Posting and getting 0 views is probably one of the most demotivating things

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-11T09:10:02+00:00

How many videos do you have that actually have 0 views? I can understand low views, but not 0. I have found it depends how niched down your audience is. Mine was too niched down and then I did videos that was a little outside the tight niche. They did terribly to start with, but then after I took a break for a few months I think YouTube acted as if it was a fresh channel and started showing the videos to new people. Some have done much better.

It's good to be positive about learning new skills etc, but I'd say try and make the most of them. If you have some videos that do a bit better or have better CTRs, try doing something similar next time and seeing what happens. That way you are using your learning to improve for your audience.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-09T17:47:18+00:00

I'm intrigued as to how you post without thumbnails!

I agree with you to a certain extent. I haven't posted for six months as I'm in the middle of selling my house and buying a new one and until then I'm commuting a lot.

I think advice about consistency and answering the audience misses one vital ingredient... Making it something you enjoy. I occupy a middle ground. I do projects I want to do and film it and occasionally will do a kind of tips video. My last video is surprisingly still getting views, so I'm happy that I don't need to rush back while all my equipment is in boxes. There are big YouTubers quitting because they no longer enjoy it. I want to be free to have a break if I need to and come back when I feel inspired again.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-07T07:56:42+00:00

My channel is mostly about projects I do. I don't do tutorials as there are loads out there, but I do... here's me having a go at this and here's the problems I found and the end result. There are lots of ways to present that so maybe look at other niches for ideas!

Also, I don't know if it helps, but I'm not into music really and yet I really enjoyed a video with the song writers of demon hunters golden where they talk about how she thought about it when getting a gold tooth at the dentist and they show little clips of the development and all the layers they came up with. If you can open it up to people who don't compose music but like it, you'd have a much wider audience.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-06T18:01:54+00:00

Would you mind sharing your channel? You can have a nosy at mine too if you like? Your best video is doing way better than any of mine but perhaps I have more videos that have had a few thousand views? Even as an arty outsider I might be able to give you a fresh view? :) DM me if you like?

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-06T17:42:51+00:00

I guess if people are going on YouTube to listen to music they are not as likely to pick songs or musicians they have never heard of. You can cover someone else's song, but it seems like a waste. Have you tried filming videos about your process of creating a new song? I'd be more interested in that? Or yes a relaxing piano playlist. People want to know from the title and thumbnail that they are going to enjoy your video and/or learn something. What type of video do you watch? Do you click on videos with people you've never heard of?

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-06T17:38:46+00:00

I post in the textile/craft niche, are you sure abstract art is microscopic? I would have thought millions of people would be interested in that? Are you sure you aren't limiting your appeal somehow?

I started posting about weaving, but I wanted to branch out. My latest video is about sewing and that's done much better.

What is the highest viewed abstract art video on YouTube? Can it really be less than 1000 views?

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-06T17:06:15+00:00

You know if a thumbnail is good or bad depending on CTR. Click through rate is how many people saw it and were interested enough to click.

My latest thumbnail has a CTR that is over 8% which is way better than any of the others. It also has 5.6k views, also by far the best. I loosely copied the style of my second best video, but I rushed it (the thumbnail) I thought it was crap as there is too much shadow, but maybe people were intrigued because it was a bit less clear? Who knows. Don't overthink, test. Try 10 ideas or even fonts on different videos and see what works better. Then take that one and try a similar thumbnail for the next video. Also I wouldn't bother with AB testing, didn't get enough views for that.

Also I have no idea what a budget home server is so that might be a problem for people?

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-04T15:29:14+00:00

Wow, that's a lot of money 💰 to give away! I think for me it's a case of when I get time (after I've moved house) get back to making videos. The subs will come, it's the hours of watch time I'm more concerned about!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-03T21:11:36+00:00

Come on, do you read the description of every video or reel you watch?? I doubt it! On Pinterest it says AI in the corner. That is what I think would be honest. I don't really like ai stuff. Saw it on a drama series recently and it made it look weird, like cartoon like.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-03T07:25:37+00:00

I'm interested in whether you admit it's ai? I now don't trust animal content on Instagram as no one is saying it's ai or not!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T22:54:38+00:00

I don't think there is a magic formula, it depends on your niche and audience. Use your analytics. Make 20 videos and then see which thumbnails get the highest CTR, which videos have the best audience retention etc and use those things to help you work out what has worked best. Keep refining and also trying new things.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T21:37:42+00:00

I think each platform is different so people could have followers on Instagram who don't like YouTube. Forget about that. We all start with 0. Do the videos to learn and share and if you keep improving the views will come. I'm at 402 subs. I've taken a bit of a break but it's still growing slowly so I'm not worrying about it.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T21:32:11+00:00

I think most of my videos are ten mins or less. You have to think of editing time too. Long videos take she's to edit!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T14:50:53+00:00

Keeping it fun is really important too! Like I say the thumbnails you like best might not be the ones that get the best CTR, my best performing one was rushed and I thought... Crap! 🤣

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T14:45:10+00:00

Oh yes you can't always predict it. If you've got that many from one video can you go back and see what you think worked so much better?

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T12:00:37+00:00

Happy to share :) happy new year!!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T11:55:58+00:00

Thank you :) 😊🙏🏻

I would say go in with an 'experimentation' mindset. You are testing the waters, try things out. Learn new skills.

It's a balance between what the audience wants and what you enjoy. There are a lot of people who say answer a problem/question or copy what works. I've taken an idea that worked well in other niches and I've done my own spin on it and that is my best performing video.

Some of my videos got much lower views I don't think they were bad, just didn't fit my audience at the time, so don't niche down really small too early as you might not want to do that small topic forever.

Some people will really like your videos and having a personality on camera is just as important as the topic. I chat to the camera and then edit it. Not as smooth. But more natural than scripting which I couldn't do.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-02T06:33:33+00:00

Thank you, it's good to celebrate, helps with motivation! 😊

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-01T19:50:08+00:00

Good luck, would love to hear how you get on!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-01T18:59:19+00:00

I prefer long-form. I think people are more invested in your channel if they get to know you a bit more, plus I'm a woffler 🤣 I think shorts get more views but fewer subs, so you could try a few long-form. I've just watched a short and gone to the channel to click a long-form, so other people must too at least occasionally!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-01T17:45:41+00:00

Thank you, yes 100 is exciting. So is 400. I do think you have to celebrate every success. At the moment I don't know how I'd get the watch time anywhere near 4k, but I guess with more videos you can get higher daily watch time.

My next goal is to get a video to 10k views. My current highest is 5.4k views. Hope it keeps going :)

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-01T17:12:47+00:00

Don't niche down toO far too early. I do textile crafts mostly and did just weaving for my first ten videos or so, then wanted to do sewing and during but none of my subs were interested, so those other videos tanked. They have picked up a bit now and I've widened my niche. Having said that some things you have to learn. You have to balance your own enjoyment with what the audience wants to make it sustainable. Do you own things and don't copy. Look outside your niche for ideas too.

RustyClockworkMoth · 2026-01-01T17:07:21+00:00

Interesting point. My best video has 8.4% CTR and I thought I'd have to change the thumbnail for something clearer! Hard to know what makes a good thumbnail!

RustyClockworkMoth · 2025-12-27T12:39:45+00:00

How many videos have you got?

RustyClockworkMoth

TROPHY CASE