Unlocking YouTube Creativity: 3 Platforms To Discover New Topics & Steps To Streamline Production
Stop spending time figuring out your next video topic.
Are you finding it challenging to come up with YouTube topics?
You’re not alone.
It’s not hard if you know where to look.
Below is part of my process of searching for topics and ideas for the following videos we produce at iScrap App, a niche site and app in the scrap metal industry.
#1: Using YouTube for Video Ideas
Creating content for YouTube offers a unique advantage — the platform is a treasure trove of inspiration and insight. When searching for new topic ideas, the solution lies in watching content and engaging with the community through comments.
This method offers a direct line to what viewers are interested in, their questions, and the content they wish to see more of. Here’s how to harness the power of YouTube for content inspiration:
Dive Into Comments for Insights
Start with the comments section of your videos, if available. Viewer feedback can provide direct requests for follow-up topics or highlight areas of interest that may have yet to be fully explored in your content. This immediate audience engagement is invaluable for tailoring your future content to meet the desires of your existing subscriber base.
Still waiting for an audience? If your channel is still growing and needs many comments, turn to competitors or channels within your niche. Look for patterns in viewer questions or suggestions — these are golden opportunities to fill content gaps they haven’t addressed. Engaging with these comments by replying to them or mentioning them in your videos can also help attract viewers from these channels to your own.
Analyze Popular Video Titles
Study the titles of popular videos, not just in your niche but across YouTube. Identify the “buzzwords” or phrases that seem to draw in views. Titles are critical to a video’s success; they’re the first interaction potential viewers have with your content.
Notice how these successful videos frame their titles.
Is it a question?
A bold statement?
An intriguing promise?
Apply similar strategies to your titles to capture attention.
Embrace the Trend Cycle
YouTube trends can offer a quick pulse on what’s capturing the global audience’s interest at any given moment. While not every trend will align with your channel’s theme, there’s often a creative angle to approach a trending topic that can fit your niche. This approach can bring in views from trend-seekers and introduce your channel to a broader audience.
Leverage Similar Channels
Identifying channels that resonate with the content you aim to create serves dual purposes. First, it provides a blueprint of what works in terms of topics, video length, and presentation style.
Second, engaging with these channels — through comments, collaborations, or simply drawing inspiration from their content — can guide your content strategy. Study their most engaging and popular videos, and consider how you can offer a unique take or additional value on similar subjects.
By adopting these strategies, you’re not just passively seeking ideas; you’re actively engaging with the YouTube community, understanding viewer demands, and positioning your channel to meet those needs effectively.
This approach not only aids in content creation but also fosters a deeper connection with your audience, laying the foundation for sustained growth and engagement on the platform.
Keep Your Topic Ideas Organized!
Need a place to log all your ideas? Monday.com (*aff) is a perfect solution.
Collab with your team on video topics
Upload thumbnail images for your team
Create video descriptions for your editing team
#2: Find Your Audience on Reddit
Since late 2023, Reddit has experienced a significant surge in traffic, becoming an even richer source of discussions, topics, and community engagement.
Known as “the front page of the internet,” Reddit’s diverse array of subreddits — each dedicated to specific interests, hobbies, and discussions — offers content creators a goldmine of inspiration and direct insight into what their potential audience is passionate about.
Navigating the World of Subreddits
Start by identifying subreddits that align with your content niche or areas you’re interested in exploring—these range from broad topics like technology or fitness to niche interests like vintage photography or sustainable living. Subreddits are not just places to extract ideas; they’re communities where you can engage, ask questions, and contribute.
Engaging Authentically
Engagement on Reddit should always be authentic and respectful of each subreddit’s rules. Remember, Reddit values genuine participation over self-promotion.
Before posting your own content, contribute to discussions, answer questions, and become an active member of the community.
This approach helps you understand the audience’s needs and interests better and builds your reputation on the platform, making users more receptive to your contributions.
Discovering Content Ideas
Pay close attention to recurring themes, questions, and discussions within these communities.
What are the hot topics?
Which posts receive the most engagement, and why?
Are there any common challenges or questions that go unanswered?
These insights can guide your content creation, allowing you to produce videos that resonate deeply with your target audience.
Following Community Guidelines
Respecting and following the community guidelines of each subreddit you participate in is crucial. Reddit communities have little tolerance for spam or overt self-promotion, and failing to adhere to these guidelines can result in being removed from the subreddit or banned from the platform.
PRO TIP: Always prioritize adding value to the community and engaging in a way that contributes positively to the discussion.
Utilizing Reddit for Feedback and Promotion
Once you’ve established yourself within a subreddit, you can occasionally share your content when it’s relevant and offers value to the discussion. You can also leverage Reddit for feedback on your video ideas or drafts, as the community’s honest and direct feedback can be precious for refining your content before a wider release.
#3: Facebook Groups are Great For Research
Facebook Groups have emerged as vibrant communities where individuals with shared interests, from professional niches to hobbyist circles, gather to exchange information, ask questions, and provide support.
For content creators, these groups offer a fertile ground for understanding industry trends, audience pain points, and the types of content that resonate most with their target demographic.
Identifying and Joining Relevant Groups
Identify groups that align with your content niche or areas you want to explore. These can range from broad interest groups to very specialized communities.
Look for groups with active engagement and a healthy number of members — this indicates a lively community from which you can draw meaningful insights.
Engaging with the Community
Once you’ve joined a group, take the time to observe the discussions happening within. Note the group's tone, the types of posts that generate the most interaction, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Engaging with the group by answering questions, offering advice, or sharing relevant information can help you build credibility and gain deeper insights into the community’s needs and preferences.
Conducting Audience Research
Facebook Groups are an excellent tool for direct audience research. You can ask questions to gather opinions, test content ideas, or understand the challenges faced by your target audience.
This direct line of communication can provide invaluable insights that are not readily available through other channels.
PRO TIP: When posing questions, ensure they are open-ended to encourage detailed responses and foster a deeper conversation.
Monitoring Trends and Discussions
Pay attention to trending topics within these groups.
What discussions are gaining traction?
Are there emerging trends that people are excited about?
This real-time insight can guide your content planning, ensuring it’s relevant and timely. Furthermore, observing the language and terminology within the group can help you tailor your content to speak directly to your audience’s preferences and expectations.
Contributing Value
Like any community, your success in Facebook Groups hinges on your ability to contribute value. Share your expertise, offer solutions, and be a supportive community member. Over time, as you establish trust and rapport, you can subtly introduce your content when it directly addresses a discussion or question, thereby driving engagement back to your YouTube channel in a way that feels natural and welcomed by the group.
Streamlining Your Production Process
Preschedule Videos 3–4 Weeks:
One of the best things you can do for your YouTube channel is to be consistent. You can remain consistent with publishing your videos by organizing topics and prescheduling 3–4 weeks in advance.
Remember, consistency is one of the most important traits of all successful YouTube Channels.
By streaming your production, you will create an easier process for consistency.
Organizing Your Video Production Topics:
One of the most important things I do with my VA is organize topics in our Monday board based on discussions from these various sites.
In this content board, we set priorities for various topics and add additional content ideas, like creating complimentary blogs or other content types.
Want a board like this? Try Monday.com (*aff) for free →
Mass Produce Thumbnail Headshots
Have a face for your brand? Having a few dozen images to select from when creating your thumbnails for videos can make things a breeze during production.
Set yourself up for success by staying organized and knowing where to look for new topic ideas when producing videos.
Like any process, you're already ahead if you can create a flywheel that can be renewed repeatedly with success.
Launch your next channel into success by studying buzz-worthy topics from your followers and target audience.
Staying organized during your production process can make things much more manageable and ensure consistency while publishing.
Like this? You may like some of the other marketing advice I give in my weekly newsletter, The Full-Stack Marketer!