If your videos get less than 500 views… do this

Summary

In this video, the creator explains why YouTube channels fail to gain views, emphasizing that great videos won’t matter if no one clicks on them. The key to success lies in optimizing titles and thumbnails, as they are the 'shop window' that attracts viewers. Practical tips are shared, such as using contrast in thumbnails, focusing on one clear concept, incorporating emotional facial expressions, and crafting curiosity-driven titles. The creator also promotes their course on mastering thumbnails and titles, offering strategies that can boost video views and growth, even for small YouTubers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Success on YouTube relies on more than just making good videos; the key is creating engaging titles and thumbnails that encourage clicks.
• 😀 Titles and thumbnails act as your 'shop window' on YouTube, drawing people in to watch your content. A good video is wasted if no one clicks on it.
• 😀 Your title and thumbnail must be enticing and emotionally engaging to compel viewers to stop scrolling and click on your video.
• 😀 Thumbnails should be eye-catching and convey the video topic in a split second; simplicity and focus on one main concept is crucial.
• 😀 Use contrast in thumbnails (e.g., light vs. dark, bold colors) to make your video stand out against others on the platform.
• 😀 Faces in thumbnails significantly increase clicks; use expressive facial emotions to grab attention and align with your video’s tone.
• 😀 Text in thumbnails should be minimal—no more than six words—focusing on amplifying emotion or creating curiosity, not repeating the title.
• 😀 Optimize your thumbnails for mobile devices since most YouTube traffic comes from phones; ensure text and key details are legible at smaller sizes.
• 😀 Study successful thumbnails from top creators to understand what works, then reverse engineer their strategies to apply to your own content.
• 😀 Titles must create a curiosity gap, triggering emotional reactions and prompting viewers to click to satisfy their curiosity.
• 😀 Craft titles for humans, not algorithms; use simple, clear language that appeals to viewers' emotions, and front-load the value of your video in the first 55 characters.

Q & A

Why are thumbnails and titles so important for YouTube success?

Thumbnails and titles are essential because they serve as the first impression of your video. If they aren't compelling enough, people won't click to watch your content, no matter how good the video itself is.

What is the main mistake most small YouTubers make when trying to grow their channels?

The main mistake is focusing only on creating good videos without realizing that nobody will watch them unless the title and thumbnail are compelling enough to get clicks.

What does the analogy of the shop window in the video mean?

The analogy compares your YouTube title and thumbnail to a shop window. Just as a poorly designed shop window will prevent customers from seeing the great products inside, ineffective titles and thumbnails will prevent viewers from clicking on your video.

What are the key elements to creating an effective thumbnail?

To create an effective thumbnail, focus on using contrast, having one clear concept, including faces for emotional impact, using minimal but impactful text, considering mobile users, and studying successful thumbnails from other creators.

How can contrast be used in thumbnails to attract attention?

Contrast involves using differences in light and dark or bold colors against a plain background to make the subject of the thumbnail stand out. This visual distinction helps capture attention when viewers are scrolling through YouTube.

Why should YouTubers avoid cluttered thumbnails?

Cluttered thumbnails with too many elements confuse viewers and fail to communicate the video’s concept clearly. It’s better to have a single focal point that instantly conveys what the video is about.

What role do faces play in YouTube thumbnails?

Faces, especially with expressive emotions, are proven to grab attention and create familiarity. People are naturally drawn to faces, making them an effective tool for increasing click-through rates.

How should text be used in thumbnails?

Text should be used sparingly in thumbnails, with no more than one to three bold words. It should amplify emotion or spark curiosity, not simply repeat the title. Less is more to avoid overwhelming viewers.

Why is it important to optimize thumbnails for mobile users?

Since a significant portion of YouTube traffic comes from mobile devices, thumbnails will appear much smaller on these screens. You need to ensure that text is readable and the main concept is clear even on smaller displays.

What are some tips for writing compelling YouTube titles?

To write compelling titles, focus on creating curiosity, triggering emotions, keeping it simple for humans (not algorithms), frontloading the value, and testing different title variations to see what works best.