Notes on Video Engagement Strategies

Key Concept

Irresistible Videos: Understanding why some videos gain millions of views while others are ignored.

Creating Captivating Reasons to Watch
- All viral videos have at least one compelling reason for viewers to click.
- Patterns in popular creators' content reveal effective strategies.
Engaging Titles and Thumbnails
- Titles and thumbnails should complement each other, not repeat the same information.
- A captivating question often serves as a central theme.
- Example: "What happens next?" creates curiosity without needing to be stated outright.

Questions: Simple yet intriguing titles that appeal universally.
Intriguing Statements: Titles that suggest excitement or a good story.
Dramatic Wording: Use compelling phrasing that sparks curiosity (e.g., "secrets being kept from you").
Avoid Literal Titles: Get creative; instead of stating facts, hint towards experiences or learnings.

Visual Appeal: Thumbnails must stand out to draw attention.
Spotlight Elements: Use of faces, familiar objects, or short text to create intrigue.
- Faces grab attention due to natural human instinct.
- Familiar objects can create questions when used creatively.
- Minimalistic designs can enhance the appeal of thumbnails.
Color Usage: Different colors evoke specific moods (e.g., warm colors for excitement; cool colors for calm).
Storytelling Through Thumbnails: Incorporate elements that tell a story, hinting at the video’s content and emotional tone.

Use Contrast: Colors and composition should help elements pop out.
Avoid Clutter: Keep thumbnails simple to make the spotlight more effective.
Separate Imagery: Use distinct images for thumbnails rather than taking direct screenshots from the video.

Lead with Important Words: Place the most interesting parts of the title at the beginning for visibility.
Length Consideration: Avoid overly wordy titles that may get cut off in previews.
Tools for Title Creation: Use thesauruses or AI tools for finding the right words.

Retention Strategy: Ensure that the intro of the video aligns with the title and thumbnail to minimize audience drop-off.
- Average videos lose over a third of their audience within the first 30 seconds.

Overall Goal: Create as many captivating reasons to watch through thoughtful titles and thumbnails, ensuring they are engaging and compatible with the video’s content.