist, scientist, and entrepreneur simultaneously. However, by staying true to your unique voice and adopting a business-oriented approach from the outset, you can create something truly exceptional.
