🔎 Boost retention with 3 FAST script edits
Hey Reader, One of the main “retention edits” I do for every script is to improve clarity. Clarity is a major factor in whether or not someone will commit the next 15 minutes of their life to your video. If your audience feels confused, they'll leave. That’s why it’s especially important during the hook (although it matters a good deal throughout the script too). So, this week, using extracts from scripts I've worked/advised on... I’m sharing three quick clarity checks for you to do on your...
🔎 Why are scriptwriters so hard to find?
Hey Reader, Why is finding a good scriptwriter so dang hard?” It’s a question I get asked constantly. After all, I could recommend 5-6 editors off the top of my head. But I've consistently struggled to vouch for good writers (until recently). This is a problem, both for scriptwriters looking to prove themselves and for YouTubers who need writers. So, after 2+ years as a writer in this industry, I’m going to offer my (admittedly subjective) thoughts on the situation, and what needs to change...
🔎 Your payoffs are broken (but easy to fix)
Nobody likes a rambler. If you’ve ever been stuck in “conversation” with some guy at a party who’s three drinks further along than you, you’ll know what I mean. He (and, yes, let’s be real, it’s usually a “he”) witters on about something or other, but the conversation is completely directionless. I know this, because this is me being that guy about 10 years ago. Pretty sure this other chap is literally talking to someone else... Now, ramblers aren't talking with their audience in...
🔎 Do these 3 things BEFORE writing your script
Hey Reader, Although I love YouTube, I used to find writing scripts really hard. Even after a year of doing it, the feeling just wouldn't go away. It wasn’t that the subject matter was difficult to understand, nor were my fingers simply too weak to push the keys on my Macbook. I just felt overwhelmed and I couldn’t figure out why! Hahaha this is a ridiculous pic and yes I did do a photoshoot recently. But, having spent the last four months thinking about and systemizing my writing process for...
🔎 My 3-Step framework for writing killer hooks
Hey Reader, I can't tell you how happy I am to be writing this newsletter again! 🥳 Thanks so much for your patience, especially if you're one of the approx 600 new folks who joined during my hiatus. Me, staring lovingly at you for sticking with me. If you didn't know, I made the choice to narrow the focus of my entire business so I could complete my scriptwriting course. However, now that it's finally in the hands of my small army of beta testers, we can get back to business as usual! I...
🔎 I became Ali Abdaal’s scriptwriter because of this
Hey Reader, Thanks for your patience while this newsletter has been on hiatus! Since I last wrote, 4 weeks ago... the email list has grown from 1300 to almost 1700, so I wanted to drop in and say hello to the new folks! While I expect my consistency to remain patchy for another month, it's all in...
🔎 I wasn’t planning to do this…
Hey! Just a quick video update from me this week. But, if you don't have the time to watch it just now, here's the headline! I'm putting this newsletter on a 4-week hiatus 😢 It feels crazy to do this at a time when it's growing faster than ever! But the reasons are outlined in the video below...
🔎 My 4-step scriptwriting method for millions of views
Hey Reader, Does this resonate with you...? I hate writing; I love having written.” - Dorothy Parker. It certainly struck a chord with me. That's not to say that writing a YouTube script is actually a miserable process. But the build-up to a writing session is often fraught with anxiety. And that...
🔎 Why does Dodford keep going viral?
This week, I spoke to rising YouTube sensation and softly-spoken-lovely-man, Danny McMahon (AKA, Dodford). Dodford's videos consistently outperform his subscriber count by an incredible magnitude, and... it's easy to see why. Particularly as a scriptwriter, I've been fascinated by his use of...
🔎 10 proven strategies to create more engaging videos
Trying to make better videos can feel overwhelming. It seems like there's always more to learn 🤯 But there are some skills that are non-negotiable when it comes to YouTube. That is... if you really care about creating engaging content that grows your channel. So here are 10 scriptwriting...
🔎 This 2-minute tweak will boost your retention
This week I've got a super simple tweak for your next script. But it's the kind of adjustment that could have a big impact on retention once you start doing it. The bad news? You'll need to unlearn something you’ve been conditioned to do for years. The good news? It’s not hard! Buy a bin. Like,...
🔎 Interviewing the strategist behind millions of views
Hey Reader, Today, we're doing something a little different! I recently sat down with YouTube strategist and Twitter pal Dabi to discuss something that scares a lot of creators. Storytelling 📚 So what can we learn from somebody who's worked on some incredible, story-driven content that's gained...