Hey Creators,

Beyond views and likes, there's a metric that truly reveals a video's effectiveness.

I wish LinkedIn had YouTube’s retention graph. It’s the most effective way to see how well your videos are holding viewer attention over time and where you’re losing people.

I'm obsessed with the metric that breaks down viewer retention second by second.

As you can see, the graph drops sharply at the beginning. You've got mere seconds to capture viewers' attention before they move on.

Since YouTube users are actively searching for solutions to specific problems, your video's title and thumbnail must immediately deliver on their promise.

As you can see, at the 12:17 mark, the retention rate is 24%. The flat line indicates that viewers are still engaged.

This suggests that while people are interested in selling through DMs, many, like myself, find it awkward but recognize its necessity.

As you can see, the spike in the retention graph at 18:36 indicates that viewers rewatched the part about discussing costs upfront to deter tire kickers.

Rather than blindly creating content, use retention graphs to validate your ideas. Analyze the data to identify successful elements and areas for improvement. Double down on what resonates with your audience and avoid repeating what doesn't.

You might identify a specific moment in a video with a significant spike in retention. This indicates high viewer interest in that particular segment. By extracting a short clip from this point, you can create engaging content that is more likely to resonate with your audience.

My short-form strategy is to quickly test ideas and validate their potential through retention data before committing to longer-form videos that might not resonate.

I will elaborate on this short-form strategy in a future letter, providing a more detailed breakdown of my approach.

Social Dream Machine

This week's "Social Dream Machine" episode features an interview with Kevin Gaither, a sales executive who shares his experiences with multiple layoffs and his innovative approach to landing gigs without a resume.

As a creator, my goal is to be self-employed, but sometimes we need to work traditional jobs to sustain ourselves while building our businesses. I currently work part-time and plan to gradually reduce my reliance on traditional employment to diversify my income streams.

In a shocking turn of events, Gaither, found himself unemployed right after the 9/11 attacks. Despite his performance, cultural clashes with his boss led to an abrupt termination. With a pregnant wife, a brand-new SUV, and the pressures of newlywed life, the stakes couldn't have been higher.

Gaither emphasizes the power of referrals, stating that a referral can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. He suggests that HR often feels obligated to interview referred candidates, bypassing the initial resume screening.

If you enjoy independent video content, please show your support by liking this video on YouTube. It helps small creators like me get discovered in a sea of videos

We Create Creators

Podcasting landed me my latest high-paying job with benefits and a 401k. I didn't even need a resume! Now, I work 30 hours a week on their podcast, which supports me while I build my own business.

Want to follow in my footsteps? Join our 8-week podcasting program starting November 11th. We'll guide you through every step, from concept to launch over 8 weeks.

Launch your podcast in just one hour a week. Our program teaches you the latest tech to make you efficient and not overthink.

Spots are limited! Join us if you're ready to make a podcasting impact. Let's turn your ideas into reality. 👇

Jeremy and Dolemite

P.S. I hope everyone had a restful weekend and is ready to dive into a productive week!If you have any questions about our cohort and community, feel free to DM me.