I want to share a small experiment/ test I ran recently not because it “went viral” (it didn’t), and not to impress anyone, but because it proved something I see small business owners struggle with all the time: you don’t always need a big marketing budget to get noticed.
In just the first 15 hours, YouTube Short video about an advanced boxing technique for punching the speedball got 1300 views and 67% retention, which was enough to show me that small, focused experiments can cut through even in a very niche market like boxing Sometimes, you just need to test the right idea in the right place and pay attention to what actually works.
The Experiment: A video in a Niche Market
I posted a YouTube Short video about boxing specifically, an advanced technique for punching the speedball. Not beginner content. Not mass-market fitness. A very niche topic for people who already know what they’re looking at.
- No ads.
- No promotion.
- No spending at all.
Early Results That Taught Me Something
Here’s what happened in the first 15 hours:
Proven Engagement:
My Short got 1300 views, which told me people were engaging with the content. It was a good start, especially considering that Shorts can take some time to gain traction. The fact that it performed well in those first 15 hours showed me I was on the right track.
High Retention (67%):
An average of 67% of viewers stuck around for most of the video. That felt really encouraging because YouTube Shorts thrive on engagement, and the longer people watch, the more the platform rewards it. Strong retention was a clear sign that the content was resonating.
Top Ranking (1 of 10):
Out of my last 10 Youtube Short videos, this was the top-performing video. That told me this piece of content on boxing was more likely to be discovered by new viewers, helping build momentum for future Shorts.
Engagement with Likes:
I got 12 likes, which isn’t huge but was a solid start. Likes on Shorts can take time to grow, and seeing this early engagement suggested that the content was connecting with the audience that mattered.
Why Retention Matters More Than Views
What stood out wasn’t the view count it was the retention. People didn’t just scroll past—they stayed.
That told me:
- The topic was clear
- The audience was right
- The platform matched the content
And that’s where a lot of marketing goes wrong especially for small businesses.
Why a Niche Wins Over a Broad Audience
Advanced Boxing speedball technique isn’t a broad topic, but the people who care ,really care.
Many businesses try to appeal to everyone:
- broader message
- safer content
- watered-down ideas
And then wonder why nothing lands. This worked because it was specific.
What I Was Really Testing
This wasn’t about boxing it was about:
- platform choice
- clarity
- relevance
- testing without a budget
The result ?
Yes, a small, focused experiment can cut through without spending a cent.
Not explosive, not overnight but enough to notice.
The Takeaway for Small Businesses
You don’t need a big budget to start. You need:
- a clear idea
- a defined audience
- the willingness to test before overthinking
Small, focused experiments beat big, expensive guesses.
This was one short video, one niche topic, zero spend—and it got noticed. Often, that’s the first real win.
Below is the actual data from the first 15 hours. Nothing viral — just proof that a small, focused experiment in a niche can still get traction.
