If you want people to listen, tell them a story. That much has always been clear, from the early days of hieroglyphics to the rise of books, movies, and TV.

Today, it seems like YouTube is the best place to share those real, authentic stories — and for good reason. YouTube viewers watch over 

 each day. To meet this demand, creators are posting over 500 hours of content 

In other words, the competition is heating up! With so many storytellers on YouTube, it takes more than fancy equipment, the right keywords, and a juicy title to get more watch time. For that, you need to 

Did you know most people stop watching a YouTube video after 30 seconds? If you looked at the audience retention graph for that content, you would see something like this:

A YouTube audience retention graph that shows viewership decreasing after the 30-second mark

So what does it take to keep viewers engaged?

 study, it’s all about emotion. Viewers pay attention when you make them feel something or change their emotional state, especially when watching movies. Their brains “light up” because they're engrossed in what's happening, be it a sad, happy, or shocking scene.

If you want to do this on YouTube, study the movies and TV shows that hold  your attention. Look at how those stories are structured so you can use the same format on YouTube.

A Storytelling Format that Gets More Watch Time

Now that you know emotional content makes people listen, how do you pump those moments into your videos?

, and hundreds of other movies. It focuses on a single protagonist, an adventure they take, and what they learn along the way.

Here’s what the hero's journey looks like:

 We meet the hero and see their normal, mundane life.

 The hero feels "called" to go on a mission or adventure.

 Fear or discomfort holds the hero back.

 A role model gives the hero advice and wisdom.

 The hero enters a new world, faces challenges, and meets enemies.

 Setbacks occur while the stakes are rising.

 The hero faces their greatest test thus far.

 The hero reaps the rewards of victory (a skill, knowledge, etc.).

 The hero heads home, but there are still more enemies to fight.

 A final test becomes the story's climax, where the hero draws upon everything they’ve learned.

 Evil is defeated, everyone’s safe, and the hero is transformed forever.

A video-game-style graphic showing the hero's journey.

With this plot device, you can explore concepts like fear, loss, growth, and triumph — which is why it works! Each chapter sparks a new emotion in the protagonist 

 the viewer. Thanks to a powerful insight (emotion = attention), we know this plot device can 

You can use the hero’s journey in almost any video, but it works best in challenge or storytime content. 

So as a quick example, we’ll share two videos from those categories. You'll see how both stories follow the hero's journey, even if the creators tweaked them a bit for YouTube.

It's also worth mentioning that these videos got massive views. So there's a good chance they had lots of watch time, which prompted the 

Ryan Trahan: “I Spent 100 Days in Pokémon”

 is known for his legendary challenges, including one where he used 

 to cross North America. In the video below (1 million+ views), he uses the hero’s journey for a gaming challenge.

0:46–1:01: Ryan challenges himself to live inside 

1:02–1:58: Ryan starts his journey by meeting the main characters and choosing his first Pokémon.

Ryan choosing Fuecoco, a fire type, as his first Pokemon.

1:59–3:09: Ryan enters a whole new world by playing the game in “nuzzlock mode." He has to nickname all of his Pokémon, only battle with Pokémon that haven't fainted, and only use the first Pokémon he catches in any given area. If all of them faint, it's game over.

3:10–19:00: Ryan faces battles, missions, and side quests. He loses several Pokémon along the way but defeats every gym leader by day 81!

23:08–23:45: Ryan loses “QuackBoom,” a strong Pokemon that brought him super far in the game. It’s a sad loss! (RIP QuackBoom)

An image of QuackBoom the Pokemon, his achievements in the game, and text that says "RIP QuackBoom"

 Ryan defeats the Elite Four (top trainers in the Pokémon league).

31:07–33:00: Ryan defeats the champion of all champions in the Pokémon league. He gives an emotional speech about what's he’s learned while playing Pokémon over the years.

Lynette Adkins: “I Had to Reprogram My Mind to Create My Dream Life”

 is a lifestyle creator who talks about navigating life and evolving your mindset. In the video below (336,000+ views), she shares a major life update using the hero’s journey.

0:00–1:22: Lynette talks about having an unfulfilling job where she felt overworked.

1:23–2:28: Lynette feels “called” to make a mindset shift to live her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

2:28–4:28: Lynette meets her “mentor,” which is really her self-conscious. By listening to her innermost thoughts, she starts to believe her true desires can come true.

5:33–6:38: Lynette starts changing her life by avoiding toxic relationships, not overworking, getting hobbies, and more.

6:39–8:35: Lynette enters a new mindset but struggles to create boundaries at school and work. She realizes she’s holding herself back due to self–limiting beliefs.

8:34–10:25: Emerging victorious, Lynette explains how to change your life by removing self–doubt.

To master YouTube storytelling, you must look outside of YouTube. Study the classics that laid the foundation for every plot device we know today. 

. Then you can use those stories as a blueprint to make emotional, captivating content. That's how you get more watch time on YouTube!

But if you need more advice, here are 5 more ways to keep viewers entertained.

A female YouTuber records a video in her living room

Want to get more watch time on every YouTube video? Use this storytelling secret to captivate viewers and keep them engaged.

The Art of YouTube Storytelling: A Secret Path to More Watch Time

Are you looking for ways to earn some extra cash on YouTube? One way to do that is by tapping into the 

 and offering your skills to other creators. Many of them need captivating thumbnails, YouTube scripts, and dozens of videos edited for their channel. Landing one of these jobs is the perfect way to start a side hustle for content creation or even seek full-time employment.

While YouTube jobs are posted everywhere, we recommend going to job boards for video creators, such as 

, a YouTube consultant who's helping creators employ 

A list of YouTube jobs from the YT Jobs board

seven popular jobs for YouTube creators. 

You can do them full-time, part-time, or per project:

In this article, we'll share what these jobs require and the pay range according to YT Jobs.

A female thumbnail designer working at a desktop computer

Thumbnail designers create the images that represent YouTube videos. They use tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva to create thumbnails that are bold, colorful, and engaging enough to make viewers click them.

for getting more views. Some people will only watch a video if the thumbnail stands out, so that image should be highly intriguing.

Proficiency with design tools, such as Photoshop

Image optimization across mobile and desktop screens

A male video editor working at a desktop computer

Video editors turn raw footage into engaging content for YouTube. They're expert storytellers who know which scenes to cut, what text to add, and which special effects will spice up a video. This job covers many skills, so editors often do complex things, like mixing audio tracks and creating animations.

Many YouTube channels won't survive without video editing, so this is an excellent job for a skilled creator. They can turn a so-so video into something much more entertaining, which is the key to growing on YouTube.

Proficiency with video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro

A range of editing techniques, such as motion tracking, color grading, audio mixing, animation, and stabilization

A man holding a YouTube script he prepared

You may think scriptwriters are responsible for the "spoken words" in a video, but that's just the beginning. They also describe what will happen in different chapters, such as when B-roll appears, what the video's "hook" will be, and how end screen elements should look. In addition to dialouge, all of this is packed into a 

To be a good script writer, you should know how to research video topics and develop storylines.

A female YouTube channel manager placing ideas cards on a content calendar

A channel manager oversees the day-to-day operation and success of a YouTube channel. They upload and schedule video content, manage video collaborations, and engage with viewers through YouTube comments and Community posts.

Attaching YouTube metadata to videos, including titles, tags, and video descriptions

Managing video collaborations, possibly brand deals

A female YouTube strategist writing ideas on a white board

A YouTube strategist is a marketing professional who knows how to grow a channel using the right content. They spend their time 

, analyzing video performance, promoting content, and finding growth opportunities. Many strategists develop and execute plans to reach a specific goal, like growing a channel's subscribers or video views.

Competitive analysis of other YouTube channels

A female YouTube creative director operating a large camera on set.

A creative director on YouTube does many things, but the most important is leading a team of content creators. Creative directors are like editorial managers; they show team members how to reach the brand's creative vision in video scripts, thumbnails, the production set, and more. Because of this, they contribute to a wide range of tasks, such as brainstorming video ideas and titles and establishing a style for editing videos.

Expertise in creative YouTube tasks: scripting, filming, video editing, and more

A female YouTube producer working at desk with her camera, laptop and notepad

Are you good at coordinating all the production aspects of a video? If so, YouTube producer is the job for you. This hybrid role involves researching, developing video concepts, scriptwriting, and social media marketing. You might even shoot and edit videos.

Content production, including research, ideation, scriptwriting, video editing, and social media marketing

A YouTube creator filming on a large camera

Looking for a YouTube job to pour your passion into? Here are 7 popular jobs you can do as a side hustle or full-time gig.

7 YouTube Jobs for Content Creators: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Freelance

Taking a break from YouTube is a great way to rest and recharge during the holidays. But even with those benefits, many creators have a hard time 

. They're in a groove when it comes to posting consistently, and they don't want to lose any views or subscribers.

If so, take a deep breath. Your channel will survive, but only if you plan for the break and communicate the details with your audience. You have nothing to worry about, as long as you don't leave without saying goodbye.

If you need a full plan, here are five tips for taking a holiday break (without hurting your YouTube channel).

1. Announce Your Break in a YouTube Video

First, be honest about needing a break from YouTube. Tell your audience what's going on, and explain 

 you're leaving so they can prepare for your absence. This builds trust between you and your subscribers, which is massively important when you want their attention long-term.

So make a YouTube video announcing the break, and don't hold back when explaining your decision. Are you feeling burnt out? Do you need to spend time with friends and family? Your viewers aren't entitled to a reason, but they'll empathize much better when you share those details.

 posted an effective "taking a break" video. She mentions that besides YouTube, she has a day job and cares for a family member with health issues. Because of that, she doesn't have time to make videos, work, 

In the comment section, no one seems upset about Tengy leaving; if anything, they're offering words of support! One viewer even promised to stay subscribed while Tengy focuses on her needs.

Two YouTube comments, where viewers are supporting a creator's decision to take a creative break

Are you leaving YouTube for two weeks? Three? An entire month? Be sure to let your audience know no matter what the time frame is. This little piece of honesty helps them manage their expectations around not seeing your content for a while.

You might be taking a break from YouTube, but that doesn't mean you have to disappear! Many creators plan ahead by filming videos to post in their absence. So instead of getting no views, they stay relevant through the holiday season and continue to grow their channels.

. This is where you set aside 1-3 days to record lots of videos, one after the other. Then you'll use the schedule feature to have YouTube publish all of the videos for you. 

To viewers, it will seem like you never left!

4. Stay Active on the YouTube Community Tab

There are other ways to keep viewers engaged besides posting videos. You can reply to new comments on your channel, create some YouTube Stories, or do our personal favorite: post on the 

Within this social network, you can post images, GIFs, polls, and other content to nurture a relationship with your viewers. So if you don't feel like posting videos, know that it takes 

 to create Community posts and connect with your viewers.

Two YouTube community posts from vidIQ. One showing a poll, and one asking viewers a question.

5. Tell Viewers What to Expect After a YouTube Break

Lastly, don't leave YouTube without giving your viewers something to look forward to. That could be a vlog they requested, an exciting collaboration, or a meet and greet you've been working on. Now's the perfect time to share those plans, so people have  reason to return to your channel.

It's been a long year, especially on the internet. We watched "

" become an actual product, played "Jiggle Jiggle" by Louis Theroux a gazillion times, and watched the 

 share his buttery pastime. Now it's time for a reset — maybe even a digital detox.

By following these tips, you can take a well-deserved holiday break from your YouTube channel without hurting your performance or viewer engagement. Happy holidays!

A man vlogging while holding up the peace sign

Have you made YouTube videos non-stop this year? This holiday season, take a break from YouTube so you can relax, recharge, and restore your creativity.

From Burnt Out to Refreshed: How to Take a YouTube Break During the Holidays

Want to create video titles fast and efficiently? Like many things in life (and on YouTube), the best solution is to get outside help — and not just from another human. These days, artificial intelligence can write YouTube titles.

So, how does it work? Step one is learning how to use a YouTube title generator. These smart assistants will analyze any keyword, suggest a few video titles, and let you choose the best one for your content.

. So depending on your video's topic, you'll see power phrases like "the truth about," the secret to," and other curiosity drivers that make people click.

As a quick example, let's explore the AI Title Generator from vidIQ. We'll show you how to use it and pick the best name for your YouTube video!

Are you wondering what a title generator looks like, especially one powered by AI? The good news is that they're simple and intuitive. The one from vidIQ has two sections: one for typing your video's keyword or main idea and another for browsing title suggestions.

" in the title section. Here are the AI titles we got in return:

"The Science of Meme Creation: How to Take a Normal Photo and Turn it into an Internet Hit"

"10 Things You Should Know About Making Internet Memes"

"Meme Master: How to Create Viral Internet Memes"

"How to Create Internet Memes: The Ultimate Guide"

A list of YouTube video ideas created by an AI Title Generator

As you can see, the generator offers up some good titles for YouTube videos. You won't have to do much writing or brainstorming, if any.

, this generator appears as you upload or customize videos on YouTube.

Now that you've seen the title generator (and how it works), here's how to use it.

1. Type Your Video's Main Idea/Keyword into the Generator

The first step is simple: What's your YouTube video about? You'll use that information to type the best keyword or main idea into the title generator.

An arrow points to the title section of the AI Title Generator, which is located below the "Details" header

The generator does the thinking for you, so there's no need to add fancy titles — just the basic video concept.

But if you don't know what to type, you might have to do some keyword research. 

Use this guide to discover the best keywords

 for your video, then return to this article for the next step.

The next step is the easiest! When you've picked a main idea or keyword, click 

The "Get AI Title recommendations" button is below the title field on the generator

3. Choose the Most Accurate, Engaging Title

Next up, you'll see five titles for your video. You can only choose one, so look for a title that describes your video accurately. After that, make sure it's engaging enough to drive clicks.

What do we mean by engaging? Let's look at our meme example one more time, where the generator offered these titles:

These are great ideas, but you'll likely want to see more. You can do that by hitting the 

Above the current title suggestions, you can click refresh to generate more titles

Now we have a completely different list. Compared with the first batch, the new titles seem to evoke more desire and curiosity — the last two in particular:

"How to Create Internet Memes That Make You Rich"

"The Truth About Meme Creation: The Step-by-Step Guide You've Been Waiting For"

Remember to hit refresh to see more options and get the best YouTube titles!

When you've settled on a video title, click 

Click the "Use" button on the right side of any title to use it.

How to Edit AI Video Titles to Perfection

Artificial intelligence is smart, but it doesn't know everything. Make sure your title is a good fit, isn't too long, and stands out from the rest.

Include relevant YouTube keywords (near the front).

Use words that spark desire, emotion, and curiosity

Use words your audience can recognize/understand.

Make the title match your YouTube thumbnail.

You'll be unstoppable if you follow the tips in this article. Having an alluring title leads to all sorts of YouTube goodness, like extra clicks, views, and hopefully, subscribers!

A woman typing on a laptop with a pencil tucked between her fingers

Take a break from writing YouTube titles. With the power of AI, you can input a few keywords and let technology do the "writing" for you.

How to Write Better YouTube Titles with AI Suggestions

Many people want to become a successful YouTuber, but it's harder than it looks. You need a variety of skills to create good content, such as scripting, storytelling, and video editing. And if you want people to click on your videos in the first place, you'll need even more skills — thumbnail creation and title writing, to name a few.

First, learn the right YouTube skills. You don't need to know 

 about content creation, but you should have a good mix of hard and soft skills. You should understand how to ideate video concepts while using digital software to bring those stories to life.

Ready to get started? Here are the top skills you need to be a YouTuber.

You don't often hear "technical" and "YouTuber" in the same sentence. Most people think of words like "influencer" or "trendsetter," but technology is involved no matter what you're doing on YouTube.

This section will share skills needed to master the technical side, from channel analytics to video editing.

1. Researching (for Keywords & Trending Topics)

If you're serious about growing, you'll do keyword research to understand what people type to find your videos. That could be any collection of words depending on your niche — "homemade cat food," "best chocolate chip cookies," "how to get dual citizenship," or something else. You can make videos matching those queries if you know 

But all keywords aren't created equal. Some are highly searched on YouTube (which is fantastic) but difficult to rank for in YouTube search.

The phrase "Marvel movies" is a good example. If you use vidIQ's keyword inspector, you'll notice the term is searched over 100,000 times monthly. It's also one of the most competitive topics on YouTube and hard to get views for.

The vidIQ keyword score for the phrase marvel movies, which is 38 due to high competition

Read this guide to find the right keywords for your channel and get more views.

SEO stands for search engine optimization. On YouTube, it's the process of placing relevant keywords in video titles and descriptions to help the algorithm understand what your video is about.

 understands your video, it can display it on search pages or recommend it to more people, which leads to more views.

For example, we often use the keyphrase "small channels" on YouTube. Our viewers are primarily new creators, so that phrasing helps our videos stand out to the right audience.

A vidIQ video that has "small channels" in the title and currently has 311,000 views on YouTube

Producing a video can get pretty technical, even for down-to-Earth YouTube. Depending on the videos you make, you might have to learn any of these skills:

Sound design (buying the right microphone, reducing wind noises outside, etc.)

Set design (creating an appealing backdrop for your videos)

Lighting (understanding how to light your space)

Video quality (buying the right camera and accessories to get stellar footage)

A laptop, camera, and lenses sitting on a table

Some creators go the easy route. They film in natural light (near a window) and stay indoors to avoid noise pollution. Some even turn their smartphones into portable mics.

We've also seen creators shooting on an iPhone, so your equipment truly depends on the content you're making.

When editing videos, you'll spend a lot of time deleting scenes that don't move the story forward. After that, you can do the fun stuff: adding special effects, music, text, transitions, and sound effects.

Video editing is pretty technical because it involves learning new software. You might edit using Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or even iMovie. Some software is easier to understand than others, but you're still dabbling in technology!

5. Graphic Design (for Creating Thumbnails)

Before anyone watches a video, they look at the thumbnail to see how enticing it is.

They might read some text on the image that better explains the video. Or maybe they'll look at symbols reinforcing the main idea — puppies, a tennis racquet, a character from Minecraft, or anything relevant. These visual cues help people decide if they should click or not.

Fortunately, you don't have to be a graphic designer to make good YouTube thumbnails. You only need to know the basics of design, like using the right colors and incorporating negative space to simplify your images.

Here's an example from the vidIQ channel. We paired this thumbnail with a video about a new service becoming a potential YouTube competitor. But you probably knew that just by glancing at the image!

A simple YouTube thumbnail with a man positioned between two icons and short text in the bottom left corner.

here's how to make click-worthy thumbnails on YouTube.

YouTube does an excellent job recommending videos to viewers, but extra promotion always helps.

You need a variety of skills to become a YouTube success, so here are 13 things every successful YouTuber knows how to do.

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

The Art of YouTube Storytelling: A Secret Path to More Watch Time

7 YouTube Jobs for Content Creators: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Freelance

From Burnt Out to Refreshed: How to Take a YouTube Break During the Holidays

How to Write Better YouTube Titles with AI Suggestions

13 Skills You Need to Become a Successful YouTuber

9 Smart Reasons to Start a YouTube Channel in 2023

Why Chasing Viral YouTube Videos Is Overrated [for Small Creators]

How to Find or Change Your YouTube Handle

5 Secrets You Didn’t Know About the YouTube Algorithm

The Creator Feed Podcast: Why Learning the Creator Economy Is Worth it

How to Write an Entertaining YouTube Video Script

How to Make Money on TikTok as a Creator [Step by Step]