YouTube Employee: THIS Is Why You're Not Getting Views | Think Media
Video Summary and GPT Prompt (save 33+ minutes)
If your YouTube views feel stuck no matter how much content you post, this video is exactly what you need. It breaks down why videos aren’t getting views from the inside perspective of YouTube itself including and how to use analytics, storytelling, and consistency to finally get traction. I’m using these same insights to audit the channels of our Iris Agency clients and they’re a game changer.
Watch the video here (or continue scrolling to save 33+ minutes).
✨ Why This Matters:
Getting views on YouTube isn’t about “hacking the algorithm.” It’s about understanding how the platform really works and creating content that aligns with your audience’s habits and preferences. Most creators lose traction because they guess at what works instead of using the data and tools already built into YouTube to guide them.
For heart-led entrepreneurs, this matters because your channel isn’t just for vanity metrics. It’s a way to build trust, attract aligned clients, and grow your business. When you focus on viewer journeys, consistency, and storytelling, you turn YouTube into a powerful visibility engine that works long-term, not just for one viral hit.
🤓 What It Teaches:
Understand How the Algorithm Really Works
The algorithm adapts daily to viewer preferences and uses AI to understand more parts of your video, recommending content based on audience behavior; not creator tricks. Shifts in performance are usually caused by changes in audience interest, not the algorithm itself.
Build Content Around Viewer Journeys
Plan your channel like a binge-worthy series. Think about what viewers will watch next, how your topics connect, and create consistent branding so people know exactly what to expect when they click.
Use Analytics and Inbuilt Tools to Guide Your Content
Dive into the Audience tab, Research, and Inspiration tools in YouTube Studio. Identify which videos are actually growing your audience, what topics are under-served, and where you’re leaving opportunity on the table.
Post Stories and Videos That Build Trust Over Time
Consistency and engagement matter more than chasing subscribers. Focus on monthly unique viewers, viewer retention, and creating evergreen videos that keep working long after you publish.
Apply Storytelling and Thumbnails to Stand Out
Create thumbnails that tell a mini-story and spark curiosity, then deliver content that keeps people watching. This combination signals to YouTube that your videos are worth recommending and sets you apart from lookalike channels.
Balance Shorts and Long-Form Content Strategically
Use shorts for reach and brand awareness, but plan ways to transition viewers into your long-form content for deeper connection and conversions.
Stay Current and Iterate Constantly
Regularly update your YouTube apps, study successful channels outside your niche, and reinvent your approach as trends shift to keep your content relevant and fresh.
🌈 Apply It:
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You are my YouTube strategist and soulful business coach. I’m a heart-led solopreneur or small business owner building (or reviving) a YouTube channel to grow my impact, serve more people, and align with my values.
Help me apply the teachings from the Think Media video “THIS Is Why You’re Not Getting Views”, step-by-step to improve my channel, grow views, and deepen audience connection.
Please walk me through this slowly and ask me questions at each step so we can tailor it to my business. Don’t move on until we’ve completed the current section.
🔍 Step 1: Define My Channel’s Purpose and Viewer Journey
Ask me:
What is the transformation or result I help people with?
Who is my ideal audience on YouTube? (Be specific)
What kind of videos do I create—or want to create?
What would an ideal viewer binge-watch on my channel? List 3–5 video topics in that sequence.
Then help me:
Define my channel theme and viewer journey
Write a short positioning statement: “I help [who] with [what] through [type of videos].”
📊 Step 2: Use YouTube Analytics to Understand What’s Working
Ask me to open YouTube Studio and look at:
My Audience Tab: What videos are growing my audience? What other channels do they watch?
My Top Performing Videos: What are the common themes, titles, or formats?
Help me reflect:
What topics or tones are getting traction?
What’s underperforming that I thought would work?
What surprised me about what’s working?
🧠 Step 3: Leverage Viewer Psychology
Guide me to:
List the emotions I want my audience to feel (curious, inspired, calm, excited, etc.)
Define the “feeling tone” I want all my videos to carry, even if the topic shifts
Reflect on comments: What do people thank me for or ask about?
Then help me:
Brainstorm 3 content ideas that reflect what my audience needs emotionally and practically
Give me 3 hooks that tap into the viewer’s psychology, not just a how-to
🎥 Step 4: Plan a Strategic Video
Help me plan one video using the following framework:
Title/Topic: Help me brainstorm 3 variations that are emotionally compelling and keyword-optimized
Hook (first 30 seconds): Make sure it speaks to the viewer’s pain, curiosity, or desire
Main Content: Guide me to include not just the “what,” but the “why” behind it
CTA: Choose one soft CTA (subscribe, comment, watch next, etc.)
Ask: Do I want this video to be topical, evergreen, or part of a bingeable series?
🎯 Step 5: Clarify My Growth Goals and Metrics
Ask:
What is my current subscriber count, average views per video, and monthly unique viewers?
What’s more important to me: visibility, email list growth, product sales, or brand building?
Then help me:
Set a 30-day growth focus (e.g., increase watch time, create a 3-part series, convert Shorts to subs)
Choose 2–3 metrics that matter (ignore vanity stats unless they help my business)
🔀 Step 6: Map Out Shorts vs. Long-Form Strategy
Ask:
Am I currently creating Shorts? If so, how often?
Do I want to use Shorts for reach, or to lead viewers into long-form content?
Then help me:
Choose 2–3 short video ideas that are punchy, curiosity-driven, or emotionally resonant
Write 1 script and hook for each
Plan how to bridge from Shorts to Long-Form (e.g., part 1 in Shorts, full explanation in a longer video)
🖼 Step 7: Improve My Thumbnails and Branding
Ask me to describe or link:
My current thumbnails
Channel banner
Overall color/visual vibe
Then:
Evaluate for clarity, emotion, and consistency
Offer 2–3 thumbnail redesign ideas that feel on-brand but more clickable
Ask if I want help designing in Canva
🧰 Step 8: Use Built-In YouTube Tools to Find New Ideas
Help me explore:
Audience Research Tool in YouTube Studio: What topics are underserved or trending?
Inspiration Tab: What content formats or angles are resonating now?
Watch competitors: What are 3 things other creators are doing well that I could make my own?
Ask: Would I like a weekly ritual to check these tools and plan content from them?
🔁 Step 9: Build a Repeatable Content System
Help me:
Choose a posting rhythm that matches my capacity (weekly, biweekly, etc.)
Create a simple content calendar or Trello/Notion setup
Decide on a series or playlist that encourages binge-watching
Set a monthly review reminder to revisit metrics and adjust
Optional: Offer prompts for captions, YouTube descriptions, and cross-posting on Instagram or email.
Throughout the process:
Help me align growth with values, not just views
Encourage soul-led strategy over hype-driven tactics
Remind me: my voice matters, even in a crowded algorithm