How to choose the right YouTube Coach or YouTube Strategist?  This is something we hear a lot of creators struggle with, and the truth is there are a lot of great choices out there, and it can be overwhelming.

For every experienced, results-driven expert, there are plenty of people making vague promises, offering cookie-cutter advice, or outright scamming creators. The wrong choice can cost you money, momentum, and confidence in your channel.

This guide exists to protect you from that.

It will help you verify credentials, ask the right questions, and avoid falling for inflated claims, even if you never hire us. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what you want from a coach, how to spot red flags, and how to set realistic expectations from day one.

At Awesome Creator Academy, our mission is to help creators make informed, confident decisions about their growth. Roberto Blake, Certified YouTube Educator (2016–2018, before the program ended) has reviewed nearly 5,000 channels publicly and coached over 700 creators. His coaching has helped channels in every one of YouTube’s 15 categories reach over 100,000 subscribers, with some surpassing 1 million. But Roberto will be the first to tell you: his style isn’t for everyone, and the same is true for any coach or strategist you consider.

That’s why we created this ultimate resource to help you vet potential YouTube coaches, verify their claims, and set realistic expectations, so you can avoid bad fits, false promises, or scams.

BEFORE YOU REACH OUT FOR COACHING OR STRATEGY ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

• What is the EXACT problem that I am having right now, that I want to solve?
• What is the consequence or downside if I don't get this problem solved in the next 30-90 days?
• What are my current weaknesses as a content creator, and what strengths do I need someone helping me to bring to the table?
• What evidence will give me confidence that this person understands my problem and can help me solve it correctly?
• Who do I know as a content creator who has overcome this problem before, and what solutions did they use? Who helped them resolve this?
• Why is this problem causing me distress, and how much of a priority is it?
• What would my content and situation look like if this problem was resolved right now and how would that make me feel? What would it mean for my content and revenue?
• What 3 priorities matter the most to me right now? Which one matters more than the others?
• What do I stand to lose if this problem never gets addressed? What will it cost me in opportunity, revenue and peace of mind?

It's important to do this kind of self assessment before working with someone, because you need to walk into that situation with clarity and be able to communicate what you need and why it matters to you, in order for someone to be able to offer the best advice possible that is actionable and will deliver the results you actually need.

 

25 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a YouTube Coach or YouTube Strategist

This will help you in making sure you're hiring the educator to help you and that you're avoiding false expectations, being overwhelmed, or outright falling for scams.

Also, we believe this guide will help you better understand for yourself what you are looking from a coach or strategist you work with for and what specific problems you are trying to solve as a content creator. It's important to go into this with clarity before you hire anyone to work with you, so reasonable expectations can be set, and delivered on.

 

1. What makes someone a credible YouTube coach?

A credible coach has demonstrable success on YouTube, typically 100K–1M+ subscribers sustained for 5+ years. They’ve navigated platform changes and can show consistent, verifiable growth.

 

2. How can I verify a coach’s claims?

Check their subscriber milestones, growth history, and content analytics directly on YouTube. Avoid taking screenshots or private “proof” at face value.

 

3. Should I only hire a coach with a Play Button award?

While not the only metric, earning a Silver (100K) or Gold (1M) Play Button proves they’ve reached large audiences and sustained performance, either on their own channel or for clients.

 

4. Does niche matter when hiring a coach?

Yes. Look for someone who has succeeded in your niche themselves or coached creators successful in that niche or a closely related one, because tactics that work for gaming might not work for education, business, or lifestyle content.

 

5. What about technical knowledge beyond “growth hacks”?

The best strategists understand production, editing, marketing, and design, not just YouTube SEO or thumbnails. They can help with workflow, quality, and storytelling as well.

 

6. Should they have client success stories?

Yes, especially public case studies where they’ve helped clients reach 100K or 1M subscribers repeatedly. Those results should be visible and verifiable.

 

7. Is insider knowledge of YouTube valuable?

Absolutely. Coaches with platform-level insights or connections to other large creators or direct access to YouTube, understand trends, updates, and best practices before they’re mainstream.

 

8. How important is a professional network?

A strong network can open collaboration, sponsorship, and growth opportunities you might not access otherwise.

 

9. What does “verifiable” mean in this context?

It means public-facing proof, where you can go to the creator’s channel or the client’s channel and see the results for yourself, or their claims can be verified through public facing clients and interviews, or the YouTube Team itself.

 

10. Should they share analytics?

Yes. Transparency in analytics, public dashboards, breakdown videos, or case studies shows confidence in their methods. It's not necessary or a red flag if they don't, but it's ideal.

 

11. What are red flags in a YouTube coach?

• Can’t provide verifiable results.

• Makes vague claims like “I know the algorithm's secrets.”

• Has no sustained channel success of their own.

• Relies entirely on private testimonials with no public proof.

• Does not demonstrate an understanding of best practices.
• Cites information or advocates tactics that directly violates policy.

 

12. How long should they have been on YouTube?

Look for a track record of 5+ years. This means they’ve adapted through multiple algorithm and monetization changes.

 

13. Is it worth paying a coach if I’m just starting?

For beginners, free resources and community feedback may be enough. Coaching makes more sense when you’ve validated your niche and have momentum.

 

14. What’s the difference between a coach and a strategist?

A coach often focuses on your skills and habits; a strategist focuses on your channel’s positioning, growth plan, and long-term monetization.

 

15. Can I expect instant results from a coach?

No. YouTube growth compounds over time. Any promise of “instant results” is usually a red flag. Instant results are often from dubious tactics that risks you losing your account.

 

16. Should they understand analytics deeply?

Yes. They should be able to interpret CTR, AVD, retention curves, and viewer segmentation to adjust your strategy.

 

17. Should they have run channels for employers or other clients?

That’s a plus, especially if they’ve earned Play Buttons on behalf of brands, companies, or networks.

 

18. Is it important they’ve managed multiple niches?

Yes. This shows adaptability and a deeper understanding of audience psychology across topics.

 

19. What if they use a team to achieve results?

That’s fine, and in some cases its preferred. YouTube at scale is often a team sport. But they should clarify their role in those results.

 

20. Should they have a database for independent research?

Yes, ideally or frequently reference verifiable platform data, if not independent case studies and trend analysis.

 

21. Should they be active in the creator community?

Yes. Active participation in panels, podcasts, collaborations, shows they’re respected and in touch with current creator challenges.

 

22. What’s the risk of hiring the wrong coach?

 Lost time, wasted money, and potentially damaging your channel by following poor or outdated advice.

 

23. Should I look for people they’ve tagged or recommended?

Yes. Reputable coaches often openly recommend other credible experts—people like Ali Abdaal, Nick Nimmin, Daniel Batal, Derral Eves, Sean Cannell, Paddy Galloway, Dee Nimmin, without fear of competition.

 

24. What should be in their portfolio?

• Their own successful channel(s)

• Client case studies

• Analytics breakdowns

• A clear methodology

 

25. How do I start the vetting process?

Use this checklist:

• 5+ years on YouTube with 100K–1M+ subscribers

• Verifiable public results

• Silver or Gold Play Button

• Technical skills beyond growth hacks

• Repeated client success to 100K/1M

• Transparent analytics sharing

• Strong professional network

 

Why This Guide Matters for Creators

These 25 questions will help you:

• Identify the right educator for your needs

• Avoid scams and inflated promises

• Clarify exactly what you want from the coaching relationship

• Set realistic, measurable expectations from day one

Whether you choose to work with us or someone else, this checklist will help you protect your investment, your time, and your creative energy.