How to Be Successful on YouTube: 40 Truths About Growing a Channel From Creator Booth
After posting 300 videos and generating millions of views, Creator Booth learned that growing a YouTube channel is far more challenging than most people imagine. To help make your YouTube journey 10 times easier, here are 40 brutal truths they discovered and wish they’d known sooner.
1. Connect with Like-Minded Creators
When you start a YouTube channel, you’ll quickly realize something: most of your friends and family won’t understand your journey. They’ll think it’s as simple as pointing a camera and pressing record. That’s why connecting with other creators is crucial.
Action steps:
- Start a group chat with other YouTubers
- Share learning experiences
- Support each other’s growth
- Use this network for motivation
2. Think in Five-Year Timescales
Most creators quit because they focus too much on short-term results. Here’s the truth about YouTube growth:
- Early years feel like zero progress
- You’re building foundations
- Results often explode after consistent long-term effort
Thinking in months will kill your dream, but thinking in years will build your success.
3. Treasure Every View
Never underestimate the power of a single view. I’ve witnessed:
- Creators with 400 views landing major corporate clients
- Hollywood directors commenting on small channels
- Career-changing opportunities from minimal viewership
You only need one view to change your life, and this happens more often than channels going viral.
4. Embrace Pain as Growth
YouTube success requires doing something counterintuitive: continuing despite repeated failure. When you feel like giving up, remember:
- Pain indicates growth
- Discomfort means progress
- Pushing through gives you an advantage
99% of people quit when it gets tough – your persistence becomes your competitive edge.
5. Don’t Engage with Haters
Dealing with negative comments can be emotionally draining. Here’s what I learned:
- Crafting responses wastes valuable time
- Defending yourself doesn’t change their opinion
- Every minute spent on haters is a minute lost on growth
6. Control Your Ego
Reading “Ego is the Enemy” transformed my approach to YouTube. It helped me:
- Stop obsessing over trolls
- Reduce competitor comparisons
- Become more open to feedback
- Enjoy the creative process more
7. Avoid Comparison Traps
Success on YouTube isn’t always what it seems. Remember:
- High view counts don’t guarantee high income
- Some big channels struggle with business basics
- Views aren’t the only measure of success
- Focus on your unique journey
8. Find External Motivation
When motivation runs low:
- Watch creator success stories outside your niche
- Listen to podcasts about growth journeys
- Draw inspiration from non-competitive sources
9. Understand Audience Preferences
If others are growing faster with “lower quality” content, they might understand something you don’t:
- Technical quality doesn’t equal audience appeal
- Success comes from meeting viewer needs
- Learn from faster-growing channels
- Accept audience feedback through metrics
10. View Copying as Recognition
When bigger channels copy your ideas:
- Take it as a sign of success
- Remember originators lead, copycats follow
- Focus on innovation rather than frustration
- Use it as motivation to keep creating
11. Don’t Fear Breaks
Taking breaks won’t destroy your channel:
- Audiences remain loyal during short absences
- Channels can grow during breaks
- Regular rest prevents burnout
- Fresh perspectives improve content
12. Focus on One Platform
Success requires concentrated effort:
- Choose YouTube as your primary platform
- Avoid spreading yourself too thin
- Resist the urge to be everywhere
- Master one platform before expanding
13. Batch Film Content
Efficiency matters in content creation:
- Film multiple videos in one session
- Save setup and breakdown time
- Maintain consistent quality
- Reduce overall production time
14. Block Dedicated Time
Success requires deliberate scheduling:
- Set aside daily YouTube work time
- Eliminate distractions during work periods
- Prioritize content creation
- Make consistent progress
15. Present with Confidence
Viewer perception matters more than you think:
- Confidence affects credibility
- First impressions are crucial
- Constantly improve presentation skills
- Practice regularly
16. Assume Viewers Are Strangers
Remember your audience demographics:
- 99.999% are first-time viewers
- Build trust from scratch
- Establish credibility early
- Don’t assume familiarity
17. Create for Viewers, Not Yourself
Success comes from serving audience needs:
- Focus on viewer preferences
- Test content ideas
- Listen to feedback
- Adapt based on results
18. Innovate to Stand Out
While copying successful formats works:
- Experiment with new approaches
- Develop unique angles
- Become a trendsetter
- Build your own style
19. Research Beyond Your Niche
Cross-pollinate ideas from different sectors:
- Study adjacent niches
- Identify universal patterns
- Adapt successful formats
- Avoid niche tunnel vision
20. Prioritize Planning and Packaging
Allocate time effectively:
- Spend more time on planning than filming
- Focus on titles and thumbnails
- Perfect your presentation
- Think strategically
21-23. Master the Basics
Key fundamentals include:
- Find simple solutions to problems
- Invest heavily in thumbnail and title creation
- Learn from underperforming content
- Iterate based on results
24. Focus on Views Over Subscribers
Understanding metrics priority:
- Subscriber counts can be misleading
- Active viewers matter more
- Track engagement rates
- Monitor view trends
25. Balance Trending and Evergreen Content
Create a mixed content strategy:
- React to trends for quick views
- Build evergreen content for long-term growth
- Maintain content variety
- Plan content calendar accordingly
26. Trust in Consistency
Quality consistency pays off:
- Keep producing despite initial low views
- Build a content library
- Trust the process
- Prepare for breakthrough moments
27. Repeat Successful Formats
Leverage what works:
- Identify successful patterns
- Iterate on proven formats
- Maintain familiar elements
- Add fresh angles
28-30. Perfect Your Titles and Thumbnails
Key principles for better packaging:
- Use bold, exciting claims
- Keep titles under 50 characters
- Create clear visual hierarchy
- Remove clutter
31. Use Faces Strategically
Understand the power of faces:
- Famous faces can boost views
- Balance personal branding
- Avoid pure clickbait
- Build authentic connection
32-34. Optimize Creation Process
Streamline your workflow:
- Create titles first
- Design multiple thumbnails
- Avoid repetitive styles
- Test different approaches
35-36. Master Hooks
Capture and maintain attention:
- Perfect your opening hooks
- Use visual elements creatively
- Keep viewers engaged
- Create curiosity
37-38. Set Clear Deadlines
Maintain production schedule:
- Set hard deadlines
- Break tasks into manageable chunks
- Schedule regular writing time
- Review content after breaks
39-40. Simplify and Visualize
Make content accessible:
- Break down complex ideas
- Use metaphors and props
- Focus on clarity
- Make viewers feel smart
Conclusion on How to Be Successful on YouTube
Growing a YouTube channel requires patience, strategy, and persistence. By implementing these lessons, you can avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your growth journey. Success on YouTube isn’t just about creating content—it’s about creating value for your viewers while building a sustainable creator business.
