Why Your Videos Aren’t Performing
Let’s get one thing straight: your videos aren’t flopping because they’re not pretty enough. They’re flopping because they lack one critical thing: a narrative.
You can make content about anything, as long as it tells a story.
Aesthetic ≠ Engagement
We all love a good aesthetic. Great lighting, trending audio, clean transitions, they help your content look good. But the problem? That’s all they do.
Aesthetic might stop the scroll, but it doesn’t hold attention. What does? Narrative.
When people know what’s going on, they stay. They’re curious. They want to know what happens next. That’s storytelling and that’s what drives retention, saves, shares, and repeat views.
Case in Point: “Who TF Did I Marry?”
Let’s talk about Who TF Did I Marry? a perfect example of why story trumps quality. These videos weren’t highly produced. There were no fancy visuals, just a woman talking to the camera. But it worked.
Why? Because there was a clear narrative. A beginning, a middle, a cliffhanger.
People weren’t watching for the setup, they were watching for what came next.
Even Aesthetic Content Has a Narrative
Don’t get me wrong — aesthetic content can absolutely perform. But only when it still tells a story.
Think about travel content, food videos, GRWMs (Get Ready With Me). They’re not just pretty clips. They’re selling something — a lifestyle, a vibe, a recommendation, a transformation. That’s narrative in motion.
If your video doesn’t give viewers a reason to care — a hook, a payoff, a punchline — then no amount of aesthetic can save it.
So What’s the Fix?
Next time you’re planning content, ask yourself:
Why am I making this video?
What do I want people to feel or understand?
What’s the story I’m telling?
Whether it’s a 15-second Reel or a three-minute TikTok, leading with story will always outperform content that’s just “pretty.”
Here’s What To Remember:
📉 Videos flop when they lack purpose, not polish.
🎥 You don’t need high production, you need a clear story.
🧠 Narrative keeps people watching. Aesthetic just gets them in the door.
💡 Even “vibe” content is storytelling, it sells a mood, place, or lifestyle.
