If you’ve ever paid for a YouTube audit and walked away with generic advice, you’re not alone.
A real audit isn’t a list of tips. It’s a diagnosis, a fix order, and a decision framework you can actually follow.
This page explains exactly how I run YouTube channel audits, what I look at first, and why my method is designed to create measurable, repeatable progress rather than short-term motivation.
If you want an overview of the audit service itself, you can find that here: https://alanspicer.com/services-packages/
Who this method is built for
This audit process is designed for: – Established creators who feel stuck or plateaued – Businesses and founders using YouTube for authority and leads – Teams who want clarity before investing more time or budget
It’s not designed for brand-new channels with no data, or for anyone looking for shortcuts.
The core principle behind my audits
Most YouTube channels don’t fail because the creator lacks effort or talent.
They fail because fixes are applied in the wrong order.
So every audit I run is built around one principle:
Identify the current constraint. Fix that first. Ignore everything else until it’s resolved.
This is why my audits don’t try to optimise everything at once. They focus on what matters now.
What I need before I start
To run a meaningful audit, I need context — not just channel access.
Before I begin, I’ll usually ask for: – Your channel link – Your primary goal (growth, leads, authority, monetisation) – What you’ve already tried – Any constraints (time, budget, team) – A few example videos you feel represent the channel
For business channels, I’ll also ask: – What you sell – Who your ideal customer is – What a qualified lead looks like – Where YouTube fits in your wider funnel
Without this context, recommendations risk being impractical.
My audit workflow (step by step)
This is the exact sequence I follow.
1. Goal alignment
I define what success actually means for your channel. A creator growing an audience and a business generating leads have very different success criteria.
2. Positioning diagnosis
I check whether the channel makes sense to a new viewer in seconds: – Who it’s for – Why it exists – What problem it solves
If positioning is unclear, nothing else compounds.
3. Topic and demand analysis
I look at how your topics align with how people browse YouTube: – Search behaviour – Suggested and browse traffic – Competitive framing
This prevents effort being wasted on topics with weak demand.
4. Packaging diagnosis (titles and thumbnails)
If impressions are present but views are low, packaging is the constraint.
I analyse: – Click-through rate patterns – Title–thumbnail alignment – Consistency versus experimentation
Packaging is always evaluated before retention.
5. Retention structure analysis
Once clicks are happening, I look at structure: – First 30–60 seconds – Pacing and clarity – Payoff timing
Retention issues are almost always structural, not personality-based.
6. System design
This is where many audits stop — and where mine don’t.
I identify: – Repeatable formats worth doubling down on – What to stop doing – A sustainable publishing rhythm
Channels grow through systems, not one-off wins.
7. Fix order and roadmap
Finally, I produce a clear fix order: – What to change first – What to leave alone for now – What to ignore entirely
This becomes a practical execution roadmap.
What I look at first (the triage order)
When I open a channel, I always triage in this order:
- Positioning clarity
- Topic demand
- Packaging signals
- Retention signals
- Viewer intent and next steps
If demand is weak, editing won’t save it. If packaging is weak, retention won’t be tested.
What this method avoids
To keep audits honest and useful, there are things I deliberately don’t do: – I don’t guarantee views or subscribers – I don’t recommend daily uploads without a system – I don’t build strategies around one-off virality – I don’t suggest anything you can’t realistically implement
The goal is sustainable progress you can repeat.
What you receive at the end
Depending on the package, you’ll receive: – A written audit report with clear priorities – Examples pulled directly from your channel – Structural and packaging recommendations – A 30–90 day action plan
You can see the available audit options here: https://alanspicer.com/services-packages/
How this fits with my wider work
This audit method sits at the foundation of all my consulting work.
Some clients implement the roadmap independently. Others continue into strategy calls or longer-term advisory support.
The audit simply ensures that any future work is built on the correct foundation.
Final thought
A YouTube channel doesn’t usually need more effort.
It needs clarity about what to fix — and when.
That’s what this method is designed to provide.
