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My first 2 months on YouTube (real stats, learnings, goals)

My First Two Months on YouTube: Lessons, Stats, and Goals

Author

Ark
May 28, 2025

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to start a YouTube channel, especially in those first few months when you’re just finding your footing? You’ve probably seen videos from massive creators boasting about getting 100,000 subscribers in three months or going viral overnight. While those stories are inspiring and enticing, they don’t feel realistic for most of us. Statistically, they’re outliers. I’ve been posting weekly videos on YouTube for two months now, and I thought I’d share my experience—the real stats, lessons learned, and my goals moving forward. This is the kind of article I wish I’d read when I was starting out, and I hope it resonates with you too.

Who I Am

Hello! My name is Freya, and I’m a doctor working on Bunarong land in Melbourne, Australia. I’m two months into my YouTube journey, and today I’m breaking down what I’ve learned, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and where I’m headed next.

My YouTube Stats: The Juicy Details

Let’s start with the numbers, because I know that’s what you’re curious about. After two months on YouTube, here’s where I stand:

  • 135 subscribers

  • Nearly 3,000 total views

  • 95.6 watch hours

Here’s a quick timeline:

  • 1 month in (4 uploads): I hit my first 1,000 views.

  • 6 weeks in: I reached 100 subscribers, and one video hit 400 views.

  • 2 months in: My watch hours reached 95.6.

Initially, my views spiked because I shared my first video with everyone I knew—family, friends, you name it. That created a big surge, but I haven’t hit that peak again. However, I’m thrilled to see a steady increase in views and watch time, even without sharing my videos with people I know. My baseline views are gradually climbing with each new video, and my watch hours show an even more convincing upward trend. To me, this suggests my videos are improving, and people are sticking around longer.

Lessons Learned

Starting a YouTube channel has been a learning curve, informed by my own experience, research, and insights from creators of all sizes. Here are my key takeaways:

1. The Hardest Part Is Getting Started

The biggest hurdle for most creators is simply putting themselves out there. Embarrassment, shyness, and fear of judgment can hold you back. I’ve been fortunate to have some experience with this through my medical education podcast and Instagram account, where I share content under my own name. But even then, when I started my Instagram, I avoided posting photos of my face for the first six months. I was mortified at the thought of colleagues or peers thinking I was ridiculous. Over time, I got over that, and while my first YouTube video made me anxious, each one gets easier.

2. Keep Going—Put in the Reps

Very few creators go viral right away. Ali Abdaal, a doctor-turned-YouTuber, posted 52 videos before hitting 1,000 subscribers. MrBeast posted 460 videos before reaching 10,000. At the start, it feels like you’re releasing videos into a void, which can be demotivating. But Ali Abdaal’s advice resonates with me: your first 100 videos are for you, to hone your craft—lighting, camera presence, editing, and more. The next 100 are for your viewers. I’m focusing on improving my video quality with each upload, trusting that the audience will come naturally as I get better.

3. Make Videos You Love

From the outset, I’ve made videos about topics I’m passionate about. This keeps me motivated, even when the views are low. I’m also avoiding obsessing over analytics for now. With only a handful of videos and views, any conclusions I draw would be statistically meaningless. I’d need at least 20 videos with 500 views each to start analyzing trends. Plus, YouTube’s algorithm needs time to figure out who my audience is. I’m giving it space to find the right people—people like you, who are reading this far.

4. Ignore the Metrics (For Now)

It’s tempting to refresh the YouTube Studio app constantly, checking for new views or comments. Every view gives me a little boost, but a “flop” video—especially on niche topics like pediatric clinical BPT exams—can feel disappointing. To avoid this trap, I’ve set boundaries. I use an app called Opal to block YouTube Studio from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, helping me focus on creating rather than overanalyzing.

Goals for the Next Two Months

While it’s easy to fixate on views and subscribers, those are outcomes I can’t directly control. Instead, my goals for the next two months are within my power:

Content Goals

  • Release 8 weekly videos. Consistency is key, so I’ll keep posting once a week.

  • Try short-form videos: I want to experiment with at least two short-form videos to see how they perform.

  • Post to the YouTube Community tab: I love the sense of community on social media, so I’ll make at least two community posts to connect with my audience.

Mindset Goals

  • Avoid overanalyzing metrics: I’m practicing what I preach by stepping back from constant analytics checks and focusing on the process.

  • Celebrate wins: I’m not great at savoring achievements. Whether it’s passing my specialty exams or getting married, I tend to move on quickly. I want to be better at celebrating milestones, no matter how small.

Aspirational Goals

I couldn’t resist setting a couple of big, dreamy goals, even though they’re out of my control. I’m not tying them to a timeline, but I’m excited to work toward them:

  • Reach 500 subscribers: This feels like a huge milestone, and I’d love your help getting there—consider subscribing if you’re enjoying this!

  • Get genuine comments: I’m thrilled at the idea of receiving comments from real people (not friends, family, or bots) who enjoy my videos and share their thoughts.

Final Thoughts

Starting a YouTube channel is a journey, and I’m only two months in. It’s been exciting, challenging, and rewarding all at once. If you’re on a similar path, I’d love for you to join me—hit subscribe to follow along, and in a couple of months, I’ll share my four-month learnings. Curious about how going part-time last year helped me pursue YouTube? Check out my related article here.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!

#Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Career #Networking #Business #Motivation #FutureOfWork

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