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name: youtube-strategy description: Invoke this skill whenever you are working on something related to YouTube. Assists in generating essential elements that drive engagement and discovery.

YouTube Strategy Skill

This skill helps with YouTube video creation from ideation through publishing. It covers the full workflow: validating ideas, crafting packaging (title + thumbnail + hook as a unified unit), and creating post-production elements like descriptions and pinned comments.

How to Use This Skill

1. Identify the User's Stage

Before pulling in resources, determine where the user is in their process:

If unclear, ask: "Are you still exploring the idea, or do you have a video ready to package?"

2. The Packaging Contract (Critical)

Title, thumbnail, and hook are ONE unit. They form a contract with the viewer:

1. Title + Thumbnail make a promise that creates curiosity
2. Hook (first 20 seconds) must deliver on that promise immediately

When helping with ANY packaging element, consider all three:

• If working on a title, ask about the thumbnail concept and hook
• If the hook doesn't pay off the title/thumbnail promise, flag it
• Never finalize one without considering how it connects to the others

3. The Differentiation Filter

Before committing to packaging, apply this test from ideation.md:

"Would you spend $1,000 making this video? If not, find a more differentiated angle."

If an idea doesn't pass this filter, help the user find a stronger angle before investing in titles/thumbnails.

4. Audience Consistency

All videos should target the same precise audience avatar. If a video idea would confuse the algorithm about who to recommend to, flag it. Reference ideation.md for audience avatar guidance.

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Resources by Topic

Ideation & Validation resources/ideation.md

• Audience avatar definition
• The differentiation test
• Idea validation before production

Titles resources/titles.md

• Title formulas and patterns
• Checklist before publishing

Thumbnail resources/thumbnail.md

• Visual design principles
• Technical content templates
• The 3-element rule

The Hook resources/hook.md

• The 20-second formula (0-5s, 5-12s, 12-20s)
• Click confirmation principle
• Hook templates by type

Scripting resources/scripting.md

• Anticipation-validation loops (the "seesaw" pattern)
• Head fakes and misdirection techniques
• Script structures for technical content
• Pacing and retention strategies

Description resources/description.md

• SEO structure
• Template for technical content

Pinned Comment resources/pinned-comment.md

• Five comment types
• When to use each

Viral Checklist resources/viral-checklist.md

• Pre-publish gut check

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Workflow Summary

CopyIDEATION
  ↓
  Is the idea differentiated? (Would you spend $1,000?)
  Does it serve your audience avatar?
  ↓
PACKAGING (as one unit)
  ↓
  Title + Thumbnail + Hook must form a coherent contract
  The promise made must be delivered in first 20 seconds
  ↓
SCRIPTING
  ↓
  Structure using anticipation-validation loops
  Use head fakes to maintain engagement
  Every ~3 min should have tension or release
  ↓
POST-PRODUCTION
  ↓
  Description, Pinned Comment, Final Checks

When in doubt, start earlier in the workflow. A weak idea with great packaging still underperforms.