This post was originally written Dec 19, 2022 and has been updated with newer information.

In 2025, YouTube's algorithm continues to evolve, prioritizing not just how long viewers stay on your videos, but how much they engage with your channel. With more creators entering the scene and AI-generated content flooding timelines, authentic, compelling YouTube storytelling skills have become the ultimate differentiator.


In other words, if you want to increase watch times and grow an engaged audience, you need to master the art of YouTube storytelling so you can capture attention from that very first second.


Here’s why storytelling on YouTube has changed in recent years, and why it's more important now than ever.

Why Storytelling on YouTube Matters Even More in 2025

 have placed even greater weight on how well it performs as well as user habits. The idea is to combine these to make sure it’s matching the best content with the type of users who will most appreciate it. If a video pulls this off, YouTube rewards you with more reach.


With the algorithm functioning as it is, and with generative AI making mass content easier to produce, 

 is an opportunity to make your content fresh and valuable to audiences craving real connection. Short-form storytelling, playlist journeys, and even live session narratives have emerged as key tactics to stand out.

If you can make people care about your story, YouTube will care about promoting your content.

A Storytelling Format that Gets More Watch Time

So, how do you make viewers care more about your content? And how do you make it engaging enough for YouTube’s algorithm to notice?

One solution is to use the hero’s journey, a common plot device in 

, and hundreds of other movies. It focuses on a single protagonist, an adventure they take, and what they learn along the way.


Here’s what the hero's journey looks like:

The Ordinary World: We meet the hero and see their normal, mundane life.

The Call of Adventure: The hero feels "called" to go on a mission or adventure.

Refusal of the Call: Fear or discomfort holds the hero back.

Meeting the Mentor: A role model gives the hero advice and wisdom.

Crossing the First Threshold: The hero embarks on the quest.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero enters a new world, faces challenges, and meets enemies.

Approach to the Inmost Cave: Setbacks occur while the stakes are rising.

The Ordeal: The hero faces their greatest test thus far.

Reward: The hero reaps the rewards of victory (a skill, knowledge, etc.).

The Road Back: The hero heads home, but there are still more enemies to fight.

Resurrection: A final test becomes the story's climax, where the hero draws upon everything they’ve learned.

Return with the Elixir: Evil is defeated, everyone’s safe, and the hero is transformed forever.

A video-game-style graphic showing the hero's journey.

With this plot device, you can explore concepts like fear, loss, growth, and triumph — which is why it works! Each chapter sparks a new emotion in the protagonist 

 the viewer. Thanks to a powerful insight (emotion = attention), we know this plot device can 

Examples of the Hero’s Journey in YouTube Storytelling

You can use the hero’s journey in almost any video, but it works best in challenge or storytime content. 

So as a quick example, we’ll share two videos from those categories. You'll see how both stories follow the hero's journey, even if the creators tweaked them a bit for YouTube.

It's also worth mentioning that these videos got massive views. So there's a good chance they had lots of watch time, which prompted the 

Ryan Trahan: “I Spent 100 Days in Pokémon”

 is known for his legendary challenges, including one where he used 

 to cross North America. In the video below (1 million+ views), he uses the hero’s journey for a gaming challenge.

0:46–1:01: Ryan challenges himself to live inside 

1:02–1:58: Ryan starts his journey by meeting the main characters and choosing his first Pokémon.

Ryan choosing Fuecoco, a fire type, as his first Pokemon.

1:59–3:09: Ryan enters a whole new world by playing the game in “nuzlocke mode." He has to nickname all of his Pokémon, only battle with Pokémon that haven't fainted, and only use the first Pokémon he catches in any given area. If all of them faint, it's game over.

3:10–19:00: Ryan faces battles, missions, and side quests. He loses several Pokémon along the way but defeats every gym leader by day 81!

23:08–23:45: Ryan loses “QuackBoom,” a strong Pokemon that brought him super far in the game. It’s a sad loss! (RIP QuackBoom)

An image of QuackBoom the Pokemon, his achievements in the game, and text that says "RIP QuackBoom"

 Ryan defeats the Elite Four (top trainers in the Pokémon league).

31:07–33:00: Ryan defeats the champion of all champions in the Pokémon league. He gives an emotional speech about what's he’s learned while playing Pokémon over the years.

Lynette Adkins: “I Had to Reprogram My Mind to Create My Dream Life”

 is a lifestyle creator who talks about navigating life and evolving your mindset. In the video below (355,000+ views), she shares a major life update using the hero’s journey.

0:00–1:22: Lynette talks about having an unfulfilling job where she felt overworked.

1:23–2:28: Lynette feels “called” to make a mindset shift to live her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

2:28–4:28: Lynette meets her “mentor,” which is really her self-conscious. By listening to her innermost thoughts, she starts to believe her true desires can come true.

5:33–6:38: Lynette starts changing her life by avoiding toxic relationships, not overworking, getting hobbies, and more.

6:39–8:35: Lynette enters a new mindset but struggles to create boundaries at school and work. She realizes she’s holding herself back due to self–limiting beliefs.

8:34–10:25: Emerging victorious, Lynette explains how to change your life by removing self–doubt.

Mastering Storytelling on YouTube = More Views & More Fans

To master YouTube storytelling, you must look outside of YouTube. Study the classics that laid the foundation for every plot device we know today. 

. Then you can use those stories as a blueprint to make emotional, captivating content. 

That's how you get more watch time on YouTube!

But if you need more advice for your channel or videos, 

A female YouTuber records a video in her living room

Woman recording video blog at home sitting on couch in cozy living room setting

Want to get more watch time on every YouTube video? Use this storytelling secret to captivate viewers and keep them engaged.

The Art of YouTube Storytelling: A Secret Path to More Watch Time (2025 Update)

 YouTube video for your channel? When you factor in all of the necessary tasks — finding a good idea, scripting, filming, editing, coming up with titles, designing a thumbnail — how do the hours stack up? Do you spend 10, 20, or more?

Whatever your number is, you can slash it in half with YouTube automation. This time-saving hack allows you to outsource parts of the creative process so everything doesn’t fall on your shoulders. 

No time to create a thumbnail? No problem. Don’t want to spend hours writing a YouTube script? Consider it handled!

In the past, automation largely meant outsourcing creative work to someone else. So, if you don’t have time to find video ideas, research trends, or do some other task, you could hire an agency or freelancer to do it for you. In fact, plenty of 

But it’s becoming less common to ask a human for help. Instead, people are using computers powered by artificial intelligence to get the answers they need or the assets they want. All of this is driving the rise of 

 — digital tools designed to make life easier for content creators.

5 vidIQ Tools for Automating YouTube Tasks

By now, you’re probably wondering how to do YouTube automation. Next up, we’ll share some vidIQ tools that can help you with that, from creating video titles to generating video descriptions on the fly. We’ll even share some 

When you’re struggling to come up with video titles, use the 

to get relevant, engaging suggestions. Like the name suggests, this tool uses AI to generate results in a matter of seconds. All you have to do is type in a basic keyword or title and click 

The phrase "popular youtube trends and memes for more videos" typed into the ai title generator

A collection of video titles in the vidIQ AI title generator 

This tool uses the same AI software, GPT-4, that powers the popular chatbot from OpenAI (ChatGPT). So, with this generator, you’ll see engaging titles that pair well with your topic.

How to Write Better YouTube Titles with AI Suggestions

Many a time while watching YouTube we come across video titles that look attractive and interesting and we are left wondering, "How can I replicate that?" Our 

 does exactly that for you! It takes the heavy lifting out of finding YouTube video ideas and crafting the perfect title. 

The tool is designed to help creators like you discover what’s already working in your niche and easily adapt those concepts to your style. Whether you’re looking to ride the wave of trending topics or repurpose a successful format, Remix provides a fast, simple way to do it.

 is a game changer for small creators, designed to take the pain out of thumbnail creation. With our tool, you can generate stunning thumbnails in minutes without any prior design skills. Whether you’re a seasoned YouTube creator or just getting started, we’ve made it easy for you to stand out from the crowd with clickable, high-converting thumbnails.

You can simply drag and drop a video, a subject, or a reference image to generate your customized thumbnail. You can also simply use the text box below to enter a descriptive prompt of what you're looking for. Try it yourself now for free!

write descriptions for every YouTube video

 so both viewers and the algorithm understand your content. The only problem? It’s a bit boring, if not tedious, to write a good description 

That’s where the AI Description Generator can help you out. All it needs is a few keywords related to your video to whip up an engaging description. Once you have a few phrases in mind, it’s as simple as typing them in and hitting 

The keywords "youtube trends," "youtube memes" and "youtube views" typed into the vidIQ AI description generator

And just like that, you have a few descriptions to choose from. You can hit the 

Example of a video description generated by the vidIQ description generator

This tool also uses GPT-4 to automate descriptions and explain the theme of your video in a captivating way.

If there’s one thing every creator needs, it’s more video ideas. With Daily Ideas from vidIQ, you can find exciting concepts that would make great YouTube videos for your audience. Best of all, you get new ideas daily!

, Daily Ideas will analyze the videos on your channel to suggest personalized and custom video ideas.

Personalized ideas are based on videos you’ve already posted, so they appear automatically. With custom ideas, you can type in any keyword to get new video suggestions!

Here’s an example of custom ideas based on the video game 

 for how well the video could perform, from “very high” to “low” views.

A list of customized video ideas from vidIQ

And here are the personalized ideas. They appear automatically based on the topics you create content on.

Like the other tools, Daily Ideas uses GPT-4 to share video ideas. So, if you’re feeling stuck, this AI assistant will light the way forward.

Daily Ideas from vidIQ – More Video Ideas to Spark Your YouTube Success

AI Coach is our newest tool that also uses GPT-4 to answer questions about YouTube. You can ask our coach anything about the creative journey, such as how often to post, what information should go in specific videos, and the best content ideas for your channel. It can even write basic video scripts.

Let’s say you want to make a video about finding Egyptian pyramids in 

 to sign up and start a conversation with the AI Coach. From there, you'll see an area to type questions and get responses from the chatbot.

A Minecraft video script generated by vidIQ's AI Coach.

It’s just like a normal conversation, so our AI Coach will remember what you’ve already said as you make more requests. You might want a script to be longer, have timestamps, or even come with title ideas.

Minecraft video titles generated by vidIQ's AI Coach.

Creator burnout on YouTube is real. When you’re feeling tired or uninspired, the best solution is to find ways to automate your channel’s content. Use the tools above to get video ideas, titles, descriptions, and even short scripts that get your creative juices flowing.

You can also save time on YouTube by knowing which trends will skyrocket your views. 

A man editing a Youtube video on a desktop computer

Video editor working on color grading using graphics tablet and dual monitors at desk

Looking for ways to automate your YouTube channel? These AI-powered tools will write titles, thumbnails, descriptions, and video scripts in seconds.

YouTube Automation: Get AI-Powered Titles, Thumbnails, Descriptions, and Video Ideas

We’re finally in the new year, and for many of you, that means setting bigger goals for your YouTube channel. While it’s nice to collect more views or even monetize your videos, we know you want something else too: more YouTube subscribers.

No matter what number you’re striving for, you’ll reach it faster if you set a 

. The SMART method is a proven way to set meaningful goals, and it stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These are the five key elements of a wise goal — one that’s realistic and more likely to be achieved.

Not to mention, a SMART goal brings more focus to your YouTube journey. It helps you understand 

 you need to make it happen. So whether you’re looking to hit 1,000; 10,000; or even 100,000 subscribers, here’s how to set a SMART goal.

First up, your goal needs to be as specific as possible. Instead of saying you want to get more subscribers, which is a bit vague, name a real number. It’s not just about having a figure to chase; setting a clear goal helps you understand what you need to bring your dreams to life.

Why is this goal important? Will it help me 

, secure bigger brand deals, sell products to my audience?, etc.

For example, you might say, "I need 10,000 subscribers to attract more lucrative brand deals and grow my content creation business. To increase my subscribers, I’ll have to learn community building, storytelling, thumbnail creation, and YouTube SEO. I can learn these skills myself or enroll in a 

Now the goal is well-defined with clear action steps!

Tracking your progress helps you stay focused, especially when chasing an intimidating goal. In the YouTube space, “intimidating” could be anything over 100,000 subscribers. For some creators, 

Balloons surrounding a huge number 1 and a small letter m

No matter what your goal is, don’t make the mistake of only tracking subscriber count. 

Measure the underlying process that grows your channel

. After all, it’s the months of acquiring new skills or posting new content that truly moves the needle.

In that case, “measuring your progress” could mean:

Posting a specific number of videos to understand which ideas succeed or fail.

Choosing one YouTube skill to learn over the course of each month.

 and track important metrics, including subscribers.

Watching a specific number of YouTube education videos, such as the ones from vidIQ.

For any goal to work, it has to be realistic. You might be able to gain 3,000 subscribers in a month, but 30,000 might be a stretch!

Be honest with yourself and set a goal that feels achievable. Look at how fast your channel is growing, then pick a number that builds upon your current trajectory.

 a graph showing youtube subscriber growth over time for a channel

For example, you might say, “My channel gains 100 subscribers each month. With the resources I have, and the skills I’m gaining, I can reasonably grow that number to 300. That means I could reach 1,800 subscribers in the next six months.”

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers on a Small Channel

When a goal is relevant, it aligns with everything on your YouTube channel, from the content you make to the audience you target. But it goes even deeper than that.

Sometimes, setting a relevant goal is vowing to never make content that repeatedly fails to grow your subscribers. So, spend some time looking at the 

 metric in the YouTube Studio. It will show you which videos bring in the most subscribers so you can keep making relevant content.

Subscribers gained by content filter in the youtube studio

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

Lastly, set a deadline to achieve your goal. This helps you envision what's on the horizon for your channel and makes the journey feel 

A good deadline creates a sense of urgency and order, pushing you to make detailed plans. It might inspire you to build a content strategy or stick to a 

. But remember, a SMART goal is always realistic, so choose your deadline wisely!

For example, you might say, “My channel has 50 subscribers, and I want to 

A SMART goal is just that — an incredibly smart way to grow your YouTube channel faster. But that doesn’t mean life won’t throw you a curveball. As you gain more subscribers, you may have to adjust your plans when there's an unexpected hiccup. That could be a new work schedule, complications at school, or just having more important obligations!

No matter what happens, don’t give up. 2025 can be your year on YouTube, but only if you keep going.

If you haven’t already, read this guide to help you prepare for more YouTube growth in 2024!

"100K" in yellow and surrounded by balloons.

3D golden 100k text with orange balloons on blue background celebrating milestone.

Want more YouTube subscribers in 2025? Don't skip the most crucial step in the creator journey: setting a SMART goal to achieve your dreams!

Kickstarting 2025: How to Set the Perfect YouTube Subscriber Goal

Are you looking for Black Friday deals this week? As a content creator, this is a great time to look at your production equipment and see if anything needs upgrading. For example, it might be time to invest in a DSLR camera if you started your YouTube channel with a smartphone. Or maybe your microphone is a bit old and worn out!

No matter where you're starting from, one thing is true: 

Some YouTube equipment is more critical than others.

 Small creators can drastically improve their videos with better audio, lighting, and visuals before most other upgrades. 

Even still, you probably don't want to pay $1,000 for a camera that was marked down from $1,200. So, here's the best YouTube equipment available at an affordable price!

Looking for the best camera under $500? These four entry-level options will upgrade your videos by leaps and bounds! On the list, we have DSLR cameras, point-and-shoot options, and even action cams.

The Lumix G7 has everything you need to create aesthetically pleasing videos. It offers 4K recording, at 30 fps, with a maximum focal length of 84mm. If you have to film in various conditions, you'll also love the weather-resistant design. With a 3D Lens with a 16 micro four-thirds system, you'll never miss a shot in action! Overall, the Lumix G7 is a point-and-shoot camera that goes above and beyond.

Featuring a powerful 24.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor, this DSLR delivers sharp, vibrant photos and Full HD videos. Its 18-55mm lens offers versatility for everyday shooting, while built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing your creations seamless. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts, the Rebel T7 combines quality, ease of use, and connectivity in one sleek package.

Action cameras pack a lot of power in a small package, and the Osmo Action 4 is no different. You get 4K video recording, a waterproof design, and a vivid touch screen for previewing your content. The camera also comes with RockSteady stabilization. Whether you're mountain biking, skateboarding, or capturing any high-movement activity, the footage looks incredibly smooth.

The GoPro HERO13 is an action camera with 5K recording and 27-megapixel resolution. It's famously small, a huge advantage for vloggers, sports enthusiasts, or anyone who needs light-weight equipment. And, if you're into water sports, the Hero12 has you covered with waterproofing technology. The camera also has HyperSmooth stabilization to smooth out bumpy rides on motorcycles, ATVs, and other wheeled vehicles.

Black Friday Microphone Deals (Under $250)

The best microphone for YouTube is one that fits your budget and produces clear audio. Start your search here with our list of Black Friday deals on microphones.

Looking for a quality microphone that fits a tighter budget? The Blue Snowball matches that description, especially for the current sale price of $39! But don't be fooled by its affordability; this is a plug-and-play mic that doesn't compromise on sound. The Blue Snowball is incredibly user-friendly, and you can use it for voiceovers, livestreaming, or basic music recordings.

This microphone is a favorite among content creators for its crisp sound quality and ease of use. It's a USB microphone that plugs right into your computer, which is pretty convenient. Best of all, Blue Yeti has several recording options, including cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. This means you can record just about anything, from solo podcasts to interviews, music, or even a roundtable discussion. Overall, the Blue Yeti is one of the best USB mics on the market.

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, and Mac, the HyperX Quad Cast features four selectable polar patterns for versatile recording, an anti-vibration shock mount, and an internal pop filter for crystal-clear audio. With built-in gain control, a stunning red LED indicator, and seamless performance on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Discord, the QuadCast elevates your voice to the next level.

The Shure MV88+ Video Kit is your ticket to quality sound, all for under $300. It features a smartphone condenser microphone, which works for Apple and Android users. The full kit includes a Manfrotto PIXI tripod, a clamp for your phone, a mount, plus iOS and USB-C cables. This is the perfect solution for hands-free recording!

What's the best lighting for YouTube videos? If you're on a budget, these four options will upgrade your visuals significantly!

The cheapest light source on our list, the Godox M1 is a compact LED panel. It features RGB color options, allowing you to choose from a spectrum of colors to set the perfect mood for your videos. The M1 also has multiple lighting modes, including standard bi-color options, such as red-green and yellow-green.

The Panel Go has a slim, lightweight design that fits into almost any camera bag. But what makes this panel stand out is the ability to adjust color temperature and brightness. With those features, you can easily tweak the lighting to match your environment. Additionally, the Panel GO comes with a built-in battery, which is rechargeable via USB-C.

The BOLING Pocket LED is an excellent pick, especially if you want to light your videos for less than $100. Like other options on the list, it offers a full spectrum of colors, the ability to adjust color temperature, and a few brightness options. But this light stands out because it's specifically for 

 and has a 360-degree mount for that purpose.

We hope you found something on this list to enhance the visuals, audio, or lighting of your YouTube videos. After all, the more quality you put into your content, the more views you'll see in return!



Speaking of views, here's how to go insanely viral at the end of the year!

Cameras, lenses, and more equipment on a table

DSLR camera with lens and photography accessories on a flat surface in black and white.

Did you know there are tons of Black Friday deals for content creators? Here are the best YouTube cameras, mics, and lighting for a discount!

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

YouTube Shorts are opening new doors for content discovery and driving viewer engagement in ways that are reshaping the YouTube game. And as these vertical videos continue to be pushed to the forefront, creators have a unique opportunity to ride the wave and grow their channels.

 but the challenging part is keeping the momentum going. And with many updates over the years, you may have to think differently about how you create Shorts. 

Shorts are appearing in search results, so you should absolutely create them.

If you focus on making unique Shorts that go viral, subscribers will find you eventually.

Every Short needs a pinned comment that recommends 

Musical Shorts may contain trends or dance challenges, so research those topics before you press record.

Now that you have some background knowledge, here are four tips to grow your channel with YouTube Shorts.

1. YouTube Shorts are More Discoverable; Don’t Hesitate to Post Them!

Getting discovered with YouTube Shorts is a sound strategy, especially as search-based Shorts are getting more views. That means you should absolutely start posting them to 

How Viewers ‘Search’ for YouTube Shorts

Viewers can find your Shorts via YouTube search just like traditional, topic-based videos. Want to learn how? Follow these steps:

Open YouTube on your desktop or mobile app.

Next to your profile icon, click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen.

Type your desired keywords into the search bar and tap the appropriate result when it pops up.

Scroll down past the first few results — the regular, horizontal videos — until you see the Shorts shelf. Here you'll find Shorts related to your search term.

When we search for vidIQ, a shelf filled with 

 called "Latest Shorts from vidIQ" appears in the results. This may contain Shorts we’ve posted as well as those from other creators who talk about vidIQ. So just by posting Shorts, you've created one more way for viewers to 

If you're on the mobile app, you can also simply click the Shorts icon at the bottom and watch a stream of endless Shorts!

What About Topic-Based Searches for YouTube Shorts on Google?

If you're a long-form creator making search-based videos, you know the struggle of trying to rank for a search term, especially a popular one. It's a popular strategy, but long-form videos are almost oversaturated with it.

With the rise of search-based Shorts, you can find new ways to dominate a search term. That’s because although long-form videos show up on Google search pages, there are little to no Shorts. If you’re anything like us, you’d probably want to click on a 40-second Short explaining the search term instead of an 8-minute “how to” tutorial.

YouTube Shorts from Google Search results

For example, do a Google search on "how to make a YouTube Short." You'll notice a Short from vidIQ appears 

which creates more exposure for our channel. So always do 

YouTube Shorts are more popular than ever, and now you can use them to grow your channel in exciting ways. Learn how below!

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

The Art of YouTube Storytelling: A Secret Path to More Watch Time (2025 Update)

YouTube Automation: Get AI-Powered Titles, Thumbnails, Descriptions, and Vide...

Kickstarting 2025: How to Set the Perfect YouTube Subscriber Goal

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

6 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [August]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [August]

3 Types of YouTube Channels that Never Get Monetized

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [May]

When to Delete Those Old, Embarrassing Videos on Your YouTube Channel

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