{"id":121097,"date":"2022-01-03T15:23:27","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T21:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalmarketer.com\/?p=87795"},"modified":"2022-05-11T09:37:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T14:37:52","slug":"youtube-subscriber-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalmarketer.com\/blog\/youtube-subscriber-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Mistakes That Are Limiting Your YouTube Subscription Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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That’s me, Sean Cannell!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I grew the Think Media<\/a> YouTube channel to 1.9 million subscribers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I think about the journey to a 7-figure following, I look at the secrets to YouTube growth that would have made me grow faster. Tips like how many videos to post before calling it quits, avoiding ‘selfish’ content at all costs, and strategically creating search-based content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I could do it all over again, I would incorporate these tips into my YouTube strategy from Day 1. And if I was starting over today<\/em>, I wouldn’t be fearful that I couldn’t grow back my audience. Here’s why…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now is the best time to create content on YouTube. Since the lockdown in 2020, we’ve seen YouTube viewership is still skyrocketing. Consumption is up over 80%, according to Cisco<\/a> (EIGHTY PERCENT!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019 there were about 15 billion minutes of YouTube videos watched. As you’re reading this article, that number is closer to 32 billion in some industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time to be a creator is here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But uploading your first YouTube video<\/a> is, understandably, scary. The thought of seeing a meager 10 views and having your peers know<\/em> you’re just starting out isn’t exactly thrilling. It’s the reason so many people decide to put off their YouTube dreams, despite watching their favorite creators every day and wishing they were in their shoes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your favorite creators started with one YouTube video and, most likely, 10 total views. But, they kept pushing through\u2014knowing that if they found their rhythm, they could turn this into a career. And finding that rhythm comes down to avoiding these 5 mistakes that I learned the hard way on the road to 1.6 million followers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s time to punch fear and perfectionism in the face, and press record<\/em> (while growing your audience gracefully as you avoid these mistakes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mistake #1: Judging Your Performance BEFORE You Post Enough Videos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to post your first 35 videos. I know exactly what you’re thinking. It’s the same thing *I* would be thinking if somebody told me to post 35 videos when I was struggling with getting my first video into the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c35 Freaking videos. That’s kind of crazy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a reason for this number. Before that 35th video, you’re going to be judging your results way too earl<\/em>y. You’ll see your following growing by 10-20 followers a week and feel like you’re not making progress. And you’ll be tempted to quit. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the biggest mistakes new creators make. They post a few videos, don’t get the results you’re looking for, and decide YouTube isn’t for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why you’ll hold yourself accountable for 35 videos. <\/strong>Those videos will trigger the algorithm to get things going or help you see where you can pivot to find success. With over 2,000 videos, I’ve had a couple of failed YouTube channels that led me straight to the successful ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You win, you learn, and you have to fail forward\u2014and actually want to play.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mistake #2: Making ‘Selfish’ Content<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

YouTube follows the same rules of marketing. You have to answer the “Who?” and “What?” questions before you commit to posting. Without those answers, your channel won’t serve your audience. It’ll only serve you, and the topic that interests you that day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Answer these 2 questions to avoid making selfish content:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Who are your videos serving?<\/li>
  2. What problem do you solve for them?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Creators that answer this question make service content. The ones who don’t, make selfish content and eventually quit YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When my co-author of YouTube Secrets Benji Travis and I, met with Gary Vaynerchuk, multiple New York Times bestselling author and one of the leading social media experts in the world, we asked him: “What advice would you give to new YouTube creators?” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s what he said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I think it’s about, are you putting out entertainment? Are you putting out education? Because 90% of people are putting out selfish content.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ninety percent of people are putting out press releases. They want you to think something about them. They’re making it selfish for themselves. They wanted to go to Maui and surf, so that’s the content you’re getting. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But did that bring you any value? They want you to think they’re cool. 90% of the content right now are people acting like PR agents for themselves? I’m asking people to look like educators or entertainers. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do you think about the audience first? Or don’t you?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The reason people aren’t getting to 1,000 subscribers is that they’re not thinking about their audience first<\/a>. They’re thinking about what content *they want* to create and the benefits that could come from choosing that creator path. For example, if you’re thinking, “I want to be a travel vlogger<\/em>,” have you considered how your content serves the audience you want to grow? Or are you more focused on a free fancy hotel stay with a giraffe eating breakfast with you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That’s what Gary’s saying (and I’m echoing). And here’s another Gary tip<\/strong>\u2014pick either entertainment or education content to create. Both types of content are exploding right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As I said, there’s never been a better time to create content.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mistake #3: Choosing to Get Your YouTube Wisdom the Slow Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Post your first video, today<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stop reading this blog and go shoot a video on your phone and go post your first video (for real!). Once you’re posting, it’s time to ‘skill up’ in 2 ways: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #1: Identify the skills you need to learn (like video editing, designing thumbnails, and camera presence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2: Identify 5-10 successful channels in your niche and study what they’re doing and how you can add your own spin to it. (Don’t be scared of competition, this means you have a market!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are 2 ways to get wisdom. The slowest way is through your own mistakes. The fastest way to get wisdom is through others’ mistakes. That’s the beauty of buying a book, watching other creators’ YouTube channels (like mine<\/a>), and learning from experts who can tell you exactly what to do<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You don’t have to be a YouTube expert to get started with your first video. But, you do need to have the basics down. Your videos should always be improving, especially as you learn more about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n