19 Harsh Realities About Building a YouTube Channel (That I Wish I Knew Sooner)
Building a YouTube channel seems simple at first—just make videos, hit upload, and watch the views roll in. Right? That’s what I thought too. But after uploading over 350 videos and spending years wondering why my views would flatline after a day, I’ve learned firsthand how much of a beast YouTube can be.
Looking back, I’ve realized there are a few lessons that could have dramatically sped up my growth and helped me get better results. So, to make your YouTube journey a little easier, here are 19 harsh realities about building a YouTube channel that I wish I had known sooner.
1. YouTube Is a Long Game
Growth feels painfully slow at first, but it will snowball over time. The key is to think big picture. If you get caught up in short-term analytics—refreshing YouTube Studio, obsessing over click-through rates—you’ll burn out.
Instead, enjoy the journey: creating videos, hitting upload, and engaging with your community. YouTube is only getting bigger—it recently surpassed Netflix in percentage of TV time in U.S. households. The platform is here to stay, so commit for the long haul.
2. You Never Know Who’s Watching
Every view matters—you never know who’s on the other side of the screen. It could be your next client, a big-name creator, or someone who could change your life.
A friend of mine runs two YouTube channels—one averages 1,000 views per video, the other 100,000. Which one makes more money? Surprisingly, it’s the smaller channel. Why? Niche audience. The right viewers (not more viewers) bring sponsorships and revenue.
Savor every view—it could be the one that changes your life.
3. Be Yourself—It’s Your Superpower
YouTube is saturated with creators, but there’s only one you. Your personality, quirks, and unique voice are your competitive advantage.
Don’t be afraid to showcase who you are. Whether it’s your sense of humor, your storytelling style, or your editing flair, lean into it. Viewers connect with authenticity.
4. Packaging Matters
You can create the most amazing video ever, but if it’s poorly packaged, it won’t get views.
Packaging = title + thumbnail + concept.
For example, instead of naming a classical music playlist:
✅ “This playlist will make you feel like a 19th-century villain”
❌ “Classical Music Playlist”
Creative, emotionally driven titles and thumbnails attract clicks.
5. Batch Filming Saves Time
One of the biggest time-sucks is setup and teardown. Setting up for a single video takes time, but if you film multiple videos in one session, you’ll be far more efficient.
Example:
Setting up 5 times at 20 minutes each = 100 minutes wasted.
Batch filming once = 80 minutes saved.
Plan ahead and film in batches to streamline your process.
6. Block Out YouTube Time
If you’re not intentionally scheduling YouTube time, you’re not prioritizing it.
I put filming, editing, and scripting sessions directly into my calendar. Treat it like a meeting—it’s non-negotiable. This simple habit ensures you stay consistent and produce more videos.
7. First 5 Seconds = Make or Break
Viewers judge your video immediately. If you lack confidence or authority, they’ll click off.
To improve your on-camera presence:
Practice in front of friends or record a test run on a phone call.
Review your delivery and body language.
Refine your hook—it needs to establish credibility, intrigue, and clear expectations instantly.
8. Copy + Innovate = Stand Out
There’s nothing wrong with modeling after successful creators, but you need to add your own twist.
Take inspiration from trending formats, but infuse your originality. Innovation makes you memorable—it gives viewers a reason to keep coming back.
9. YouTube Viewership Is Moving to TV
More viewers are watching YouTube on their TVs—over 50% of big YouTubers’ traffic now comes from TV viewers.
This means:
Longer videos (20+ minutes) work better on TV.
Slower pacing and deeper storytelling are more effective.
Treat YouTube videos like mini TV episodes.
10. The First 5 Seconds Matter More Than Ever
Your first frames need to:
✅ Establish credibility.
✅ Create intrigue.
✅ Set clear expectations.
Nail this, and retention skyrockets. If you lose viewers in the first 5 seconds, you lose the battle.
11. Titles & Thumbnails Come First
Don’t treat titles and thumbnails as an afterthought—they determine whether anyone clicks.
Brainstorm 3 title and thumbnail options before you film.
Use A/B testing post-upload to see which combination drives more clicks.
Prioritize curiosity-driven, bold statements.
12. Failures Are Lessons
Most of your videos won’t be hits—and that’s okay.
Use failures to learn:
Review audience retention graphs.
Identify where viewers drop off.
Improve future content based on these insights.
Every flop makes you a better creator.
13. Subscribers Don’t Matter Like They Used To
YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes recent views over subscribers.
Someone who hasn’t watched your channel in months is unlikely to see your new uploads—even if they’re subscribed. Focus on recent views and retention, not subscriber count.
14. Mix Evergreen & Trendy Content
Trendy videos give you a short-term spike.
Evergreen content provides long-term, steady views.
Balance both to create a sustainable growth engine.
15. Double Down on What Works
If a video does well, repeat the formula.
Big creators do this all the time—if you scroll through their channels, their top-performing videos are often similar in style or topic. Lean into your hits.
16. Bold Claims Get Clicks
Boring titles = no clicks.
Dramatic, intriguing, or bold claims = irresistible.
Example:
✅ “Give Me 8 Minutes and I’ll Make Your Titles 81% Better”
❌ “How to Write Better YouTube Titles”
Be creative with your phrasing—bold titles drive curiosity.
17. Keep Titles Short
Studies show the optimal title length is 50-55 characters.
Short, clear, and easy-to-read titles perform better. Don’t waste precious characters—make every word count.
18. Clear, Focused Thumbnails Win
Cluttered thumbnails confuse viewers.
Effective thumbnails:
✅ Have one focal point.
✅ Use 2-3 words max.
✅ Feature faces or strong visual cues.
Make it instantly clear what your video is about.
19. Have Fun
YouTube is a grind—but it’s also a creative playground.
If you’re not enjoying the process, you’ll burn out. Find joy in:
The storytelling.
The creative challenges.
The connections you build with your audience.
The journey itself is what makes YouTube worthwhile.
💡 Final Thoughts
These 19 lessons took me years to learn, but they can accelerate your YouTube growth significantly. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to break through a plateau, applying these insights will help you create better content, reach more viewers, and enjoy the process.
Now, go hit record. Your next video could be the one that changes everything. 🚀