Every YouTube creator or brand has had a video the thought would take off... but it didn't.

In my experience it's usually one of these three issues:

1️⃣ The idea wasn't clear

On YouTube, it's VERY tempting to cram multiple topics, keywords, or angles into one video... ESPECIALLY when you're excited about what you've made.

However, when a video tries to do too much, it often ends up doing nothing well. It's the old "If you try to please everyone, you're pleasing no one."

If a viewer isn't sure of the value or why it matters to them, they will move on. No questions asked.

To help fix this: Write out your videos main idea in one sentence, before you make it. If it feels too broad or vague, keep working on it until it's specific enough to stand on it's own!

Clarity earns clicks and keeps attention!

2️⃣ The hook didn't connect

You have thirty seconds (or even ten seconds!) to prove the video is worth watching. If you spend too long setting things up or introducing yourself, your brand, etc. the viewer might never hear or see your point.

Don't be flashy. GET TO THE POINT.

To help fix this: Start with a result, a moment of tension, or the question you're going to answer. Think... Why would a stranger stop and care?

3️⃣ You ended the video without purpose

You've delivered value, you kept their attention... then the video just ends and you've left your viewers aimless.

I have been guilty of having no direction when the video is done, no bridge to another piece of content, and no moment that made my audience think... "I want more of this!"

When you don't tell your audience what to do next, they usually do nothing. They just follow what's next on platform, and YouTube picks up on this!

To help fix this: Decide what you want your audience to do BEFORE you film. Should it guide to another video? Inspire them to take action? or direct them to your website? Then build you final moments around that!

Which of these mistakes have you seen the most, or have even made yourself? The idea wasn't clear. The hook didn't connect. Ended the video without purpose. All of the above.

We've all had a video not do as well as we wanted. In times like those, we wish we could just hit that mythical "Viral Button" and watch the views go up.

But, the real win is figuring out what didn't work and improving on that!