12 Questions Every YouTuber Should Answer Before Making A Video

In this video and blog post, I want to talk about why you should not be too quick to press record when creating a YouTube video.

That may sound strange, especially as I often encourage people to get started, make videos, learn as they go and not wait for everything to be perfect. However, there is also another side to this. If we want our videos to have a better chance of being found, watched and appreciated, it makes sense to do some thinking before we start filming.

This follows on from my previous video and blog post, After 20 Years Online These Are the Questions I Ask First, where I talked about clarity questions for YouTube and online business. In this post, I want to go a step further and look at some of the research questions that are worth asking before creating a video.

These principles are connected with what I have been learning through Sean Cannell’s Video Ranking Academy from Think Media. I have been a member for around five and a half years, and I still believe that having a proven system to follow is extremely useful, especially when there is so much guesswork online.

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Why Research Matters Before Filming A YouTube Video

Many people create videos based purely on what they feel like talking about. There is nothing wrong with that from time to time, especially if something is timely or important. However, if we want to build a channel with long-term value, we need to think more strategically.

Before pressing record, it is worth asking whether people are actually interested in the subject. Are they searching for it? Are other videos on the topic getting views? Does the video fit the overall direction of the channel?

This does not mean we have to become robotic or lose our personality. In fact, I believe the opposite is true. Research helps us understand what people are looking for, but we still need to bring our own experience, voice and uniqueness to the video.

1. Is There Real Interest In The Topic?

The first question to ask is whether there is genuine interest in the subject. Are people actually searching for this topic on YouTube? Is there enough demand to make the video worthwhile?

This is important because a video can be well made, well presented and nicely edited, but if nobody is looking for the subject, it may struggle to gain traction.

That does not mean every video has to be based on a massive search term. Some smaller topics can still be very valuable, especially if they attract the right audience. However, it is useful to have some idea of the demand before you start filming.

I have recently been looking at some of the AI tools that come with Video Ranking Academy, including tools that help with keywords, titles and ranking. I have written more about this in How To Find 100 Powerful YouTube Keywords And Video Titles In Minutes.

2. Who Is Already Watching Videos Like This?

The next question is about the viewer. Who is already watching this type of content?

This matters because not all views are equal. We want to attract the right viewers, not just random viewers who have no real interest in the channel.

For example, on my roybrettononline channel, I mainly talk about internet marketing, working from home, affiliate marketing, YouTube, websites and building an online business. If I suddenly started making videos about dogs, pets or cooking, it would probably confuse the audience and confuse YouTube.

People subscribe to a channel for a reason. They expect a certain type of content. That does not mean every video has to be identical, but the overall direction needs to make sense.

3. What Are The Biggest Channels In The Niche Doing?

It is also useful to look at the bigger channels in your niche. This is not about copying them. It is about learning from them.

What are they doing well? What types of videos are working? How are they structuring their titles? What kind of thumbnails are they using? Are their videos long, short, detailed, simple, direct or highly produced?

There is no point in trying to become a copy of a huge channel. That will not work. However, we can learn from people who have already had success, and then bring our own personality and experience to the subject.

Success leaves clues, but we still need to be ourselves.

4. What Keywords Should My Channel Focus On?

Another important question is: what keywords should my channel focus on?

This is not just about one video. It is about the overall direction of the channel. What do you want YouTube to associate with your content?

For example, if your channel is about online business, then your keywords may include topics such as affiliate marketing, working from home, YouTube growth, WordPress, email marketing, content creation and internet marketing.

The danger comes when a channel is all over the place. One video is about affiliate marketing, the next is about gardening, the next is about pets, and the next is about politics. Unless there is a clear connection, it becomes difficult for YouTube and the viewer to understand what the channel is really about.

This is one of the reasons why clarity matters so much. I wrote more about building an online business in How Making Money Online Really Works.

5. What Is The Main Keyword For This Video?

Once you have thought about your channel keywords, the next step is to think about the main keyword or keyword phrase for the individual video.

In many cases, it is better to make one focused video on one topic rather than trying to cover too many things at once.

For example, if you are making a video about YouTube titles, keep the video focused on YouTube titles. If you are making a video about thumbnails, make that a separate video. If you are making a video about keyword research, give that topic the attention it deserves.

I believe shorter, focused videos can often work very well, especially when they answer a specific question. This also makes it easier for the viewer to understand what the video is about before they click.

6. What Tags And Keyword Phrases Should I Use?

YouTube tags may not be as powerful as they once were, but keywords and keyword phrases still matter because they help clarify the subject of the video.

The important thing is that your tags, title, description and video content should all support the same idea. If the tags are going in ten different directions, it can make the video less focused.

For example, if the video is about YouTube keyword research, then the title, description, tags and spoken content should support that subject. It should not suddenly try to rank for unrelated topics.

This is where planning helps. When we know the main subject before pressing record, it becomes easier to stay on track.

7. How Much Competition Is There?

There is competition in almost every niche. That applies online and offline. However, competition is not always a bad thing. It can show that there is demand.

The key is to look for opportunity. Are the top videos all from huge channels, or are there smaller channels getting views as well? Are the top-ranking videos current, or are they several years old? Is there a gap where you could make something more useful, clearer or more up to date?

I have had videos perform far better than expected. One video that I uploaded quite a long time ago went on to receive well over a quarter of a million views. I did not expect that at the time, but it shows how evergreen content can build momentum over months and years.

This is one of the great things about YouTube. A good video can continue working for you long after it has been published.

8. Are The Existing Videos Good Or Poor?

Another useful question is whether the existing videos on the topic are actually any good.

Are they outdated? Are they unclear? Are they too complicated? Are they missing something important? Could you explain the subject in a more helpful way?

I have made plenty of videos that could have been better. That is part of the learning process. None of us start perfectly, and we should not wait until everything is perfect before we begin.

At the same time, we can learn from what is already ranking. If the existing videos are poor or outdated, that may be an opportunity to create something better.

9. What Will My Video Title Be?

Before filming, it is useful to have a working title. It does not have to be the final title, but it should give you a clear direction.

A good title helps the viewer understand the benefit of the video. It also helps you stay focused while recording.

I recently created a post about this subject called Why Most YouTube Titles Fail And How AI Can Help Fix Them. In that post, I talked about how AI can help with title ideas, although we still need to use common sense and keep things honest.

Curiosity can be very powerful, but I do not believe in misleading people. A title should create interest, but it should also accurately reflect the content of the video.

10. What Will My Thumbnail Look Like?

The thumbnail is another important part of the process. It is often the first thing people see before deciding whether to click.

Before recording, it is worth thinking about what image will support the title. Will you need a screenshot? Will you need a photo of yourself? Will you need to point at something on screen? Will you need a simple graphic?

The thumbnail and title need to work together. The title creates the promise, and the thumbnail helps attract attention.

I have written before about thumbnails in How To Use Canva AI To Create YouTube Thumbnails. AI can be useful for ideas and design, but once again, we still need to keep things relevant and clear.

11. What Can I Learn From The Top-Ranking Videos?

Before recording your own video, look at the videos that are already ranking for the topic.

Ask yourself:

Why are these videos ranking?
What are they doing well?
What is missing?
Could I make the subject clearer?
Could I bring more personal experience?
Could I make the video more up to date?

This is not about copying. It is about learning. We can learn from people who have already been there and done it. We can also learn from their mistakes.

In my opinion, the best content often comes from combining research with real-world experience. AI can help with structure and ideas, but it cannot replace your own story, your own knowledge and your own way of explaining things.

12. Am I Planning Or Just Hoping?

The final question is one of the most important. Am I planning, or am I just hoping?

There is nothing wrong with recording a spontaneous video when the subject is timely or when you feel strongly about something. However, if everything is random, it becomes much harder to build momentum.

A simple content plan can make a huge difference. It helps you know what you are going to talk about next, how each video fits into the channel and how your content serves your audience.

This does not have to be complicated. It could be a document with your video ideas, keywords, titles, thumbnail ideas and notes. The important thing is that you are creating intentionally rather than guessing every time.

Where Video Ranking Academy Fits In

The reason I have been talking about these questions is because I have been going through principles connected with Video Ranking Academy from Sean Cannell and Think Media.

I have been a member of Video Ranking Academy for around five and a half years. It has helped me think more clearly about YouTube, video ideas, keywords, titles, thumbnails and the overall process of growing a channel.

At the time of recording the video, the full price is $1,297. There are also payment options available, including six payments of $225, four payments of $325, or twelve payments of $115. Once it is paid for, the training is yours, and the videos continue to be updated.

I now have around 28,000 subscribers across my YouTube work, and I do believe that following a proven system has helped me. I am not saying there is no work involved, because there is. However, having a process can save a lot of time and guesswork.

If you would like to read more, I have also written a more specific post here: Sean Cannell’s Video Ranking Academy Review – Is It Worth It?.

Useful Related Posts

If you are interested in growing a YouTube channel or building an online business, you may also find these posts helpful:

Final Thoughts

It is easy to press record and hope for the best. Sometimes that may work, but if we want to build a channel properly, it is far better to ask the right questions first.

Is there interest in the topic? Who is the viewer? What keyword are we focusing on? What title will we use? What thumbnail will support the video? What can we learn from the videos that are already ranking?

These questions do not have to stop us from creating. They should help us create better videos with more purpose.

We are all learning. None of us will make perfect videos every time. However, if we keep asking better questions, keep improving and keep pressing record with a clearer plan, we give ourselves a much better chance of building something that lasts.

If you have any questions about Video Ranking Academy, YouTube or building an online business, please feel free to leave a comment on the video or contact me through the website.

Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.