how to make a killer youtube intro (for the 2024 algorithm)

Here's how to make a killer YouTube intro to blow up your channel.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE PDF VERSION

SHOUTOUTS
I learned from A LOT of people during my research process to make this video possible. I wanted to take a moment to shout them out and give them some love - thank you for sharing your knowledge for the rest of us to grow from!
@paddygalloway8780
@ColinandSamir
@MrBeast
@CreatorScienceYT
@Coffeezilla
@MarkRober
@lexfridman

And, most importantly - this video was heavily inspired by @JonDorman - I loved a lot of his takes on how to make a YouTube video as a whole, and I wanted to dive deeper into intros specifically while emulating the feeling his videos give off 💙 (also Jon if you're still out there come back to YouTube, we miss you)

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Title & Thumbnail
02:00 - First 5 Seconds
03:39 - Rest of Intro
07:48 - Final Construction
10:41 - Some Encouragement

WATCH NEXT:
I Watched Every MrBeast Interview (So You Don't Have To)

COME SAY HI!

THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO YOUTUBE
Discover your niche, build your studio, craft compelling videos, unlock the YouTube algorithm, and more as you embark on the journey to monetization

SHOP EQUIPMENT:

[aGameScout]

This video genuinely helped me. When I first saw this video last week, I was ~2 days away from uploading a video I had spent probably 100+ hours on, more than any other video on my channel. After watching this, I realized my intro was not good at all. The line where you talked about how people know how much work their own videos are, but their audience doesn't, so the intro has to sell them on it, really resonated. At the last moment I brainstormed a new thumbnail/title/intro combo following a lot of what you described in this video, and it turned out to be a 1/10 and have the highest audience retention at the 30 second mark I've ever had. So thank you!

[jensschmidt]

One thing you didn't mention, which I think makes it a bit easier to create the intro... I have a background in TV production with hundreds of 10-15min TV features under my belt. And what we always did was to create and edit the intro LAST. We spent days editing a killer 15min video and only then sat down to create the intro. Because by then we knew our footage, the story arc, the best and worst parts and everything else inside out - and only if you know it inside out can you create the perfect intro. Wouldn't it be a shame to spend a lot of time to edit a killer intro only to then spend days trying to match the expectation in the rest of the video while realizing that the story you promised in the intro was never there? So in short: edit your video first, then edit your intro. Saves you time and nerves.

[AakashMehta]

I re-watch this video every time I'm writing a new video script.. here's my hook intro checklist based on this video:
1. Intriguing title and thumbnail to get the click
2. Mirror the thumbnail and repeat the title in the first 5 seconds to tell viewers they're in the right place
3. Create open loops in the viewers mind - (eg: create a 3 step formula or blur something out)
4. Provide context (what is it, why are you doing it, what's at stake)
5. Exceed expectations by using input bias (show the viewers that you've spent a lot of time, money, effort on the video)
6. Make the intro visually appealing for YouTube auto-play without sound (front load the stimulus)
7. Love the process

[MickiMinach]

I'm not a Youtuber but I can't believe I watched the whole video

[thouhgts.]

I'm gonna to be honest. Most of what this is many Youtubers know. But they won't share it this way. You are unbelievable. The value in this video can change lives. Thank you so much!

[GamingCruiseTHEpro]

Learning about youtube is a rabit hole it's keep getting deeper and deeper.

[redcool]

This is seriously one of the most impressive "how to" videos I've ever seen on YouTube. I come back to this video often just because of how insanely well put together this is! This is single-handedly the only video that has re-sparked my drive to want to create content again. Such an underrated creator and I really hope to see more from you in the future!

[denisdahub]

I don’t need another YouTube course and stuff, it’s all here in the most practical way

[sunnyaffection]

Girl, I don’t usually comment on videos, but I just had to come in tell you that this was so well planned out and so extremely helpful. I’ve been looking at “how to grow a YouTube channel” videos all day long and none of them gave me the details and metrics that I was looking for. This gives me so much clarity and structure to start making videos. Thank you, thank you, thank you! !! 🎉

[HitRegBroke]

FINALLY someone who talks about how to address the cliff at the beginning instead of "retention." This was insanely helpful, thanks April!

[steve]

I made a new playlist just to add your video in it. That’s how good it is! You set the bar really high. A primer on how to deliver on what you promise in the T&T, and then some! I’m fully expecting this channel to blow up!

[princekjtheartist]

I literally clicked this video with the full intention of judging your intro- and you executed masterfully! Good on you sis, I'm subscribing!!

[JonDaiello]

As a content creator, this is by far one of the most helpful videos I’ve seen. You just gave me the key pieces I need to help evaluate my own intro and content. I didn’t realize how important those first few seconds were, and more importantly now I know WHY they are important and HOW to improve my methods. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try these out.

[movementcreatorTV]

I cannot tell you how HELPFUL this video has been for me. It has made YT content creation so much more fun and exciting for me. Thank you for taking the time to do the research and put together this FIRE framework! I appreciate you! 🙏🏽

[JonDorman]

Aprilynne, SO GOOD! I'm touched by the description shoutout haha, you're amazing

[TijuanaJackson]

I'm super impressed to see someone actually using what they are teaching/learning to actually blow up their own channel! Very inspireing to witness this in real time.

[PritishMishra]

This video about YouTube intros is by far the most informative one I've come across. Unlike others, it provides clear, actionable steps without leaving things open-ended and confusing. Great job!

[deletingchannel]

What a helpful, impressive, and very informative video! You studied all this and put it into an 11-minute video to help all of us who've been wanting to start a YouTube channel this year? You have my biggest RESPECT, Aprilynne. I love you!!! I just posted my first-ever YouTube short video earlier, and I will definitely follow the guidelines you've provided. ❤

[TheDarkCompanyy]

you know it always suprises me when i learn something new. I basically knew everything you were going to say because ive been researching this stuff for months and I still learned something new like I didnt know about the input bias. Thank you!

[wheezywaiter]

This is fantastic advice. For real, I will be going back to this video when I need a reminder. Like, I never really considered the importance of input bias, but it makes SO much sense. And I realize a lot of my best performing videos accidentally conveyed the input bias.

Also the way you frame not focusing on thumbnails and titles as kind of "selfish" (to paraphrase) because you're not providing the audience with what they need is an epiphany for me.