Brief Summary
This YouTube video clip features a discussion about the advice creators receive about YouTube, the platform's relationship with creators, and common complaints among YouTubers. The speakers explore whether advice from creators in different genres overlaps, the importance of storytelling in videos, and the challenges of packaging content, particularly for tech reviews. They also touch on the role of thumbnails, the potential for A/B testing, and the financial aspects of being a YouTuber, including ad revenue.
- Creator advice isn't universally applicable.
- Storytelling is crucial, even in tech reviews.
- Thumbnails are a significant source of stress for creators.
- A/B testing for thumbnails is a highly requested feature.
- AdSense revenue shouldn't be the primary focus for new creators.
Storytelling Advice for YouTube Creators
The discussion begins with the observation that advice from creators about YouTube doesn't always apply across different genres. While some advice, like introducing a storyline within the first 10 seconds, might work for some content, it may not be suitable for tech reviews where viewers expect immediate information about the product. The speakers then discuss the importance of storytelling, referencing advice from the creators of South Park about creating causation between events in a story. This principle, they argue, can be applied to tech videos by creating tension and release, such as highlighting a product's unique features or potential drawbacks.
The Challenge of Reviewing Tech Products
The speakers explore the challenges specific to reviewing tech products, noting that many products fall into a "fine" category, making it difficult to create compelling content. Some channels may exaggerate aspects to create a better video, which could skew the review's conclusion. The importance of revealing information strategically to maintain viewer retention is highlighted. The inherent tension in tech reviews, driven by viewers wanting to know the reviewer's opinion, can be a powerful tool. While general storytelling advice can be useful, it needs to be adapted to the specific needs and goals of different channels and audiences.
YouTube's Relationship with Creators and Common Complaints
The conversation shifts to YouTube's relationship with its creators and the common complaints that arise. One of the biggest issues is the inability to A/B test thumbnails, which are seen as a crucial but stressful part of content creation. The speakers discuss the evolution of thumbnails and their impact on viewership, noting that thumbnail design has become a specialised job. The potential for changing autoplay previews, similar to thumbnails, to increase click-through rates is also explored.
Thumbnails and Titles: Packaging Your Video
The speakers discuss the importance of thumbnails and titles in packaging a video. While some creators frequently change their thumbnails and titles to optimise performance, others believe that these elements should be well-defined early in the production process. The challenge of creating titles and thumbnails for tech reviews, where the product's quality is unknown until testing, is highlighted. The speakers share their own processes for finalising titles and thumbnails, often doing so as they upload the video.
AdSense Revenue and Building a Business on YouTube
Another common complaint among creators is the lack of sufficient ad revenue. One speaker shares their perspective that YouTube doesn't owe creators anything for uploading videos and that it's the creator's responsibility to build a business. AdSense revenue is viewed as a bonus rather than a primary source of income. New creators are advised not to focus solely on ad revenue but to concentrate on building an audience and creating valuable content. The clip concludes with a call to action, inviting viewers to suggest future guests for the podcast.
