How to Come Up With a Killer YouTube Video Idea

Introduction

• The key to a video blowing up isn't the title, thumbnail, or video quality—it's the idea.
• Patty Gallway: “The idea is more important than everything.”
• Focus: Coming up with a good idea.
• Main findings from 186 pages of notes and extensive research.
• Four-part formula for a successful YouTube idea.

Part 1: Selecting a Killer Topic

• Topic answers: What is the video about?
• Importance: Wrong topic can doom a video.
• Verification: Proof that the topic can reach the view goal.

Finding Proof for Topics

• Search for popular videos in your topic.
• Concept of Familiarity Bias: Big creators have inflated view counts due to their recognition.
• Outliers: Videos that significantly outperform a channel’s average views.

Methods to Find Outliers

1. Manual Method:
   • Check individual videos on smaller channels.
   • Use tools like the free one of 10 Chrome extension.
   • Avoid videos less than 2 weeks old.
2. Using One of Ten Tool:
   • Search for topics and find outliers easily.
   • Filters help narrow down significant outliers.

Part 2: Killer Format

• Format answers: How is the video presented?
• Integrates the topic for a base idea.

Types of Formats

1. Tutorials: Teach a skill or process.
2. Challenges: Experiencing something new; competition.
3. Breakdowns: Answering questions, curiosity gaps.
4. Commentaries: Opinions, reactions, perspectives.
5. Vlogs: Daily routines, adventures, personal connections.
6. Interviews: Exclusive insights from guests.

Combining Formats

• Combine formats to stand out (e.g., Ryan Trahan's penny series).
• Examples: Challenges + Vlogs, Interviews + Challenges.

Part 3: Killer Angle

• Angle makes the idea more interesting.
• Examples of Angles:
  1. Superlatives: Biggest, smallest, etc.
  2. Stakes: Risk or reward.
  3. Money: Financial stakes/issues.
  4. Time Constraints: Accomplishing within a limit.
  5. Prolonged Commitment: Long-term efforts (input bias).
  6. Comprehensive: Covering all aspects or variations.
  7. Defined List: Organized value in list format.
  8. Familiarity Bias: Featuring well-known entities.
  9. Topic plus Twist: Familiar with a surprising element.
  10. Comparisons: Juxtaposing ideas or items.
  11. Transformations: Before and after progress.
• Combining Angles: Multiple angles for more interest (e.g., Mr. Beast).

Part 4: Killer Criteria

Six Checks for Evaluating Ideas

1. Feasibility: Practical to execute?
2. New Audience Interest: Would strangers be interested?
3. Existing Audience Interest: Engages current followers?
4. View Potential: Can it meet view goals?
5. Brand Alignment: Fits the channel’s brand?
6. Packageability: Can you make a clickable title/thumbnail?

Idea Shortlist

• Create a list of top ideas passing all checks.
• Rate ideas on:
  1. Personal excitement.
  2. Effort required.
  3. Confidence in performance.

Conclusion

• Steps to a killer idea:
  1. Validate topic.
  2. Choose effective format.
  3. Add engaging angles.
  4. Run idea through checks.
• Balance high-scoring ideas with ideas for personal fun and audience connection.
• Videos don’t all need to be viral.
• Pre-package ideas with compelling titles/thumbnails.

Next Steps: Learn to make a killer thumbnail.