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Why “Slow” YouTube Growth Is Often the Most Sustainable

Erika Vieira
robin science of self care

Why “Slow” YouTube Growth Is Often the Most Sustainable

“More than any sponsorship money, I just want to put high quality content out there.”

One of the biggest lies creators believe is that YouTube success should happen fast. If a channel doesn’t take off in the first year—or even the first few—you start questioning whether it’s worth it at all.

This conversation completely challenged that mindset.

What stood out to me most was how long YouTube existed quietly in the background before it ever became the thing. Years of uploading sporadically. Years of experimenting. Years of learning the craft—editing, storytelling, speaking on camera—without the pressure of needing it to make money.

And honestly? That’s the part most people skip.

What I see all the time is creators going “all in” before they’ve built the muscles. Before they know their voice. Before they’ve had time to experiment without the algorithm watching their every move. But YouTube rewards reps, not perfection. Every video is just another rep—another chance to learn what works, what doesn’t, and what actually resonates.

The turning point wasn’t even about views. Yes, one video eventually went viral. But the real shift came from the comments—the reminders that impact matters more than metrics. When people tell you your video changed how they care for their body, grieve, walk, think, or live, that’s when YouTube stops feeling like content and starts feeling like purpose.

Another lesson that hit hard: not everything needs to be optimized for virality. Evergreen content compounds. Thoughtful videos grow slowly but steadily. And the creators who last are usually the ones who aren’t chasing trends—they’re building trust.

I also loved the emphasis on creative sustainability. Keeping YouTube lean. Avoiding unnecessary pressure. Protecting the creative spark. That’s something I wish more creators gave themselves permission to do. Growth doesn’t have to mean burnout, teams, or turning your channel into something unrecognizable.

The biggest takeaway for me?

If you feel called to YouTube—but it hasn’t “worked” yet—that doesn’t mean you’re behind. It might mean you’re still in the reps. And those reps are building something far more durable than a quick win ever could.

“You just have to keep going through even the awkward moments where you’re not really seeing any results, because every rep is building on something.”

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**Erika Vieira is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com.

***Disclaimers: all opinions are my own, sponsors are acknowledged. Links in the description are typically affiliate links that let you help support the podcast at no extra cost.

robin science of self care

Interviews, Podcast, Working With Brands

Erika Vieira, Podcast, Science of Self Care, The YouTube Power Hour Podcast

Author: Erika Vieira

Marketing and sales expert Erika Vieira is the host and producer of the #1 influencer strategy podcast, The YouTube Power Hour. The podcast, with over 100 episodes and hundreds of thousands of downloads is dedicated to content creators who are looking to start, improve and grow their unique influence online. Erika works with influencers on personal branding, content improvement and defining a niche via customized strategy sessions, channel critiques and business support. She also loves makeup, beauty and her family and believes anyone who has the drive and passion can find success online. Feel free to send her a message here.

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