The most critical part of a YouTube video is the first few seconds. Those opening moments determine whether someone commits to your video or keeps scrolling.

But there's no universal formula. What works for a tech review channel (jump straight to the product) would bomb for a storytime creator (build tension first). You need to test different approaches and see what keeps 

Here are eight intro styles that work across different types of content. Try them, track your retention, and double down on what keeps viewers past that critical first impression.

Instead of introducing topics the usual way, tease the most entertaining scene from your YouTube video. You'll want to choose a clip that evokes powerful emotions within your audience, something to make them gasp, laugh, or frown.

This moment isn't hard to find, either. It's usually the climax of your story, where the plot becomes wildly captivating. That could be the moment a prank goes wrong, the minute you reveal a secret, or a "failed" activity that sparks gut-busting laughter.

These moments grab your viewers' attention by showing them what to expect. They know what's coming, so they have a reason to stick around and see how it all unfolds!

What type of challenges do your viewers face? Do they have trouble getting into college, finding a job they love, or training their pets? Do they want to pay off credit card debt without feeling overwhelmed?

If you know what's bothering them, address that in your intro and promise a real solution. This simple act will make viewers feel seen and understood, as though watching your video could potentially change their lives.

Questions make great conversation starters, but they're also effective in YouTube intros. This strategy works because the viewer has to stop and think about what you've asked them. And while they're wrestling with the answer, they don't have time to think about leaving the video, not yet, anyway.

Of course, this is exactly what you want to happen. Your primary goals are to make people quit scrolling, pay attention, and engage with the video.

So when you ask a question in your intro, make sure it's:

Sometimes reality is more shocking than fiction. For example, did you know that a typical cloud weighs 

? Or that more people live in tiny Bangladesh (164 million) than in spacious Russia (144 million)?

You can easily make a nice intro for your YouTube video by stating one of these mind-blowing facts. Viewers will be so blown away that they 

When creating an intro, try to engage as many human senses as possible. Give people something fascinating to look at, even if that means all you did was change the camera angle. Let them hear a variety of sounds, and add some text to break up the monotony of only hearing your words.

These elements make a video entertaining, and you can feel the difference when they aren't there. The pace is slower, the scenes are too quiet, and before you know it, you leave the video out of sheer boredom.

But adding these elements will stop viewers from clicking away:

Video motion: jump-cuts, camera panning, zoom-ins, zoom-outs

And if you want to experiment, try animated intros

The trick to using pop culture references in your intro is to make them both timely and entertaining.

Use viral memes to spice things up. Repurpose a 

. Hop on the latest dance craze to get viewers' attention.

But before you do any of that, ask yourself what's popular right now. You could check the trending section of social media apps — Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and more — to see what people are talking about.

6 Places to Find Trending Topics for YouTube Videos

If your viewers like to be encouraged, why not open your video with an inspirational quote? This simple act prepares your viewers for more uplifting content, so they make it through the intro and onto other scenes.

Best of all, famous quotes are everywhere. You can get them from industry experts, books, TV shows, movies; the list goes on. Just remember to credit the original author when you reference a quote.

Telling a joke might be considered corny or cliche, but it's still an excellent way to open your video. 

Whether the joke lands or not, you'll completely disarm the viewer and catch them off guard. They'll either think, 

 Either way, you'll have their full attention.

 a joke, per se. Sometimes you can show a funny scene where you act out a joke instead of saying it on camera.

Check out these YouTube intro examples that keep viewers watching.”

On average, the intro for a YouTube video should be 10 seconds or less. We say 10 seconds because YouTube emphasizes the first 30 seconds when showing your 

 in the YouTube Studio. Most viewers click away at the 30-second mark, so you want to catch their attention ASAP.

To be on the safe side, you could even shoot for eight seconds and try to hook viewers before 10 have even passed. That way, you'd be getting to the point faster.

From there, you can jump into the meat of your video during seconds 11-20, well before the 30-second mark. You would even set yourself up to 

A great YouTube intro is a promise. Make it specific, make it visual, and make it fast, then deliver on it immediately. Pick one hook from this list for your next upload, keep it short, and test a second version on your next video to see what improves early retention.

Once your intro keeps viewers watching, the next win is guiding them to another video. 

Set up strong end screens so the attention you earned turns into more watch time and more returning viewers

showing the 8 second rule for YouTube Intros

Man with finger on lips and text "8 Second Rule" with YouTube logos in background

Pick one hook style (tease, problem, question, bold claim)

Show the payoff visually in the first few seconds

Keep it under 10 seconds, then get into the video

If you use a branded clip, keep it very short and consistent

Use original or licensed music and visuals

Hook viewers fast: tease outcome, promise value, ask a question, and nail your YouTube intro in 8 seconds

YouTube Intro Ideas: 8 Ways to Hook Viewers In the First 8 Seconds

YouTube collaborations aren't just about cross-promotion or subscriber swaps (though those do help). They're about breaking out of your creative bubble and making videos that neither of you could've made alone.

If you're ready to find the right collaborators and pitch ideas that actually get responses, here's exactly how to do it.

YouTube's Collaboration Feature: How it Works

If you're planning a YouTube collaboration in 2026, you have two options: the traditional approach (co-create content and cross-promote on separate channels), or YouTube's built-in Collab feature, which officially recognizes partnerships directly on the video itself.

Two YouTube creators collaborating on a video project

The Collab feature allows you to invite up to five creators as official collaborators on a single video. Once they accept the invitation, their profiles appear as collaborators across all devices where viewers watch the content. YouTube then promotes the video to the combined audiences of both the original channel and all collaborators, maximizing reach and discoverability.

While traditional collaborations rely on manual cross-promotion, the built-in feature streamlines the process and leverages YouTube's algorithm to amplify your content across multiple creator communities simultaneously.

Go to YouTube Studio → Create → Upload videos

On the Details screen, under Audience, click 

Open the YouTube Studio app and start uploading your video

The uploading channel retains 100% of the video's ad revenue. Revenue is not automatically split between collaborators—any payment arrangements must be handled separately outside of YouTube's platform.

When someone invites you, you’ll typically receive an invite link. Open it while signed into the correct channel, review the video details, and click 

 to confirm the collaboration. If you do not see an option to accept, the feature may not be fully rolled out to your account yet (or you may be signed into the wrong channel).

Audience size is the first thing to consider when planning great collabs. Find creators at a similar stage. You don't need a huge following to collaborate, just look for channels within the same order of magnitude.

YouTube creators with similar audience sizes collaborating effectively

A 1K channel pitching a collab with a 500K creator, would obviously benefit the small creator, but that's a tough sell. The best collabs happen when both sides gain comparable exposure and value.

So if you have 1,000 subscribers, for example, look for creators who have between 500 and 5,000. That levels the playing field so you both benefit from a collab.

How to Find Small YouTubers to Collab With

If you're just starting out on YouTube, teaming up with others can help you grow. Early collabs might give you a boost. First, know your 

 well and build a steady collection of videos that show your style.

 is another option. Creators gather there to network and learn YouTube tips, so you’re bound to find YouTubers looking to partner up.

2. Collaborate with Creators in Your Niche

Before you start sending collaboration requests, take time to 

. Your niche isn’t just a topic; it’s the specific audience you serve and the style, tone, and value you bring to them. When you know this, it helps you identify creators who are 

YouTube creators from the same niche collaborating on content

Niche-adjacent means complementary, not identical.

Look for creators whose viewers would naturally care about your content too. A personal finance channel collaborating with a minimalism creator makes sense, their audiences share values around intentional spending. But partnering with a salsa dancing channel? That's a stretch.

l can help you discover channels in your space, but don't just target direct competitors. While collaborating with a direct competitor can occasionally work, your best opportunities are usually creators covering adjacent topics where audience interests naturally overlap. Their viewers should care about your content, and vice versa.

3. Brainstorm Video Ideas Before You Send Collab Emails

Many YouTubers are looking for partners, but they don’t have unlimited time to search for one. People are busy filming, editing, and spending extra time on their YouTube thumbnails. The worst thing anyone could do is ask for a collab without sharing YouTube collab ideas.

The Top 5 YouTube Collaboration Ideas to Try

Before you email creators, come up with three to five video ideas. Explain how the partnership would benefit their channel, and overall, just make it easy for the person to say 

. To help you craft those ideas with the help of AI, you can use the

 agree to collaborate with you, the next step is nailing a video style.

There are four ways to do a YouTube collab:

 and film two different videos. The first video will go on creator A’s channel, and the second video will go on creator B’s channel. However, both creators appear in each video.

Both creators film their scenes separately

 and send clips back and forth to create a single video.

 on each other’s channels. So, for example, creator A makes a video that 

 include creator B, but the video gets published on creator B’s channel. Then they do the same thing for creator A. This is best for popular YouTube channels of 500,000 or more subscribers.

. For this idea, creator A appears in the first half of the video, and creator B appears in the second half. For example, in a video titled “6 Ways to Get Free Airline Tickets,” the creators each present three tips within the same video.

5. Set a Realistic Date to Publish Video Collabs

YouTube collaborations are fun, but they take time to plan and execute. That’s why you need realistic deadlines for everything: when to film collabs, when to edit them, and when to push them live.

YouTube creators planning collaboration publishing schedule

While filming and editing times are flexible, planning your release schedule is important. Syncing your posting time can boost shared promotion and make for a smoother viewer experience on both channels.

If you’re doing a collab where separate videos go on each partner’s channel, 

 That way, you can ask viewers to watch part one or part two at the end of whichever video they’re watching. It only works if both videos are available from the start.

A YouTube collaboration isn't done when the content is published. The next step is promoting the video on social media to a wider audience.

 infographic summarizing the 6 tips for YouTube collaborations

View counts are just one part of a successful YouTube collab. Check how long viewers watch your joint video compared to your solo work. When viewers stick around, it is a good sign.

Watch for a rise in subscribers after your video goes live. A strong collab brings in more fans from both sides. Look at comments to see if people want more videos together.

If you upload the video, you’ll have the full analytics view by default. If you’re using YouTube’s collaboration feature, grant your partner analytics view access when you send the invite so you can both review performance (revenue still stays with the uploading channel). Otherwise, swap screenshots of a few key metrics like retention, CTR, and subscribers gained so both sides learn what worked.

Common YouTube Collaboration Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good planning, mistakes can happen in YouTube collaborations. One error is making videos that do not suit both channels. When a collab feels off, viewers from both sides may lose interest. It is important to talk about who will host the video, who edits, and how each side will help with promotion before filming begins.

Clear calls-to-action also matter. Let your viewers know whether they should subscribe to both channels, watch another video, or comment below. Lastly, choose partners who fit your channel instead of focusing just on subscriber counts. Often, a smaller channel that matches your style leads to more successful YouTube collabs.

You don’t need a “perfect” partner to start, you need the right fit and a simple plan. Pick one creator, lock in a video idea and publish date, then promote it like a launch. If it goes well, turn that one YouTube collaboration into a repeat series instead of a one-off.

Want collaboration ideas your audience actually wants? Use 

to find trending topics people are searching for, then pitch a YouTube collab built around that demand.

Find the right partner, pick a format, then use YouTube’s collaboration feature to boost reach.

YouTube Collaboration: How to Collab with Other YouTubers

If you only post on your channel when you upload, you’re leaving engagement on the table. YouTube Posts (formerly the Community tab) lets you stay visible between uploads without filming a single frame.

Quick polls, behind-the-scenes photos, questions that spark discussion, these small touchpoints keep your channel alive in subscribers' feeds and signal to YouTube that your audience is active and engaged.

If you're struggling to maintain momentum between videos or want your audience to feel like part of a community (not just passive viewers), YouTube posts might be the most underutilized tool in your creator toolkit. Here's how to actually use it.

 as a quick, scroll-stopping update that keeps the conversation going without uploading a full video.

Various types of YouTube Community Tab posts including polls, quizzes and text updates

It's a bite-sized social media network where viewers can see all of your interactive posts, such as quizzes and polls. 

So, if you don't have any videos planned, you can use this tab to promote yourself on YouTube and engage with your audience in the meantime!

How to Show Posts on Your Channel Homepage

 on your channel homepage, go to YouTube Studio → 

 higher (or remove it entirely if you prefer).

Community posts appear on your channel's 

 tab, where subscribers can see them when they visit your page.

View of YouTube Posts from your channel homepage

You can create and manage all your posts from YouTube Studio under 

Posting on the community tab is quick and easy. Everything you need is in the YouTube Studio, and there are plenty of features to customize your content.

 icon at the top of your YouTube homepage. Select 

Creating a community post using the Create button on YouTube homepage

2. Type a message to create a short text post. You can also add a gif, poll, image, video, etc.

YouTube community post creation interface with text, poll, and media options

In 2025, YouTube rolled out a new feature to all creators that lets viewers post on your community tab. The new feature, simply called "Communities" is YouTube's way of trying to improve audience interaction and form a more vibrant community. 

YouTube Communities: Connect with Creators

Post listed in the menu of YouTube's mobile app

From here you can choose to post: text, images, or a poll/quiz.

You can monitor the performance of your community posts as well. This can help you improve your future posts and also give you a taste of what your community wants from you.

2. Find the left navigation menu and click 

Accessing Content section in YouTube Studio to monitor community post-performance

On the next page, you'll see some tabs at the top. Click on the one called 

 to see all the community posts you've published on your channel.

YouTube community tab analytics showing post-performance metrics like views, likes and comments

The posts are in chronological order by default, but the columns are sortable. If you want to know something specific, such as which community posts have the most comments or likes, you can easily shuffle through the data.

Tips for Navigating Your Community Posts   

You can post various types of content on the community tab, including images, videos, polls, plain text messages, quizzes, and animated GIFs.

When browsing the community posts page, these content types will appear in different ways. Plain text posts display an alphabet symbol, ‘Aa’, to quickly represent non-media messages. Any post with an image or video will be shown with the image it comes with, while voting polls are displayed with three blue horizontal lines.

If you mouse over each community post, you’ll notice a drop-down menu with more options for managing the feature. The first one lets you edit a post directly from the YouTube Studio, which is pretty cool. You can also manage and respond to comments or click a link to take you to the original community post on YouTube.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you can’t edit polls.

 This is probably a safeguard to stop creators from changing the answer choices once voting begins.

Lastly, there’s an option to filter community posts. This lets you view only the posts you want to see, such as plain text or animated GIFs. You can even filter the posts to see which ones have been published or scheduled for future publication.

Best Practices for Community Posts Tab Engagement

The community tab on YouTube is more than just a space for updates. It is a great spot to connect with viewers between video uploads. Use it to start friendly chats and build bonds.

: Think about when you are posting to your Community. Check your channel stats to see when viewers are most active. Many find that late afternoon or early evening works best.

 Write every post around one clear action. Treat each post like a mini script: one idea, one question, one next step.

 “Hot take: _____. Agree or disagree?”

 “Pick one: A or B (and tell me why).”

 “If this gets 100 votes, I’ll make ____ next.”

Mix up your content. Try polls one day, behind-the-scenes photos the next, and ask a simple question later. This keeps the YouTube community tab lively and fun. If you create a poll, ask a question like, "Which topic should I do next?" This makes your viewers feel important. Use your posts to test new video ideas too.

: For a quick burst of engagement, run a poll that expires in 

 so viewers feel urgency to vote now. Use it for “What should I post next?” or “Which thumbnail should I use?” and then follow up with a second post sharing the results and what you picked.

: Reply to comments and keep the conversation going. A chatty creator makes for a stronger community.

: Use Posts as an idea engine by asking targeted questions and running quick polls that reveal what your audience actually wants next. Save the strongest responses, turn them into titles or topics for future videos.

: Create 1-2 posts per day max. Spamming posts can have the opposite effect and actually reduce the posts appearing in feeds. Posting too frequently can also trigger a temporary restriction from YouTube.

As your audience grows, keeping the chat clear is very important. YouTube offers several controls to help manage your YouTube community post. These controls ensure healthy discussions.

YouTube handles some housekeeping on its own. But you also have extra options:

Set filters to hold posts that might be off

Make a list of blocked words to keep harmful comments away

Invite trusted people to help moderate posts

Regularly check held comments in YouTube Studio

Posts that break YouTube rules can be taken down. Repeated issues may even limit your features. If your channel is flagged as 'Made for Kids', your posts will not go public. This rule helps protect children.

YouTube’s Community Tab Connects You with Your Audience

For years, the community tab has helped creators stay in touch with their audience, especially when creators are not consistently publishing videos.

So, if you haven’t already, start using the community tab! Challenge yourself to post something every week for the next three to six months, polls, animated GIFs, or anything that brings you closer to your audience. And, as you keep growing through this content creation journey, 

don’t forget to avoid these mistakes as well.

Heart icon hovering over a man's open palm

Person holding phone with glowing heart icon hovering above hand, symbolizing social media likes

Use the YouTube Posts (Community Tab) to publish polls, quizzes, and updates that keep viewers engaged between uploads.

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab to Engage Viewers

When a new viewer lands on your channel home page, your YouTube channel trailer is often the first thing they see. It plays automatically for people who have not subscribed yet, which makes it a powerful way to introduce your content, your personality, and the value of your channel.

Think of your trailer as a 30 to 90 second elevator pitch. You are not trying to summarize your entire life or every playlist on your channel. You are answering one focused question:

Why should this viewer subscribe right now and what should they watch next?


In this guide, you will learn exactly what a channel trailer is, how to structure it, how to make a trailer step by step, and how to set it up correctly inside YouTube Studio.

A YouTube channel trailer is a short video on your channel home page that is shown to viewers who have not subscribed yet. It is part of the Layout section in YouTube Studio under the Video spotlight area.

There are two important slots on your channel home page:

Channel trailer for people who have not subscribed

You can choose any video you have already uploaded for either slot. That means your channel trailer can be a custom made introduction, or a regular video that just happens to perform well at turning viewers into subscribers.

YouTube Channel Trailer Best Practices For 2026

Before you hit record, use this checklist. These are the core principles that make channel trailers work.

 seconds is the ideal duration. In that period, you can explain the value of your content and nudge viewers toward hitting the subscribe button. 

You can go up to 90 seconds if you have more proof or examples to show, but shorter is usually better. Your goal is not to explain every series or playlist. It is to give a clear first impression and a specific next step.

Viewers care about what they will get, not your full backstory. Start with a clear promise in one simple sentence.

I help [viewer type] get [specific result] with [topic or format].

“I help small YouTubers grow from zero to their first 10 thousand subscribers.”

“I review budget camera gear so you can build a pro setup without wasting money.”

“I teach busy parents how to cook fast, healthy dinners with simple ingredients.”

Once you have your channel promise, say it near the beginning of your trailer. This anchors everything that comes after.

People believe what they see. After your promise, cut to short clips that prove you can deliver.

Behind the scenes clips that show your process

Keep each clip short. The pace should feel tight and energetic, not like a slow montage.

4. Add A Short Personal Story For Connection

A male filming a YouTube video in front of the camera under bright lights

Want people to connect with your mission? Before you ask them to subscribe, explain why you have a channel in the first place. What drives you to create content, and what personal experiences led you to this decision?

You don’t have to answer these questions directly, but you can share a personal story that reveals a deeper purpose. What makes you different from other creators? How does your story set you apart?

5. Ask Viewers to Hit the Subscribe Button

Now that you’ve shared your channel’s value, it’s time to ask people to subscribe. This will likely be your biggest call to action on YouTube, where you invite people to join your community.

A recommendation for the next video or playlist to watch

Making a trailer from scratch can be challenging, so it helps to have a few examples in mind. Use the ones below to get inspired!

1. Rachel How: ‘How I became a UI/UX designer in 3 months’

Learn what a YouTube channel trailer is, how to make a trailer that fits your content and audience, and the channel trailer best practices that turn first time viewers into subscribers in 2026.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

YouTube Intro Ideas: 8 Ways to Hook Viewers In the First 8 Seconds

YouTube Collaboration: How to Collab with Other YouTubers

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab to Engage Viewers

How to Make a YouTube Channel Trailer That Converts in 2026

Free Subscribers for YouTube: How to Get 1,000 Real Subs Fast

YouTube Analytics: The 6 Most Important Video Metrics (Updated for 2026)

YouTube End Screens: How to Make Cool Video Outros

Outdated YouTube Advice You Should Ignore in 2026

How to Choose a Good YouTube Channel Name (That Stands Out in 2025)

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

40 Faceless YouTube Channel Ideas That Actually Work in 2025

30 YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts Every Creator Should Know