I Uploaded 379 Videos and This is What I Learned (Grow on YouTube)

Growing a YouTube Channel is brutal.

This is not going to be one of those blog posts where someone lectures you about thumbnails and click thru rates and all the same recycled tips you’ve already heard a thousand times. 

I’m not here to tell you to “just post consistently.” 

You already know that.

Today I’m breaking down the things creators don’t talk about. 

The unconventional things you only learn when you’ve uploaded over 370 videos, had some major flops as well as some major wins. 

I’ve had videos get over 300k views, while others have barely reached the 200 mark. I’ve lived through both sides of it.

Here, I share with you the lessons I learned that will help you grow on YouTube fast.

Your First Videos Won’t Be Your Best Work

One thing that surprises most new creators is how bad their first few videos feel. And that’s normal. 

Everyone starts rough. 

Your lighting won’t be perfect, your delivery might feel awkward, and your editing might be choppy. 

But none of that means you’re not cut out for YouTube.

Your early videos are supposed to be practice. 

Every upload teaches you something small that makes the next one better. 

The people who grow are the ones who push through that phase instead of judging themselves for not being perfect from day one. 

You get good by doing, not by waiting until you feel ready.

Best YouTube Growth Tips for Beginners

Here’s how to grow on YouTube using what I learned after uploading 379 videos.

1. Learn the Game Before You Play It

There are a lot of variables at play on YouTube. 

Your thumbnail has to catch someone’s eye. Your title has to spark curiosity. Your content has to keep people watching. 

And now with AI videos showing up everywhere, the competition is faster and louder than ever. 

It’s a lot, and it’s not easy. 

If you don’t take YouTube seriously, you can spend years posting without seeing real growth or income.

The best way to set yourself up for success is to study other creators. 

Not just in your niche, but any creator who grabs your attention. 

What made you click? Was it the thumbnail? The title? A certain emotion or image that pulled you in? How did they start the video? 

How did they keep you watching longer than you intended?

Do that enough times and patterns will start to jump out. 

Take notes, learn what works, and use that proven framework as the foundation for your own channel.

2. Be the Creator Only You Can Be

You don’t need to be like everyone else.

When I first started on YouTube, I thought I had to act like my favorite creator to be successful.

But it’s actually the complete opposite.

There are tons of creators talking about the exact same topics, yet you still gravitate toward certain ones.

Why?

Because the way they deliver the information just hits differently.

They’re speaking in their authentic voice, and something about that makes you connect with them.

At the end of the day, your niche isn’t just a category like finance or lifestyle. You are the niche.

That’s what makes you impossible to compete with, because no one can show up as you.

So lean into that.

Show up as your authentic self, and that’s what will make you stand out on YouTube.

3. Create From Service, Not Self

This is a big one, and honestly the one that hurts most beginner YouTubers. 

A lot of people make content from a self-serving place instead of a place of service. And that’s exactly when viewers tune out.

For example, hitting 10k subscribers is exciting, and it’s natural to want to film a vlog like, “Follow me as I go out with my friends to celebrate.” 

There’s nothing wrong with that, but unless you’re a big influencer, most people will click off because the video centers on you instead of what they’ll get from watching.

But if you turn that same moment into something like, “10 Things I Learned From Hitting 10k Subscribers in 3 Months,” now your audience is part of the celebration. 

You’re giving them insight, value, and lessons they can use for their own YouTube journey.

Make that switch, and you’ll solve most of your YouTube problems instantly.

4. Long Form Is a Whole Different Game

Having something meaningful to say for eight minutes straight is hard. 

Long-form isn’t the same as short-form where you can fire off quick ideas in 30 or 45 seconds. 

With longer videos, you have to think things through, organize your thoughts, and script parts of it so you stay clear and keep people engaged.

And here’s the part most creators forget: it’s completely okay to make a five minute video. 

Shorter videos with strong, focused value perform way better than dragging something out just to hit a time mark. 

Quality beats minutes every single time.

5. It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It

Another big lesson: it’s not about having fancy edits or a high production setup. 

It’s about how you deliver the information. 

You can say the exact same thing as ten other creators, but the way you explain it, the tone you use, the examples you give.

That’s what makes people stay.

Some of my best performing videos were the simplest ones. 

No special effects. No heavy editing. Just me talking in a clear, honest, easy to follow way. 

People care about connection more than polish. And when you show up that way, your content hits differently.

Conclusion: The Fastest Way to Grow on YouTube

Uploading 379 videos taught me that growing on YouTube has very little to do with chasing hacks and everything to do with learning how to communicate, connect, and care about the person watching.

Pay attention to what pulls you in as a viewer. Show up as the creator only you can be. Create with your audience in mind. Keep your videos tight, clear, and intentional. 

And don’t overthink the early stages. Everyone starts as a beginner.

If you focus on getting a little better every time you hit upload, your channel will grow faster than you think. 

Next, you may be interested in reading about how to become a full-time social media content creator.