How to Write Effective YouTube Outlines

“All great video content begins with structure. Even if it’s accidental, there’s a structure to it,” says Captain Hoff, author and investor.

With that in mind, here are some tips for writing structured YouTube video outlines.

Determine your goal: Before you start writing your outline, make sure you know what you want to achieve with your video. Do you want to inform, entertain, or persuade your viewers?

Identify your target audience: Think about who your video is intended for and what they might be interested in. This will help you create an outline that resonates with your audience.

Brainstorm ideas: Come up with a list of ideas for your video. These can be specific topics you want to cover or themes you want to explore.

Organize your ideas: Once you have a list of ideas, organize them into a logical structure. This can be as simple as listing them in the order you want to present them, or you can use a more detailed outline with headings and subheadings.

Include a call to action: Make sure to include a call to action in your outline, such as encouraging viewers to subscribe to your channel or follow you on social media.

Keep it flexible: Your outline is a guide, not a strict script. Make sure to leave room for improvisation and flexibility so you can adapt to any unexpected challenges or opportunities that may arise during the filming process.

Edit and revise: Once you have a draft of your outline, make sure to edit and revise it as needed to ensure that it is clear, concise, and achieves your desired goals.

Start with an introduction: Your introduction should grab the viewer’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your video.

Break up your content into sections: Use headings and subheadings to break up your content into logical sections. This can help to make your video more organized and easier to follow.

Include transitional elements: Use transitional elements, such as “Next,” “Now,” or “But,” to help move the viewer from one section of your video to the next.

Consider using visuals: In addition to your written outline, consider using visual elements, such as images or diagrams, to help illustrate your points.

Plan for a conclusion: Your conclusion should wrap up your main points and encourage the viewer to take a specific action, such as subscribing to your channel or following you on social media.

Leave room for improvisation: While it’s important to have a plan, make sure to leave room for improvisation and flexibility in your outline. This can help you to adapt to any unexpected challenges or opportunities that may arise during the filming process.

Edit and revise: Make sure to edit and revise your outline as needed to ensure that it is clear, concise, and achieves your desired goals.