Why These YouTube Channels Don't Grow - Small Channels Advice

[@KevinChee]

Sign up to my newsletter if you want your channel reviewed. 2nd round submission opening soon - rebrand.ly/kcnewsletter

[@yousufleads]

I will 🎉 hope to be reviewed

[@frianfrias]

Kevin I can't tell you how grateful I am that you reviewed my channel! I was so excited when I saw my blurred profile picture in your thumbnail haha. You're 100% right about everything you said, finding a proper niche and uploading consistently have definitely been two of my greatest weaknesses. Unfortunately that has resulted in a current state of upload paralysis where I was so concerned about making such elaborate videos that I ended up taking a break from it all, hence the lack of uploads this last year. I'm going to try to implement your feedback moving forward. Thanks so much for always reading the comments and engaging with your audience, I really appreciate it and I know everyone else does too.

[@KevinChee]

Fantastic. The effects of producing big videos like your recent ones can truly affect you if it underperforms. If you’re finding your groove, just test a few simple videos you enjoy doing and see how it goes. Don’t worry about views and subs, put your best interest first. Big production video is not for everyone, you gotta have passion. Life of Riza is a good example, you can tell she loves it but she also keep it simple with everything done within her capacity.

[@itspaperboy]

That’s so cool man

[@themarekch]

❤

[@northernstarseedtarot]

I'll be honest, I'm well into getting out having adventures, discovery and in nature but I would have no idea what geo-whatever is so I'd never stop to watch anything called that. Now, if I saw "adventure" or "exploring",I'd definitely watch. This really makes sense.

[@KevinChee]

the word adventure just puts a lot more discovery to it, like traveling into the unknown. It tells a story by itself.

[@SergioB-MakingMillionaires]

I am patiently waiting for my review. Thanks for the time you spend creating this awesome videos. 🔥

[@KevinChee]

Thanks. Have you submitted your channel?

[@SergioB-MakingMillionaires]

@@KevinChee no, what is the process?

[@KevinChee]

@@SergioB-MakingMillionaires I've only opened up the first round submission and have yet to open 2nd round. You probably missed the first boat! 2nd one hasn't started yet

[@GeologyDude]

Regarding your question. Restricted mode is meant to block potentially mature content. I suppose families and content-sensitive people activate Restricted mode--sometimes being unaware of what it will cause. Click your small-size channel thumbnail/avatar on the upper right corner of the YT page (the lower of the two shown). A menu appears and about half way down--includes the option for Restricted mode. By default, Restricted mode blocks A) all videos deemed as potentially controversial/mature audiences (on all channels), but of course general audience videos are shown. However, Restricted mode also blocks B) comments on all published videos on all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels), and C) all posts on the Community post area to all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels), and D) disables links to the comment area from the Notification Bell posts (upper right corner of YT screen). I learned this from a recent channel review from a competing channel. A well-established channel had basically no views for essentially all of its videos. It was because all the videos on that channel were blocked when in Restricted mode. The channel essentially did not exist in Restricted mode, and of course this affected traffic to watch the posted videos. Also, there was comment by another person during that other channel review show, and that all of their videos were blocked in restricted mode too--and they did not know that. Note that I had to post the comment separately, b/c when playing with the restricted mode I somehow turned off the ability to reply to your question directly in that comment area.

[@KevinChee]

Never knew about restricted mode, glad I do now!

[@syna388]

Hi Kevin, Just letting you know I recommended your channel to some people in a LIVE stream chat I was in.. As always you give good advice and you always have good video content.. Keep it up my friend. 👍👍👍👍😺😺😺😺❤❤❤

[@KevinChee]

Wow, thank you

[@nopeoplenoproblems]

Thank you so much for reviewing my channel, means a world to me. I agree with everything what you said and will start working to improve my channel and make it easier to understand it. All my stories are original and many of them are true stories with little bit added excitement, story about Save me Daddy is 100% true story. I bought better microphone which will improve audio quality and I am still learning how to tell stories little better and make them more excited for listeners. Once again thank you for everything and you are appreciated. Another great video from you.

[@KevinChee]

I thought your audio is alright. It’s more so about what your channel represent. It isn’t clear when viewing the videos together. On top of that, if your video appears on someone else’s feed, it is quite easily passable given the thumbnail and title. Perhaps tone done the thumbnail and keep it a little simple. It is giving me a gaming vibe. You’ll need to find that art style that correctly fits your channel.

[@nopeoplenoproblems]

@@KevinChee feedback is appreciated and will work on it and I agree with you, after you pointed it out I can see what you are talking bout.... and for you, keep up with great work.

[@themarekch]

❤

[@dionsheds]

Great video and advice! I wish these channel reviews were a bit longer in length. I could totally binge watch these 👍

[@KevinChee]

It’s hard to edit videos like this. It also requires follow ups after the first review.

[@dionsheds]

@@KevinChee I understand Kevin, editing as a content creator can be very tenacious. Love the channel and wishing you all the best man, regardless of whatever you put out, I'm here 👍

[@themarekch]

❤

[@friendlyfilmz]

I love these channel reviews. Super helpful to think through aaaaall the details that make a video sink or swim. I know a lot of this is opinion based, but a collection of opinion does indeed guide the algorithm and helping us find our audiences, which is the point, right? Thank you for doing this!

[@KevinChee]

we all learn from one another, that's the best way to keep ourselves up to date in the ever changing space of KZbin

[@dennofhorror]

So grateful you're sharing this amazing journey. Thank you

[@KevinChee]

thanks for watching

[@tube-master]

Great advice! Thanks 🎉

[@KevinChee]

You are so welcome!

[@tube-master]

@@KevinChee 💪

[@NoMan-pp1jq]

Geocaching is mostly for us viewers to watch. I like geocaching but like it through a screen lol

[@KevinChee]

What excites you? Perhaps you can share with our geocaching friend. Give him some feedback. Or better yet, leave him your feedback on his channel

[@LetsPlayMaster]

really great video man, good points you are making. That horror story telling channel made me scared lol. Also during this video I noticed you are married, never knew that.

[@KevinChee]

I’m an old man

[@JackAlderton]

Awesome insights Kevin! Would love a review from you haha

[@KevinChee]

Thanks. Going through them as much as I can. Have you submitted your channel?

[@JonesingFinance]

I love these channel review videos!

[@KevinChee]

Thanks. Glad you find them useful

[@showtale8325]

Storytelling is an art ...I love it. Currently I am narrating a fellow creators wonderful story. It's well written. I've done voiceovers many times. But this story took many many takes...due to slight nuances not being right according to the creator. I've done these things for years but when I came across a really good well written story I understand what you mean. So definitely storytelling on you tube does require training and persistence

[@KevinChee]

Absolutely. It is not merely reading a bunch of words. A good storyteller captures your attention subtly.

[@wecancanto]

You’re mastering the skills of reviewing channels. Congrats Kevin. I like how you demonstrated your points with examples. Also, I’ve learned how you use your thumbnail to draw curiosity itself. You’re attracting more views already! Great work and keep up your work! 🎉

[@KevinChee]

Thank you. I actually did less editing with this one but glad it worked out. I wanna focus more on providing feedback and less on fancy editing a so that I can get these reviews done quicker.

[@WalkTalkVent]

I like when you do these. Very thoughtful.

[@KevinChee]

Thank you. Tiring but glad it is useful

[@wmpx34]

Thank you for your insights

[@KevinChee]

You’re welcome

[@veggiesandherbswithruebenm2065]

Great video! The advice is helpful!

[@KevinChee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Raydawg]

Dang, I'm number 1 here. Thank you Sir, I will work on the thumbnails, Till just recently I was doing shorts daily and before twice daily. now Shorts I do tuesday and thursday. I do have decent views with shorts if I keep them very short. KZbin is the best traction site, over on tiktok I'm in 200 to 300 jail. So I do push youtube mostly. Ok so add more of the Journey to Geocache to long form, I will do that, Long form I'm still trying to learn hat lenght works best. The niche, yes I knew it is a smaller one and I have been emailing back and for with one of the big dogs on the geocache niche(Josh the geocaching vlogger) and he has mentioned yes it will take plenty of time took him many years so I get that and I can be patient. Vlogging style? How could I add more vlog to them? Sorry I'm slow learner. thank you for reviewing my channel. I have such a big smile on me face, I wonder if your the reason my short this morning is almost to 4K views 😆 oh I'm using a gopro 10 and just the mic that it came with, I do need a mic setup though

[@KevinChee]

You’re already doing the vlog style format (walking around and talking). Keep it vertical format at the moment as shorts if it works. For long form, maybe spend some time on the edits. Try not to go on in a video for too long without any cuts, people tune out easily. If you can, make your long form between 8-10 mins as an experiment. I am not a geocache viewer so my opinion may not help as much as the big dogs but sounds like it does require a huge amount of patience. The other thing I would do is have a look at the big channels and do something a little different from theirs. You can learn a lot from them, especially the ones with huge amount of views.

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

great tips to add strokes to text! I have never done this before. I will try it myself in the future

[@KevinChee]

I just find it easier to read. Might be my aging eyes

[@walkinglow]

Good stuff!

[@KevinChee]

Thank you

[@PaulRansonArt]

Great tutorial Kevin. There' a take away for everyone to help us improve our channels. - Paul 😃😎

[@KevinChee]

Very true!

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

I agree with your review of no people no problems, you cant tell what the video is about from the thumbnails

[@KevinChee]

I got spooked several times too

[@leadwithjim]

Great Video~!!! Thank you for your insight

[@KevinChee]

My pleasure!

[@GeologyDude]

Be aware that the content for channels like No People No Problem, about 2/3s of the long form videos are blocked when viewing in "restricted mode". This affects access/impressions.

[@KevinChee]

How do you view in restricted mode?

[@GeologyDude]

​@@KevinChee Restricted mode is meant to block potentially mature content. I suppose families and content-sensitive people activate Restricted mode--sometimes being unaware of what it will cause. Click your small-size channel thumbnail/avatar on the upper right corner of the YT page (the lower of the two shown). A menu appears and about half way down--includes the option for Restricted mode. By default, Restricted mode blocks A) all videos deemed as potentially controversial/mature audiences (on all channels), but of course general audience videos are shown. However, Restricted mode also blocks B) comments on all published videos on all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels), and C) all posts on the Community post area to all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels). I learned this from a recent channel review from VidIQ. A well-established channel had basically no views for essentially all of its videos. It was because all the videos on that channel were blocked when in Restricted mode. The channel essentially did not exist in Restricted mode, and of course this affected traffic to watch the posted videos. Also, there was comment by another person during that VidIQ channel review show, and that all of their videos were blocked in restricted mode too--and they did not know that.

[@GeologyDude]

@@KevinChee Restricted mode is meant to block potentially mature content. I suppose families and content-sensitive people activate Restricted mode--sometimes being unaware of what it will cause. Click your small-size channel thumbnail/avatar on the upper right corner of the YT page (the lower of the two shown). A menu appears and about half way down--includes the option for Restricted mode. By default, Restricted mode blocks A) all videos deemed as potentially controversial/mature audiences (on all channels), but of course general audience videos are shown. However, Restricted mode also blocks B) comments on all published videos on all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels), C) all posts on the Community post area to all channels (includes all general audience content videos/channels), and D) all links to the comments area from the Notification Bell (on upper right corner of screen) are disabled.... I learned this from a recent channel review from VidIQ. A well-established channel had basically no views for essentially all of its videos. It was because all the videos on that channel were blocked when in Restricted mode. The channel essentially did not exist in Restricted mode, and of course this affected traffic to watch the posted videos. Also, there was comment by another person during that VidIQ channel review show, and that all of their videos were blocked in restricted mode too--and they did not know that.

[@TateMurphyYT]

I love the channel reviews they are my favorite kind of content from you aside from you sharing your experiences. You suggested to the first channel to do both long and short form content. I thought that was a no no. Is there a reason that you suggested it to him that wouldn’t be suitable for the rest of us? Thanks

[@KevinChee]

Channels with not that many views are in the best spot to experiment. His way of vlogging reminds me a lot of the shorts I watch where they are short and concise. His long form videos is giving me that vibe. If it has more jump cuts and skip right to the action then the video becomes too short for long form which is why it is worth testing as shorts. Long form is still worth doing but probably not for his current strategy

[@WillTalksMovies]

This is a great video idea! Would love to be on the next one :)

[@KevinChee]

Thanks. Did you manage to submit your channel?

[@WillTalksMovies]

@@KevinChee no I haven’t where does one do this :)

[@Health-And-Diabetes]

Adding Chapters to your video helps your viewer,

[@KevinChee]

sure thing

[@musiciansmomentumoffical]

how do we submit to get reviewed? Kevin Chee is so smart and well spoken, I would choose his point of view more than most. If anyone knows how, please reply to this comment. Thank You!

[@KevinChee]

I’ve only open up to the first round. Second round has not started. I’m trying to get through these as fast as I can.

[@musiciansmomentumoffical]

@@KevinChee that makes sense, take all the time you need. Everyone you review has something for us all to learn. You are appreciated for what you do!

[@OriginalByron]

how long did it take for you too get Monetized

[@KevinChee]

11 months I think.

[@OriginalByron]

@@KevinChee nice

[@daxhowwedo]

Mr ballen for example is the best story telling channel

[@KevinChee]

will check it out

[@GoodlifeInvestor]

Do you think it’s possible to hit a Million subs in a year, let’s say from 100k?

[@KevinChee]

of course. where there is a will there is a way.

[@GoodlifeInvestor]

@@KevinChee I think this one will be based on the algo’s will

[@grainificent]

great video and very well said. thumbnails should be good, readable, keep all videos related to a niche and just post consistently :) i reached my 1000 subs after 21 months from starting. i reached the 4000hr within my first year but the subs grew much slower ;P but im still growing and happily making videos and finally getting some pennies for my work :) overnight success is like winning the lottery ;P it can happen, but its not worth waiting on ;P

[@KevinChee]

Once you hit 100k subs, delete all the videos that underperforms and keep that 1-3 videos that exploded your channel. There you go, ‘overnight’ success 😂

[@grainificent]

@@KevinChee exactly! 🤣 we need to kill the morals of our "competition" 🤣🤣 well, there is something there. people don't like seeing the hard work someone has put into something. they prefer living in a fairy world believing everything comes very simply. thats why they fall for all those get rich quick schemes...

[@divyv20]

Hey Kevin ! I loved this video . I work with entrepreneurs like you who have under 20k subscribers to help them to grow to 100k subscribers in under 12 months with proper systems . I actually helped Chirag to achieve 92k subscribers in under 11 months . Could I do a free audit to see if I can help you do the same ? I just think it's really important that more people see your content and want to help you on that mission .

[@KevinChee]

maybe not at this stage, thanks