how to make a killer youtube intro (for the 2024 algorithm)

This video genuinely helped me. When I first saw this video last week, I was ~2 days away from uploading a video I had spent probably 100+ hours on, more than any other video on my channel. After watching this, I realized my intro was not good at all. The line where you talked about how people know how much work their own videos are, but their audience doesn't, so the intro has to sell them on it, really resonated. At the last moment I brainstormed a new thumbnail/title/intro combo following a lot of what you described in this video, and it turned out to be a 1/10 and have the highest audience retention at the 30 second mark I've ever had. So thank you!

That... was exceptional!

I re-watch this video every time I'm writing a new video script.. here's my hook intro checklist based on this video: 1. Intriguing title and thumbnail to get the click 2. Mirror the thumbnail and repeat the title in the first 5 seconds to tell viewers they're in the right place 3. Create open loops in the viewers mind - (eg: create a 3 step formula or blur something out) 4. Provide context (what is it, why are you doing it, what's at stake) 5. Exceed expectations by using input bias (show the viewers that you've spent a lot of time, money, effort on the video) 6. Make the intro visually appealing for YouTube auto-play without sound (front load the stimulus) 7. Love the process

One thing you didn't mention, which I think makes it a bit easier to create the intro... I have a background in TV production with hundreds of 10-15min TV features under my belt. And what we always did was to create and edit the intro LAST. We spent days editing a killer 15min video and only then sat down to create the intro. Because by then we knew our footage, the story arc, the best and worst parts and everything else inside out - and only if you know it inside out can you create the perfect intro. Wouldn't it be a shame to spend a lot of time to edit a killer intro only to then spend days trying to match the expectation in the rest of the video while realizing that the story you promised in the intro was never there? So in short: edit your video first, then edit your intro. Saves you time and nerves.

I'm gonna to be honest. Most of what this is many Youtubers know. But they won't share it this way. You are unbelievable. The value in this video can change lives. Thank you so much!

I don’t need another YouTube course and stuff , it’s all here in the most practical way

I'm not a Youtuber but I can't believe I watched the whole video

FINALLY someone who talks about how to address the cliff at the beginning instead of "retention." This was insanely helpful, thanks April!

I literally clicked this video with the full intention of judging your intro- and you executed masterfully! Good on you sis, I'm subscribing!!

Girl, I don’t usually comment on videos, but I just had to come in tell you that this was so well planned out and so extremely helpful. I’ve been looking at “how to grow a YouTube channel” videos all day long and none of them gave me the details and metrics that I was looking for. This gives me so much clarity and structure to start making videos. Thank you, thank you, thank you! !! 🎉

This is seriously one of the most impressive "how to" videos I've ever seen on YouTube. I come back to this video often just because of how insanely well put together this is! This is single-handedly the only video that has re-sparked my drive to want to create content again. Such an underrated creator and I really hope to see more from you in the future!

Learning about youtube is a rabit hole it's keep getting deeper and deeper.

I'm super impressed to see someone actually using what they are teaching/learning to actually blow up their own channel! Very inspireing to witness this in real time.

As a content creator, this is by far one of the most helpful videos I’ve seen. You just gave me the key pieces I need to help evaluate my own intro and content. I didn’t realize how important those first few seconds were, and more importantly now I know WHY they are important and HOW to improve my methods. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try these out.

I made a new playlist just to add your video in it. That’s how good it is! You set the bar really high. A primer on how to deliver on what you promise in the T&T, and then some! I’m fully expecting this channel to blow up!

I'm rooting for this video to pass 1 million views. Easily my favorite video on constructing YouTube intros, and I have watched it over a dozen times already. I recently did a deep dive into the information on this video and can't wait to apply it to my own work! I also love the Title and Thumbnail being called the TNT, because they really do have the potential to "blow up" your video!

This video about YouTube intros is by far the most informative one I've come across. Unlike others, it provides clear, actionable steps without leaving things open-ended and confusing. Great job!

This is fantastic advice. For real, I will be going back to this video when I need a reminder. Like, I never really considered the importance of input bias, but it makes SO much sense. And I realize a lot of my best performing videos accidentally conveyed the input bias. Also the way you frame not focusing on thumbnails and titles as kind of "selfish" (to paraphrase) because you're not providing the audience with what they need is an epiphany for me.

you know it always suprises me when i learn something new. I basically knew everything you were going to say because ive been researching this stuff for months and I still learned something new like I didnt know about the input bias. Thank you!

Aprilynne, SO GOOD! I'm touched by the description shoutout haha, you're amazing