Posts by Michael

Anyone got this mic? I will be using it fairly close maybe 4-5 inches from my face, what sort of gain setting is it best to use at this distance for talking at normal to lower voice levels? I currently have it at 30 and feels a bit low through the headphones but not imported it yet to double check on the PC.

We all introduce our videos in a specific way usually like hey guys, right guys etc for very basic forms of intros but yeah we all have our own way of introducing our videos to our audience. It is rare to just jump right into the content although I can see why that would work well. I am about to start my new channel venture so have been working on intros today. I feel its really important to try and create something memorable if you can for this with a bit of your personality in it too.

I created this formula using ChatGPT and trained it by getting it to analyse my own new intro to create something you can use too following its strategy

====================================================================

The Universal High-Retention YouTube Intro Framework

No matter what type of videos you make, your intro has one job: give viewers a reason to keep watching.

1. Hook Their Attention

Open with something that immediately grabs interest. This could be a question, bold statement, surprising fact or visual.

2. Welcome Them Naturally

Say hello in a way that feels like you. Over time this becomes part of your brand.

3. Make a Clear Promise

Tell viewers exactly what they're going to get from this video.

4. Explain the Benefit

Why should they keep watching? Show what they'll learn, feel, achieve or experience.

5. Build Curiosity

Tease something that's coming up or hint at an interesting moment without giving everything away.

6. Set Expectations

Briefly explain how the video will flow and reassure viewers you won't waste their time.

7. Show Your Personality

Whether you're funny, calm, energetic or informative, let your style come through. People subscribe for creators as much as content.

8. Start the Content

Get into the main video as quickly as possible. Avoid long intros, logos or unnecessary waffle.

Why This Framework Works

• Hooks viewers in the crucial first few seconds.
• Gives a clear reason to keep watching.
• Creates curiosity and anticipation.
• Sets expectations early, reducing drop-offs.
• Builds a recognisable personal brand.
• Works for every niche, from gaming and vlogs to tutorials, ASMR and reviews.
• Encourages higher audience retention by getting to the value quickly while still creating anticipation.

Do you follow anyone who you think is going to be massive in 2026? Share some info about them here and their channel and videos. I love seeing new creators, please do not use this to promote own content.

I follow two lads on TikTok called Harry and Jack, theyre fairly local to me and hilarious. They have a character called Mr Tickley and they were already going viral but this character send them through the roof. The characters quite like the old man Family Guy and honestly I cant stop laughing. Mr Tickley goes from being all friendly to "Djack" to being proper aggressive towards him when he doesnt get what he wants. Probably one of the funniest characters I have seen in a LONG time.

Harry & Jack on TikTok

@harryandjack_ 394.4k Followers, 82 Following, 25.0m Likes - Watch awesome short videos created by Harry & Jack

www.tiktok.com

TikTok · Harry & Jack

TikTok | Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

TikTok · Harry & Jack

TikTok | Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

TikTok · Harry & Jack

TikTok | Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

I got myself two new Rode NT1 5th Generations in the Amazon Prime Day sales, they were coming from France so I was watching the tracking and excited for them to arrive. I got them last night and was buzzing to set them up. I set up the h5 and began to to test them. So, one of them when tapped on the side or the grille makes a normal amount of noise but the other one when using the same XLR in the same XLR port makes a rattling kind of rumbling sound, it seems to have a lot of self noise when moved and touched compared to the other one. I tried taking it out of the shock mount and the same with the other working one but it produces the same issue. I am going to get a replacement but really hoping it works as it says 7 days before the new one arrives. Was excited to be starting the new channel recording today with release tomorrow on the 1st with the new mics but its definitely fell through I do have other mics but was so excited to be using these as they sound is on another level compared to a Tascam DR 05.

Im going to be setting up with the Zoom h5 as need the two running, wish there was an easy way to do it like a USB C splitter with the phone. It will have to be battery powered instead of wall powered which I find quite frustrating.

Quote from ScrapBlox

I think a lot of the 24/7 livestreams are done using the livestream cloud services now, typically $30 / month or so and it just continuously runs the livestream.

I havent seen those but that makes sense as I was having to leave my PC on continuously for the stream. I remember sometimes the connection dropping and I would be annoyed as it would be during the night this wouldnt happen with something dedicated like that. Ill have look into that as I know someone who would probably try that out. You see a lot of loops and rain sounds on 24/7.

Has anyone here ever done this? Something I used to do on my channel was make a 6 hour long video stitched together and blended as seamless as possible and then I would stream to the YouTube channel with Streamlabs and have it loop for 24 hours. The stream was monetised as well so I used to get fairly decent earnings from it. I would have to leave my PC over night and would sometimes have it on for several days. I cant remember the bots names but I would use some kind of chatbot to moderate the stream too. An online friend of mine once had me stream for him to see what the results were like which was really fun to try out. I am sure I used to make £20 a day roughly doing this which covered the electric cost with some spare. Does anyone do this in 2026 or does YouTube not disallow these? I miss them days 😂

I have noticed that new channels often have no tags, no description and fairly standard titles and they perform so well. Does this mean theyre not needed and YouTube can still find viewers for your video without any of this information? Is it worth bothering with a description and tags if creators can still rank and get views without them. I still add tags but sometimes I feel like not bothering and have generated them with AI a few times like I do with thread tags on here to help get them indexed in Google better.

One thing I wonder is would they have done better or worse even with them added.

Quote from Queen P

I havent made many videos but I do a lot of checking after to make sure I have not missed things. I am scared to put a video out and its got mistakes or doesnt look good

I am notorious for not checking them and regretting it later. There was one time there was a blooper and I said FFS sake out loud and left it in 😂😂😂

Thats exactly what I think has happened on my main YouTube account, I feel like I am locked into a specific subniche and have no escape and when I have tried to its like the channel becomes penalised for the attempt with very poor views. I think when starting you have to have an exact plan for content and stick to it on repeat and not deviate from it as much. I think I will rebrand the TikTok, the only thing I like about a fresh one is the renewed privacy I would get from it and would feel like a complete fresh start along with the YT channel too.

Id definitely go with an ND filter for your phone, I would use darkening when editing with an overlay only when really needed. The ND filter allows you to keep normal shutter speeds outside and stops you ending up with overexposed footage.

You definitely do get active subscribers with shorts. My business channel has grown mostly through shorts alone. I have two or three longer normal videos but they didnt perform so well but my shorts often get over 1.5k views and theyre not really the best of videos. The subscriber base has grown naturally from them albeit slowly but it is working.

Share your favourite old YouTube videos in here and get all nostalgic, I have sat on a lovely Saturday morning thinking about the good old days of Fred, Shane Dawson, Ray William Johnson and Jenna Marbles. Classic YouTubers makes me feel so old now:

Anyone remember Freds character Claudio? The wig was imprinted in my head forever.

Man this song gives me goosebumps from NigaHiga:

Ive been told a few times im too old for YouTube lol its quite funny as we grew up with it same as gaming.

So I am starting a new YouTube channel as my 60k plus subscriber channel feels... dead to say the least. I am making a new YT channel but over on TikTok the matching channel has over 180k followers and the videos perform well. I am unsure what I should do with this channel as it seems to be fine. I am considering maybe rebranding the TikTok to match the new YouTube what do you think or should I start fully fresh? I kind of like the privacy a new channel brings. Whats your thoughts on this?

Which is better and sounds better or do they just sound the same? What is the difference if any other than the setup?

Has anyone set up the Rode NT1s 5th Gen with their phone? I have the Nothing 3a Pro and I am wanting to connect two Rodes to it but unsure how, I am thinking I may need to use a Zoom h5 and then use the ipad setting as an interface. Is that how most others achieve this?

To earn on YouTube you need to join the YouTube Partner Programme. To start earning ad revenue you need at least 1000 subscriber and 4000 watch hours for long form videos or I think its 10 million views on Shorts. This has to be within the past 90 days. You will need an Adsense account and your YT in good standing of course.

Quote from Queen P

It wouldnt work for what I do unless I had people selling my etsy products as affiliate. I like to keep my videos ad free as possible,

With nails and beauty you could share sponsored nail product posts on YouTube, say you were to partner with Noriko or another big brand you would be able to share their maintenance products for keeping nails at their best etc not fully sure what products would be available but you could earn commission through a commission link on your YouTube videos even if just shared in the description.

For a spelling mistake I wouldnt worry and go for it. I would only be concerned if was already performing ridiculously well where it would feel risky to touch it at all.