Nobody really knew who I was”: Biodun Stephen on the challenge of building a YouTube audience

Nollywood filmmaker Biodun Stephen has opened up about the unexpected difficulties she faced when shifting to YouTube as a distribution platform.

Contrary to expectations, Stephen discovered that her established name did not automatically translate into instant viewership on the platform.

In an exclusive interview with the Nollywood Reporter, she described the experience as navigating a “jungle,” where “nobody really knew who I was.” Stephen admitted she initially believed transitioning to YouTube would be straightforward but quickly learned otherwise. “I thought it was going to be easy, just breeze through YouTube. No! It’s like starting from the beginning,” she said.

Unlike traditional cinemas or streaming services, YouTube gives full control to the audience, who decide whether to watch a film based on factors such as familiarity with the creator and initial impressions. “The audience… make a decision just by looking at a film and saying, ‘Hmm, I don’t know this person, they’re not watching it,’” Stephen explained.

This shift requires filmmakers to rebuild their audience trust and recognition from the ground up, a process Stephen found both “very shocking” and eye-opening.

Despite these challenges, Stephen has embraced YouTube’s potential, releasing films such as “Finding My Way,” “Oil and Water,” and “When Love Blooms,” using the platform to connect directly with viewers.