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.