7 out of 10 people who click on your video are gone within 30 seconds.

Brutal, right?

You're pouring hours into your content, just to have viewers bounce before they even get to the good stuff.

The fix? 

Knowing exactly when, where, and how to keep them hooked.

Let me show you how. 👇

The Hook 

Start with something that hits hard. 

A bold statement. 

A shocking fact. 

A question that makes people think.

Don't just say "Today we're talking about..." Instead, try "What I'm about to show you helped me gain 100K subscribers in six months."

See the difference?

Content Structure

Your video needs a clear roadmap. 

Everyone knows you need a hook, intro, main content, and conclusion. 

That's Video Structure 101.

But here's what separates good videos from great ones: what happens between these points.

I’m talking about pattern interrupts.

Every 3-5 minutes, switch things up. 

Change camera angles. 

Show B-roll footage. 

Add graphics. 

Keep their eyes busy.

Storytelling

Speaking of pattern interrupts, stories can often be effective here. 

Share real experiences. 

Talk about mistakes you've made. 

People love seeing behind the curtain.

But don't dump all your stories at once. 

Sprinkle them throughout.

Pacing That Works

Mix high-energy sections with slower, detailed explanations.

Use jump cuts to kill dead air. 

Keep the energy up.

Engagement Tricks

Try this: 

Create moments in your video that demand a response. 

Set up a scenario where you're about to reveal something crucial, then pause and ask viewers to put their guess in the comments. 

But don't just ask them what they think. 

Give them a reason to come back and check if they were right. 

Maybe tease that you'll pin the most creative answer, or that you'll use the best responses in your next video.

I've seen creators turn their comment sections into goldmines of engagement by building these "response moments" strategically throughout their content, especially around the 30%, 50%, and 70% marks of their videos.

The Data 

When you’re looking at your retention graphs, pay attention to the moments where viewership actually spikes up - yes, up. 

These rare upticks often happen when you've said something that made viewers rewind and watch again. 

It tells you exactly what your audience finds most valuable. 

I've found these spikes usually happen during specific examples, step-by-step explanations, or when revealing unexpected insights. 

Study these moments, then recreate that same type of content throughout your future videos.

The Bottom Line

Long-form content isn't dying.

People will still watch longer videos - if you give them a reason to stay.

Try these strategies in your next video and test what works for your audience.

Now, before you go off to create your next viral hit, can I ask you for a favour? It'll take you 20 seconds, tops.

Think of that mate of yours. You know the one - always posting, grinding hard, but maybe not seeing the results they deserve.

Send them this link: Viral Academy Newsletter

Tell them, "You need to get on this. You're getting a mini-masterclass in content creation - in your pocket (all for free)"

Why am I asking this?

Simple. If you're finding these newsletters valuable (and I hope you are), why not do something nice for a friend? Help them level up their content game, absolutely free.

I want to help as many people as possible with these newsletters so I’ll keep making them for you and I would really appreciate it if you shared with even just one friend.

Until next time, 

Jeremy

P.S. 7 steps to go from 10 Likes - 10,000

Btw, thank you for all the feedback so far. We’ve collected a ton of responses these past few months and each one helps me make this newsletter better and better for you. 

Don't forget to use the tips from my past 24 newsletters to keep improving. (Missed an issue? Catch up here).

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