Creating a Breakthrough YouTube Video: April Inlow‘s Method

Every content creator dreams of making that one video that propels their channel to new heights. April Inlow, a YouTube educator, shares her experience and insights on how she created a breakthrough video that garnered 755,000 views, even with less than 1,000 subscribers.
Today, we learn the key steps and strategies she used to achieve this remarkable feat as well as how to get more impressions on YouTube and what impressions even are.

The Power of Ideation

The journey to a viral video begins with a solid idea. April emphasizes the importance of having a backlog of ideas, typically around 100, to draw from when planning content.

However, not all ideas are created equal. When selecting which idea to pursue, April considers two primary factors:

1. Genuine Interest: Is this a topic she’s excited to create content about?
2. Validation: Is there proof that this type of content can perform well?

Validation doesn’t necessarily mean copying what others have done. Instead, it involves looking for evidence that similar content has resonated with audiences before.
This approach balances creativity with data-driven decision-making.

April also categorizes her video ideas into three types:

• Banger Videos: Designed to bring in views and attract new audience members.
  
• Connection Videos: Aimed at deepening relationships with existing viewers.
  
• Soul Videos: Created for personal fulfillment and creative expression.
  

Understanding these categories helps in setting appropriate expectations for each video’s performance.

The Art of Packaging: Titles, Thumbnails and Impressions

Once an idea is selected, the next crucial step is packaging it effectively.
Wondering how to get more Impressions on YouTube?
Well that involves crafting an attention-grabbing title and thumbnail.
For her breakthrough video on YouTube intros, April drew inspiration from successful creators while adding her unique twist.

Key elements of her title strategy included:

• Using powerful adjectives (e.g., “killer”).
  
• Creating a sense of urgency or relevance (e.g., “for the 2023 algorithm”).
  
• Promising a specific, actionable outcome (e.g., “to blow up your channel”).
  

What are Impressions?

YouTube impressions are a crucial metric for content creators and marketers alike.
An impression occurs when a thumbnail of your video appears on a viewer’s screen, whether in search results, recommended videos, or on the YouTube homepage. Essentially, it’s an opportunity for your content to catch someone’s eye.

Impressions don’t necessarily translate to views – that happens only when a user clicks on the thumbnail.
However, they’re a vital first step in the viewer journey.

A high number of impressions indicates that YouTube’s algorithm is frequently suggesting your content, while the click-through rate (views divided by impressions) shows how effectively your thumbnails and titles are enticing viewers.

Understanding and optimizing for impressions can significantly boost your YouTube success, helping you reach a wider audience and grow your channel more effectively.

How to Get More Impressions on Youtube?

For those who want to know how to get more impressions on YouTube, it has to do with the thumbnail.
April took a risk by deviating from the typical style in her niche.
She created a visually striking image that stood out from the crowd, using:

• A timeline visual to represent intros.
  
• Bright, rainbow colors instead of the common red and black.
  
• A clear visual hierarchy drawing attention to the key elements.
  

April emphasizes the importance of being “remarkable”—creating something that stands out and catches viewers’ attention in a sea of similar content.

Research and Scripting: The Foundation of Quality Content

Behind every great video is a mountain of research. April’s process is thorough and methodical, often resulting in research documents spanning 70-180 pages.
Her research approach consists of two main phases:

1. Information Collection:
   • Reviewing previous research on related topics.
   • Watching interviews with creators (primary sources).
   • Analyzing videos on the topic.
   • Exploring resources outside of YouTube (e.g., film, writing, game development).
   • Conducting personal interviews with fellow creators.
     
2. Information Connection:
   • Condensing collected information.
   • Sorting information into thematic “buckets.”
   • Seeking feedback on organized information.
   • Creating an outline based on feedback and organized data.
     

The scripting process builds on this research foundation. April describes her first draft as the “sad April” version—a challenging but necessary step to get ideas flowing. Subsequent drafts focus on refining the content, with particular attention paid to:

• Crafting a strong intro.
• Ensuring high-quality, valuable information throughout.
• Creating a smooth flow and good “feel” to the script.
• Balancing dense information with lighter moments.
• Ending on an inspirational, encouraging note.
  

Enhancing Retention Through Structure and Pacing

High retention is crucial for a video’s success. April attributes the strong retention of her breakthrough video to several factors:

• Presenting information as a clear, multi-step formula.
• Breaking down complex ideas into sub-formulas.
• Alternating between high-energy and low-energy segments.
• Frontloading value to keep viewers engaged.
• Using real examples (e.g., analyzing successful intros) to maintain interest.
  

Elevating Production Quality

While content is king, production quality can significantly enhance a video’s impact. April’s process includes a crucial “annotation phase” between scripting and filming.
During this phase, she plans out every visual element of the video, including:

• Talking head footage.
• On-screen text.
• B-roll footage.
• Animations and illustrations.
  

This detailed planning streamlines the filming and editing processes, allowing for a more polished final product.

The Final Touch: Uploading and Monetization Strategies

Even after a video is complete, there are still opportunities to optimize its performance. April shares two key strategies:

1. Including Timestamps: Despite concerns about potential negative impacts on retention, April finds that timestamps enhance the viewer experience and provide valuable analytics.
2. Strategic Ad Placement: For monetized channels, manually placing ad break opportunities every 2-3 minutes can significantly increase revenue without overwhelming viewers with ads.
   

Takeaways for Aspiring Creators

April’s journey to creating a viral video offers several valuable lessons for content creators:

• Balance creativity with data: Use proven formulas and concepts as a foundation, but add your unique perspective.
• Invest in research: Thorough research provides the depth and quality that viewers appreciate.
• Pay attention to packaging: A great title and thumbnail can make the difference between a video being clicked or scrolled past.
• Plan meticulously: Detailed planning of visual elements can elevate your production quality.
• Focus on viewer experience: Structure your content to maintain engagement and provide clear value.
• Be willing to take risks: Sometimes, standing out from the crowd requires trying something new.
• Continuously learn and adapt: Each video is an opportunity to refine your process and improve your craft.
  

Creating a popular video isn’t just about luck or hitting on a trending topic.
It’s the result of careful planning, thorough research, creative packaging, and attention to detail throughout the production process.

By following April’s approach and adapting it to your own niche and style, you can increase your chances of creating content that resonates with viewers and helps grow your channel.

Remember, success on YouTube is rarely overnight. It’s the culmination of consistent effort, learning from each video, and continually refining your approach.
Even if your next video doesn’t go viral, the skills and processes you develop will contribute to your long-term growth as a content creator.

So, take these insights, apply them to your own content creation process, and keep pushing forward.
Your hit video could be just around the corner!

(Source: The Creator Science Podcast)