My Shorts Didn't Get Views Till I Discovered This Secret

Summary

The video script details a creator's journey to YouTube Shorts success, emphasizing a shift from quantity to quality. They reduced Shorts production from four to one or two per week, focusing on passion and creativity. The script discusses the importance of storytelling, viewer perspective, and editing for maximum impact. Key storytelling tips include crafting hooks, building tension, and ending with a hook to retain viewer interest. The creator also suggests using Shorts as a separate content format, not just as a promotional tool for longer videos.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The creator experienced viral success with YouTube Shorts after a shift in strategy, emphasizing quality over quantity.
• 📅 Initially producing 3-4 Shorts weekly, the team felt exhausted and focused more on quantity than quality, leading to a decrease in creativity.
• 💡 They decided to reduce production to 1-2 Shorts per week to focus on passion and quality, which improved the content significantly.
• 🎯 The importance of storytelling in Shorts was highlighted, with a focus on hooks, tension, and viewer perspective.
• 🤔 The team questioned the effectiveness of their rigid schedule and decided it was stifling their creativity, leading to a change in approach.
• 📉 They discovered that Shorts with a high 'Viewed versus Swiped Away' rate (70-90%) tend to perform better, indicating strong audience engagement.
• 📹 The first few words of a Short are crucial as a hook to capture immediate attention and prevent viewers from swiping away.
• 📈 The 'but so' method in scriptwriting was introduced as a way to create tension and maintain viewer interest.
• ✂️ Editing should be ruthless, with the aim of maximizing retention and viewer engagement, often resulting in higher view counts.
• 🔁 The last line of a Short can act as a hook to keep viewers engaged to the very end, similar to cliffhangers in TV shows.
• 👀 Including actual interview clips or relevant B-roll in Shorts can increase engagement and make the content more authentic.

Q & A

What was the initial strategy of vidIQ in producing YouTube Shorts?

Initially, vidIQ was releasing about three to four Shorts per week, adhering to a strict schedule regardless of circumstances.

Why did vidIQ decide to change their Shorts production frequency?

The team at vidIQ felt exhausted and creatively stifled by the rigid production schedule, leading to a focus on quantity over quality.

How did reducing the number of Shorts per week benefit vidIQ?

Reducing the Shorts production to one to two per week allowed the team to focus on quality, research better, and create more engaging content that they were passionate about.

What was the concern of the team when considering reducing the Shorts production?

The team was anxious about the potential impact on viewership and whether maintaining the status quo would be better despite the creative toll.

How did vidIQ ensure that their Shorts were still connected to their brand?

VidIQ made sure their Shorts felt connected to their brand by flipping the perspective from creator to viewer, making the content relatable and engaging for a broader audience.

What storytelling technique did vidIQ adopt to make their Shorts more captivating?

VidIQ adopted a storytelling technique that involved creating tension and using 'open loops' to keep viewers engaged and watching for longer.

What is the 'Viewed versus Swiped Away' metric and why is it important?

The 'Viewed versus Swiped Away' metric shows the percentage of viewers who watch a Short before swiping away, indicating how well the content captures attention. A high viewed rate is desirable as it suggests strong audience engagement.

How does vidIQ use hooks in their Shorts to increase viewership?

VidIQ uses hooks such as posing a question or focusing on a relatable subject like a 'college student' to spark curiosity and make viewers want to continue watching.

What is the 'but so' methodology and how does it help in storytelling for Shorts?

The 'but so' methodology involves introducing twists or turns in the story that build drama and momentum, keeping viewers engaged by creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity.

Why is the last line of a Short important according to vidIQ?

The last line of a Short is crucial as it can serve as a hook to keep viewers engaged to the very end, preventing them from leaving before the video concludes.

What editing tips did vidIQ share to maximize the impact of their Shorts?

VidIQ suggests including interview clips if available, being ruthless with cuts to maintain a snappy pace, and ensuring every second of the Short contributes to the overall engagement.