Even if you don’t want to become a professional YouTuber, starting a channel can have several benefits. It’s an excellent way to find like-minded people and build a community, and you can grow several valuable skills—such as becoming a more confident speaker.
But with so many talented channels for every niche you can think of, standing out is a challenge. One of the best ways to captivate your audience’s attention is by creating a good intro for your videos.
So, what should you include in your YouTube intros? Keep reading to discover eight tips.
1. Keep It Short
Human attention spans aren’t the same they once were. With so many free resources available these days, you’re going to lose your audience if you drag out your YouTube intro for longer than is necessary.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to ensure that your introduction is no longer than 10 seconds. If you can get it shorter than that, all the better. Remember, you don’t need to reveal everything that will happen in your video. All you need to do is give them enough of a reason to keep watching.
2. Make Sure It Matches Your Channel’s Theme
While some rule-breakers have enjoyed success, most popular YouTube channels have a clear specialty that draws viewers and subscribers to them. If you don’t have this, you won’t be able to attract and serve your desired audience.
All elements of your YouTube channel should match your theme and branding, including your intro. Below are some aspects you should consider before creating it:
- Color schemes
- The emotions you’re trying to evoke
- Your content style
Once you know the answer to those, you’ll be in a better position to put together an engaging YouTube channel intro.
3. Make a Good First Impression
The branding for your YouTube intro is essential, but it’s not a golden ticket to views and subscribers. If you don’t give your audience a compelling reason to stick around, your efforts will be in vain.
When thinking about the opening sequence for your YouTube channel, making an excellent first impression is non-negotiable. Try to show that the viewer will get value from watching your videos; a simple slogan that demonstrates your values is a helpful first step.
Above all else, you can create a good first impression by being authentic. If you try to force a personality that isn’t yours, or if it’s noticeable that you’re not interested in the topics you discuss, others will see right through it and go somewhere else.
4. Be Consistent
A common misconception among many beginner creatives is that they have to hustle 24/7 if they want to be successful. It’s true that you need to show up and put in the work; however, doing less but being more consistent will result in more sustainable positive results.
To create a good YouTube channel intro, you should initially focus on creating a message that sticks with your audience. Over time, they’ll know what to expect from you and hold you accountable if you don’t deliver.
5. Adapt Over Time
Many people want to start a YouTube channel but become disheartened when they realize they’re not as skilled as the more experienced creators. But the reality is that everything is supposed to suck initially, and your intro probably won’t be perfect either.
If you don’t take the initial steps, you’ll always stay at the same level as you are. Focus on creating a YouTube channel intro that is good enough in the beginning; as you gain more experience, you can make necessary changes.
Even when you’re an established YouTuber, you’ll probably continue adapting your intro as your interests and areas of expertise evolve.
6. Plan in Advance
One of the most daunting things about starting a YouTube channel is thinking about the number of things you need to do before it gets off the ground. If you don’t break these down into bite-size chunks, you’ll probably find yourself feeling overwhelmed pretty quickly.
If you want to create a good introduction for your YouTube channel, planning in advance is one of the best things you can do. You might also find it useful to make two or three prototypes and test each of them to see which works best.
While you should have a plan, it’s worth noting that you don’t need an extremely comprehensive strategy at this point. Have enough to get you off the ground and make changes as you build momentum.
7. Include a Call to Action
If you feel uncomfortable asking people for things, now is the time to address those issues. As a content creator, you don’t get if you don’t ask—and the same is true on YouTube.
Once you’ve created your intro, you should consider including a call to action (CTA). Doing so will prompt users to do what you want them to, whether that’s subscribing to your channel or following you on social media.
Your CTA should be quick and direct. If you make it too fluffy, your audience will miss the message—and it’ll also suggest that you’re not confident about your mission.
8. Don’t Complicate Things
When you create a YouTube channel, it’s easy to think that more equals better. But most of the time, the opposite is true—especially if you’re a beginner.
Before you put together your YouTube intro, make an extensive list of what you could include. Then, once you’ve listed everything you can think of, narrow these down to the one or two most important components.
By simplifying your YouTube intro, you’ll save yourself a lot of wasted time. Moreover, it’ll give a more coherent feel to your channel.
Make a Captivating YouTube Intro
Building a successful YouTube channel takes most creators several years and a lot of trial and error. In the early phases, adopting a perfectionist mindset—especially when it comes to your intro—will hold you back.
Instead of trying to create something that is flawless, you should make a YouTube intro that’s good enough to get you started. As your skills build, and you get a better sense of the direction you’d like to move toward, you can make the necessary changes.