The 17 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made on YouTube and How to Avoid Them

Summary

In this insightful video, the creator reflects on 17 common YouTube mistakes made over the years, potentially affecting views, subscribers, and reputation. Key takeaways include the importance of making eye contact with the lens, starting a channel before feeling 'ready', avoiding the trap of gear acquisition syndrome, and planning content. The video also highlights the pitfalls of comparison, selfish content, weak titles and thumbnails, wasting time, and the necessity of creating systems for success. It emphasizes authenticity, value addition, and the marathon nature of YouTube growth, urging creators to learn from others, maintain consistency, and avoid spreading focus too thin.

Takeaways

• 📷 Not making eye contact with the lens can hurt audience retention. Look at the lens, not the selfie screen.
• ⏰ Start creating content before you feel ready. Overcome perfectionism and just press record.
• 🎥 Focus on content over gear. Success on YouTube comes from the value of your content, not the quality of your equipment.
• 📝 Plan your videos ahead of time. A few minutes of planning can significantly improve your video's impact.
• 💪 Be authentic and avoid comparing yourself to others. Embrace your unique strengths and personality.
• 🎬 Avoid making selfish content. Focus on providing value to your viewers with entertainment or education.
• 🖋️ Craft strong titles. Weak titles can diminish your video's appeal and performance.
• 🌟 Create clear, impactful thumbnails. Avoid clutter and ensure they are easily readable, especially on smartphones.
• 🚫 Avoid wasting time with long intros. Get straight to the point to maintain viewer interest.
• 📊 Develop effective systems. Consistent systems lead to better results in the long run.
• 💼 Think long-term. Don't sacrifice your brand integrity for short-term gains or trends.
• 🏃 Manage expectations. YouTube success often requires patience, persistence, and realistic goals.
• 🔄 Stick to a few focused topics. Avoid covering too many different subjects on one channel.
• 📚 Learn from others. Seek guidance, resources, and education to improve faster.
• 🔄 Maintain consistency. Regular uploads, consistent energy, and a cohesive message help build momentum.
• 🔍 Focus on one channel initially. Trying to manage multiple channels can dilute your efforts.
• 💪 Don't give up too soon. Persistence is key to overcoming frustration and achieving long-term success.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the 17 biggest YouTube mistakes the creator has made over the past 17 years that could be costing views, subscribers, and respect.

Why is making eye contact with the lens important?

Making eye contact with the lens is important because it creates a connection with the viewer and helps to retain audience attention.

What is the issue with focusing too much on gear?

Focusing too much on gear, also known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), can distract from the actual content, which is more important for success on YouTube. It's better to start with what you have and upgrade as needed.

How can a lack of planning negatively affect your YouTube videos?

A lack of planning can result in vague or no clear ideas for videos, excess footage, and difficulties in editing, leading to less impactful videos. Planning ahead can improve the quality and effectiveness of the content.

Why should you avoid comparing yourself to other creators?

Comparing yourself to other creators can lead to insecurity and stifle creativity. Instead, focusing on your own strengths and authenticity can lead to greater success on YouTube.

What constitutes making selfish content, and why is it a mistake?

Making selfish content means creating videos based on what you want rather than what provides value to the viewer. This can result in fewer views and subscribers. It's important to consider the viewer's interests and needs.

Why are strong titles and thumbnails crucial for YouTube videos?

Strong titles and thumbnails are crucial because they attract viewers to click on your videos. Weak titles and cluttered or unclear thumbnails can deter potential viewers.

What is the significance of creating systems for YouTube content creation?

Creating systems helps in producing consistent results by streamlining the process of creating, releasing, and reviewing videos. Good systems can improve efficiency and effectiveness, leading to better performance.

How can unrealistic expectations impact your YouTube journey?

Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and discouragement if immediate success isn't achieved. Understanding that YouTube success often requires time, effort, and patience can help maintain motivation.

Why is it important to avoid covering too many topics on one channel?

Covering too many topics can confuse your audience and dilute your brand, making it harder to build a dedicated following. Focusing on a specific niche helps attract and retain viewers who are interested in that content.

What are the dangers of trying to figure everything out on your own?

Trying to figure everything out on your own can be the slowest path to success. Seeking help from educational resources, books, and experienced individuals can accelerate learning and improve your YouTube strategy.

Why is consistency in uploads and other dimensions important for YouTube success?

Consistency in uploads, energy, message, and brand helps build momentum and trust with your audience. It creates a predictable and reliable experience for viewers, which can lead to better engagement and growth.

What is the potential downside of running multiple YouTube channels?

Running multiple YouTube channels can spread your efforts too thin, leading to less focus and slower growth for each channel. It's often better to concentrate on one channel until it is successful before branching out.

What is the advice given regarding brand and money decisions?

The advice is to avoid sacrificing your long-term brand for short-term money by pushing products you don't believe in or jumping on trends that don't align with your channel's purpose. Making decisions based on legacy and long-term goals is more beneficial.

Why should new creators avoid giving up too soon?

New creators should avoid giving up too soon because success on YouTube often requires time, effort, and persistence. Staying motivated and continuing to improve can lead to eventual success.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to 17 Years of YouTube Mistakes

In this video, I'll share the 17 biggest mistakes I've made over 17 years on YouTube. These mistakes could be costing you views, subscribers, and respect. Key takeaways include the importance of sticking to content your subscribers expect, avoiding perfectionism, and optimizing your YouTube systems for better results. Stay tuned to discover which mistakes you're guilty of and why number 11 is particularly shocking.

05:02

👁️ Mistake #1: Not Making Eye Contact with the Lens

The first common mistake new creators make is not looking directly into the camera lens, instead looking at the selfie screen. This lack of eye contact creates a disconnect with the viewer and can hurt audience retention. Engaging directly with the lens fosters a stronger connection with your audience.

10:03

⏳ Mistake #2: Delaying Your Start

Procrastination held me back for three years before starting my YouTube channel. I waited for the perfect moment and equipment, allowing perfectionism to paralyze me. The truth is, you need to start before you're ready, face your fears, and press record. The content you create will improve over time.

15:05

🎥 Mistake #3: Focusing Too Much on Gear

Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) is the obsession with buying new equipment you don't need. Success on YouTube is driven by content, not the latest gear. Use what you have and focus on creating valuable videos. Over time, you can upgrade your equipment as needed.

📝 Mistake #4: Lack of Planning

Early on, I made the mistake of improvising instead of planning my videos. This resulted in excessive footage and a disorganized final product. Planning ahead with a clear vision for your video's title, thumbnail, and message can exponentially improve the quality and impact of your content.

💡 Mistake #5: Comparing Yourself to Others

Comparison can kill creativity and joy. Watching others can inspire but also lead to insecurity. Focus on your unique strengths and authenticity. Embrace your quirks and personality to stand out on YouTube, rather than trying to emulate others.

📈 Mistake #6: Creating Selfish Content

Content should provide value to the viewer, whether through entertainment or education. Avoid making videos solely based on your interests without considering what your audience wants or is searching for. Align your content with your audience's needs to improve engagement.

🖋️ Mistake #7: Weak Titles

Titles are crucial for attracting viewers. Avoid generic or vague titles. Tools like ChatGPT and VidIQ's AI coach can help you create compelling titles even if you're a beginner. Strong titles clearly communicate the value of the video to potential viewers.

📸 Mistake #8: Weak Thumbnails

Thumbnails are vital for catching viewers' attention. Avoid clutter, excessive text, and small, unreadable elements. With tools like Canva and AI innovations, creating effective thumbnails has become easier. Ensure your thumbnails are clear and visually appealing, especially on mobile devices.

⏲️ Mistake #9: Wasting Time at the Start of Videos

Long, flashy intros can waste viewers' time and hurt video performance. Start your videos with a strong hook, question, or statement to immediately engage your audience. Getting to the point quickly improves viewer retention.

🔄 Mistake #10: Not Creating Systems

Success on YouTube requires systems and habits. The book 'Atomic Habits' highlights that we rise to the level of our systems. Implement routines, checklists, and processes for consistent video production. Systems improve efficiency and results, allowing you to grow your channel effectively.

💼 Mistake #11: Sacrificing Long-Term Brand for Short-Term Gains

Avoid pushing products you don't believe in or chasing trends that don't align with your channel. Short-term decisions for quick gains can harm your long-term brand. Focus on legacy, impact, and maintaining the core purpose of your channel to build a sustainable brand.

📅 Mistake #12: Unrealistic Expectations

Success on YouTube is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires hard work, patience, and skill-building. While there are rare overnight successes, most growth is gradual. Approach your YouTube journey with realistic expectations and a long-term mindset to avoid discouragement.

🎯 Mistake #13: Covering Too Many Topics

Focusing on too many topics can confuse your audience and hurt your channel's growth. Define your channel's purpose and stick to content that your subscribers expect. Consistency in topics helps build a loyal audience and improves viewer retention.

🙋‍♂️ Mistake #14: Trying to Figure Everything Out on Your Own

Learning from others can accelerate your growth. Don't try to pioneer your path alone when you can leverage educational videos, books, and online courses. Building relationships and seeking guidance from experienced creators can provide valuable shortcuts and insights.

🔁 Mistake #15: Inconsistency

Consistency is crucial for success on YouTube. This includes regular uploads, maintaining a consistent energy and tone, staying on brand, and delivering a cohesive message. Consistency builds momentum and strengthens your channel's growth over time.

🔍 Mistake #16: Trying to Do Too Many Things at Once

Focusing on too many channels or projects can dilute your efforts. Prioritize one main channel or project that aligns with your passions and has the best potential for success. Focus stands for 'Follow One Course Until Successful.'

🛑 Mistake #17: Giving Up Too Soon

Many creators quit before seeing significant growth. YouTube success requires persistence and resilience. Overcome quitting points by staying motivated and committed to your long-term goals. Continue creating and improving your content, and don't give up too soon.

Keywords

💡Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the tendency to hold back on starting or finishing a project until it meets one's very high standards. In the video, the creator mentions how perfectionism held them back from starting their YouTube channel for three years, illustrating that waiting for the perfect moment or setup can hinder progress and success.

💡Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)

Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) refers to the compulsion to buy new equipment or accessories instead of focusing on content creation. The video highlights how this can distract creators from producing videos, emphasizing that content quality is more important than having the latest gear.

💡Planning

Planning involves outlining the key elements and steps for creating a video before filming. The creator explains that having a clear plan, including the video's title, thumbnail, and message, leads to better organization and improved video quality, ultimately enhancing viewer engagement.

💡Comparison

Comparison is the act of measuring one's own progress or abilities against others, which can lead to insecurity and decreased creativity. The video advises against comparing oneself to others, as it can hinder personal authenticity and unique content creation.

💡Selfish Content

Selfish content refers to videos that focus more on the creator's interests rather than providing value to viewers. The creator stresses the importance of making content that entertains or educates the audience, which helps in gaining views and subscribers.

💡Thumbnails

Thumbnails are the preview images for YouTube videos, which significantly impact click-through rates. The video discusses common mistakes such as cluttered or unclear thumbnails and emphasizes the need for simplicity and readability, especially on mobile devices.

💡Consistency

Consistency involves regularly uploading videos and maintaining a uniform style and message. The creator highlights various aspects of consistency, including energy, message, and branding, as essential for building momentum and a loyal audience on YouTube.

💡Systems

Systems refer to the structured processes and routines that help in producing consistent and high-quality content. The video mentions the 'V system,' which includes steps like reverse engineering, recording, and reviewing, demonstrating that well-defined systems lead to better results.

💡Brand

A brand is the overall image and identity that a creator builds through their content and interactions. The video warns against sacrificing long-term brand integrity for short-term gains, such as promoting products that don't align with the channel's values or content.

💡Unrealistic Expectations

Unrealistic expectations are overly optimistic beliefs about quick success without considering the effort and time required. The creator points out that YouTube success typically comes from sustained effort over time, rather than expecting instant results.

Highlights

Mistake 1: Not making eye contact with the lens - This creates a disconnect between you and the viewer.

Mistake 2: Not starting - Overcoming perfectionism and starting even when not ready is crucial.

Mistake 3: Focusing on gear instead of content - Content is more important than the equipment used.

Mistake 4: Lack of planning - Planning ahead can lead to better results and more efficient editing.

Mistake 5: Comparing yourself to others - Focus on your unique strengths and authenticity.

Mistake 6: Making selfish content - Create content that adds value to the viewer.

Mistake 7: Weak titles - Effective titles can significantly impact the performance of your videos.

Mistake 8: Weak thumbnails - Clear and attractive thumbnails are essential for capturing viewers' attention.

Mistake 9: Wasting time during the start of your video - Get straight to the point to maintain viewer engagement.

Mistake 10: Not creating systems - Implementing systems can help achieve consistent results.

Mistake 11: Sacrificing long-term brand for short-term money - Stay true to your channel's purpose and avoid shortsighted decisions.

Mistake 12: Unrealistic expectations - Success on YouTube requires time, effort, and realistic goals.

Mistake 13: Covering too many topics on one channel - Focus on a consistent theme to grow your audience.

Mistake 14: Trying to figure things out on your own - Seek help and learn from others to speed up your growth.

Mistake 15: Inconsistency - Consistent uploads, energy, message, and brand are key to building momentum.

Mistake 16: Trying to do too many things at once - Focus on one course until successful to avoid spreading yourself too thin.

Mistake 17: Giving up too soon - Persistence is essential for long-term success on YouTube.

Transcripts

so in this video I'm going to be sharing

17 of the biggest YouTube mistakes I've

made over the past 17 years that could

be costing you views subscribers and

respect I learned that nobody cared

never upload a video your subscribers

didn't subscribe for I was allowing

perfectionism to hold me back the better

your systems the better the results

you're going to get on YouTube this one

is probably the biggest mistake I've

made consistently and it's this

so in this video I'm going to be sharing

17 of the biggest YouTube mistakes I've

made over the past 17 years that could

be costing you views subscribers and

respect so stay tuned to see which ones

you're guilty of and you won't believe

number 11 number one not making eye

contact with the lens one of the most

common mistakes especially for new

creators is looking at the selfie screen

instead of the lens the problem is if

you're not making eye contact with the

lens this creates a disconnect between

you and the viewer and can hurt audience

retention mistake number two not

starting when I first started YouTube I

was uploading videos for my church but I

had the desire to start a Channel of my

own however I hesitated for 3 years I

was waiting until I felt ready waiting

for the perfect camera I was allowing

perfectionism to hold me back but the

truth is you got to start before you're

ready you got to start poop your pants

scared you got to just punch fear in the

face punch perfectionism in the face and

press record which brings us to mistake

number three and that is focusing on

gear instead of the content so there's

actually a technical term called gas

that stands for gear acquisition

syndrome this refers to the dopamine

rush you get from buying new gears or

accessories that you don't actually need

this actually appeared in Guitar Player

magazine back in 1996 as guitar

acquisition syndrome but it can apply to

anything equipment that you buy but

don't use books you buy but don't read

software that you buy but you never

Master it the key point here is that to

succeed on YouTube you actually have to

upload videos on YouTube and it's not

the camera that's going to make the

difference it's the content that's going

to make the difference so start with

whatever camera that you already have

and level up as you go mistake number

four is a lack of planning when I first

got started with video on YouTube I made

the mistake of winging it instead of

planning ahead a lot of times this would

look like just having a vague idea or no

idea for the video at all just turning

the camera on starting to capture

footage ending up with tons of extra

footage not knowing how to sort through

it and how to really edit a final

product because I didn't plan ahead what

I learned was that the cure to this was

starting with the end in mind and then

reverse engineering backwards what's

this video about what's the title what's

the thumbnail what footage do I need

what kind of story do I want to tell

what's the messaging here and I found

that a few minutes of planning led to an

exponential return on not just my energy

but on the views and subscribers and

impact that the final video had which

brings us to to mistake number five and

that is comparing yourself and trying to

be somebody else I found that sometimes

watching others can make me inspired and

at other times it actually can make me

insecure I learned that comparison is a

killer of creativity and it's a thief of

Joy because when I look at somebody

else's gifts talents and abilities that

I don't have that usually doesn't lead

me to a place of feeling encouraged and

inspired to create my own content

however by identifying your own

strengths what makes you uniquely you

and tap into your own authenticity

whether that's your quirks your humor

your stoic personality your bubbly

personality a huge key to your success

on YouTube is being you times two and

not trying to be somebody else now smash

the like button if you've been getting

value so far and let's hit number six

which is making selfish content the

co-author of our book YouTube Secrets

Benji Travis sat down with Gary

vaynerchuk in his office a while back

and here's what he said are you putting

out entertainment are you putting out

education because 90% of people are

putting out selfish content the truth is

YouTube is your tube you can make

whatever videos you want but that

doesn't mean anybody's going to watch

them or that anybody is going to give

you views and subscribers and attention

if you want your videos to perform

better ask this question what value does

this video add to the viewer what topics

are people actually searching for what

topics are people people actually

interested in mistake number seven weak

titles no joke I actually posted

hundreds of videos before learning how

important titles were mistakes I made it

included doing an interview with

somebody and just putting their first

and last name in the word interview with

no detail about what the viewer would

learn in the video really early on I'm

guilty of making videos titled promo

video. mpp4 I mean I've made some big

mistakes in my career and the cool thing

is with tools like chat GPT and vid iq's

AI coach you can easily power up your

titles without being a genius at writing

them and the cool thing is with tools

like chat GPT and vid iq's AI coach you

can start writing great titles even if

you're an absolute beginner now you

might have saw this one coming but M

snake number eight is weak thumbnails

believe it or not when I started YouTube

you couldn't even upload custom

thumbnails but now not only do we have

opportunity very soon everyone's going

to have the ability to split test three

different thumbnails some of the

mistakes I see people make with

thumbnails includes too much clutter

there's too many words there's too many

images there's an overall lack of

clarity don't forget a lot of people are

consuming YouTube on their smartphone so

another mistake is having your images or

your text be too small and unreadable

the cool thing is there's a lot of

innovation happening with AI That's

making graphic design even easier and

tools like canva make it easy to create

great thumbnails even if you're just

starting out number nine is wasting time

during the start of your video ever

since I started creating videos and

editing I've been using Adobe Premiere

and I remember eventually I discovered a

program called After Effects this

allowed me to make a really cool intro

with music and a logo and sound effects

but here's the problem I learned that

nobody cared if you're starting your

video with a 10c 20 second swooping logo

that's got some electricity and a cool

sound effect you are wasting the viewers

time and hurting your videos performance

unless you have a faceless Channel when

the video starts you want to cut right

to the chase with you on camera with a

powerful question a powerful opening and

a powerful hook seriously just fixing

that mistake will radically improve the

performance of your YouTube channel now

not a lot of people talk about mistake

number 10 but here's what it is not

creating systems the Landmark book

Atomic habits revealed a powerful truth

and it's this we don't rise to the level

of our goals we fall to the level of our

systems if you think about it when it

comes to YouTube everybody has the same

goals I want to get a th000 subscribers

I want to get a silver play button I

want to go full-time I want my business

to grow from the views and awareness

that my channel generates but of course

a lot of people struggle to reach their

goals and one of the reasons that

happens is because of a lack of systems

and so what are system well they are the

habits and the patterns and the routines

and the checklists that you install into

your life so that you can produce

consistent results on YouTube this is

one of the reasons why I created the V

system that is a process that I've used

and now tens of thousands of people in

our community have used to create

consistent results on YouTube this

process of reverse engineering and then

researching and then recording and then

releasing the video the right way and

then UL timately reviewing the results

and repeating the process and one of the

reasons to subscribe to this video

podcast is because we are obsessed with

systems a system for your shoot day a

system for when you're creating videos

when you're releasing videos and the

better your systems the better the

results you're going to get on YouTube

now in just a second we're going to hit

mistake number 11 but if you like this

video and you're interested in learning

more about my YouTube growth system that

I teach in my program video ranking

Academy you can just go to VAP

podcast.com or click the link in the

description because for a limited time

we have special pricing and bonuses but

that's ending soon so check out the link

and let's keep the video moving we got

to hit mistake number 11 and here's what

it is sacrificing your long-term brand

for shortterm money this includes

pushing products you don't actually

believe in or jumping on trends that

don't actually align with your channel

topic this is a huge Temptation that new

creator ERS fall into because you're so

hungry to grow the channel to do this

full-time you're so flattered perhaps by

getting an invitation to your first

brand deal or sponsorship and all of

those things are good making money

getting views building your personal

brand but if you're compromising what

you actually believe about a product or

you're chasing views and vanity

metrics disconnected from the core

purpose of your channel then ultimately

you're going to be sacrificing your

long-term brand just for shortterm views

and money and let me just encourage you

that after 17 years on YouTube sitting

here now I look back and I regret any

time that I've made shortsighted

decisions instead of decisions based on

Legacy impact and the ultimate brand

that I want to build mistake number 12

unrealistic expectations the reality is

there are true stories of people who've

experienced YouTube success in a matter

of day days and weeks but the odds of

that happening is like one in a million

it's like winning the lottery yes

Goldman Sachs research revealed that the

crater economy is going to double in

value over the next few years yes

there's 2.7 billion monthly active users

on YouTube right now yes over 200

million people have earned money from

content creation that's old stats

revealed by tube filter the opportunity

is real the chance for growth is real

but YouTube is a marathon and not a

Sprint it is a mistake to underestimate

the amount of work and grit and patience

and time and learning and skill building

that it takes to succeed on YouTube but

the good news is if you go into this

with the right mentality realizing that

Rome wasn't built in a day it was built

Brick by Brick your YouTube channel

won't be built in a day it'll be built

one video at a time over time so just

get started and have realistic

expectations mistake number 13 is

covering too many topics on one channel

one of my favorite things to do is look

back at my Sean canel YouTube channel

and reflect on the different topics I

covered in the span of like 20 videos

one week I posted a video with camera

tips and Equipment tips which is a great

topic but then I posted a video

reviewing a bark box subscription with

toys and treats for our two Chihuahua

then I posted a video with my green

beans recipe and man that thing got over

like 60,000 views so I thought I'm

Martha Stewart I'm Anthony Bourdain but

then I abandoned that dream and I did my

review of The Amazing Spider-Man like

what happened is my channel a movie

review Channel now like where am I going

with this then I posted a vlog with my

wife Sonia doing Las Vegas horseback

riding and then I topped it all off with

my extra special Shin Ramen recipe I was

all over the place I was covering too

many topics on one channel and my growth

was suffering as a result so here's a

phrase worth remembering or writing down

never upload a video your subscribers

didn't subscribe for answering that

question will force you to Define who is

your channel for and what value does

your channel provide for the viewer it's

also worth considering that if you've

already been posting videos and getting

subscribers why are they clicking

subscribe what topics are they clicking

subscribe for and if you Veer away from

those topics then don't be surprised

when your use suffer mistake 14 trying

to figure things out on your own listen

I've got the utmost respect for hard

work grit putting in the time just

putting your head down and grinding

that's cool but did you know that

there's a better way like rather than

trying to figure out everything out on

your own you could ask the question who

knows how to do this that I could learn

from and I understand I'm preaching to

the choir because you're literally

watching a video about YouTube strategy

but I want to encourage you don't try to

Pioneer your own path when someone else

has already blazed away educational

YouTube videos from trusted sources

that's a shortcut books and audio books

on topics like marketing online business

communication strategy that's a shortcut

developing relationships online and

offline through events through groups of

other people that can help you up your

YouTube game that's a shortcut online

courses and education programs that

teach you specific skills and help you

go faster that's a shortcut of course

there is no substitute for you putting

in the practice and putting in the work

but trying to figure everything out on

your own is the slowest Road and so go

faster by getting help now mistake

number 15 is inconsistency now you may

be thinking Sean I've heard that before

but here's the thing most people really

talk about being consistent in one

dimension and I have at least five

Dimensions to share with you now of

course the First Dimension is uploads

like you actually have to upload videos

on YouTube to be successful on YouTube

and the more consistent your uploads

over time the better your results but

that's really just one dimension the

second is consistent energy and what I

mean is a consistent tone a consistent

feel to your videos it's almost like

saying a consistent quality but another

dimension would be a consistent energy

like are you showing up with the same

level of energy and the same level of

quality in your videos now another

dimension of consistency be your message

are you staying on brand on message are

you covering so many topics kind of like

we covered in the last point or do you

have a consistent theme un through line

through all of your content and think

about how that one relates to building

your brand I mean are you saying what

people want to hear or are you saying

what you actually believe we've all seen

politicians who say one thing to a

particular crowd and then they change

their message for another crowd that

hurts hurts their credibility and even

another dimension could be a consistent

brand do your videos does your content

have a consistent look does it have a

consistent feel is there a cohesive

brand or does it just feel all over the

place random no theme no through line

all of these things make up consistency

and the more consistent you are with

your content on YouTube the more

momentum that you'll build over time now

when I think about my 17 years on

YouTube and I think about mistake 16

this one is probably the biggest mistake

I've made consistently and it's this

trying to do too many things at once a

lot of times people will come to me and

say okay I get it I shouldn't have too

many topics on one channel so instead

I'm going to start like two or three

channels to divide up my content big

mistake you see if you try and Chase

three rabbits you'll end up catching

none of them and I'm massively guilty of

this cuz I think it was 2014 or 2015

when I realized I was operating four or

five channels I had the think

International channel the think media

channel my Clear Vision media channel my

Sean canel Channel and the video

influencers channel stupid if there's

one Banner lesson I've learned in my

career it's that you need to focus and

focus stands for follow one course until

successful if you're multi-passionate

and you want to do multiple YouTube

channels I want to challenge you what is

the strongest one which one are you most

passionate about most efficient at and

also has the best opportunity of

producing an income and money because

fast forward to today and I do run

multiple channels but I've also built a

team that supports me this might be the

biggest mistake that creators and

entrepreneurs and the ambitious make

overall too many social media platforms

too many projects too many YouTube

channels too many ideas not enough

execution on one thing so make a plan

work the plan kill distractions and

protect your focus which brings us to

mistake number 17 which is giving up too

soon but here's the thing if you're

feeling frustrated or discouraged with

your growth on YouTube I don't blame you

in fact I made an entire video about

this point and you can click or tap the

screen to watch that video or check it

out in the show notes I break down some

science-backed principles for staying

motivated on YouTube and crashing

through quitting points so I look

forward to seeing you in that episode