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How to Get Subscribers on Youtube: 3 Critical Mistakes That Kill Your YouTube Success (And How to Fix Them)

Are you just one upload away from changing everything on YouTube?
While that might be true, getting that breakthrough video becomes impossible when you’re making critical mistakes that crush your video’s chances of getting noticed.

We’ll dive deep into the three most important pitfalls to avoid and provide you with actionable strategies to transform your YouTube success rate.

Mistake #1: Dull Topics – The Power of Framing

The way you present your content matters more than you might think.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to give away money, create outrageous stunts, or embarrass yourself to capture attention. Sometimes, it’s all about how you frame your content to make it irresistible to viewers.

The Veritasium Case Study: A Lesson in Reframing

Let’s analyze a remarkable transformation that demonstrates the power of framing:

Original Version:

  • Title: “The Strange Applications of the Magnus Effect”
  • Technical, academic-sounding approach
  • Limited appeal to general audience
  • Result: Video initially flopped

Transformed Version:

  • Title: “Backspin Basketball Flies Off Dam”
  • Compelling, action-oriented approach
  • Clear visual promise
  • Result: Over 50 million views

What’s crazy is the video itself didn’t change. The only thing that changed was the way that he positioned it.

The financial impact was substantial: an estimated $280,000 in earnings from essentially the same content, just packaged differently.

The Psychology of the Framing Effect

This transformation isn’t just luck – it’s backed by psychological research.

In the 1970s, two Israeli psychologists discovered the framing effect, which reveals how human decision-making changes based on presentation.
Here’s how it applies to YouTube:

  1. Emotional Response:
    • Technical title: Triggers analytical thinking
    • Action-based title: Triggers curiosity and excitement
  2. Accessibility:
    • Complex framing: Limits audience understanding
    • Simple framing: Opens content to broader audience
  3. Click Appeal:
    • Academic approach: Appeals to niche audience
    • Entertainment approach: Appeals to mass audience

Mr. Beast’s Million-View Formula

Mr. Beast, one of YouTube’s most successful creators, explains the psychology behind viral titles:

“You need something that makes people go, ‘What the [beep]?’ you know, and, like, click. You know what I mean?”

His approach breaks down into three key elements:

  1. Strong Opinions:
    • Weak: “I like bananas”
    • Strong: “Bananas are the best food on the planet”
  2. Bold Claims:
    • Basic: “How to get views on YouTube”
    • Better: “How to get 100 million views on YouTube”
  3. Pattern Interruption:
    • Create titles that make viewers stop scrolling
    • Challenge viewer expectations
    • Promise unexpected outcomes

Real-World Success Story

Consider this practical example of successful reframing:

Original Concept:

  • Basic title: “How to Set up a YouTube Channel Page”
  • Expected views: Moderate
  • Appeal: Limited to new creators

Reframed Version:

  • Title: “Do THIS to get 1,000 Subscribers FASTER no uploading”
  • Actual views: Over 1.2 million
  • Appeal: Anyone wanting subscriber growth

Mistake #2: Poor Packaging – The Gift Wrap Theory

Imagine receiving two gifts: one beautifully wrapped with a bow and pristine creases, the other in a trash bag.

Even if the trash bag contains something valuable like an iPhone or Tesla keys, your excitement level would be affected by the presentation.
Your YouTube content follows the same principle.

Understanding Video Performance Issues

When analyzing underperforming videos, it’s crucial to identify whether you’re dealing with a video problem or a packaging problem:

Video Problems (Content Issues):

  • Retention rate drops significantly after first minute
  • Comments express disappointment or criticism
  • High dislike ratio (more than 10% dislikes)
  • Viewers leaving early in the video
  • Low average view duration
  • YouTube algorithm reduces impressions

Packaging Problems (Presentation Issues):

  • Strong retention once people watch
  • Positive engagement in comments
  • Good like-to-dislike ratio
  • Low click-through rate (CTR) under 4%
  • Limited impression growth
  • High watch time for those who click

The CLEAN Thumbnail Formula: Detailed Breakdown

Create thumbnails that convert using this comprehensive approach:

  1. Colorful:
    • Use contrasting colors (red/blue, yellow/purple)
    • Implement color psychology (red for excitement, blue for trust)
    • Ensure background colors don’t blend with YouTube’s interface
    • Use color blocking for visual hierarchy
  2. Legible:
    • Font size: Readable on mobile devices
    • Maximum 5 words per thumbnail
    • Font choices: Sans-serif for clarity
    • Text spacing: Room to breathe
    • Contrast: Text stands out from background
  3. Emotion:
    • Facial expressions: Clear and exaggerated
    • Body language: Open and engaging
    • Story-telling elements: Before/after, problem/solution
    • Visual metaphors: Represent complex ideas simply
    • Color psychology: Match mood to content
  4. Airy:
    • Rule of thirds: Balance composition
    • Negative space: Let elements breathe
    • Focal point: Clear visual hierarchy
    • Simple backgrounds: Avoid busy patterns
    • Limited elements: 3-4 maximum
  5. No Title Test:
    • Visual story: Clear without reading
    • Instant understanding: 2-second rule
    • Universal appeal: Cross-cultural comprehension
    • Stand-alone value: Works without title support
    • Mobile-first: Clear on small screens

Mistake #3: Not Watering Your Videos – The Growth Strategy

Your video’s journey begins, not ends, at upload.
Think of your content like a garden that needs constant attention and optimization for maximum growth.

Comprehensive Post-Upload Optimization Strategy

  1. Analytics Deep Dive:
    • Monitor first 24-hour performance
    • Track CTR trends over time
    • Analyze audience retention graphs
    • Review traffic sources
    • Check audience demographics
  2. Element Testing Matrix:

Title Optimization:

  • Test different emotional triggers
  • Try various power words
  • Experiment with length
  • Add numbers/statistics
  • Include time elements (Year, Now, Today)

Thumbnail Variations:

  • Test different facial expressions
  • Vary text placement
  • Adjust color schemes
  • Try different compositions
  • Test with/without text

Description Optimization:

  • Test different opening hooks
  • Vary keyword placement
  • Adjust length and format
  • Try different calls-to-action
  • Experiment with timestamps

A/B Testing Methodology

Manual Testing Protocol:

  1. Document initial performance metrics
  2. Change one element at a time
  3. Wait 24 hours minimum
  4. Record all relevant metrics:
    • Views
    • Watch time
    • CTR
    • Engagement rates
    • Subscriber conversion
  5. Compare results
  6. Implement winning variation

Automated Testing Benefits:

  • Simultaneous element testing
  • Real-time performance tracking
  • Statistical significance calculations
  • Audience segment analysis
  • Historical trend comparison

Success Case Study

When we tested a simple title change on one of our videos, we were able to increase views by 30%, just by the title alone.

This demonstrates the power of continuous optimization:

  • Original views: Base metric
  • After optimization: 30% increase
  • No content changes required
  • Pure presentation improvement
  • Compound effect over time

Message of Hope for Small YouTubers

Remember this powerful truth about success on YouTube:

“Your life can actually change overnight. It just takes years to get to that night.”

This journey requires:

  • Consistent application of best practices
  • Patient optimization of content
  • Regular testing and improvement
  • Learning from each upload
  • Building on small wins

Key Takeaways and Action Steps on How to Get Subscribers on Youtube

  1. Content Framing:
    • Review all video titles for emotional impact
    • Test different framing approaches
    • Study successful competitors’ positioning
    • Keep track of what works
  2. Professional Packaging:
    • Implement the CLEAN thumbnail system
    • Create templates for consistency
    • Build a thumbnail testing protocol
    • Monitor CTR performance
  3. Continuous Optimization:
    • Set up regular testing schedule
    • Document all changes and results
    • Build an optimization checklist
    • Create standard operating procedures
  4. Success Mindset:
    • Focus on consistent improvement
    • Track progress metrics
    • Celebrate small wins
    • Stay patient with the process

Every successful YouTuber started exactly where you are now. The difference between success and failure often comes down to understanding these fundamental principles and applying them consistently. Your breakthrough video might already be on your channel – it might just need the right packaging and positioning to reach its full potential.

(Source: TubeBuddy video on Youtube mistakes holding you back)

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