Why Your Video Isn’t Getting Views—And How to Fix It

You hit post… and nothing. Low views, no comments, maybe a sympathy like from your mom.

Don’t panic—this doesn’t mean your content sucks. It means there’s a disconnect between your creative output and the platform’s engagement mechanics. The good news? It’s fixable.

At Informal, we audit thousands of videos. Here are the six most common reasons your content flops—and the exact moves to turn it around.

1. Your Hook Isn’t Grabbing Attention

The first 3 seconds are everything. If your video opens too slowly or generically, it’s over before it starts.

Fix It:

• Open with movement, text, or a question that stops the scroll
  
  
  

• Lead with tension: “This is where 90% of people mess up…”
  
  
  

• Use text overlays early to reinforce your hook visually
  
  
  

Pro Tip: Always A/B test your hooks—one subtle change can 2X your views.

2. Your Pacing Is Killing Retention

Slow pacing is a death sentence in short-form content. Attention resets every 5–8 seconds. If your video feels flat, the viewer bails.

Fix It:

• Cut every 3–5 seconds: even minor visual changes keep attention
  
  
  

• Add motion graphics, zooms, or sound cues to reset focus
  
  
  

• Inject energy through pacing, not just storytelling
  
  
  

3. Your Format Isn’t Mobile-Friendly

If you’re not optimizing for vertical viewing, you’re cutting your reach in half.

Fix It:

• Stick to 9:16 format for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts
  
  
  

• Keep your key text centered in the screen-safe zone
  
  
  

• Boost brightness and contrast to pop visually on mobile
  
  
  

4. You’re Missing Algorithm Signals

Platforms reward videos that show strong early engagement. If your content doesn’t generate saves, shares, or comments, it dies early.

Fix It:

• Start with a punchy promise, deliver value fast
  
  
  

• End with a CTA that triggers response: “Would you try this?” or “Tag a friend who needs this”
  
  
  

• Focus on shareable pain points, quick wins, or emotional resonance
  
  
  

5. You Don’t Deliver a Payoff

If your video starts strong but fades or ends with a whimper, the viewer leaves unsatisfied.

Fix It:

• Preview the payoff early: “Watch till the end for the #1 mistake”
  
  
  

• Use a cut or visual that rewards the viewer at the end
  
  
  

• Reinforce the CTA with captions, not just audio
  
  
  

6. You’re Not Studying What’s Working

Every flopped video is feedback. Every viral clip is a blueprint.

Fix It:

• Revisit your top 3 performing videos—break them down by hook, pacing, visuals
  
  
  

• Create 2–3 remixed versions of those winners
  
  
  

• Double down on the formats that drive the highest watch time and saves
  
  
  

What Informal Does to Fix the Feed

When clients come to us with content that underperforms, we don’t start from scratch—we optimize what’s already there:

• Hook Rewrites: Our viral team crafts multiple intros per video
  
  
  

• Retention Re-Edits: We cut slow starts, inject energy, and add visual stickiness
  
  
  

• Platform-Specific Versions: Tailored formats for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts
  
  
  

• Performance Tracking: We monitor how the content performs and adjust in real time
  
  
  

You Don’t Need More Content. You Need Better Execution.

If your video didn’t land, it’s not the idea—it’s the execution. Our system flips flops into high-performers without burning you out or starting over.

Ready to Turn It Around?

Let us audit your last 5 videos. We’ll tell you what’s holding them back—and how to fix it. Free. No fluff. All strategy.

Book your free audit with Informal today.