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Table of Contents
Tip

Why intros for your videos are important?

The beginning of a video is the viewer's first impression of your content. An intro is a crucial element that sets the tone, grabs attention, and takes the first step in conveying information. It acts as a "business card" for your channel, helping to create an impression of your theme and style. The intro can influence whether a viewer decides to watch the video to the end, so it's essential to design it to align with the essence of your content.

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Defining the main goals of intros:

  • Attention Grabbing: The intro should be exciting and captivating to impress viewers and encourage them to stay on your channel for at least a while.

  • Setting the Mood: The intro can convey an emotional palette and style of your content. An appropriate intro mood can underscore the video's theme and make it more comprehensible for viewers.

  • Brand Definition: The intro can include a logo, color scheme, and style associated with your channel. This helps increase the recognition and distinguishability of your content from other videos.

  • Heightening Intrigue: Skillful intro use can create a teaser and ask questions that intrigue viewers and prompt them to watch the entire content.

  • Structuring: The intro can serve as a guide for viewers, informing them about what to expect from the video and why it's significant.

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Choosing Style and Concept:

Analyzing examples of intros from popular YouTube channels

Casey Neistat
This vlogger is known for his unique intros, where he rides a bike through the city. His intro style has become his trademark. 
What we have here:

  • A business card that starts with the protagonist casually riding a bicycle and discussing the issue they will explore in their video.

  • The intro - is devoid of special effects, but rather an engagement technique to involve the audience in the issue and establish a connection through the camera right at the beginning of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ksZoza2Fhc

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)
A tech blogger, Marques Brownlee has a professional intro that stands out for its visual appeal.
What we have here:

  • Viewer Comments: The blogger uses viewer comments as an introductory method, subtly hinting to the audience about what today's video will be about.

https://youtu.be/JzpUfRv45yY

Ramina
Ukrainian blogger and journalist, known for her works about the martial law in Ukraine, conducting numerous interviews with celebrities and people from various professions.
What we have here:

  • Documentary Intro - Living Story: A journalist narrates the chronology of events (i.e., the plan) that the video will follow. This helps the viewer clearly understand what the plan holds for them.

  • Chronological Footage: Authentic shots carefully selected for the intro to captivate and pique intrigue.

  • Voiceover: The journalist is not often on-screen; instead, her voiceover provides narration beyond the scenes.

https://youtu.be/2U7QtZ4YHAY

Jay Shetty Podcast 
The Jay Shetty Podcast is a popular podcast hosted by Jay Shetty, a motivational speaker, storyteller, and former monk.
What we have here:

  • Captions Titles: Subtle text to emphasize key points.

  • Highlighted Words: Important terms that stand out.

  • Snippets of Dialogue: Captivating and intriguing phrases.

  • Impactful Facts: Attention-grabbing information.

  • Quick Frame Changes: Rapid transitions between scenes.

https://youtu.be/GOqEl4ADyVk

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Tip

Intro style that matches the theme and audience:

If the beginning part is really fast with lots of special effects, and your show is about depressive disorders, it's unlikely to work well together! The theme matches the style of the introduction, and the pacing and editing match the storytelling style of your channel.

Intro Script: Creating a short yet impactful script or dialogue for the intro is crucial. It captures attention and provides a sneak peek of your video's content. Craft a concise script that conveys the main idea, important points, and questions, igniting curiosity.

Engaging Word Selection: Choose words that evoke emotions, curiosity, and excitement, aligning with your video's theme and channel's purpose. These words should resonate with your audience, sparking their interest to watch further.

Authentic Dialogue (If Applicable): If your intro involves dialogue, ensure it feels authentic and relevant to your video. Well-fitting dialogue adds a personal touch and enhances viewer connection.

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Tip

The Diary of a CEO

https://youtu.be/rOYlOdDgYUU

If you have an intro like the one here, then you can confidently have even 90 sec intro!
What we have here:

  • Captions Titles: Subtle text to emphasize key points

  • Highlighted Words: Important terms that stand out

  • Snippets of Dialogue: Captivating and intriguing phrases

  • Impactful Facts: Attention-grabbing information

  • Numbers: Data or statistics that draw interest

  • Quick Frame Changes: Rapid transitions between scenes.

    Music and sounds effects utilizing these elements effectively can make your content engaging and attention-grabbing.

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Warning

Never reveal the entire essence in the intro. In other words, if you're addressing a problem in your video, let the intro merely introduce the topic and the problem itself. Leave all the answers for the video itself! The golden rule is to make your video compelling from start to finish. Therefore, at the beginning of the video, in the intro, you should spark questions in the viewer's mind. Formula for Success - within 20 seconds.

Evoke curiosity and intrigue by using the following approaches:

  • Mystery: Words that create an impression of mystery, enigma, and unfamiliarity. For example: "secret," "hidden," "unexpected," and "revelation."

  • Action and Adventure: Words related to taking action and adventures can pique interest. For instance: "unveil," "explore," "reveal," "adventure," and "embark."

  • Challenge and Questions: Words that pose questions or challenges can engage viewers. For example: "Why?" "What's next?" "try," "guess," "join in."

  • Emotions: Words that trigger an emotional reaction can motivate viewers to watch. For instance: "impressive," "astonishing," "emotional," "mind-boggling."

  • Opportunities: Words suggesting opportunities to gain new knowledge or skills. For example: "learning," "discovery," "improvement," and "a fresh perspective."

  • Busting Stereotypes: Words that challenge common beliefs or offer a new perspective on something.

  • Secrets and Discoveries: Words hinting at the possibility of learning new information or finding out something sensational. For example: "secrets," "first look," and "mind-blowing facts."

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Music for Intro

  • Use Filters: Both resources offer the option to select music using various filters such as mood, theme, genre, instruments, etc. Choose filters that match your intro's mood.

  • Listen to Samples: Listen to short samples of soundtracks to evaluate how well they fit the intro's mood. Pay attention to whether the music seems appropriate and creates the desired atmosphere.

  • It's important to Match Rhythm and Tempo: for the music to match the rhythm and tempo of the intro. Fast-paced music can emphasize energy, while a calm melody can add a contemplative atmosphere.

  • Avoid Overloading: Choose music that won't conflict with speech or other sound effects. It should complement rather than hinder the understanding of the content.

  • Maintain Balance: Adjust the music's volume to ensure it doesn't overpower speech or other crucial sounds, in line with the video's mood.

  • Licensing: Ensure that the chosen music has an appropriate licensing for use on YouTube.

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Intro is a "business card" for your video