Let me tell you about one of the loneliest feelings in the world:
You spend hours creating a track you’re genuinely proud of. You pour your heart, skill, and energy into it. You release it with hope and excitement. And then… nothing.
Twenty views after a week. Fifty streams after a month. Three comments, two from friends. The silence is deafening.
You watch other artists—some with less talent, less dedication, less authenticity—blow up seemingly overnight. Their mediocre tracks get thousands of views while your best work gets ignored. The comparison eats at you. The doubt creeps in.
“Maybe I’m not good enough.”
“Maybe nobody cares what I have to say.”
“Maybe I should just give up.”
I know this feeling intimately. As Tray Millen, building my dancehall career from the ground up, I’ve experienced countless moments when the numbers said nobody cared. Releases that flopped. Content that got no engagement. Hours of work that seemed to disappear into the void.
Those moments tested everything—my confidence, my belief in my music, my willingness to continue.
But I’m still here. Still creating. Still building. And the views, streams, and engagement are growing—slowly, but steadily.
This isn’t a success story saying “just keep going and you’ll blow up.” This is honest talk about how to maintain positivity and keep creating when the numbers say you’re failing. Because if you’re going to build a sustainable music career, you need to learn how to stay positive during the long period when nobody seems to be paying attention.
This is how I’ve done it. This is how you can too.
Understanding the Reality: Why Most Music Gets No Views
Before we talk about staying positive, let’s understand what you’re actually facing.
The Brutal Numbers
The reality of music in 2025:
- Approximately 100,000+ songs uploaded to streaming platforms daily
- Millions of artists competing for attention
- Billions of pieces of content posted to social media daily
- Audience attention is the scarcest resource in human history
What this means:
Your music isn’t getting views not because it’s terrible, but because getting attention in this environment is extraordinarily difficult for everyone.
The Illusion of Overnight Success
What you see:
Artist posts track → goes viral → blows up → instant success
The reality:
- They’ve been creating for years before that moment
- They had dozens of releases that went nowhere
- That “first” viral track was actually their 50th release
- Their “overnight” success took 5 years of invisible work
The lesson: The artists you see succeeding now have likely endured the exact same “no views” period you’re in. They just kept going.
The Algorithm Doesn’t Care (Yet)
The truth about algorithms:
When you’re new with minimal following:
- Algorithms don’t show your content to many people
- Streaming platforms don’t push you to discover playlists
- Social media gives your posts minimal reach
- You’re essentially invisible until you build momentum
Why this happens:
Algorithms reward engagement and track record. When you have neither, they don’t promote you. It’s not personal—it’s programmatic.
The breakthrough: Once you build enough engagement, algorithms start working FOR you. But that takes time and consistency.
This Phase Is Temporary (If You Don’t Quit)
The absolute truth:
Every successful artist went through this phase. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
The difference between artists who make it and those who don’t isn’t talent or luck—it’s who keeps creating through the “invisible” period.
Your choice:
Quit now and guarantee zero views forever, or keep creating and give yourself a chance for eventual breakthrough.
Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything for Me
Let me share the mental reframes that helped me stay positive.
Shift 1: Views Are Lag Indicators, Not Real-Time Feedback
The mistake:
Judging your music’s value and your future success by immediate view counts.
The reality:
Views are a lag indicator—they reflect where you were months or years ago, not where you’re going. Today’s small numbers don’t predict tomorrow’s potential.
The reframe:
“Current views show past momentum. My consistent work today is building future momentum that hasn’t shown up in numbers yet.”
What this changes:
When you understand views lag behind actual work, you can focus on controllable actions (creating, posting, improving) rather than uncontrollable outcomes (views).
Shift 2: Quality Audience Over Large Audience
The mistake:
Believing success means millions of views from people who don’t care.
The reality:
Ten genuine fans who love your music and support your career matter infinitely more than 10,000 passive viewers who watch once and forget.
The reframe:
“I’m not trying to reach everyone. I’m trying to reach the right people—those who genuinely connect with my music and message.”
What this changes:
One meaningful comment or message from someone your music impacted becomes more valuable than high view counts from disengaged viewers.
Shift 3: Building, Not Begging
The mistake:
Feeling desperate for views, like you’re begging for attention.
The reality:
You’re building something valuable. Those who discover it early are privileged to be part of the journey. You’re not begging—you’re creating.
The reframe:
“I’m building a body of work that will matter to the right people. Those who find it now are getting in early on something special.”
What this changes:
Your energy shifts from desperate (“please watch”) to confident (“this is valuable, and the right people will find it”).
Shift 4: Practice in Public
The mistake:
Believing every release needs to be perfect and immediately successful.
The reality:
You’re practicing and improving in public. Early releases are part of your development. Nobody’s first 50 songs are masterpieces.
The reframe:
“I’m not failing—I’m learning in public. Each release teaches me something that makes the next one better.”
What this changes:
Low-view releases become learning opportunities rather than failures. Pressure decreases. Willingness to experiment increases.
Shift 5: Playing the Long Game
The mistake:
Expecting immediate results and quitting when they don’t appear.
The reality:
Sustainable music careers are built over years, not months. You’re running a marathon, not a sprint.
The reframe:
“I’m committed to this for years. This month’s views don’t determine next year’s trajectory. I’m playing the long game.”
What this changes:
Short-term fluctuations matter less. You can withstand the difficult early period because you’re focused on where you’ll be in 3-5 years.
Practical Strategies to Stay Positive
Beyond mindset shifts, here are concrete practices that keep me positive.
Strategy 1: Celebrate Micro-Wins
The practice:
Find something positive in every release, no matter how small the numbers.
Examples of micro-wins:
- One genuine comment from someone who connected
- Five more views than last release
- Someone saved the track (Spotify metric)
- A share from someone you don’t know
- Learning something new during creation
- Finishing and releasing (itself an achievement)
Why this works:
Training yourself to find wins prevents dwelling exclusively on what’s lacking. Positivity becomes a practice, not just a reaction to good numbers.
My practice:
After every release, I write down three positive things—no matter how small—before looking at overall numbers.
Strategy 2: Focus on Controllable Actions
The practice:
Measure success by actions you control, not outcomes you don’t.
What you control:
- Creating consistently
- Posting regularly
- Engaging with community
- Improving your craft
- Promoting strategically
- Building skills
- Showing up daily
What you don’t control:
- Whether content goes viral
- Algorithm decisions
- When breakthrough happens
- Other people’s responses
- Timing of success
The shift:
Success = “I created and posted consistently this week”
Not = “I got X views this week”
Why this works:
Basing self-worth and positivity on controllables creates stability. You can succeed every day regardless of views.
Strategy 3: Build a Support System
The practice:
Surround yourself with people who support your journey regardless of current numbers.
Who to include:
- Other artists on similar journeys
- Friends/family who believe in you
- Online communities of independent artists
- Mentors or people ahead of you
What they provide:
- Perspective during discouragement
- Celebration of small wins
- Reminders that early struggle is normal
- Accountability and motivation
- Practical advice and support
Why this works:
When you feel alone in struggle, seeing others in the same boat normalizes the experience. Community prevents isolation.
My practice:
I’m part of multiple artist groups where we share wins and struggles. Knowing others face the same challenges makes them feel less personal and more universal.
Strategy 4: Document the Journey
The practice:
Record where you are now so future you can see how far you’ve come.
What to document:
- Current view counts and metrics
- How you feel about your music
- Challenges you’re facing
- What you’re learning
- Small wins and progress
- Your commitment and why you’re doing this
How to document:
- Journal entries
- Voice memos
- Videos talking to future self
- Screenshots of current metrics
- Written reflections
Why this works:
Months or years from now, you’ll look back and see undeniable progress. On hard days, reviewing past documentation shows how far you’ve come.
My practice:
I keep a monthly journal noting where I’m at. Looking back at where I was a year ago—even two years ago—proves the progress that’s invisible day-to-day.
Strategy 5: Create Accountability Separate from Views
The practice:
Build accountability systems that don’t depend on view counts.
Examples:
- Commit to creating X days per week
- Track posting consistency
- Monitor engagement time with community
- Set skill development goals
- Create release schedule regardless of previous performance
Why this works:
External accountability keeps you moving forward when internal motivation (from good numbers) isn’t present.
My practice:
I have artist friends I check in with weekly. We share what we did (actions), not what we got (results). This creates accountability based on work, not outcomes.
Strategy 6: Shift Your Definition of Success
The practice:
Redefine success in ways that aren’t view-dependent.
Alternative success metrics:
- “I created something I’m proud of”
- “I improved technically from last release”
- “I showed up consistently this week”
- “I learned something new”
- “I expressed myself authentically”
- “I connected with one person through my music”
- “I’m building a body of work”
Why this works:
When success isn’t defined solely by views, you can feel successful every day. This maintains positivity regardless of external metrics.
Strategy 7: Limit Comparison and Social Media
The practice:
Intentionally reduce exposure to others’ success and social media highlight reels.
Strategies:
- Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger comparison
- Limit social media time to scheduled blocks
- Don’t check view counts obsessively
- Focus on your journey, not others’
- Remember others’ highlights don’t show their struggles
Why this works:
Constant comparison kills positivity. Creating space from it protects mental health.
My practice:
I check numbers once weekly, not daily. I unfollow accounts that make me feel bad about my progress. I focus on my path.
What to Do When You’re Really Struggling
Even with all these strategies, some days are just hard.
The Really Bad Days
When nothing is working:
- Numbers are down
- Latest release flopped
- Motivation is gone
- Doubt is overwhelming
- Quitting seems logical
What I do:
1. Allow the feeling (don’t suppress it)
Feel disappointed, sad, frustrated—whatever’s there. Suppressing makes it worse.
2. Set a timer (15-30 minutes)
Allow yourself to feel it fully for limited time. Then move forward.
3. Reach out to support system
Text artist friend. Call someone who gets it. Don’t isolate.
4. Do something unrelated to music
Physical activity, time in nature, different creative outlet—shift energy.
5. Revisit your “why”
Remember WHY you started. Money? Fame? Those aren’t sufficient. The deeper reason—expression, impact, passion—that sustains you.
6. Look at past progress
Review old content, old metrics. See how far you’ve actually come.
7. Commit to one small action
Don’t make big decisions on bad days. Just do one small thing: write 4 bars, post one story, send one encouraging message to another artist.
The Dangerous Thoughts (And How to Counter Them)
Thought: “I’m not talented enough”
Counter: “Talent develops through practice. My early work doesn’t represent my potential.”
Thought: “Nobody cares about my music”
Counter: “The right people haven’t found it yet. My job is to keep creating until they do.”
Thought: “Everyone else is succeeding except me”
Counter: “I’m comparing my behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. Most artists struggle exactly like this.”
Thought: “I should just quit”
Counter: “I made a commitment. Quitting guarantees zero success. Continuing gives me a chance.”
Thought: “I’m wasting my time”
Counter: “I’m building skills and a body of work that has value regardless of current views. This is investment, not waste.”
The Truth About the “No Views” Phase
Let me be completely honest with you.
This Phase Sucks
I won’t lie to you:
Getting no views after working hard feels terrible. It’s discouraging, frustrating, and makes you question everything.
The struggle is real:
Anyone who says “just stay positive, views don’t matter” hasn’t felt the sting of creating your best work and having it ignored.
Your feelings are valid:
Disappointment, frustration, sadness—all completely understandable and normal.
But This Phase Is Also Necessary
The reality:
- This phase develops resilience you’ll need for sustainable career
- This phase filters out people not truly committed
- This phase teaches skills that serve you forever
- This phase builds character that success can’t build
- This phase proves your commitment is deeper than external validation
What you’re actually building:
- Consistency regardless of results
- Skill through repeated practice
- Body of work that compounds over time
- Mental toughness for inevitable challenges
- Clarity about why you actually do this
The Artists Who Make It
Common pattern:
Almost every successful artist has stories about the period when nobody was paying attention. They talk about it now as the crucible that formed them.
What separated them:
They kept creating. That’s it. Not superior talent. Not better luck. Just refusing to quit during the “no views” phase.
The truth:
Your music career has two possible outcomes:
- You quit (guaranteed zero views forever)
- You continue (possibility of eventual breakthrough)
Only one option gives you a chance.
My Commitment to You
I’m telling you this as someone in the middle of the journey:
I still have releases that don’t perform as hoped. I still have content that gets minimal engagement. I still face moments of doubt and discouragement.
But I’m further than I was.
A year ago, “minimal engagement” meant 20 views. Now it means 200. Progress is happening even when day-to-day feels unchanged.
The difference between me now and me earlier:
I’ve learned to stay positive and keep creating regardless of current numbers. That skill—maybe more than any other—is why I’m still here and growing.
You can develop this skill too.
Not because you’re superhuman, but because it’s a practice, not a talent. Anyone can learn it.
Your Action Plan
Starting today:
1. Commit to time frame, not outcome
“I will create and release consistently for 12 months regardless of views.” Not “I’ll do this until I get X views.”
2. Implement one positivity practice
Choose one strategy from this article. Practice it daily for 30 days.
3. Find one support person
One other artist on similar journey. Check in weekly. Support each other.
4. Redefine success
Write down what success means beyond views. Measure yourself by that.
5. Create today
Regardless of how yesterday’s release performed, create something today.
Final Truth
Views are not the measure of your worth as an artist or human.
You’re valuable whether you have 10 views or 10 million. Your music matters whether algorithms recognize it or not. Your voice deserves to be heard regardless of current audience size.
The numbers will come if you stay consistent, keep improving, and refuse to quit. But more importantly, you’re becoming someone who creates regardless of external validation.
That person—who creates from authentic expression rather than need for approval—that’s who builds a sustainable career.
Stay positive not because it’s easy, but because it’s the only way forward.
The world needs your music. Even if it doesn’t know it yet.
Keep creating. Keep releasing. Keep believing.
I see you. I’m with you. Let’s keep going together.
You’re not alone in this struggle. Subscribe to the TrayMillen.com newsletter for weekly encouragement, real talk about the journey, and support from an artist who’s been exactly where you are. Join our community of artists supporting each other through the “no views” phase.
Free resource: “The Artist’s Positivity Toolkit” at TrayMillen.com/positivity
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