Let’s be honest.
Most creators quit before they even give themselves a shot.
They upload a few videos, get discouraged by the views, start comparing themselves to others, and quietly disappear.
Sound familiar?
If you’re feeling that frustration, if you’ve ever wondered “Why is my channel not growing?” this post is for you.
Let’s talk about the invisible phase of YouTube growth. The one no one talks about. The one every successful creator has gone through.
And more importantly how you can survive it.
Everyone Wants the Fruit, but No One Talks About the Roots
Growing on YouTube is like planting a tree.
You water it. You give it sunlight. You care for it daily.
But for months, sometimes years, looks like nothing’s happening.
No fruit. No growth. Just… a fragile little sapling.
But underground? The roots are spreading. The foundation is forming. It’s getting stronger.
That’s exactly what your first 10, 20, or 30 YouTube videos are doing.
They’re the roots.
They’re not failures. They’re the groundwork.
The Algorithm Doesn’t Hate You – It’s Just Slow
Let’s kill a myth right now: The algorithm doesn’t punish small creators.
It doesn’t care if you have 5 subscribers or 5 million.
It only cares about one thing: matching the right video to the right viewer.
Here’s how it works:
- You publish a video.
- YouTube shows it to a small test group.
- If they watch, engage, or binge more of your content – it shows it to more people.
- If not, it stops.
Simple. Brutal. Fair.
But here’s the twist this process isn’t instant.
Some videos take 100 days to find their audience.
Others explode 6 months later and get your channel monetized overnight.
This isn’t rare. It’s the norm.
You just need to stay in the game long enough to let it happen.
Consistency Isn’t What You Think It Is
Everyone says “be consistent” – but most people get that wrong.
Consistency isn’t about uploading every Wednesday at 5PM like it’s a corporate report.
It’s about sticking with it long enough to get better, grow your library, and give YouTube enough data to understand who your videos are for.
Most creators quit before video #20.
But here’s the truth:
- Video #10 isn’t always the breakout.
- Video #30 might be.
- Video #50 could be the one that changes everything.
Not because it’s so much better but because of all the groundwork those earlier videos laid.
How to Survive the Slow Growth Phase
This part is key. Because yes, it does suck to pour your heart into videos and not get the results you hoped for.
So here are 4 survival tactics that actually work:
1. Redefine Success
In the early days, views and subs are the wrong metrics.
Instead, track:
- How your editing is improving
- Whether your watch time is increasing
- If people are commenting and connecting
- How consistent you’re showing up
That’s real growth.
2. Find Your Creator Community
You don’t have to do this alone.
- Comment on other small creators’ videos
- Join Discord servers or Reddit threads
- Build relationships in your niche
Support breeds momentum. Collaboration sparks creativity.
3. Create With Intention
Trends are fun, but they won’t build your channel.
Instead, ask yourself:
- What unique value am I bringing?
- What do I know or see that others don’t?
Your perspective is your power. Own it.
4. Fall in Love With the Process
The creators who win?
They’re not the most talented or well-connected.
They’re the ones who didn’t quit.
They made videos even when no one was watching.
They got better with each upload.
They trusted that the growth they couldn’t see was still happening.
Final Word: Your Audience Is Out There
Someone out there needs your content.
They’re looking for it right now they just haven’t found you yet.
Your job?
Keep showing up until they do.
Because if you quit now, you’ll never know what your channel could have become.
The roots you’re growing today are the reason the tree will bloom tomorrow.
So here’s your reminder:
📹 That video with 127 views? It mattered.
💬 That comment from a stranger? It mattered.
🌱 That effort you’re putting in? It all matters.
Keep creating. Your future audience is counting on you.
Want more tactical YouTube advice like this?
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