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The State of YouTube Video Intros 2024 - What's Working Now

Education

Introduction

Creating a compelling YouTube intro is an art. A good intro can hook your audience from the start, while a bad one can drive them away. In this article, we'll break down what works and what doesn't in YouTube intros, using examples from successful channels and some not-so-great ones.

The Formula for a Successful YouTube Intro

A successful YouTube intro can be defined using a simple formula:

Low STV (Seconds To Value) + Compelling Style + Share of Energy = Successful YouTube Intro

Let's dive into what each of these components means and how they contribute to an effective intro.

Seconds To Value (STV)

STV stands for "Seconds To Value." It refers to the time it takes for your video to start providing value to the viewer. The faster you get to the value, the better.

What qualifies as "value"?

  1. Matching the promise: Your intro should immediately align with the title and thumbnail of your video.
  2. Entertainment: Start entertaining your audience right from the beginning.
  3. Education: If you're teaching something, start educating right away.

Compelling Style

After evaluating thousands of YouTube intros, we've identified four compelling styles of intros that consistently signal success:

  1. The Wow Factor: This style immediately smacks the viewer with energy and value. Example: "As a music producer, if I had to start over from scratch with zero experience, this is exactly what I would do..."
  2. The Insider Hangout: This creates an inviting atmosphere. Example: “Welcome to my little studio. We're going to discuss death, grief, loss, and also a little bit of hope...”
  3. The Literal Preview: This style clearly shows what the video will cover. Example: "What if I told you there are ways to get your chickens to lay eggs all winter long?"
  4. The Jump Start: This thrusts the audience immediately into the action. Example: "I definitely just heard the whole floor creak. Did you hear that?"

Share of Energy

Sharing energy means showing excitement and confidence about the content you're about to present. Many intros fail because the creator appears uninterested or unsure.

Addressing Bad Intros

Now, let's fix some bad intros by applying our formula.

Example 1: Awkward Start

Original Intro: