Sure! Here’s a blog post version of the Think Media Podcast episode: “Over 50? Here’s How to Make Money on YouTube (Without Tech Skills)” featuring Denise Jordan.
Over 50? Here’s How to Make Money on YouTube Without Tech Skills
Lessons from 73-Year-Old YouTuber Denise Jordan
Think you’re too old to start a YouTube channel? Think again.
At 73, Denise Jordan, a retired nursing professor, is living proof that age is not a limitation in the digital world. With over 88,000 subscribers and millions of views, she has built a successful YouTube channel—“This and That with Denise Jordan”—focused on traditional homemaking skills for modern families.
In a recent episode of the Think Media Podcast, Denise shared her inspiring journey from clueless beginner to confident content creator, offering golden advice for anyone, especially those over 50, looking to start a YouTube channel.
Here are the key takeaways from her story:
1. It’s Never Too Late to Start
Denise began her YouTube journey in her mid-60s. Despite self-doubt and worries that no one would care about her content, she took the leap. Now at 73, she’s thriving—proof that your voice matters, no matter your age.
“There are people out there who want to hear your voice and need to hear your message.”
2. Start Messy, Find Your Lane
When she started, her channel covered a little bit of everything—DIY projects, lifestyle, and homemaking. Over time, Denise realized her audience responded most to homemaking topics. The key? Pay attention to what resonates with viewers and refine your niche accordingly.
“I realized people wanted to hear about things related to the home—laundry, cleaning, and homemaking.”
3. Collaborate and Build Community
One of Denise’s early strategies was joining YouTube collaborations. She found creators in her niche, left comments, and participated in challenges and group projects. It helped her grow faster and develop valuable relationships.
4. Stay Consistent (Even If It’s Just Once a Week)
Denise uploaded videos weekly—and sometimes daily during content challenges like VEDA (Vlog Every Day in April/August). The consistent effort paid off, helping her build a strong content library and sharpen her skills.
5. Believe in Your Experience
Your age is your superpower. Denise’s homemaking knowledge, built over decades, gave her a unique advantage. She became the “trusted auntie” or “grandma figure” her audience never had.
“I may not be a 35-year-old mommy vlogger, but I’ve been there, done that—and I’m here to teach.”
6. Invest in Yourself
Learning new tech can feel intimidating, but Denise embraced it. She practiced video creation at her university’s media studio and even tackled Adobe Premiere (one of the most advanced editing programs). She also enrolled in Think Media’s Video Ranking Academy (VRA) to sharpen her content strategy.
“YouTube is no joke. You’ve got to learn the platform if you want to succeed.”
7. Be Open to Criticism
Not every comment will be kind. Denise learned to grow a thick skin and separate helpful feedback from pure negativity. She filters, deletes trolls, and keeps the conversation respectful on her channel.
8. Let Positive Feedback Fuel You
While criticism exists, Denise is motivated by the viewers she helps. Her audience frequently tells her they’ve learned valuable homemaking tips from her videos—comments that keep her going and inspire new content ideas.
9. Monetize in Multiple Ways
One of Denise’s videos made over $4,000, and she continues to earn through various streams, including YouTube ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. Once you niche down and build trust, monetization becomes much easier.
10. Run Your Own Race
Don’t compare yourself to younger creators or trending channels. Focus on what works for you and your audience. Denise found success by embracing her identity and offering value in her own voice.
“When I stayed in my lane and focused on what my audience wanted, my channel grew.”
Final Thoughts
Denise Jordan’s story is a beacon for anyone who thinks they’ve missed the YouTube train. With passion, patience, and persistence, she turned her wisdom into a thriving digital platform—and you can too.
Whether you’re 40, 50, 60, or 70+, it’s never too late to start creating content and making an impact.
