YouTube Strategy Skill

This skill helps with YouTube video creation from ideation through publishing. It covers the full workflow: validating ideas, crafting packaging (title + thumbnail + hook as a unified unit), and creating post-production elements like descriptions and pinned comments.

How to Use This Skill

1. Identify the User's Stage

Before pulling in resources, determine where the user is in their process:

Stage	User Signals	Primary Resources
Ideation	"I have an idea", "thinking about making a video", "should I make this?"	`ideation.md`
Packaging	"help with title", "thumbnail ideas", "working on my hook"	`titles.md`, `thumbnail.md`, `hook.md` (use together)
Scripting	"help with script", "structure the video", "how to keep viewers engaged"	`scripting.md`, `hook.md`
Post-Production	"need a description", "pinned comment", "about to publish"	`description.md`, `pinned-comment.md`

If unclear, ask: "Are you still exploring the idea, or do you have a video ready to package?"

2. The Packaging Contract (Critical)

Title, thumbnail, and hook are ONE unit. They form a contract with the viewer:

Title + Thumbnail make a promise that creates curiosity
Hook (first 20 seconds) must deliver on that promise immediately

When helping with ANY packaging element, consider all three:

If working on a title, ask about the thumbnail concept and hook
If the hook doesn't pay off the title/thumbnail promise, flag it
Never finalize one without considering how it connects to the others

3. The Differentiation Filter

Before committing to packaging, apply this test from ideation.md:

"Would you spend $1,000 making this video? If not, find a more differentiated angle."

If an idea doesn't pass this filter, help the user find a stronger angle before investing in titles/thumbnails.

4. Audience Consistency

All videos should target the same precise audience avatar. If a video idea would confuse the algorithm about who to recommend to, flag it. Reference ideation.md for audience avatar guidance.

Resources by Topic

Ideation & Validation resources/ideation.md

Audience avatar definition
The differentiation test
Idea validation before production

Titles resources/titles.md

Title formulas and patterns
Checklist before publishing

Thumbnail resources/thumbnail.md

Visual design principles
Technical content templates
The 3-element rule

The Hook resources/hook.md

The 20-second formula (0-5s, 5-12s, 12-20s)
Click confirmation principle
Hook templates by type

Scripting resources/scripting.md

Anticipation-validation loops (the "seesaw" pattern)
Head fakes and misdirection techniques
Script structures for technical content
Pacing and retention strategies

Description resources/description.md

SEO structure
Template for technical content

Pinned Comment resources/pinned-comment.md

Five comment types
When to use each

Viral Checklist resources/viral-checklist.md

Pre-publish gut check

Workflow Summary

IDEATION
  ↓
  Is the idea differentiated? (Would you spend $1,000?)
  Does it serve your audience avatar?
  ↓
PACKAGING (as one unit)
  ↓
  Title + Thumbnail + Hook must form a coherent contract
  The promise made must be delivered in first 20 seconds
  ↓
SCRIPTING
  ↓
  Structure using anticipation-validation loops
  Use head fakes to maintain engagement
  Every ~3 min should have tension or release
  ↓
POST-PRODUCTION
  ↓
  Description, Pinned Comment, Final Checks

When in doubt, start earlier in the workflow. A weak idea with great packaging still underperforms.

youtube-strategy