The one thing most creators get wrong about going viral

What’s up friend!

Thought I’d send you a quick newsletter for this week as I didn’t have time earlier this week - I am finishing some big projects that need my attention with clients. Can’t wait to share more!

Let’s get into what you clicked for.

Last week on a call, I saw a creator make the same mistake I’ve watched 100 others make before him.

He runs a channel focused on helping elderly people stay fit. That’s his niche. That’s his product. That’s his mission.

Then he uploaded a video about a special method for weight loss.

It blew up.

Millions of views. Comments flying in. Channel growth spiking.

But here’s the problem...

That video attracted a completely different audience. Younger. Not interested in aging with strength. Not aligned with his product or his message.

And now?

YouTube is confused about who his audience is.
His next uploads flop.
And he’s stuck with subscribers who will never convert.

This happens all the time.
Going viral is easy. Building a loyal audience who actually wants what you sell? That’s the hard part.

Most creators chase trends. They throw stuff at the wall to “hack” growth.
But every video you upload is a filter. It either attracts the right people or the wrong ones.

So if you’re in this game for more than a dopamine hit, ask yourself:

• Will this video attract the right viewer?

• Will that viewer watch again?

• Will they buy from me down the line?

If not, it’s not the right video.

Don’t build a crowd. Build a fanbase.

You can go viral for the wrong thing. You can fill your channel with the wrong people. And then you’ll wonder why your metrics are tanking, your audience doesn’t click anymore, and your growth has stalled.

Make content that filters for the future, not just for today’s trending tab.

Because going viral for the wrong thing is like winning the lottery and getting paid in a currency you can’t spend.

Favorite video of the week

I thought adding a segment that comes back every week would be fun if you like it. I want to share my favorite video I saw this week on YouTube, and why.

This week, it’s ‘‘I Try My First Ever Cruise - I Didn’t Expect This!’’ from Walk With Me Tim. The reason why I loved this video is because of Tim himself. He makes very raw, authentic videos that truly help the viewer feel like they are there with him. His commentary is solid, and no whistles and bells are added to make things cooler or more dramatic then they realistically were. If you enjoy going on trips you’ll probably never go on in real life, I truly think you’d love Tim’s channel!

That’s it for this week. Here are my favorite tools to keep blowing up YouTube channels:

💡Ideation: 1of10.com

🖼️Thumbnail A/B testing: thumbnailtest.com

• Leroy