Google YouTube Creator Playbook Guide Version 2 - Manual (Page 17)

How-To Steps
1. Understand the engagement & viewing trends of your
content
Use tools available in Analytics to better understand how your videos
are performing in terms of engagement and audience retention. Short
attention spans or ‘drop-offs’ in attention or retention at the beginning of
the video reflect a need to optimize the first 15 seconds of the
video(s).
17
The First 15 Seconds
3. Experiment with variations
Try different approaches and see what works best to keep people
watching your video and decrease early abandonment.
2. Determine the right ‘hook’ or opening for your content
and audience
All content is different so determine the best use for the beginning of
your videos. Depending on your category, content, and current
engagement trends, your approach to the beginning of your videos will
vary.
4. Place compelling content first
Whatever approach you take, the first 15 seconds of your video needs
to be compelling, engrossing, or entertaining enough to get your
viewers to commit to continue watching the rest of the video.
Programming & Producing
Use Audience Retention graphs available in Analytics to track changes
in how your audience is viewing your content. Optimizing the beginning
of your video should increase viewing time and attention spans, while
decreasing drop-offs at the beginning of your videos.