Why make long-form videos?
Long-form video content allows for the opportunity to share detailed stories and establish connections with viewers. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the differences between short-form creators on platforms like TikTok and those on YouTube. Short-form creators on TikTok often have difficulty gaining a large number of followers despite high viewership, while on YouTube, a single video can result in a significant increase in followers. Additionally, YouTube’s algorithm is designed to promote relevant and engaging content, increasing the potential for organic reach and visibility for in-depth videos.
In addition to offering ample opportunities for storytelling and audience engagement, YouTube also has the potential to generate revenue for creators. By joining the YouTube Partner Program, which requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time, creators can monetize their content through advertising and other forms of revenue sharing. Brand sponsorships can also provide a faster path to monetization. However, the ultimate success of long-form video content on YouTube relies on retention, or the ability to maintain viewer engagement and interest. A high retention rate is crucial for building a strong brand story, earning visibility through YouTube’s algorithm, and ultimately earning money from your content.
The best structure to follow for maximum watch time
YouTube, like any other video-sharing platform, requires content that is not only visually appealing but also captivating to retain the audience’s attention. The most successful YouTube videos have a combination of four key elements that make them irresistible to viewers and keep them engaged from start to finish.
- A title and thumbnail that entices viewers to click: Having an engaging and attention-grabbing title and thumbnail is crucial in making viewers want to click on your video. It’s the first thing that viewers see before deciding whether or not to watch your video. A great title and thumbnail should be informative, interesting, and relevant to the video’s content.
- An opening hook that keeps people watching: The first few seconds of your video are crucial in determining whether or not viewers will continue watching. An opening hook, also known as an “attention-grabber,” is a technique used to capture the viewer’s attention and entice them to keep watching. It can be something as simple as an intriguing question or a surprising statement that piques the viewer’s interest.
- A well-structured story: Keeping the audience engaged requires a well-structured and compelling story. It should have a clear beginning, middle and end, with a logical flow of events, and relatable characters. It should also have a clear message or purpose that resonates with the audience.
- A high-stakes situation: To keep viewers hooked to the end, it’s essential to provide a high-stakes situation that gives viewers a reason to care about the outcome of the story. It could be a challenge that needs to be overcome, a mystery that needs to be solved, or a problem that needs to be addressed.
- A snappy ending with a desired action: A good video should have a satisfying ending that concludes the story and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. It should also have a call-to-action that encourages the viewer to take a desired action, such as subscribing to your channel, leaving a comment, or visiting your website.
By incorporating these elements into your videos, you can increase the chances of creating videos that viewers will find captivating and engaging, which will lead to higher retention, more likes and shares, and ultimately, more subscribers.
Are you ready to level up your video production and make your content irresistibly captivating? By incorporating these elements, you’ll see skyrocketing engagement, more likes, shares and subscribers! Let’s make it happen, Contact Boko today!