Why Your Videos Are Underperforming (Even if Your Content Is Strong)
You’ve been pouring so much of yourself into your content — and when the numbers don’t reflect the effort, it can feel like you’re shouting into the void. Maybe you’ve been thinking:
“Nothing is working.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I feel so discouraged.”
We understand how frustrating it can feel. The reality is: experiencing a lull isn’t a sign you’re bad at this. It’s a sign that you’re in it. This is the natural ebb and flow of being a creator, and it doesn't mean you’re doing anything wrong.
Everyone is experiencing lower views on social media to some degree right now. Algorithms are changing constantly. There's more content being shared than ever before. Even creators with thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of followers are feeling the effects.
Let’s break down why so many creators are experiencing the struggle of getting content seen, together — not just to "fix" the problem, but to reconnect you with what actually matters and reignite your creative spark.
Key Takeaways
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re creating.
Sometimes social media growth comes from doubling down.
Sometimes social media growth comes from experimenting.
Sometimes it comes from stepping away for a minute, reconnecting with your why, and coming back stronger.
Either way, you’re not bad at this, you’re just building something that will stand the test of time.
First: Let’s Name What Might Be Going On
Here are a few reasons videos can underperform even when the content is strong:
The algorithm is moody.
You might post a brilliant, heartfelt story on a Monday morning — but because your audience is still catching up from the weekend, it gets buried. Sometimes it’s just timing, oversaturation, or randomness. (Frustrating but true.)
How to Fix this:
Try posting during peak engagement windows for your audience (you can find this inside Insights/Analytics). And remember — great content compounds even when it doesn’t go viral immediately. Do your best to detach your self-worth from one post’s performance. Focus on stacking momentum over time.
The format might not match the message.
There are times when a vulnerable story might resonate better as a quiet B-roll video with simple text, rather than a direct-to-camera talking clip. Or, a great idea might not take off as a talking head or a fast-paced reel. It might need a slower pace, a text overlay, a voiceover — or even a totally different medium.
How to Fix this:
Ask yourself: “How would I want to experience this if I were scrolling?” Experiment with B-roll, voiceovers, text-led formats, or slower pacing. If you’re telling an emotional story, give it the breathing room it deserves.
You’re in a transition season.
Maybe, you used to post funny lifestyle videos, and now you’re sharing more reflective, personal stories. Growth might feel slower because you're building a deeper, more intentional connection. Your audience may still be catching up. You’ve shifted tone, deepened your message, or experimented with new styles — and not everyone moves at the same speed you do.
How to Fix this:
Trust the transition. Don’t judge your growth based on short-term metrics. Post consistently in your new voice — even if it feels like nobody’s watching yet. (They will.) Remind yourself: evolving is a good thing. The growth that matters most isn't always visible right away.
Over-optimization is draining the joy.
You start second-guessing every post — wondering if it’s “good enough” for the algorithm — and the original heart behind it feels diluted. Or, maybe you’re thinking too hard about hooks and formatting, and the soul of your story is getting lost in trying to package everything perfectly.
How to Fix This:
Before you post, ask yourself: "Am I trying to impress, or am I trying to express?" Prioritize being clear in your posts over being clever. Let at least 20–30% of your posts feel less calculated — raw, real, human.
Strategies for Regaining Momentum
Option 1: Double down and keep posting.
Sometimes it's not about changing strategies — it's about staying the course. If you’ve only been consistent for a few weeks, don’t panic. Give your strategy 90–120 days before deciding it’s "not working." Focus on improving the craft — not just chasing quick results.
Real-life example:
Tech creator Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) spent years posting consistently before seeing viral traction on his YouTube videos. Today, he has millions of followers — but it was built on slow, steady momentum first.
Option 2: Tweak your approach.
If you've been posting consistently for a couple of months and you're still not seeing traction, it might be time to tweak your approach. Getting outside feedback — from a brand strategist, a mentor, or a community like PBA — can be invaluable. We’re often too close to our own work to spot the blind spots. A small shift in format or delivery could change everything.
Real-life example:
Inside PBA, members often post in our feedback channels, tweak their video hooks, swap formats, and see a major spike in engagement — sometimes with just one small shift. For example, one member used our storytelling formula to create her first post in months after feeling creatively blocked. That single post led to two coaching inquiries, 50 new TikTok followers, and a wave of encouraging comments, including people telling her in person how much they loved her story. That moment cracked something open for her. And it all started with a small shift in how she told her story.
Option 3: Take a break and reset.
Stepping away isn’t failure, it’s wisdom. Sometimes a short pause is exactly what you need to see your work more clearly and recalibrate your energy. Give yourself permission to be creative without posting. Go for a walk, journal, play, or make something just for you. These quiet moments often hold the clarity you’ve been searching for.
Real-life example:
I took three full weeks off from posting in March. I needed the reset — and when I came back, I felt more excited, creative, and connected to my work than I had in months. It was exactly what I needed.
Now: Let’s Reconnect You With Your Why
Try asking yourself:
What do I need to say right now, algorithm be damned?
What would feel fun or freeing to post, even if it flopped?
What kind of video could only I make?
These questions will bring you back to the heart of why you started creating in the first place — and that's where the magic lives.
And Finally: A Few More Gentle but Strategic Ideas
Repackage an underperforming video with a new hook. Same message, different angle. It’ll give you fresh data and a fresh boost of confidence.
Post a “meta” video about how you’re feeling. Share the frustration, the vulnerability, the behind-the-scenes. People love being brought into the in-between moments.
Switch formats for a week. Try silent B-roll with text overlay. Record a voiceover. Experiment with subtitled clips from your writing.
Run a no-pressure experiment. Pick three videos. Try three styles. No expectations. Just pure exploration.
