The Think Media Podcast, Episode 473: "21 YouTube Mistakes Killing Your Views"

Hosted by: Sean Cannell and Nathan Eswine
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep dive into the 21 most common and costly mistakes YouTube creators make that limit their views and growth. Sean Cannell and Nathan Eswine break these down into actionable insights and practical tips, interspersed with personal experience and industry wisdom. Whether you’re a new creator or a seasoned channel owner, this episode is packed with strategies to help you avoid common pitfalls, improve your content, and achieve consistent growth on YouTube.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Quick Wins for Immediate Improvement

• Make Eye Contact with the Lens
  Mistake 1: Looking at the screen instead of the camera lens breaks the sense of connection with the viewer.
  Sean Cannell (02:15):

  "The discipline is this, make eye contact with the lens. This is a powerful way to establish connection with the viewer."

• Start Your Videos Fast
  Mistake 2: Don't waste time with slow intros; hook viewers in the first few seconds.
  Sean Cannell (03:27):

  "In today's world, people don't want fluff, they want to jump straight into the content."

• Avoid Long Intros or Logo Animations
  Mistake 3: Skip outdated jingles and animations—viewers crave instant value.
  Nathan Eswine (03:50):

  "We have attachments to our jingles but look, they probably got to go."

• Declutter Thumbnails
  Mistake 4: Too many words or elements confuse viewers.
  Sean Cannell (01:28 & 04:22):

  "If you confuse, you lose. Declutter your thumbnail. Simplicity is powerful."

• One Clear Promise Per Video
  Mistake 5: Your viewers should know exactly what they're getting from the start.
  Nathan Eswine (04:48):

  "If viewers don't know what they're going to get, they won't click."

• Limit Your Calls to Action
  Mistake 6: Don't overwhelm viewers with too many CTAs.
  Sean Cannell (05:06):

  "Focus on one thing to do to drive action from your video."

• Maintain the Right Energy
  Mistake 7: Low energy on camera can cost attention—turn it up slightly, but keep it authentic.
  Sean Cannell (05:53):

  "Just like the camera adds 10 pounds, it actually reduces about 50% of the energy."

Developing Core YouTube Skills

• Validate Your Ideas Before Filming
  Mistake 8: Don’t make videos on topics nobody will click on. Use tools to spot high-potential ideas.
  Nathan Eswine (06:49):

  "We are obsessed here at Think Media with researching, with validating, but all before we even press record..."

• Organize & Structure for Retention
  Mistake 9: Poor pacing and structure lose viewers—adopt storytelling and retention editing.
  Sean Cannell (08:11):

  "There’s a skill called retention editing... that holds the viewer’s attention longer."

• Script and Plan, Don’t Wing It
  Mistake 10: Improvising leads to rambling and unfocused videos.
  Nathan Eswine (09:06):

  "Winging it is going to lead to a whole bunch of defeat. ...Plan ahead of time."

• Stay on Topic
  Mistake 11: Jumping around confuses viewers—stick to the main promise.
  Sean Cannell (09:52):

  "Maybe you should cover that in a different video...stay on topic as much as possible."

• Use Both Short and Long Content (Barbell Strategy)
  Mistake 12: Don’t restrict yourself to one format; both are valuable at different stages.
  Nathan Eswine (10:36):

  "A healthy content portfolio... means you’re experimenting with all the different ways YouTube wants you to be creating."

• Keep Visuals Interesting
  Mistake 13: B-roll, props, and visuals help with retention—even minimal enhancements can boost interest.
  Nathan Eswine (12:10):

  "Try to keep your visual environment interesting... what will serve your viewer best as you’re talking."

• Join or Start Relevant Conversations
  Mistake 14: Videos that don’t tap into trending or important conversations miss out on viewership.
  Sean Cannell (12:52):

  "Jump into a hot conversation, there's a lot of views to be had."

Strategic Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Double Down on Winners
  Mistake 15: Ignore your high-performing videos at your peril—make more like them.
  Nathan Eswine (14:46):

  "Success leaves clues... Make part twos, look at your current catalog."

• Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Yourself
  Mistake 16: Revisit successful ideas with fresh takes, sequels, or deeper dives.
  Sean Cannell (15:38):

  "Turn one good idea into many videos... there could be 10, 20, 50, 100 different aspects..."

• Set a Consistent, Sustainable Upload Schedule
  Mistake 17: Random posting kills momentum. Find a routine that fits your life.
  Nathan Eswine (16:29):

  "Consistency can start with yourself. It probably should start with yourself. ...Lock that in and commit to that as long as you can."

• Don’t Obsess Over Gear
  Mistake 18: Fancy equipment can’t compensate for weak content.
  Sean Cannell (17:18):

  "Cameras don't grow your channel. Great content does."

• Seek Out Coaching and Community
  Mistake 19: Trying to do it all alone slows your progress—be coachable, connect with others.
  Nathan Eswine (17:49):

  "You need yourself and what you know now. But in order to continue to grow and get to the next level... you got to be coachable."

Mindset Mistakes That Kill Your Channel

• Quitting Too Soon
  Mistake 20: Growth takes time; don’t expect fast results. Most creators quit right before their breakthrough.
  Sean Cannell (19:37):

  "YouTube is a marathon and not a sprint. And most creators quit right before the breakthrough."

• Making Content for Yourself, Not the Viewer
  Mistake 21: The channel is for your audience—obsess over the value you provide to them.
  Sean Cannell (20:10):

  "Self focused content typically doesn't get watched or shared and it's really the difference between selfish content and service content."

Memorable Quotes

• Sean Cannell (02:15):

  "Make eye contact with the lens. This is a powerful way to establish connection with the viewer."

• Sean Cannell (05:53):

  "Just like the camera adds 10 pounds, it actually reduces about 50% of the energy."

• Nathan Eswine (06:49):

  “We are obsessed here at Think Media with researching, with validating, but all before we even press record…”

• Nathan Eswine (14:46):

  "Success leaves clues. ...Make part twos, look at your current catalog."

• Sean Cannell (19:37):

  "YouTube is a marathon and not a sprint. And most creators quit right before the breakthrough."

Notable Timestamps

• [01:28] – The "if you confuse, you lose" mantra; importance of clear thumbnails.
• [02:15] – "Look at the lens," building connection.
• [03:27] – The critical hook in first three seconds.
• [05:06] – Simplifying your call to action.
• [06:49–08:11] – Idea validation and transitioning to better video structure.
• [09:06–09:52] – Planning videos ahead, staying on topic.
• [10:36] – Short versus long-form content and the barbell strategy.
• [12:52] – Tapping into trending conversations for more views.
• [14:46–15:38] – Doubling down on past success, making sequels/series.
• [16:29] – Being consistent with your upload schedule.
• [19:37] – The endurance mindset—the importance of not quitting early.
• [20:10] – Focus on viewer value over personal expression.

Episode Tone

Sean and Nathan balance energetic encouragement with hard truths, using simple language and analogies (like the In-N-Out Burger menu for CTAs) to ensure advice is accessible and actionable. The tone is candid yet supportive, always pushing creators to grow without sugarcoating the work involved.

Useful Takeaways for Creators

• Make immediate, simple changes—like eye contact and rapid video starts—to boost your results.
• Focus on the viewer’s needs, not your own passions.
• Consistency beats bursts; create a schedule that fits your life.
• Harness tools to research valuable topics before you film.
• Review your own data and make more of what works instead of always chasing new, unproven strategies.
• Keep investing in your own learning, and don’t fear feedback or community.

For aspiring and established creators alike, this episode offers a treasure trove of lessons to overcome stagnation and unlock new growth on YouTube.