Recently on Reddit’s r/SmallYoutubers, I saw a post titled:
“Almost 4 years, only 330 subs, it’s getting rough.”
The creator explained that they love making long-form video essays about video games. They’ve uploaded consistently for years, put enormous effort into production, and even had a few videos that performed really well. But overall, subscriber growth has been painfully slow — just a little over 330 after four years.
They wondered: is it because I never ask people to subscribe?
This question is actually very common among small creators, so I decided to look deeper into the numbers and share some thoughts.
The Numbers Tell an Interesting Story
Here’s the situation:
- 4 years on YouTube
- 143 videos uploaded
- 73,647 total views
- 334 subscribers
At first glance, this looks disappointing. But let’s break it down:
- That’s roughly 1 new subscriber for every ~220 views.
- By comparison, many small creators average 1 sub per 500–1000 views.
- So the conversion rate (viewers → subscribers) is actually quite strong.
👉 This tells us the problem is not that people refuse to subscribe. In fact, when people find the content, they like it enough to stick around.
The real bottleneck is exposure:
- Average views per video: only ~515.
- That means the videos simply aren’t being shown to enough people.
Exposure First: Traffic Is the Key
Instead of worrying about “begging for subs,” the smarter focus is: how do I get more clicks and views in the first place?
Here are three core levers:
1. Titles & Thumbnails (Click-Through Rate)
YouTube only recommends videos that get clicked. A strong thumbnail/title combo is your front door.
- Use contrast and curiosity in thumbnails.
- Titles should promise a clear benefit or answer a big question.
- Avoid text that’s too small to read on mobile.
2. The First 30 Seconds (Retention Hook)
Even if people click, YouTube measures whether they stay.
- Start with a promise: what exactly will this video deliver?
- Use striking visuals or a bold statement immediately.
- Don’t waste the intro with black screens, long personal talk, or vague setups.
3. Trending Topics & Popular Games
Covering niche or older games can be fun, but growth requires riding waves.
- Tie your videos to new releases, major franchises, or hot debates in gaming.
- Even evergreen essays should have a hook that connects to what people are searching for today.
Don’t Ignore Your Own Wins
Interestingly, this creator also had a couple of videos that passed 10,000 views. That’s a very important clue.
Instead of just looking at failures, ask:
- Why did those videos take off?
- Was the topic more popular at the time?
- Did you release it close to a trending event or announcement?
- Did the thumbnail or title stand out more?
- Was it shared on Reddit, Discord, or by a bigger creator?
Analyzing your own spikes in performance is often more useful than generic advice. Those are proof that your channel can reach a wider audience — the question is how to replicate it.
The Path Forward
To summarize:
- Your subscriber conversion rate is solid.
- The issue is not enough exposure.
- Focus on CTR (titles/thumbnails), retention (first 30s), and trending topics.
- Study your past successful videos to replicate what worked.
Lessons for Small Creators
This story holds a lesson for anyone running a small channel:
- Don’t obsess over asking for subs if your conversion rate is already good.
- Subscribers are the result of exposure and engagement, not the starting point.
- Focus on increasing your average views per video. Once you get more eyeballs, the subscriber count will naturally follow.
At the end of the day, growth on YouTube isn’t about luck alone — it’s about learning from your data, doubling down on what works, and optimizing for discoverability.