5 Common Mistakes YouTubers Make

It is important to know what to do to gain views and subscribers, but it’s also important to know what not to do. Learning what the common mistakes are and working to avoid them will help you in the long run. It could potentially prevent you from losing subscribers and you will learn the ropes of vlogging at a faster pace.

Here are five common mistakes that YouTubers should learn to avoid.

1. Don’t switch subjects in every video.

This is one of the most common mistakes that new YouTubers make, sometimes accidentally. Don’t keep switching to a completely different video type and topic every time you post. Stick to your niche! This will create a sense of consistency on your channel and it will keep your subscribers interested in your content. That’s the whole point of a niche – attracting and keeping the subscribers who are interested in your specific content.

As soon as you identify your niche, it will be easier to stick to it. You won’t stray from it because you’ll look at an idea and either think “Yes, this fits in perfectly,” or “No, this is definitely not what I’m looking for.” If you have trouble finding ideas for your niche, don’t hesitate to Google it or search YouTube for tips.

This video by Amy Landino gives great tips on how to find your niche if you aren’t sure what it is.

2. Don’t write confusing titles.

One of the most common mistakes that may be preventing your videos from getting more views is your title. It’s really important to title your videos correctly. Don’t put your channel name as the first thing in the title. Your viewers can see it just below the video, so it’s not necessary and it will prevent your video from becoming searchable.

Searchable titles are key in successful videos. If you’re making a self-help video, the title should be what the viewer will learn after they watch your video. However, with most videos, you can just state what your video is going to be about. “How to Make Bean Casserole” or “5 Tips When Playing Minecraft” are both perfect examples.

This video by Video Creators gives more great tips on how to write searchable titles for your videos.

3. Do not be inconsistent in posting.

This is a trap that many, many YouTubers can fall into and it’s so vital to try and stay out of it. It’s one thing if you have a true emergency in your life, but it’s quite another if you just slack off. Do not give in to the temptation to put that video off for just one more day. It will come back to haunt you.

The best way to remain consistent is to develop a routine that fits in with your life and your other responsibilities. This can and will take time to develop, and that’s ok! When you’re first starting out, it will be trial and error as you find what works for you. You might make some mistakes. Just learn from them and try to fix them later on. The most important thing is to actually try to find the routine that works for you so you avoid large gaps of time between videos.

This video by Video Influencers gives some more great tips on how to be consistent in posting your videos.

4. Don’t write confusing hooks.

Your hook is the most important factor in your video. It’s what grabs your viewer’s attention and if it’s not clear or strong enough, your viewers will find another video to watch. There are many great ways to hook your viewers, including using a tease about upcoming content in the video, an interesting question, or establishing a human connection.

Teasing about upcoming content in the video might simply be stating what you’re going to talk about in the video. That is a very simple and immensely successful way to let your viewers know that they found what they were searching for. They’ll be more likely to stay and watch your video to completion. Posing an interesting question would be asking a question that your viewers can’t immediately answer, and are therefore curious to find out where you were going with it. Establishing a human connection will work for more serious videos. You can introduce more thoughtful content by relating to something the viewers may have gone through.

Here’s a video by Video Creators that gives more great tips on how to hook and hold your viewers.

5. Don’t have a distracting background.

This is a surprising mistake that many YouTubers aren’t even aware of. Filming with a lot of objects in your background will distract from the main point – you! Keep the clutter behind you to a minimum. Especially keep away bright objects because they are more likely to attract attention. If the room you have chosen isn’t working, move to another room or film in front of a blank wall.

Some YouTubers hang black or white sheets behind them with simple rigs, and that works just as well. You’ll have to adjust your lighting if you choose a darker sheet. Make sure you’re sitting in front of a window or another source of bright light so your face is well-lit. Film in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed so no background noise will filter in. Traffic from outside is sometimes unavoidable, so if you hear it while you’re speaking, stop talking and wait for it to pass. Then, restart what you were saying and edit out the noise afterward.

This video by Video Creators gives some great tips on how to film in front of a black background.

Sometimes making mistakes is unavoidable, but it’s important to learn from them and move on. Switching subjects, confusing titles, inconsistency, a distracting environment, and weak or confusing hooks are five common mistakes that are easily avoided. Do your research. Don’t just ignore problems when they come up. Research common mistakes that YouTubers make and make a note to avoid them. If you do happen to fall into one, search for the solution and fix it.

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Alexis is currently attending school to become an elementary school teacher. When she’s not wrestling with her cat, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching YouTube.