The First 90 Days on YouTube: What Actually Matters

You did it! You’ve decided to become a Content Creator. Congratulations! You’re now one of approximately 37 million people who think their dog is the next viral sensation. But before you start refreshing your analytics every 12 seconds and spiraling into an existential crisis over your view count, let’s talk about what actually matters in your first 90 days on YouTube. Spoiler: It’s not your views.

What NOT to Obsess Over: Views (Seriously, Stop It)
Here’s the cold, hard truth: Your first videos probably won’t go viral. In fact, your mom and best friend might be your only viewers for a while. And guess what? That’s okay! Obsessing over views in the early days is the equivalent of weighing yourself after eating one salad—pointless and mildly depressing. YouTube’s algorithm doesn’t even know you exist yet, so give it time. Instead, focus on building a solid foundation.

Consistency Over Perfection: The YouTube Growth Hack No One Wants to Hear
I once heard it said that “Perfection is the enemy of done”, and that is especially true on YouTube. Your first videos will be awkward. Your lighting will be weird. You’ll say “um” 47 times. Guess what? No one cares. What matters is you showing up, week after week, with new content. Consistency trains both you and the algorithm. The more you upload, the faster you’ll improve. So, stop agonizing over every frame and just hit “publish.”

Become a Detective: Study Your Audience from Day 1
Even if your audience is currently just your dog, you need to start paying attention to how people interact with your videos. YouTube especially gives you a treasure trove of analytics. Focus in on things like average view duration, click-through rate, and audience retention. Don’t just glance at these numbers; really look at them and ask yourself a few questions. Did people drop off at the 30-second mark? Maybe your intro needs work. Did they stick around for your rant about pineapple pizza? Maybe you’ve found your niche. The sooner you start analyzing your audience, the faster you’ll grow.

The first 90 days on YouTube aren’t about going viral—they’re about building habits, learning from your mistakes, and figuring out what your audience actually wants. So, stop stressing about views, embrace your inner awkwardness, and start treating your other analytics like the goldmine they are.