10 YouTube Editing Tips to Instantly Boost Retention
When it comes to getting views on YouTube, high retention is KEY 🔑 Whether you’re an educational channel or you’re a pure entertainment based channel, here’s a guide with actionable tips to help you edit videos that keep viewers engaged from start to finish. ////////////////////////////////// For Educational Channels 📚 1. Hook Viewers in the First 10 Seconds 🕒 - Start with a compelling question, bold statement, or quick preview of what they’ll learn. Get straight to the value to avoid drop-offs. - Use on-screen text or graphics to emphasize key points immediately. - Use the Proof, Promise, Plan framework for hooks. (Give proof and establish credibility that you can teach the subject. Make a promise of what viewers will learn. Then present a plan for how you’ll deliver the promise). 2. Break Down Information with Visual Effects 💻 - Add diagrams, animations, or infographics to simplify your content. Use motion graphics to keep the visuals engaging. - Show Don’t Tell. As much as possible you want to be showing the viewer what you’re saying, not just telling them. 3. Pacing is Key ⏩ - Cut out all the dead space in between sentences. Unless you want a moment to feel slower, cut out the pauses. - Alternate between talking heads and B-roll to keep things changing. - Don’t dwell too long on any one point. When you’ve made your point, try to move on sooner than later. 4. Constantly Open A Loop After Closing a Previous Loop ♻️ - Just like the thumbnail and title, you want to constantly create curiosity gaps in the video. - Open a loop by asking a question that viewers will want to know the answer to. - Then as you begin to close the loop by answering the question, raise another question that builds upon the previous loop and opens another curiosity gap (so 🔑). 5. End with a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA) 🔚 - Transition into the CTA by acting like you’re making another point, and opening another curiosity loop. - This could be a teaser for the next video, a question to spark comments, or a direct prompt to subscribe.