Lessons from the Front Lines: Top Creators Share Mistakes and Strategies at VidCon 2025
In a refreshing display of transparency, four prominent creators – Eric Wei, Devin Lytle, Sidney Raskind, and Evan Britton – took to the stage at VidCon 2025 to share their most significant mistakes and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. The panel, titled "F*ckups, Fixes, and Lessons Learned," offered a unique glimpse into the highs and lows of building a successful online presence.
Devin Lytle, a YouTube creator with 179,000 subscribers, kicked off the discussion with a crucial piece of advice: "Do not start a YouTube channel when you’re depressed." Lytle’s own experience with burnout and lack of strategy led her to step away from the front of the camera, only to find happiness in producing and directing. "When you’re starting a YouTube channel, you need to start off with a strategy. You need to start off with a clear mind and a clear head if you want to have long legs," she emphasized.
Sidney Raskind, a short-form creator, echoed Lytle’s sentiments, sharing his own story of burnout after three years of daily uploads. However, he discovered that re-uploading his content, a tactic he’d seen work for others in the life-hacking niche, was a game-changer. One of his most viral videos, which initially received 17 million views, garnered an additional 15 million views upon re-upload. This experiment allowed Raskind to test different captions and posting times, further refining his content strategy.
Eric Wei, co-founder of Karat Financial and host of the Karat Podcast, highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with business awareness. After releasing an episode that featured a creator criticizing MrBeast, Wei decided to take the episode down, acknowledging the potential impact on his business. "I occupy a role in the industry where the podcast I put out can also become an implicit endorsement of what I’m doing, which can also affect the business side," he explained.
The panelists also touched on the topic of burnout, with Lytle advising against announcing hiatuses. "The internet is where everyone spends their free time. And so one day they may spend time with you, one day they’re gonna spend time with another creator or in another space," she said. "And if you’re not there, it’s OK. You’ll be there next time."
Evan Britton, founder of Famous Birthdays, drove home the point of letting audience behavior guide direction. By analyzing on-site search engine data, Britton discovered that users were more interested in online creators than A-list celebrities, prompting him to adjust the site’s content accordingly. This pivot led to Famous Birthdays attracting 30 million monthly users, a testament to the power of listening to one’s audience.
The "F*ckups, Fixes, and Lessons Learned" panel at VidCon 2025 served as a reminder that even the most successful creators face challenges and setbacks. By sharing their mistakes and strategies, these four innovators offered a valuable roadmap for anyone looking to build a sustainable online presence. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, their advice will undoubtedly resonate with creators and entrepreneurs around the world.
