YouTube Gurus Misleading Small Creators: Proven Strategies to Actually Grow Your Channel Fast

Alright, let’s get real. If you’re a small YouTuber, you’ve probably been bombarded with advice from so-called gurus who promise to skyrocket your channel overnight. Spoiler alert: most of that advice is garbage. In this article, we’ll dive into the truths about growing your YouTube channel in 2025, debunking myths and revealing the *real* strategies that work. And yes, we’re going to talk about the video by Belmont (shoutout to them for sparking this conversation), but we’re also going to go way deeper, adding my own spin, experience, and actionable insights.

Why Most Advice for Small YouTubers is Flat-Out Wrong

Let’s start with the cold, hard truth: many YouTube gurus are giving advice that’s actively hurting small channels. Why? Because they’re regurgitating outdated strategies or promoting shortcuts that don’t lead to sustainable growth. Belmont nailed it when they said that bad advice is the first big mistake small creators make. And trust me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again.

So, what gives me the authority to talk about this? First, I’ve spent over a decade studying the YouTube algorithm, and I’ve helped dozens of creators grow their channels. Second, I’ve seen firsthand how the right strategies can turn a small channel into a powerhouse. But the real kicker? YouTube itself is changing the game, and if you’re not adapting, you’re going to get left behind.

Myth #1: Shorts Are the Key to Success

Let’s tackle the biggest myth first: Shorts. Everyone’s obsessed with them because they’re quick, easy, and supposedly the fastest way to go viral. Belmont pointed out that Shorts are harder than they look, and I couldn’t agree more. Here’s the problem: Shorts are designed for quick dopamine hits, not long-term growth. Sure, you might get a million views on a Short, but are those viewers going to stick around for your long-form content? Probably not.

And let’s talk money. Shorts pay pennies compared to long-form videos. If your goal is to make YouTube your full-time gig, Shorts alone won’t cut it. You’ll need tens or even hundreds of millions of views to make a decent income. So, while Shorts can be a fun addition to your content strategy, they shouldn’t be your main focus—especially if you’re serious about building a real channel.

Myth #2: Retention is Everything

Next up: Retention. This is another area where a lot of creators get it wrong. Belmont made a great point that you don’t need perfect retention to go viral. In fact, some of the most viral videos have terrible retention. Why? Because the *idea* is what matters most. If your video concept is strong, people will click, even if they don’t watch the entire thing.

That said, retention spikes are crucial. These are moments in your video where viewers are *glued* to the screen. Even if your overall retention is low, a few well-placed spikes can push your video into the algorithm’s favor. The takeaway? Don’t overedit your videos in an attempt to boost retention. Focus on storytelling and creating moments that captivate your audience.

Myth #3: You Need to Post Everywhere

Finally, let’s debunk the myth that you need to post your videos on every social media platform. Belmont hit the nail on the head when they said that posting everywhere can lead to burnout. Here’s the deal: YouTube should be your bread and butter. It’s where you’ll make the most money and build your core audience.

If you’re just starting out, focus all your energy on YouTube. Once you’ve mastered that platform, you can branch out to others. But trying to juggle Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at once? That’s a recipe for disaster. Quality over quantity, always.

The Secret Formula: TTT + H

Now, let’s talk about the secret sauce that Belmont hinted at: TTT + H. This formula consists of three elements: Title, Thumbnail, and Hook. Here’s why it works:

Title: Your title is the first thing YouTube (and viewers) see. It needs to clearly communicate what your video is about while also being clickable. Think of it as your video’s elevator pitch.
Thumbnail: Your thumbnail is just as important as your title. Together, they form the “packaging” for your video. A great thumbnail will grab attention and entice viewers to click.
Hook: This is where most small creators fail. Your hook—the first 10 seconds of your video—is what determines whether viewers will stick around. Make it epic, and viewers will assume the rest of your video is just as good.

Belmont’s insight here is spot-on: first impressions matter. Spend time crafting a killer hook, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement in your watch time and retention.

Why 2025 is the Best Time to Be a Small Creator

Here’s the good news: YouTube is finally giving small creators a fighting chance. Belmont mentioned that YouTube is actively promoting videos from channels with less than 100 subscribers. That’s a game-changer. For the first time ever, you can post a video on a brand-new channel and get thousands—or even millions—of views without any external promotion.

Why is YouTube doing this? Simple: smaller creators are the future. Todd B, the head of YouTube’s homepage and recommendations, has publicly stated that small channels are tomorrow’s big channels. And let’s be honest, it’s in YouTube’s best interest to nurture these creators. More creators mean more content, which means more ad revenue for YouTube.

The 3 Content Types Crushing It in 2025

So, what kind of content should you be creating in 2025? After years of studying the algorithm, I’ve identified three formats that are consistently performing well:

Journey Videos: These are raw, unedited videos that document your daily life. Think Sam Sulick’s gym videos or a simple “day in the life” vlog. People want authenticity, and journey videos deliver that in spades.

Building in Public Videos: Show your audience the behind-the-scenes of your projects. Whether you’re starting a business or learning a new skill, document the process. Daniel Dalen is a great example of this—he’s crushing it by showing every step of his journey, even the messy parts.

Expert-Based Content: Position yourself as an expert and create videos that solve specific problems. Charlie Morgan is a master of this. He teaches people how to start and grow an agency business, and he’s making a killing doing it. The key here is to focus on a niche audience and deliver *real* value.

Final Thoughts: How to Take Advantage of This Opportunity

Here’s the bottom line: YouTube is giving small creators an unprecedented opportunity. But it’s up to you to take advantage of it. Focus on creating high-quality content, master the TTT + H formula, and don’t get distracted by shiny objects like Shorts or multi-platform posting.

Belmont’s video was a great starting point, but I’ve gone deeper to give you the tools and insights you need to succeed. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your channel to the next level, the time to act is now.

So, what’s your game plan? Are you ready to ditch the bad advice and focus on strategies that actually work? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you found this article helpful, don’t forget to like, share, and become a permanent resident of iNthacity: the “Shining City on the Web”. Let’s build this community together!

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