Why Your YouTube Video Podcast Isn’t Working: The Invisible Barriers Most Beginners Face

Are you ready to get more visibility for your business just by talking about what you do every week on a video podcast?

If so — you’re in exactly the right place, my friend. And let me just say: you’re smart for taking this approach.

Because here’s the truth — video podcasting can literally double as your entire content marketing strategy. One podcast episode can feed your blog, your newsletter, your email marketing, and all of your social content. That’s been my business model for the past two years, and my website traffic has increased by 132%.

So yes, this works. But… there are invisible barriers that show up when you start your YouTube video podcast. And if you’re feeling like something isn’t working — there’s a good chance it’s one of these.

Let’s talk about why your video podcast might not actually be failing — and when it might just be completely normal.

1. Low Views

This is the big one.

If your videos are getting low views, it doesn’t always mean your podcast isn’t working.

Here’s how I see it:If you’ve been podcasting for less than a year, low views are normal. Especially if your topic is niche. For example, if your show helps mothers with nutrition — that’s a very specific audience. You don’t need 10,000 views to see results when your content speaks directly to those people.

Now, if you’ve been podcasting for over a year and your topic is broad — that’s when you might need to tweak your approach. Go two layers deeper into a more specific sub-niche.

That’s exactly what I did. I switched my focus to serve solopreneur podcasters, and my views dropped — but my audience became way more aligned.

Another reason for low views? Maybe you’re not helping people in a way that keeps them engaged.

Hop into your YouTube analytics and look at your average view duration. Where are people dropping off? What moment in your video is losing their attention? That’s your clue to improve your motivational factor — the part that makes people want to stay.

Try this:Search your video topic on YouTube. Look at the highest-performing videos and notice:

• How are they framing this concept?

• What keywords are they using?

• How are they simplifying the idea so it’s easy to watch through to the end?

Then test that framing in your own way.

And remember: low views ≠ failure. Especially if your content is targeted and genuinely helping the right people.

2. Low Engagement

Low engagement often goes hand-in-hand with low views, but it deserves its own attention.

If you’re not getting comments, likes, or community interaction — ask yourself:

• Are people leaving with solid takeaways?

• Are your episodes giving “mini transformations”?

Even if your topic is lighthearted, your audience should walk away with something — a laugh, a new insight, a new way to think about their problem.

If your content is genuinely helpful but engagement is still low, try being more intentional about inviting people in.

Ask specific questions during your videos. It might take time, but consistency builds comfort. One of my clients has done this since her very first episode. She didn’t get many responses at first, but because she kept it up, people now expect that interaction.

You can also:

• Highlight previous comments in your next video — people love to be featured.

• Mention personal interests that overlap with your audience’s — music, movies, hobbies. It’s a simple way to spark connection beyond your core topic.

The more you invite people into your content, the more your community will grow around it.

3. No Purchases or Conversions

This one’s big — and it’s where most podcasters start to panic.

If you’re not getting sales from your podcast, there are three things to consider:

1. Are you actually talking about your offers? So many creators hold back here. Selling isn’t “salesy” when you believe in what you offer. You’re giving your audience the next level of value — not tricking them into buying.

2. Are you reaching people who have real urgency or pain? If your content doesn’t hit on a real problem, people won’t take action. For example:If you teach gardening, your audience’s pain points change with the seasons. In February, they might be frustrated that their seeds won’t sprout. In July, they’re overwhelmed by weeds.Know the timing of your audience’s struggles and speak directly to those moments.

3. Do you have enough reach for conversion? The average conversion rate is about 1%. That means one person out of every hundred views might buy. So if you’re only getting a few hundred views total, your sales might look small simply because your audience size is small.

But here’s the good news — when you niche down, this metric becomes irrelevant.The more specific your offer and your audience, the higher your conversion rate can be.

For example, I don’t just serve business owners. I serve solopreneur podcasters — specifically in the wellness and creative space. That’s what makes my conversions stronger even with fewer views.

So — did this help you see your podcast differently?

Maybe your show isn’t “not working.” Maybe it just needs time, clarity, or a little fine-tuning.

Let me know in the comments what you discovered about your podcast after reading this. I’d love to hear.

And if you want to learn my full method for planning, creating, editing, and publishing your podcast — go check out my recent post, The Solopreneur’s Guide to Video Podcasting: My Four-Step Method. It breaks down the exact process I use (and teach) to simplify your entire content system.

Until next time — keep going. You’re probably a lot closer than you think.