Care About Your Audience First
No one will care about your content until you care about them. This fundamental principle is often overlooked. Your audience should feel your genuine interest in helping them through the way you consistently show up, how you distill information, and your willingness to explain concepts multiple times to ensure understanding.
Many creators who complain about engagement are primarily focused on metrics rather than their audience’s needs. The very frustration about the lack of engagement reveals a potential misalignment of priorities. Is your goal simply to get more comments and views, or is it to genuinely help people?
Solve Real Problems
The most engaging content solves actual problems. By the time someone finishes consuming your content, they should have an actionable step to take. Your content should be:
- Practical – straightforward and applicable
- Actionable – provides clear next steps
- Valuable – meets a genuine need
Don’t try to be fancy or complicated. As Frank Kern wisely said, “Prove to people you can help them by actually helping them.” This approach transformed my own content journey when I created detailed tutorials on camera settings that became some of my most viewed videos.
For beginners, especially, focus on creating content that delivers real results. When I made camera menu setup videos, they weren’t flashy, but they solved a specific problem that many people had. These videos generated millions of views because they provided practical value that viewers could immediately apply.
Consume More Than You Create
While many online gurus advise creating more than you consume, I’ve found the opposite to be true. You can’t create something from nothing. The content you produce is a reflection of what you consume, so be intentional about your information diet.
My feeds across platforms are primarily educational because I love learning. This continuous input fuels my output. However, it’s not just about passive consumption—it’s about consolidating what you learn and transforming it into your own unique perspective.
One valuable approach is to observe not just what others are saying but how they’re saying it. When I listen to great communicators, I often repackage their ideas in more accessible, “sticky” ways. This skill of distilling complex information into digestible content is what separates thought leaders from the crowd.
Master Packaging and Delivery
How you package and deliver your content significantly impacts engagement. YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s a packaging platform. Your titles should read like article headlines with explicit promises about what viewers will gain.
For searchable content, use keywords that people are actively looking for. They’re not initially searching for you; they’re searching for solutions to their problems. Once you deliver value, they’ll start looking for you specifically.
Some practical tips for better packaging:
- Create clear, promise-driven titles
- Add specificity in parentheses (e.g., “How to Set Up Sony A7III for Video (2023 Guide)”)
- Make the best version of a video on your topic
- Understand what your audience truly wants, not just what they say they want
As Sean Kanalo says, “The creator who understands the viewer best wins.” This understanding often arises from identifying gaps in existing content and filling them more effectively than anyone else has.
Be Intentionally Consistent
Consistency is the currency of credibility. You can’t control outcomes, but you can control your consistency. Many creators give up too soon, not realizing that success often comes after sustained effort.
Don’t minimize small wins. If your 20-minute YouTube video receives 112 views, that’s 112 real people taking the time to give you their attention. Those early supporters can become your most loyal fans if you nurture that relationship.
Remember that engagement metrics don’t tell the whole story. I’ve seen my tutorials being used in classrooms to teach dozens of students—that’s one view in analytics, but potentially a life-changing impact for many people.
My goal isn’t to have the most followers or the highest engagement ratio. Instead, I aim to have people say, “I’ve been following you for a long time.” That kind of loyalty can’t be bought—it comes from consistently showing up, even when you don’t feel like it.
So don’t quit. Lock in, be patient, and focus on serving your audience. Real influence isn’t measured in likes and comments but in the lasting impact you have on people’s lives—even those who never publicly engage with your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should I wait before seeing engagement on my content?
There’s no set timeline for when engagement will pick up. Some videos may take off immediately, while others gain traction weeks or months after being posted. Focus on creating valuable content consistently, rather than obsessing over metrics. Remember that platforms need time to understand what your content is about and who it should be shown to.
Q: What if my niche doesn’t lend itself to practical, actionable content?
This is often a limiting belief. Every niche can provide some form of actionable steps or insights. Even if you’re in a more abstract field like motivation or inspiration, you can frame your content around specific applications or contexts. Help people with something practical first, then incorporate your inspirational message within that framework.
Q: How can I demonstrate to my audience that I genuinely care about them?
Demonstrate care through consistency, accessibility, and responsiveness. Use language they understand rather than industry jargon. Take time to distill complex information into digestible content. Respond to comments and messages. Most importantly, create content that solves their actual problems rather than what you assume they need.
Q: Is it better to create many pieces of content or focus on making fewer but higher-quality pieces?
Quality generally trumps quantity, especially when you’re starting out. One exceptional piece of content that genuinely helps your audience can outperform dozens of mediocre posts. However, consistency matters too. Aim for a sustainable rhythm of high-quality content rather than sporadic masterpieces or frequent but shallow posts.
Q: How important is it to niche down when starting out?
Niching down is valuable because it forces you to be specific and helpful, which can feel challenging but leads to better content. The money isn’t always in the masses—sometimes it’s in serving a particular audience exceptionally well. Think of it like medicine: would you prefer a general practitioner or a specialist in a specific condition? Specialists can command higher rates due to their specialized expertise.