Feeling Discouraged

If you've ever poured your heart into a project, especially a live stream, only to see minimal engagement, you know that gut-wrenching feeling. For me, it was a recent TikTok live: hours spent, anticipation building, and then… just 7 views, with almost everyone dropping off within the first minute. Honestly, it was a total blow. That somber expression you see on my face? That’s exactly how I felt in that moment. It makes you question everything – your content, your appeal, even your decision to put yourself out there. Initially, that wave of discouragement felt heavy. You start thinking, 'Why bother?' or 'Am I just not good enough?' It’s easy to let those negative thoughts spiral, making you want to just give up. But after letting myself feel that disappointment for a bit, I realized I had a choice: let it defeat me, or learn from it. I decided to lean into the 'learn from it' part, and here’s what I’ve been trying to tell myself and what I hope helps you too. First, it’s crucial to acknowledge the feeling. It's okay to feel down when your efforts don't yield the results you hoped for. Don't bottle it up. For me, taking a short break from thinking about content and just relaxing helped clear my head. Then, it was about shifting my perspective. Instead of focusing solely on the numbers, I tried to remember why I started creating in the first place – to connect, to share, to express myself. Even if only one person genuinely connected with my live, that's still a win. Now, for some practical steps that I’m personally working on to turn those 'low click' moments into more engaging experiences for myself and my viewers: Prep is Key: I'm learning to plan my live content a bit more. What will I talk about? What questions can I ask to spark conversation? Having a loose agenda helps avoid awkward silences and keeps the flow going, even with a small audience. Engage Your Existing Audience: Before going live, I'm trying to use my stories or posts to ask what people want to see or discuss. This creates anticipation and ensures I’m delivering content my followers are actually interested in. It makes them more likely to click in and stay. Be Present & Interactive: During the live, make an effort to greet viewers by name if you can. Ask open-ended questions. Respond to comments promptly. It makes people feel seen and valued, encouraging them to stick around. I’ve realized that personal connection is far more important than the sheer number of viewers. Promote Smartly: Don't just go live and hope for the best. Share the upcoming live session on other social platforms, post reminders, and let people know what they'll gain from tuning in. A quick heads-up can make a huge difference. Consistency Over Perfection: It’s tempting to give up after a flop, but showing up consistently builds an audience over time. Not every live will be a hit, and that's perfectly normal. The key is to keep practicing and refining your approach. Review and Reflect: After a live, I’m trying to go back and watch parts of it. What went well? Where did I lose people? What was the energy like? This self-critique helps identify areas for improvement without being overly harsh on myself. Don’t let a single low-view live define your entire creative journey. Every creator, no matter how big, has faced these moments. It's how we pick ourselves up, learn, and keep going that truly matters. Keep creating, keep sharing, and remember that even 7 views are 7 connections you made with someone.