I took a video that I previously uploaded that underperformed, I chopped off the intro which looking back seemed long and unnecessary, and started it right where we get into the meat of the content. I also added captions which will be good for chopping it into shorts later. Then with some of my own input and a little help from several AI tools, I created 3 thumbnail and title variations for an A/B test. I also revamped the description and the tags. Once this runs for a while I’ll share the data comparison to see if it did any better. Here’s the video if you want to check it out: Stop Waiting to Feel Ready. Do This Instead. https://youtu.be/ifHQdayLQhw

After taking a brief hiatus I am back on YouTube and finding a rhythm that works for me. Newest video is up and I am not giving up this time. Feel free to watch, like comment, subscribe.

Today I’m playing “photographer” helping my wife shoot a wedding 📸 tomorrow I’m replacing a part in our old fridge before we rent the place 🏠 Might try to film a YouTube video afterward now that I have my computer set up at the new house! Will have to see how the day goes. What are y’all up to this weekend??

⭐️APRIL CONTEST⭐️ For the month of April, invite people to join the NewTubers community and you could win a course/advertisement inside of the classroom! That’s right, you can create your own “course” to advertise your YouTube channel, your community, or another offer you have! Every person you invite is one entry into the final drawing at the end of the month!! That means even if you only get ONE person to join, you still have a chance to win! More new members = more chances to win! There will be at least ONE winner, although of the contest pops off, I may consider choosing additional winners 😉 When they join, they are asked “how did you hear about NewTubers?” And they can put your name there, or they can DM me or comment on this post who invited them. The winner’s ad will stay in the classroom for a minimum of 3 months. We will build it together to make sure it’s an effective ad for YOU, and also to ensure it meets community guidelines 🙂 Did you join during the month of April?? You can get in on the action too! Invite as many friends to join as you like and get a chance to win!! Who’s ready??

Here’s something most creators never think about — and it might be quietly killing your click-through rate even after people are already clicking. You already know how important your thumbnail is. But what happens right after someone hovers over it? If a viewer stares at your thumbnail for more than 2 seconds, YouTube starts to autoplay the video. That means the first 5-10 seconds of your video isn’t just an intro anymore. It IS part of your thumbnail. Visually, at least. Think about it this way: your thumbnail earns the hover. Your first few seconds either lock in the click — or lose it. 👀 Most of us obsess over our thumbnail design and then completely forget to ask: does the visual of my opening shot continue the story my thumbnail started? Here are a few things to consider for those first 5-10 seconds: ∙ Does the visual feel consistent with the thumbnail? (color, energy, subject matter) ∙ Are your captions on screen early enough to add context and curiosity? ∙ Is there something happening visually — or are you just talking at the camera with no hook? ∙ Would someone who hadn’t seen your title or thumbnail still feel compelled to keep watching? This is easy to overlook because we’re so used to thinking of the thumbnail as a separate thing from the video itself. But for the viewer, there’s no separation. It’s one continuous experience. The fix doesn’t have to be complicated. It might just mean cutting your intro sooner, adding a text overlay in the first few seconds, or making sure your opening frame isn’t a slow zoom-in on your face while you say “hey guys, welcome back.” 😅 I’d love to know, do you intentionally plan your video’s opening visual with the thumbnail in mind, or is this something you haven’t thought about before? Drop it in the comments! 💬​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​