The State of YouTube Video Intros 2024 - What's Working Now
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- Опубліковано 4 бер 2024
- I've reviewed 1000s of small-to-mid size channel UA-cam video intros to bring you: how to win UA-cam video intros and increase retention right now.
PERSONALIZED HELP 📈:
My strategy for winning on UA-cam: • Welcome to UA-cam 202...
Business/personal consulting: radicalyt.com/
IDEATION 💡:
My SEAS method for picking winning ideas: • How to Pick UA-cam Vi...
AI-backed customized-to-channel ideation + titles: vidiq.com/nateblack/
RUNNING A CHANNEL ⚙️:
The free template I made (and recommend) for running a UA-cam channel (ideas, production, timeline, goals): clickup.pxf.io/c/5015775/1909...
RECORDING 🎙️:
Microphone I use in videos (I rarely do any audio processing, and the room is only lightly sound-dampened): amzn.to/47PBzvz
Mic arm for the above: amzn.to/3GjdYYi
Lav mic I've used for hundreds of videos: amzn.to/3utYCgV
Lighting really good for talking head videos: amzn.to/3uBbZw0
I also share more outside UA-cam 🧡:
Instagram (behind the scenes): / thatnateblack
X/Threads (thoughts): / thatnateblack
#youtubeintro #growonyoutube
BE RADICAL
BIG thank you to the channels who volunteered in the comments in previous videos!
What video topic would you love to see me tackle next?
Could talk about 'How To...' videos?
Hooks and loops. How to hook and open a loop 😁
Com-mew-nity tab. Is it even useful?
I think this is probably a bit too specific to me and not helpful for others, but I would love some advice on a balancing letting people know I have expertise on a topic, but not coming across as a know it all or making my feel like a lecture (I am a History lecturer with a PhD and some of my videos are based on actual lectures so this is a very particular problem for me!)
Making Long form Episodic series where ppl want to watch it on their tv like a tv show and how that differs from your standard UA-cam video model if any.
Anyone else start chopping onions when Nate got all up in our face saying, "You are going to do really good stuff with your content! And are already doing it, and you deserve to be confident with it!"
No? Just me? 😅 Thanks Nate! 💜
Awe glad to hear!
No way I can manage to do all these things. I blame my niche (law made simple 😂) but I will keep trying no matter what. Thank you!
For anyone interested, that intro has a 67% retention within the first 30 seconds, which is usual for my audience! Most videos that take off have around 71% and above for me (until they reach a wider audience) THRILLED to see you featured me on your channel! Thanks for that and for the kind words. You’re awesome, Nate!
I took a look at your channel and your views best mine. I think that your content reaches a somewhat larger audience than mine.
Either way, I have taken away some great stuff from Nate’s video!
G’Day Mate!
PS. I’m not Australian 😂
Me: Takes a break from editing to watch a new Nate Black Video.
Also Me: Pauses the Nate Black video so I can then self consciously check my current video (that I'm supposed to be taking a break from editing from) to watch my own intro for a brief self-critique and overthinking session.
Also Me: Goes back to finish watching the Nate Black video before going back to finishing up the editing on my own video.
- Always good to be open to new ideas. Appreciate the content!
😂👌🏻
Nate is one of the primary reasons why I procrastinate on my videos so much... ;-)
Hahahah same!!!!😂
Hey Nate, you helped me grow to 2k!!! I’m forever grateful 🙏🏾 and if you ever want to roast or critique any of my videos you have full permission. Anyone who’s reading this, keep going you got this! 💪🏾
👏👏👏
Nate you have VERY quickly become my favorite UA-cam teacher :) WELL Done :)
Wow, thanks!
Agreed! Nate and Film Booth/Creator Booth are pretty much the only UA-cam Ed channels I watch nowadays :)
Ditto
Yes! Agreed! 💯
Same🎉
A great piece of advice I got was to have the audience feel they were joining the video half way through, no intro, just straight into it. I'm still playing with ideas but it seems to work, my latest video got 10,000 views in 24 hours and it just began with music and action. If folk stay to the end there is a very brief outro and see you soon.
I think you have the right idea.
Thanks Nate. You're the only "UA-camr about UA-cam" that comes accross as genuinely kind. Re: intro, it's tempting to emulate our favorite TV shows as kids, but I found that skipping it entirely is better for the user. They've seen the thumbnail ("the topic") and title ("the concept"), so I just answer the question they want answered immediately, then go into details. I try to remember real people watch my videos and their time is precious. Thank you for your advice!
Thank you!! This makes me want to check your channel.
The last point about energy and confidence is 100% why my channel is doing as well as it is right now. Listen to Nate, everyone!!
I see you got a 134,000-view video. Congratulations on your success.
I have been working on a video script for days now but after watching this video to about 7 minute mark, I realized that my intro already set up the video to fail. I stood up from the bed where I was relaxing and take a look at the intro again and discovered I went against all qualities of a good intro. I have now rewritten a short one that i believe is compelling and straight to the message. Thank you for this video. I have been struggling with intros for my channel since.
Same! Re editing now
@@bycreativepaula that even help me to remove more than 500 words of unnecessary information from the script. I'm happy I saw this video today.
@@HispleMedia that’s great! Let’s see all I edit out now lol
Our intros work really well. It's like an 8 second snappy preview of the video itself showing highlights. I found that it helps retention because people look forward to seeing what they were teased with in the beginning.
Like that idea. Going to have to try it and see if it helps any for me.
Reminds me of some vlogs or gaming videos where 1 moment later in the video is shown at the start
Works a treat especially if you have a jump scare clip or something lively 👌🏼
@@SkillzNGameplay
“Works a Treat”, sounds like a delightful phrase to appropriate!
Works Great would be the appropriate vernacular in this neck of the woods, if I’m picking up what you’re putting down!
😂😂
@@ClaytonsWoodArt 😂😂😂
Nates method for teaching is so effective because I honestly believe (even behind the scenes) that he is genuinely passionate about what he's saying on camera - He clearly and confidently annunciates every word - he injects humor into his talking head style videos and even makes fun of himself sometimes which makes him relatable
He also gives you real value by doing EXTREMELY in depth research on the topics he discusses (which I imagine takes forever when prepping for a video)
I have nothing but good things to say about you Nate and my only wish is that someday my own channel will make it on your "things you should do" style videos :D - You and a small handful of others are responsible for the quality I have developed in the past 2 years on UA-cam so Thank you!!
Thanks for including my clip! It was a good jump scare to start my day. 😂🖤 - Been watching for a while now and am starting to see growth from everything I've learned from your videos. Thanks for posting 🙏
EXCELLENT work Samantha!
I’m emotionally attached to my intro but I’m only 2 months in to my UA-cam journey so I guess now would be the time to play around with it. Thanks Nate!
When I first started I spent a lot of time working on a standard intro for each video but stopped
I definitely had a longer intro when I started and I've slowly been shortening it by a few seconds here and there. It helps with retention for sure, but because it's focused on value to the viewer now and not just how long or short it is. Best of luck!
I love how you are subtly getting more people to comment on your videos by offering the potential of getting their channel reviewed. There are so many micro lessons in Nate's videos.
I love this haha! You are onto me.. but it worked.. kind of! Video was a 1 of 10 but ended up flat lining! I still consider that video a success though, it performed really well! Thank you for using my video! As always, great video! You've become the only "UA-cam help" channel that I HAVE to watch every upload!
Love how you give actual real life examples. I’ve stopped watching other UA-cam “experts”, they just seem to be talking crap to be honest. AND you have literally built your channel from scratch using the advice you are teaching. So we can see it works!
Also, permission to comment on my videos or roast or pop them in yours as an example. I’m sitting watching all your vids taking notes 🗒️
Hey Nate, just wanna say I appreciate you.
I watched literally every one of your videos when I was starting out, and even now, even tho my channel is pretty stable, I still constantly check out your videos to learn/improve.
Also always loved your energy 😊
Best wishes to you and your family.
Wow thank you, and I’M SO EXCITED for your continued success!
Glad to have Nate the GOAT back, and on his own channel!
So good! So, I checked my videos and all about 1+ minutes in before I start to dig into the purpose for the video...wow! Change is coming...thank you!
I appreciate that you talk about channels that aren't just about tech or youtube. I struggle with my music channel to find guidance sometimes... thank you!
Agreed 👍🏻
This is a great analysis and sage advice. The 4 different styles of intros - I've seen them all discussed in isolation but never together like this, it's a great way to explain them.
We seem to have fallen into the routine of doing exactly what every other channel in our niche (RV Life) is doing... Hook, Intro, Content. Open with telling them what we will be talking about this week, roll the standard intro and proceed with the content. I really don't feel like it's working for us. We're growing PAINFULLY slowly especially when compared to our competitors. I think we're going to have to shake things up and pull out of the "same old, same old". Your videos are going to help us do that. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
This video hit home for sure. We watched some of our original content and our intros suffered from Low T for sure. Thankfully we have been improving slowly! All our best!
🎶🎶🎶 Another BOP! at the end... let's keep the flow 🎶 Thanks Nick, err Nate for another fab video.
👏👏👏
Ahh this is so helpful, love the real case studies! I am a brand new UA-camr, just started a month ago and have absolutely NO background in filmmaking, editing, etc but learning YT has been so much fun! Brb off to binge watch the rest of your content - thank you for providing so much value!!
Thanks Nate, great video. Watched you for years. My shorts have tons of views. Amost a 1k subs. I got addicted to doing shorts. We'll keep watching and take it from here, thanks Nate!😊
It sorta feels like traditional intros have been taken a backseat as of late.
But I’ve also seen intros where they hype up for what they’re about to do and then flash their channel logo (or opening movie) and then get on to the main content. Oh and even just the “Hello I’m [username]! today we are doing [subject]” and then get right into it seems decent enough in my opinion. 👍
I _always_ skip the canned intro movies with ONE exception: Bad Gear because Florian remakes the music and visuals each time with the product that's the subject of the video. Apart from that standout, intro clips are a waste of everyone's time (along with "this video is sponsored by..." 🥱).
The latter type of Intro is what I do on my channel.
Your genuineness to help and passion to teach really stands out Nate...it's contagious. Thanks a bunch and great job! Really appreciate all you do sharing with the community here.
Ow Nate This is the best video ever, so much value, thank you so much. And the outro OMG 😅I just can't leave it 🔥
This is the video I needed - Thank you. I've been focused on getting the Thumb nail right but now I need help keeping them once they click! Lots of things to work on. The specific examples are very helpful.
Nate, you seem like an all around wonderful human being. And I don’t say that lightly. Best of luck and blessings in this world for you my friend.
And thanks for the incredibly helpful content for us small channels!
Wow, thank you!
Thank you Nate! I will work on this! It is super helpful that you detailed the parts of the intro!
I've been using the same style of intro for the last 3 years I think for all my videos. This is pretty great insight actually and I may have to consider some revisions. I am at a point where I am wanting to do some refinement to my entire presentations so this comes at a really great time for me. Appreciate the vid sir. Thanks.
Nate !!!! I said I was ready for the hunger games and you didn’t disappoint! Thanks so much for the tips. So glad to hear my videos sound inviting (that’s one of my main goals) but now I just need to WRAP IT UP 😂😂 excited to take these tips into my next videos
We’re newbies remodeling a long neglected channel which was never monetized. We’re now fully monetized after 4 months. We tried to mimic our favorite channel’s intros. It’s working. Our first new episodes were prototypes we didn’t expect anyone to watch. They are growing in popularity every day. We’re happy but it’s scary when you realize lots and lots of people are watching. With our subject matter we must be sensitive.
Mr. Nate Black, you are a LEGEND, bro! I feel more equipped to create everything you drop a lesson. 💯🔥
Man your videos are so great. Your videos feel so simple, as in there isn’t a ton of b-roll and heavy editing etc but you still hold attention and provide value so well. Really need to try this kind of style more on my channel rather than getting wrapped up with overthinking retention editing and taking weeks and weeks to produce one video
Nate, discovering your channel is what gave me the push I needed to start my own! Great lessons to learn every time!
I'm proud of my most recent intro (and video as a whole), but I totally dropped the ball with the title and thumb, and wasnt able to change it for a few hours. By then the damagae was done and CTR was in the pooper.
I appreciate this formula and how you've made it palatable for all of us to implement. I'll most certainly keep it in mind for the next one. 🍻 👏 ✌️
BTW, I give permission to roast any of my 2024 work. I'd welcome another perspective
Starting out as a brand new content creator this video brought a lot to light for me. Thanks Nate!
Great video. I really like the insider hangout intro. I'm going to try to use that on my videos form now on. Thank you!
I love that while I'm watching your vids the like count goes up. It's so fun knowing others are watching and enjoying at the same time. I don't know why. lol. Thanks for this vid, "upgrading my intro" when I edit my next vid. Thanks!
Great video! The first 20/30 seconds are crucial to retain the viewer so these are really valuable tips. As an intro, I like to include very fast paced/interesting clips to show a kind of “preview/coming up” of the video (what others may call a “hook”), so the viewer feels he/she is inside the content already.
Like Justice Cury does!
I feel like so many other "intro/script advice" videos are specifically for educational or "how to" types of videos, so I appreciate you using examples from other niches. Intros are the hardest thing for me as a pseudo-video essayist
I work with other ‘humble’ creators and definitely feel like shouting “THEN ACT LIKE IT”!! sometimes
However even for someone who feels fairly confident when presenting I still have a habit of getting in my head way to much and causing myself to get younger tied.
For me that slap in the face type of inspiration comes from my wife shouting “STOP OVER THINKING IT”
I'm so glad I found this page. It was an encouraging comment that got me to stay the first time and I'm glad I did. I have binge watched at least 5 of your videos and feel like I'm learning more here than I have in weeks with other creators fluff.
Doing trivia shorts was a test honestly. I know I can make videos and I'm good with Ai Art, I've just never made a UA-cam video and wanted to see if I could do it. Having only ever been on TikTok I chose shorts but now I'm thinking long form is definitely the way to go. Trivia is also not for me. I was excited at first but I'm not passionate about it and I learned that within 6 vids. It took a lot of thinking but I finally decided on graphic art with ai as a niche since that's what I love doing and UA-cam taught me most of it.
Yes I know I rambled but I just wanted to say thanks because you really are out here helping people with SOLID advice! ✌️ Next time I comment it will be from my new profile! 💪
Just started last month and found your channel SUPER helpful! Thank you so much! 😊
Thank you for the great video! I am going to take some time to look at my intros now!
Thanks for the feature Nate! Intros have been supper challenging so it's cool to hear you talking about mine :) I still struggle on ones where instead of building something based on an existing character it's one from my own imagination so there's less source material to share at the start. But after watching this there's some great learnings I can take from some of the other styles and incorporate into my own. STV has really been my main consideration so far so I'll be thinking more about the other two factors for future intros! You're a great teacher, thank you!
You’re rocking it!
@@ThatNateBlack Thank you!!
Great video Nate! One of my primary focus is grabbing viewers attention as fast as possible. When i started, i was taking 30s, 45s, or even a full minute just to get my hook/intro done which was uuuuber long. Now ive gotten to 8s to 15s which still needs room for improvement along with the three main points you mentioned. The adding value as soon as possible in a video is something I feel I need most to work on as alot of my views are from nonsubscribed viewers that dont subscribe and/or dont come back. The challenge I sometimes feel I have though is giving enough value right at the beginning without giving it all away. Btw it goes without saying your more than welcome to roast/critique my channel at your leisure. Heck i view some of my older videos (and even some more recent ones) and cringe alittle myself haha. But least it shows growth 😂. Keep up the awesome work bud!
This is one of the only channels that discusses the nitry gritty creative details that go into youtube videos instead of just repeating the same "MAKE MILLIONS WITH UA-cam" messege. I'm loving it. Also, roast me 😂
Nate!
Thank you so much for this video. Before I even got to 7m 30s into the video as I was watching the beginning of this video and had an epiphany about myself. The things I talk about I’m very confident in but due to childhood imprints of my voice being silenced by a parent and my confidence being taken as conceitedness or cockiness. As an adult I have lowered my voice and “humbled” myself in fear of others thinking those things of me. I’m so tired of it and I know it’s hurting my channel quality. My goal is to cold turkey shift this mindset and rebuke these lies that have been holding me back from serving others with my passions, knowledge, and years of research/experience.
Right after having this epiphany I got to the 7:30 mark of your video and you perfectly explained it! Thank you for your content!!! 🤍🙏🏼
This kind of thing is secretly why I'm doing all this. So happy to hear it, and awesome to see you here!
Hey thanks for the advice. I've watched your content and I feel like my intros are getting much better. And I know this because my retention is getting better from the beginning of my vids. Thank youuu
Great vid Nate! Gonna go back and watch my intros and I already am thinking about a recent one that wasn’t great lol!!!
Once I figured this out, my success rate drastically changed. Thanks for giving even more tips 👍🏼
This is so valuable and exactly what I’m working to improve right now.
I needed to hear this again Nate!! Thanks again!
I enjoy watching your videos very much! For the past few days I've been trying to implement different strategies to my videos and they have helped me ALOT... THANK YOU
I have a video in my loaded drafts that i now feel questionable about 😅 Thank you for always sharing valuable information, Nate!
Haha same! Back to editing!
Great insight! I appreciate you and your content! side note, are you using a new camera? you appear to be much sharper in this video.
Loved the video as usual! Thanks Nate!
So glad I watched this video. I really need to pump up the energy in my intros. Love your channel, Nate!
I read an interesting UA-cam strategy book by Bobby Crosby called “Don’t Waste My Time.” It’s a quick read. It covers exactly what you’re saying about dragging on and not getting to the point fast enough. Totally changed my mind about making intros.
I was just going over my last two video intros trying to figure out how to improve the next one when I saw this in my feed, TY Again Nate
I don't use intros.. straight into the content and it seems to be working for my channel. Learning something in 60 seconds for a complex software - my audience loves it. So close to monetisation!
Hi Nate, im so happy I found you. I joined last year project 24 because of following you, and I was sad you left. I'm happy you moved to greater things. Congratulations!
Thank you Nate, this was as helpful as ever
Will look to build future intros around this advice
This has been a real eye opener as it makes me think that I'm not confident with intros and would love to improve on intros for videos. Great video Nate
Thanks for your great content Nate!! :D
Get to the point quickly while showing plenty of energy in a WOW style ... Great info amigo !!!
Been trying to integrate more of your tips into my videos, and I feel like I’ve been improving a little more with each one. You have really solid advice!
Always with the great content! Keep it up Nick!
Great advice! Thanks!
This video so hits the spot. Thanks! The intro is a hard one. I just go by what I like or dislike myself in other videos . And hope for the best.
So great, Nate! Thank you. 🙏🏼
Wow i think the insider hangout is for us thank you! Brilliant!😊
Your videos are always interesting and helpful! Thanks!
I love your videos, Nate! I appreciate that you have data to back of everything that you’re saying. Keep up the good work
I like the concept of STV. Another great video. Thanks, Nate!
It happened again! The song at the end was awesome🙌👍😊. This was a great video thanks again Nate🎉
This video Poped up on me feed as I was writing my next script. Thank You for the advice!
Intros are very hard for me. It's like I somehow feel I have to lay it all out at the beginning, offer enough value for people to want to watch the rest of the video. My channel is growing but I still kind of feel like I'm starting out and I need to convince people the video is worth it in the first seconds while I still have their attention. It's kind of crazy. Thank you for the tips, your videos are such a big help!
You are single-handedly destroying results of your previous boss and that's amazing. You deserve all the success on this channel. Congratulations were all rooting for you 🐻
Oh yeah. My 2.5 yr old daughter was jammin out to your outro song in this video! We all loved it! Wish I could have caught her dancing to it for you!
adding this to my playlist. thanks nate!
Thank you for all the tips, it helps a lot. One thing I realized on my channel is working full-time and also uploading 5 videos a week (4-5 hours editing each) leaves little time for rewatching my own videos after I feel they are "completed." Now that I've watched a few I realized clipping out too much of the silence makes it appear I'm constantly yapping. Always learning and need to focus a bit more on quality over quantity now that I've gotten a decent number of views and watch time.
Heya Nick!
This video came at a really good time because intros are something I usually struggle with. I think the point about lack of energy is probably my biggest weak spot. I tend to come across as having relatively low energy in my videos (mostly because I'm an introvert 😅) but I'm really hoping to improve this going forward. Thanks for the great info!
Also, the outro song was absolutely perfect, I loved it 😂
The only creator in this niche that doesn't just remake the same video every time.
Thank you, makes me rethink my intros and now I know how to improve them in my next videos :)
This was really helpful. Thank you!!
Great video, thanks!🎉
Nate, you are the EPITOME of energy and confidence on UA-cam! Yesterday was my first anniversary as a cooking channel UA-camr and I have learned SO MUCH from you! I have 2 intro styles that I bounce between and can't really tell if one is more effective than the other. #1 is me giving a quick tease of the subject (15 sec), a 3 clip montage with music of key scenes (15 sec), then a welcome and a bit of further info before getting into the recipe ingredients (30-45 sec). #2 is start with the clip with music montage (leaving off the tease), then go into the welcome. My question (for anyone that wants to chime in) -- is 1 minute too long for Seconds To Value? My analytics always show the same kind of drop off in the beginning. Am I overdoing it? It has been a crazy learning curve this past year!
Answering my own question 2 days later (after editing another video). I am skipping the tease and trimming the welcome. (I kind of like the music bit, but may re-visit that in the future)
Great video! Saved and shared with my team!
This was super valuable, thank you! :)
Great breakdown Nate! I've learned to just get into the video..most of the time I don't even tell people who I am and what I do and where I blog and how to follow me in the intro because that's not why people clicked on the video. I'm also working at adding more visual elements to the first 20 seconds or so of the intro...not sure if that's helping retain people. Thanks for the tips though!
You're killing it Nate!
Thank you Nate for the advice. I recently fell away from my consistency and I'm working to get back at it, but better.
Great roast Nate! This video has given me so many ideas! Thank you! I really struggle with intros - but I think I can definitely do better after this! Mysteries demystified! 💥
Such a great helpful video again!!!!! It’s so great that you explained with examples. Thanks!!
This was an awesome video. I often have thought that the jump starts are the best option. I often find myself getting bored of my own intros!