Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin

Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1

Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/ObvfedIqIRE

Travis and Jenn explore YouTube's evolving AI landscape and discuss whether artificial intelligence is a helpful tool or a concerning replacement for human creativity. They demonstrate VidIQ's Script Writer tool live on the podcast, showing how AI can assist with research while still allowing creators to maintain their unique voice.

• AI updates on YouTube are creating new opportunities but also raising questions about content authenticity
• The human connection remains critical for viewers, even as AI-generated content becomes more convincing
• vidIQ's Script Writer tool demonstrates how AI can help with research and save time without replacing creativity
• Comment management doesn't require responding to every comment—focus on those that stand out or are funny
• Movie reviewers should understand fair use but recognize that using footage may still result in copyright claims
• AI licensing companies are approaching creators, but be cautious about what rights you're signing away

Email us at [email protected] with your YouTube questions, and we might answer them in a future episode. Submit a script using vidIQ's Script Writer tool, and Travis and Jenn will perform the winning entry when they're in the studio together!

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin

Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1

Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/yCh-mgr-i0I

Have you ever nodded along when someone mentioned "B-roll" or "CTR," secretly hoping nobody would discover you had no idea what they meant? You're not alone. The world of YouTube creation comes with its own language—a special vocabulary that can feel like an exclusive club for those in the know.

In this comprehensive guide, Travis and Jen break down the essential YouTube terminology that every creator needs to understand, from basic filming concepts to advanced analytics metrics. They start with the fundamentals: A-roll (your main footage), B-roll (supplementary visual elements), jump cuts (editing without transitions), and cold opens (starting videos in the middle of action). With each term, they provide clear examples and practical applications that demystify these industry standards.

The episode takes a deep dive into the metrics that matter most for channel growth. Learn the crucial differences between retention rate, average view duration, and total watch time—three similar but distinct measurements that reveal how viewers engage with your content. They clarify the often-confused RPM versus CPM distinction, explaining why one metric matters far more to your bottom line than the other. Travis and Jen even tackle the nebulous concept of "the algorithm," breaking down what creators actually need to understand about YouTube's recommendation system.

Most valuable is their crystal-clear explanation of content strategy terminology. Discover what content buckets are and how to implement them, understand the critical importance of packaging (your title and thumbnail combination), and learn why knowing the difference between a copyright claim and a copyright strike could save your entire channel. This episode serves as both a beginner's introduction and a valuable refresher for experienced creators who may have been too embarrassed to ask about terms they've heard for years.

Ready to speak the language of successful YouTubers? Listen now, and never fake your way through a creator conversation again. What YouTube term has confused you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostpluginWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here:  https://youtu.be/rEHLufg0jic

Diving into the often-misunderstood world of YouTube analytics, we unpack what "regular viewers" actually means and why seeing them choose not to watch certain videos might be part of your strategic plan rather than a problem. That notification telling you "more regular viewers aren't watching" could actually signal you're successfully reaching new audiences—exactly what some content is designed to do.

One listener's experience perfectly illustrates how seemingly small details can dramatically impact performance. After adding descriptions to dormant YouTube shorts, they immediately saw growth spike. This powerful reminder about metadata's importance reveals how YouTube's algorithm sometimes needs our help to understand what our content is truly about, especially when it lacks sufficient viewing data to make those determinations itself.

We tackle the eternal question many creators face: start a new channel or pivot an existing one? For one listener managing three channels between 700-4,000 subscribers, the conventional advice to "focus on one niche" might not apply. Sometimes the happiest path isn't the most strategic one, and maintaining multiple creative outlets can prevent burnout even if it doesn't maximize growth. The same principle applies to balancing shorts and long-form content—recognizing they serve different viewer intentions rather than expecting one audience to seamlessly convert to another.

The heart of successful YouTube strategy might be embracing what veteran creator Mark shared: "Only a handful of subscribers watch your channel anyway... the only failure is giving up too soon." Most channels see 80% of their growth from just 20% of their videos, with these "outlier" hits serving as stepping stones that gradually raise your baseline performance. Success isn't about making every video perform exceptionally but understanding how the ecosystem works together to create sustainable, long-term growth.

What YouTube strategy questions are you wrestling with? Send us your thoughts at [email protected] and join our community of creators learning and growing together!

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Looking for a job?  Email Hafu [email protected]

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/8XMqY_vXyy4

Hafu Go shares his eight-year journey from making lip-sync videos as a kid to becoming a successful YouTube creator with videos that garner millions of views. His unique perspective on the step-ladder nature of YouTube growth provides valuable insight for creators at all levels.

• Began YouTube career making videos in his mom's house, spending 50+ hours editing videos that initially received just 200 views
• Committed to pushing through for at least one year, which helped him overcome the temptation to quit when growth was slow
• Documented his experience studying at "the Harvard of China" (Tsinghua University) which helped transition his content
• Describes pivoting from college vlogs to Shaolin monk training as a "life crisis moment" that ultimately doubled his subscribers
• Emphasizes the importance of "wedging" when transitioning content types rather than making abrupt changes
• Embraced YouTube Shorts early, with his first dedicated Short reaching 50 million views in a week
• Creates thumbnails and titles before filming videos, with multiple versions tested for performance
• Focuses heavily on pre-production planning to make editing more efficient
• Believes your "rate of progress is going to be equal to your rate of learning"
• Hiring editors and ideation people to support his growing channel

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/8XMqY_vXyy4

Matt Koval shares his unique journey from early YouTube creator to becoming YouTube's first Creator Liaison, offering rare insights into the platform's evolution and internal decision-making processes. He reveals how his $47 creator course caught YouTube's attention and led to a decade-long career developing creator education programs including the original YouTube Playbook.

• Started as a comedy creator in 2008 alongside early YouTube stars like Hank Green and Shane Dawson
• Hired by YouTube in 2012 after creating what may have been the first-ever YouTube strategy course
• Helped develop fundamental creator resources including the original YouTube Playbook
• Eventually became YouTube's official Creator Liaison after years of unofficially humanizing platform announcements
• Left YouTube after 10 years to start Creator Dynamics, working with companies to improve their YouTube presence
• Confirms some channels truly are "dead" and beyond revival despite what YouTube's internal teams claim
• Believes growing on YouTube is significantly harder now due to increased competition and quality requirements
• Recommends creators focus on selling products/services rather than just chasing views for long-term sustainability

If you're interested in learning more about Matt Koval and Creator Dynamics, check out the links in our show notes.

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/8XMqY_vXyy4

We debunk the myth that YouTube intentionally gatekeeps content and explore what true success means for different creators at various stages.

• YouTube has no business incentive to suppress creators' content after allowing free uploads
• Initial video performance followed by sudden drops is normal algorithm testing, not punishment
• Success metrics should be personalized to your specific channel goals beyond just views
• Small channels (under 1,000 subscribers) shouldn't obsess over analytics with limited sample sizes 
• Measuring improvements in creative skills is valuable progress for newer creators
• Comparing yourself to established creators often overlooks their years of behind-the-scenes work
• The unpredictable nature of YouTube is part of what makes it challenging and rewarding
• Building a supportive community of fellow creators provides relevant feedback for improvement
• Avoid tying your self-worth to video performance metrics you cannot directly control

If you're struggling with defining success for your channel, email us at theboostvidi@com or join our Discord community at vidiq.com/discord where you can connect with other creators on similar journeys.

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/8XMqY_vXyy4

Every creator faces those moments where momentum stalls, inspiration fades, and we question our place in the vast YouTube landscape. In this heartfelt discussion, Travis and Rob tackle the psychological side of content creation that often goes unmentioned beneath the surface-level metrics and strategies.

When a viewer asks about niching down their history animation channel, the conversation reveals something deeper than just topic selection—it highlights the delicate balance between creative passion and audience-building. Rob shares a personal insight: "I will consume anything about World War II, but have far less interest in the French Revolution." This simple preference demonstrates why creators must find the intersection between what excites them and what builds a consistent audience.

The most powerful segment emerges when discussing a creator who experienced viral success right before vacation, then returned unable to recapture their motivation. As Travis notes, "You have to disconnect your self-worth from view counts," highlighting the dangerous trap many creators fall into. The numbers game becomes a rollercoaster of emotion—when videos perform well, you feel invincible; when they struggle, worthless. This emotional cycle burns creators out faster than any algorithm change ever could.

We also explore fascinating technical questions about viewer spikes, audience demographics, and when to revive dormant channels versus starting fresh. Each question peels back another layer of the creator experience, revealing that success often requires as much psychological resilience as it does strategic thinking.

Whether you're struggling with burnout, confused by analytics, or simply trying to find your place in the creator ecosystem, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional validation. As Rob concludes with his word of wisdom: "Keep creating, no matter the challenges. You've got this."

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/8XMqY_vXyy4

Step behind the curtain with Travis and Jen as they abandon their usual YouTube strategy talk for a refreshingly candid conversation about the human side of content creation. This community-focused episode delivers unexpected insights into what makes creators tick when the cameras aren't rolling.

Candy taste tests kick off the conversation, leading to the surprising discovery that Dollar Tree's Cow Tails dramatically outperform name-brand Gushers. From there, we dive into the creators we secretly wish we could befriend, with Travis sharing fascinating stories of meeting major YouTubers in their homes and what they're really like behind the scenes.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as we reveal our strangest YouTube rabbit holes (did you know there's a proper way to butter bread at formal events?) and confess our most irrational content pet peeves. Jenn's hatred for improperly held lavalier microphones and Travis's frustration with misleading thumbnails spark a hilarious debate about the little things that drive creators crazy.

Perhaps most valuable is our honest discussion about maintaining enthusiasm when motivation wanes. Rather than pushing through burnout, we explore how small changes and experimental formats can reignite creative passion—a refreshing counterpoint to typical creator advice.

Whether you're a longtime listener or first-time visitor, this episode offers a genuine glimpse into creator psychology and the sometimes bizarre digital worlds we inhabit. 

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/boostplugin
Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/Bd4M0RuAUdA

Travis and Jen break new ground with their second-ever Discord community episode featuring video questions and live creator Q&A. The episode showcases real creator challenges and provides actionable solutions for improving retention, finding the right audience, and maintaining perspective on YouTube success.

• First-ever viewer-submitted video questions with impressive production quality
• Strategies for improving retention and keeping viewers watching until the end
• Tips for reducing the steep viewer drop-off in the first 30 seconds
• Balancing cross-platform promotion without diluting content effectiveness
• Managing negative feedback when creating politically-charged content
• Reframing "small" view counts as significant achievements (50 views = 50 real people)
• Finding the right balance between content quality and quantity
• Importance of packaging content correctly to set viewer expectations
• Why YouTube tags matter less than most creators think

Join our Discord community at vidIQ.com/discord to participate in future podcast episodes and connect with fellow creators.

Send us a text

Get the vidIQ plugin for FREE: https://vidiq.ink/3yvoc7r
Join Discord: https://www.vidiq.com/discord

Want a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1
Check out the video version here: https://youtu.be/0HPucaCMwrQ

Audience engagement metrics on YouTube aren't always what they seem, and retention graphs can be misleading if viewed in isolation. We explore why "good" retention varies drastically based on content length, traffic sources, and viewer behavior across different platforms.

• TikTok has reportedly surpassed Twitch to become the second most streamed platform after YouTube
• Retention graphs look different depending on video length, with shorts typically exceeding 100% while long-form content rarely does
• High-view videos often have lower retention percentages than creators expect
• Search traffic typically has shorter view duration than browse or suggested traffic
• Breaking down retention by traffic source and subscriber status reveals more useful insights than aggregate data
• YouTube doesn't currently track "hover behavior" when viewers preview but don't click
• Platform differences significantly impact engagement behaviors (TV vs. mobile vs. desktop)
• Mr. Beast has set unrealistic retention expectations for many creators
• Viewer disclaimers and overexplaining opinions have become increasingly common in content

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a five-star review and join us next time when we'll be sharing more about ourselves as creators.