Transcription
Every day, thousands of small channels just give up because, sadly, most people never make it past 1,000 subscribers. Not because they're particularly bad at YouTube, but simply because they couldn't survive the invisible growth phase.
Now, what you might not have known is it took Mr. Beast over 2 years and 300 videos to hit his first 1,000 subscribers. Now, he could have easily just given up after a year and a half, but he didn't. He powered through the invisible growth phase and now he's the biggest YouTuber in the world. So, in this video, I'll explain what the invisible growth phase is and how you can survive it. And at the end of the video, I'll also share a quick four-step plan that you can take away with you right now and start straight after this video.
So, firstly, it's important to note that the algorithm doesn't hate you and it's definitely not working against you, even if it feels that way sometimes. It just doesn't know who you are yet. And the truth is, the algorithm doesn't judge creators. It simply just reacts to data. So when you upload a video, YouTube quietly pushes it out to a small test group. That group may or may not be interested in your content. Some of those people will simply just scroll straight past your video and ignore it. But some other people in that test group might watch, click, and maybe even subscribe to you. And based on the results of that small test, YouTube will then decide whether or not to test it again, this time to an even bigger group of people. The better your video performs in each test group, the more push the algorithm gives it.
Think of it like a matchmaking system. The algorithm is just trying to pair your content with the right audience. Sometimes it gets it right, sometimes it gets it wrong. So just stop blaming the algorithm. Like, it doesn't have feelings. It's not out to get you. It just doesn't know who you are yet.
Now, your job as a small channel is to keep uploading, keep testing, and let your profile data build up behind the scenes because the more data that the algorithm has on you, the better at matchmaking it can become. And that's then where exposure comes in because your channel isn't small, it's just underexposed. This stage, the small channel stage, isn't about talent. Like, you don't need to be the best editor in the world. You don't need a fancy camera, expensive lighting, or years of storytelling experience. What you do need, though, is just to learn how to get discovered. And getting discovered on YouTube as a small channel is all about your titles, your thumbnails, and your SEO. As I've said a million times, the video itself, yes, it matters, but it only matters after someone clicks. And right now, the reason you're not getting views is because people aren't clicking. It's not that the algorithm hates you. It's just that the people the algorithm is trying to show your video to simply aren't interested in it. But look, overall, your mission at this stage is simple. Don't obsess over perfection. Obsess over clickability. Your title and thumbnail are your handshake, like your first impression. Nail those two things and you'll start building exposure.
Now, I do have a short mastery course dedicated to titles and thumbnails. So, if this is something you need to improve, which I can bet it probably is, then hit the link in my bio and get my titles and thumbnails mastery course now for 50% off.
This then brings us on to the 100 video rule, which is where a lot of small creators go horribly wrong. But the one rule I always share with small creators is you need to make at least 100 videos. Not just for practice, which is still a huge aspect of which we'll talk about next, but also because every single upload you ever post is feeding the algorithm valuable information. Like, YouTube is a machine that learns through repetition and pattern recognition. Like, every title you write, every thumbnail you design, every viewer who clicks or skips your videos, it all becomes part of a data profile around your channel. Like, the algorithm starts to learn who watches your content, how long do they stay for, who skipped past, what types of titles attract your ideal viewer, which videos bring back returning subscribers, and so much more. So each new uploaded video is like a new data block. And over time, those data blocks compound and build up. This allows the algorithm to start piecing together patterns about your ideal audience. And when that picture becomes clear enough, it begins recommending your content more confidently to the right people. So the more data blocks you give it, the better the algorithm gets at being able to find the right audience at the right time.
Now, sadly, most creators quit before this data stack has had enough time to build. But the ones who keep going will eventually hit the tipping point. And the tipping point is super, super important. But we'll discuss that next.
So the real challenge is this: Can you stay consistent long enough for the algorithm to truly understand you? Like, can you survive the quiet phase before the compounder kicks in? Because most people think that consistency just means uploading every week. But that's only half the equation. If you upload 100 videos without learning, evolving, or improving anything, that's not grinding. That's just autopilot. That's just ticking boxes. Like, the only type of consistency that actually works on YouTube is evolving consistency. You upload and you tweak. You test. You reflect. You look at your last five videos and you ask yourself, "What can I improve by at least 1%?"
Now, you might think that 1% is like an insignificant number and that won't change anything. But if you improve by just 1% per video over 100 videos, that's a 100% improvement since where you were when you first started. Like, really think about that. So, you always need to improve something with every new video you post. Even just 1%, guys, it makes a huge difference over time.
Now, also, look, it's all well and good posting loads of content and growing your YouTube channel or your social media channels, but what most small or new creators often forget about is online safety. Now, my top tip is I never publicly share the email that's tied to my actual YouTube account, and you shouldn't either. Like, don't put it in your video descriptions or on your channel's about me page. There are so many hackers and dodgy people out there, and making your login, email, and sensitive data public is just asking for trouble. Like, way too many times I've seen big YouTubers have their entire account stolen just because they publicly share their channel email and clever hackers got into it.
Now, instead, I always suggest creating a completely separate Gmail account just for public use. Like, that's the one you'll put in your about me page or in your video's descriptions for things like collabs or business inquiries. And by doing this, you never put yourself at risk of having your channel data fall into the wrong hands.
And I think it would genuinely surprise you at just how much of your personal information is actually floating around online. And I don't just mean your name or your email. I mean like phone numbers, location data, bank details, your website history, and so much more. And the scary thing is, you probably never gave permission for most of it. That's because of shady companies called data brokers, which are companies that collect your data, package it up, and then sell it to advertisers, scammers, or literally anyone who's willing to pay for it, good or bad. And as a YouTuber, especially starting out, your digital footprint grows fast. The bigger you get as a creator, the more time you spend online creating content, the bigger your digital footprint gets. And it becomes harder and harder to stay in control of what's being shared about you.
And that's where something like Incognity is super helpful. They're an online data privacy tool that I've personally been using for the last 6 months now. And what these guys do is that they contact those dodgy data broker companies on your behalf and force them to delete your data. Think of it as like having a digital bodyguard who just wipes your name and your information off dozens of sketchy databases from across the web. Like, they completely erase it for you. And the best part is, once you sign up, Incognity keeps working for you every month. So as new brokers pop up or as your information pops up in new places, Incognity will keep requesting removals so you don't have to.
Now, it's super easy to get started. It takes literally just a few minutes. And honestly, it gives me so much peace of mind knowing that someone is fighting to keep my personal data off the internet. So, if you're serious about protecting your online presence as a YouTuber or on the whole, I highly recommend checking them out. Take your personal data back now with Incognity. Use code creator at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan.
Now, if you've stuck to the 100 video rule, if you've consistently improved your titles and thumbnails, and if you've let the algorithm collect enough data and learn who your content is for, then you're already doing the hard part because eventually all of those efforts compound. And that compounding effect leads to something very powerful. We call it the tipping point. This is a moment where your videos stop struggling for clicks and they start becoming recommended more aggressively. It's when YouTube no longer tests your content in random pockets, but instead it knows exactly who to show it to, and suddenly the numbers start to shift. Your views will jump. Your subs increase. Your dashboard feels alive for the first time.
Now, the tipping point isn't always explosive, though. Sometimes it's subtle. Your videos start to get more consistent traffic. Your Shorts finally hit the for you feed. Your long-form videos start being picked and showed on homepages on the suggested tab. But whether it's fast or gradual, you will feel the shift.
Now, the sad truth is that most creators never get here. Not because they weren't good enough, but because they gave up just before the algorithm had time to figure them out. They didn't trust the data building process. They thought, "Oh, well, I'm not getting any views, so I must be bad at this." When in reality, they were likely just one solid video away from this tipping point. Now, your tipping point could be your 37th video, your 89th video, your 112th video. The timing is different for everyone, but if you keep showing up, if you keep learning, if you keep improving your strategy, and you keep building data with each upload, the odds are seriously stacking in your favor. And when you do hit the tipping point, my god, honestly, it feels incredible. Like, this is what you've been working so hard to achieve. This is when you smash monetization, earn incredible amounts of money, and start building the most amazing audience.
So to hit that tipping point, which is completely possible for each and every one of you watching right now, here goes a simple four-step plan that you can take away with you and start implementing right away.
Step one, redefine what success means for you. So firstly, look, stop obsessing over views, likes, and subscribers. I know it's tempting to check your analytics every hour, but those metrics don't reflect your true potential, especially early on. Instead, all small channels need to shift their focus to skill building and content improvement. Like I said, every video is a chance to improve by at least 1%. Maybe it's your pacing, maybe it's your delivery, maybe it's your thumbnail. Like, those tiny wins compound fast. So, write this down now. Like, seriously, grab a piece of paper and ask yourself this question. What does true YouTube success look like for me? Is it financial freedom? Is it a full-time content career? Is it a platform to teach or inspire people? Like, once you've defined that, once you've figured it out, every single video you make from now on becomes a step towards your own definition of success, not just numbers on a screen.
Step two, connect with other small channels. Like, you don't have to do this alone. Find and engage with other small creators in your niche. Comment on their videos, message them, share what you're learning, ask questions, offer support. Like, this isn't just about being nice. It's about building a community of people on the same journey. And building these connections can lead to collabs that grow both audiences, accountability that keeps you consistent, shared lessons that save you time and frustration, and most importantly, they'll remind you that you're not the only one grinding in silence, like you're all in it together.
Step three, find your unique angle. Like, why should someone watch you instead of watching another channel do the same thing? That's a question you need to answer. Like, what's your edge? Maybe it's your storytelling, your humor, your backgrounds, your format, your editing style, or maybe it's just your unique perspective on a particular topic. Like, there's so much content out there, but your goal should be to stand out without trying to be someone else. Ask yourself these questions and note down the answers as well. What do you do differently? What value can you provide that most creators can't? And what's something that only you can provide to this niche?
And finally, step four, commit to a consistent posting strategy. So, here's your challenge. I want you to post 100 videos within the next 12 months. That's roughly two videos a week. Not impossible, but definitely not easy. I'm not saying it's easy, guys. It's going to be hard. But if you do hit that, you'll be miles ahead of 99% of other creators. You'll be more skilled. You'll be more searchable. And you'll be more understood by the algorithm. You'll have built a really strong foundation and a content library working away for you in the background.
And look, you don't need to go at it alone either. If you want structure, mentorship, and real support, come and join me as a student in the YouTube Wealth Academy. I'll be by your side every step of the way. Like, every video you post, every milestone you hit, I'll help you grow faster and smarter. Like, this is the long game. And if you commit now, like really commit, in 12 months time from now, you won't even recognize your own channel. So come and join me in my academy or just watch this next video that pops up here. See you in the next one.