🎥 The Biggest Lie of Video Production

“No one has an attention span these days”

“You can’t make a video longer than 2-3 minutes, people will get bored.”

Lies.

Plenty of YouTube videos over 30 minutes long manage to hold viewers’ attention and keep them hooked til the end.

Our recent video essay about Why India Will Win the 21st Century is the perfect example.

When people click on a long-form video it’s because of one of the following reasons:

1. The topic interests them

2. They’re a fan of the creator

3. all of the above

Getting the click is one thing, holding attention for 20+ minutes is another.

Why is your audience watching you?

Is it because of your winning personality and undeniable charm? Or are you simply publishing content within a targeted niche that has a high search volume?

Rarely will someone click on a 20+ minute long video of a complete stranger and watch the entire thing. You earn that first click by making an eye-catching thumbnail that promotes a topic that interests your viewer.

You earn that video’s viewer retention by having a storyboarded, scripted, thoroughly-researched, well-paced video. With some luck (and a calculated call to action), you may gain a new subscriber.

Over time as your audience understands what to expect from your content, they will click on videos about topics that don’t interest them whatsoever, but will watch because they’re invested in you.

To earn audience affection and adoration in long-form videos, it’s quality > quantity, with consistency.

Have an ELITE Week,

Hannah

If you want to find out how to make shortform vertical videos and become a fully capable video marketer, enroll in Inhouse Videographer. In just 4 hours hours of self-paced lessons, you will learn everything from the optimal lighting for your videos to how to coach your subjects on camera.

Elite Video of the Week:

I discuss the importance of consistency, routines, and maintaining a balance of quality and quantity.