It’s easy to fall into the trap. You upload a video, check the view count ten times a day, and wonder why it’s not climbing faster. You start thinking maybe the title’s wrong, or the thumbnail’s off, or maybe people just don’t care.
But here’s th e truth: views don’t pay the bills. Neither do likes. Or subscribers. They feel nice, sure — but they aren’t the thing that keeps a business going.
So if you’ve been wrapped up in chasing numbers, here’s a different way to look at it — one that’s a lot more fulfilling and, honestly, way more effective in the long run.
The Vanity Metric Trap
At some point, a lot of creators — especially those trying to turn YouTube into a business — end up chasing vanity metrics. Views. Subs. Watch time.
It feels productive. It looks like growth. But it doesn’t always lead anywhere meaningful.
You could have a video go viral and get nothing from it. No new leads, no customer interest, no real momentum. Meanwhile, another video that only gets 200 views might bring in two solid leads who are ready to work with you or buy from you.
Not all views are equal.
What Really Matters
The real metric that moves the needle? Sales. Results. Connection.
And those things don’t happen just because a lot of people watched. They happen because the right people watched — and they saw something in you or your message that clicked.
When you focus on creating content that solves a specific problem for a specific person, you create trust. You become the person someone wants to learn from, not just someone who made a cool video.
That trust? It’s what eventually turns into sales, clients, bookings — whatever your version of “success” looks like.
You Don’t Need to Go Viral
It’s tempting to think that going viral is the goal. But for most people building a business, it really isn’t.
A video with 500 views that leads to two sales is more valuable than a viral video with a million views that leads nowhere. And that’s not theory — that happens all the time.
The point isn’t just to reach a lot of people. It’s to reach the right people, with the right message, at the right time.
Speak to One Person
A huge shift happens when you stop trying to speak to everyone and start speaking directly to the person you really want to help.
That could mean calling out specific struggles your audience deals with — maybe they’re over 50 and trying to learn a new skill. Maybe they’ve tried other programs and felt left behind. Maybe they just need someone who understands how hard starting over can feel.
When your videos reflect their actual experience, they’ll lean in. They’ll listen. And they’ll remember you.
Give Real Value, Not Just Content
One thing that builds trust faster than anything else is when someone watches your video and says, “Oh wow — I didn’t know that.” Or, “That actually helped me.”
Those “aha” moments are powerful. They stick with people. And they’re the reason someone might watch more of your content, come back later, or even tell someone else about you.
It’s not about holding back your best advice. It's about showing people that you really get them — and that you’re here to help, not just entertain.
Every Video Should Lead Somewhere
This doesn’t mean every video needs to sell something. But it should have a purpose. Maybe it answers a question your audience is asking. Maybe it encourages them to think differently. Maybe it simply invites them to keep watching and learning.
If you’re putting out content that doesn’t help your viewer take the next step in their journey — whatever that might be — then it’s just noise.
Views Are Just a Number
It’s easy to obsess over numbers. They’re visible. They’re measurable. But they’re not always meaningful.
If you’re creating videos that speak directly to someone, that help them feel understood, that give them a small win — you’re doing the work that actually matters. The kind of work that builds trust and, eventually, builds a business.
So the next time you find yourself refreshing your analytics page, just take a breath and ask yourself:
- Who did this help?
- What problem did it solve?
- What would I want this viewer to do next?
That’s the real progress. The rest? Just numbers on a screen.