Why Some YouTubers Skyrocket While Others Stay Stuck at 100 Subs

What’s going on, friend?

My DMs prove an excellent point:

Every creator dreams of hitting 1 million subscribers. But the brutal truth? Most never even get close.

They upload aimlessly, hoping for a viral hit. They copy trends without understanding why they work. They give up when their first 10 videos flop.

The fastest-growing YouTubers don’t leave growth to chance. They follow a system that ensures consistent momentum.

That system revolves around three core pillars: format, consistency, and audience targeting. If you don’t master these, you’ll struggle to grow, no matter how good your videos are.

Let’s break it down.

1. Format: Your Growth Engine

Think of format as your channel’s foundation: the blueprint that tells viewers (and YouTube) exactly what to expect.

Most small creators treat every video as a blank slate. One day, they’re making a challenge video. The next, they’re doing a deep-dive analysis. Then, they pivot to daily vlogs. The amount of times I speak to beginners and see this pattern is NUTS.

This is a growth killer.

Creators like Nick DiGiovanni or Doctor Mike exploded because they refined a winning format and repeated it relentlessly. Instead of randomly experimenting, they built recognizable video structures that turned casual viewers into die-hard fans.

What a Strong Format Looks Like:

✅ A clear, repeatable video style (documentaries, challenges, transformations, etc.)
✅ A familiar storytelling structure that hooks viewers every time
✅ A packaging style (titles & thumbnails) that signals what kind of content you make

Take Mat Armstrong. He doesn’t just upload random videos, he follows a high-stakes format that keeps viewers glued to their screens.

Your format is your brand. Nail it, and YouTube starts pushing your videos harder because your viewers binge and return for your content.

2. Consistency: The Secret Weapon No One Talks About

Most small creators overestimate the quality of their content and underestimate how often they need to upload it.

Nick DiGiovanni didn’t grow fast just because of his MasterChef background. His first attempt at YouTube flopped. But when he committed to a consistent upload schedule, everything changed.

Why? Because YouTube rewards creators who do the reps. The algorithm doesn’t care about your upload frequency, though. But it does care about videos that show high signs of viewer satisfaction. And how can you get better at that? By uploading more.

The Reality of YouTube Growth:

🚀 Creators who upload 50+ videos in their first year grow significantly faster than those who upload sporadically. This is a fact. Look at the most popular creators you like. Look at how many videos they uploaded in total. Exactly.
🚀 Repetition is the best teacher. The more videos you make, the better your ideas, pacing, and storytelling become.
🚀 Momentum matters. If your latest video goes crazy and you have more similar videos to watch, your retention and watch time compound over time.

The difference between a struggling channel and a million-subscriber channel is often a couple dozen more videos and a better iteration process.

3. Audience Targeting: Don’t Make Videos for “Everyone”

Here’s the mistake that destroys most channels before they even get started: they have no idea who they’re making videos for.

If you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.

A focused audience strategy is what separates fast-growing channels from the ones stuck at 10K subs.

The 3-Question Audience Test:

Before hitting record, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Would my hardcore fans be excited for this video?
2️⃣ Would someone who’s watched 3 of my videos instantly recognize this as mine?
3️⃣ Does this video tap into an audience that’s already proven to exist?

This filter is used by the MrBeast Ideation team as well. How do I know? Because I met with them for an ideation session.

The Fastest Path to 1 Million Subscribers

If you want to hit a million subscribers faster than 99% of YouTubers, stop making random videos and hoping for the best.

Instead:
✅ Lock in a repeatable format. Become known for something specific.
✅ Stay consistent. Post frequently enough to learn, adapt, and keep your momentum.
✅ Know exactly who your audience is. Make videos for them—not for “everyone.”

You don’t need a viral video to explode. You need a system that makes growth inevitable.

That’s how the biggest creators do it. And that’s how you will, too.

Now go make that video, see you next week! 🫡

• Leroy

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💡Ideation: 1of10.com

🖼️Thumbnail A/B testing: thumbnailtest.com