Why you're not growing on youtube (and what to try next…)

Summary

The video offers strategies for reviving a stagnant YouTube channel, emphasizing the shift from search-based to storytelling content for building a loyal audience. It suggests creating catchy titles, using engaging background music, sound effects, and b-roll to enhance viewer interest and retention. The creator also stresses the importance of communicating a clear value proposition in titles and thumbnails and considering a content pivot if passion is lost, to reignite creativity and audience engagement.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Consistency in posting is crucial but not enough for growth; the content strategy must evolve.
• 🔍 Initially, optimize videos for search engines to build a content library, but later shift to focus on audience engagement.
• 💬 Pivot from search-based to storytelling videos to foster a relational audience and increase subscriber loyalty.
• 📝 Create catchy titles and reverse engineer content to fit them for better homepage optimization.
• 🎥 Use a variety of background music and sound effects to make videos more engaging and to increase view duration.
• 🎞 Incorporate b-roll to visually represent the topic being discussed, enhancing viewer interest and engagement.
• 🌟 Offer clear value in each video, ensuring viewers understand the takeaways to encourage clicks and viewing.
• 💡 Experiment with video styles and formats to reignite passion and creativity if feeling uninspired.
• 🔄 Don't fear change in niche or content direction; it can bring fresh ideas and energy to your channel.
• 🛠️ Use a YouTube scripting template to optimize videos for retention and viewer engagement.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker is addressing in the video?

The main challenge the speaker is addressing is the frustration of consistently posting YouTube videos without seeing the desired growth in views and subscribers.

Why does the speaker suggest that optimizing videos for search engines may not be enough for growth?

Optimizing videos for search engines can help build a foundation for a channel, but it tends to foster a transactional audience. To build a loyal audience that cares about the creator, it's important to pivot to a strategy that focuses more on storytelling and sharing personal experiences.

How does the speaker recommend creating catchy titles for YouTube videos?

The speaker recommends creating a list of catchy title ideas and then reverse-engineering the video content to fit those titles. This helps in coming up with engaging and interesting titles that can attract a wider audience.

What is the purpose of using different background music for different segments of a video?

Using different background music for different segments helps to switch up the vibe or feeling for each section of the video, making it feel more fast-paced and engaging, thus preventing the audience from getting bored.

How can sound effects enhance the viewer's experience of a video?

Sound effects can be used to introduce different visuals, emphasize points, or add emotional depth to a video. They can keep the viewer more engaged and make the video more interesting, but should be used in moderation to avoid annoyance.

What is the role of b-roll in making a video more engaging?

B-roll serves as a visual representation of what is being discussed on camera. It can be literal or emotional, and alternating between these two approaches helps to keep the videos interesting and visually appealing.

Why is it important for a YouTube creator to feel passionate about their content?

Passion is crucial for a YouTube creator because it leads to better ideas and a more energetic on-camera presence. If a creator is not excited about their content, it may be time to pivot and try something new to reignite that passion.

What advice does the speaker give to creators who are in a growth rut and feeling uninspired?

The speaker advises such creators to consider changing their video style, format, or even niche to bring a fresh perspective and reignite their passion for creating content.

How can a creator ensure their videos are optimized for retention?

A creator can use a YouTube scripting template to help optimize their videos for retention, ensuring that the content is engaging and keeps viewers watching until the end.

What is the significance of a clear value proposition in a YouTube video?

A clear value proposition helps viewers understand what they will gain from watching the video. It serves as a compelling reason for them to click on the video and engage with the content.

How can a creator communicate the value they offer through their title and thumbnail?

A creator can communicate the value by clearly stating in the title and thumbnail what the viewer can expect to learn or gain from the video, whether it's entertainment, inspiration, companionship, or good vibes.