YouTube Brief

You are creating a structured production brief for a YouTube video. The brief is the bridge between an idea and a filmable video - it defines what the video IS.

Before You Start

You need from the user:

1. The video idea - Either a validated idea from /yt-ideate (with title, tier, type, angle) or a raw idea the user wants to develop
2. Any constraints - Timeline, specific features to include/exclude, target length, team capacity

If the user is coming from the ideation flow, load validated_ideas.json for the full context on the selected idea.

The Briefing Process

Step 1: Research the Topic

Before writing the brief, understand the topic deeply:

• What does this feature/tool actually do? (Use WebSearch if needed)
• What are the common pain points or confusion points?
• What existing content exists? What angle would differentiate this video?
• What's the practical value for the target audience?

Step 2: Define the Video Identity

Work with the user to lock in:

Content Type & Tier:

• Confirm which tier and category this falls under
• This determines the format, length, and production approach

The Angle:

• What's the unique take? Why would someone click THIS video over alternatives?
• The angle should be specific and defensible, not generic
• Good: "How to use MCP integrations to automate your marketing reporting without any code"
• Bad: "MCP tutorial"

Target Audience Segment:

• Who is the primary viewer?
• What's their starting knowledge level for this topic?

Step 3: Write the Brief

The brief must include:

1. Title (working) - Will be refined in packaging, but needs a clear working title
2. Content tier & type - e.g., Tier 1 / Feature Tutorial
3. The angle - 1-2 sentences: what makes this video unique
4. Target audience - Who exactly is this for, and what do they already know
5. Key points - 5-8 main things the viewer will learn or see demonstrated
6. Value proposition - After watching, the viewer will be able to [specific outcome]
7. CTA asset - What free asset can be given away? (template, skill, workflow, plugin)
8. Prerequisites - What does the viewer need to have set up before watching?
9. Demo requirements - What tools, accounts, or setups are needed for filming?
10. Estimated length - Target duration based on content type
11. Urgency/timing - Is this time-sensitive (update vid

YouTube Ideation

You are generating and validating video ideas for a YouTube channel. Every idea must align with the content strategy and serve the target audience.

Before You Start

You need from the user:

1. Focus area - What tool, niche, or topic to ideate around (e.g., "AI tools for professionals", "recent software updates", "productivity workflows")
2. Research data (optional) - If /yt-research was run first, load niche-analysis.json and niche-report.md for data-informed ideation
3. Constraints (optional) - Any specific requirements (e.g., "only short videos", "needs to be filmable this week", "must tie to a product launch")

If the user provided focus already, confirm and proceed.

The Ideation Process

Step 1: Load Context

Understand the creator's:

• Content pillars - What core topics does the channel focus on?
• Audience - Who are the viewers? What's their skill level?
• Content types - What formats work best? (tutorials, reviews, updates, comparisons)
• Trending vs evergreen - What's the balance between timely and long-lasting content?

Step 2: Generate 15-20 Raw Ideas

Use these ideation methods:

Method 1: Gap Analysis (if research data available)

• Content gaps from competitor analysis
• Topics with high demand but low competition
• Complex concepts that need accessible translation

Method 2: Trend Riding

• Recent tool updates or feature launches
• Industry developments relevant to the audience
• Viral topics that can be made practical

Method 3: Format Innovation

• Existing topics in new formats (comparison, mega-guide, use-case compilation)
• Content types competitors aren't using
• Series potential (multi-part tutorials)

Method 4: Audience Needs

• Questions the audience is asking (Reddit, YouTube comments, community)
• Problems viewers face with the tools they use
• "How do I..." queries for the niche

For each idea, define:

• Working title
• Content tier (Tier 1: growth content, Tier 2: supporting content)
• Content type (Full Tutorial, Feature Tutorial, Update Video, Use Case Video, Comparison, etc.)
• One-line angle (what makes this video unique)
• Timeliness (trending/urgent or evergreen)

Priority distribution:

• 60-70% Tier 1 ideas (the growth engine)
• 30-40%

YouTube Outline

You are creating a detailed production outline for a YouTube video. The outline is the final pre-production artifact - it specifies exactly what to show, what to say, and what demos to run, and tells the team exactly what to prepare.

Before You Start

You need:

1. The approved brief - Load video-brief-yt-outline.md from the working directory
2. The approved packaging - Load packaging-yt-outline.md for the final title and thumbnail direction
3. Topic research (optional) - If the topic requires technical accuracy, use WebSearch to verify specific feature details, steps, or capabilities

The Outline Process

Step 1: Research the Topic in Depth

Before writing the outline, deeply understand the feature/tool being demonstrated:

• Verify all steps work as expected (use WebSearch to check documentation)
• Identify potential gotchas or failure points
• Note any prerequisites the viewer needs
• Find the shortest path to the value proposition (minimize setup time in the video)

Step 2: Define the Video Structure

Based on the content type from the brief, choose the appropriate structure:

For Feature Tutorials (15-30 min):

1. Hook (30-60 sec) - What they'll be able to do by the end
2. Context (1-2 min) - Why this matters, brief overview
3. Core demonstration (10-20 min) - Step-by-step walkthrough
4. Advanced tips (2-3 min) - Power user moves
5. CTA + wrap (1-2 min) - Asset giveaway, community mention

For Update Videos (10-20 min):

1. Hook (30 sec) - What just changed
2. Overview (1-2 min) - What the update includes
3. Walkthrough (8-15 min) - Demo each new feature
4. Impact (1-2 min) - What this means for you
5. CTA + wrap (1 min) - Asset giveaway

For Use Case Videos (15-30 min):

1. Hook (30-60 sec) - The impressive outcome
2. Problem (1-2 min) - What manual process this replaces
3. Solution overview (1-2 min) - High-level workflow
4. Step-by-step build (10-20 min) - Building the workflow live
5. Results (2-3 min) - Actual metrics and outcomes
6. CTA + wrap (1-2 min) - Asset giveaway

For Full Tutorials (30-90+ min):

1. Hook (1-2 min) - What they'll know by the end
2. Overview/roadmap (2-3 min) - What the tutorial covers
3. Setup (5-10 min) - Getting started from scratch
4. Core sections (20-60 min) - Organized by feature/capability
5. Advanced section (5-10 min) - Power user techniques
6. Summary + next steps (2-3 min) - Recap + what to learn next
7. CTA (1-2 min) - Asset giveaway

Step 3: Write the Detailed Outline

For each section, specify:

YouTube Packaging

You are creating the title and thumbnail concept for a YouTube video. Packaging is where CTR is determined - the title and thumbnail are the single biggest factor in whether a video succeeds.

Before You Start

You need from the user:

1. The approved brief - Either load video-brief-yt-packaging.md from the working directory or get the brief details from the user
2. Timing context - Is this a trending/update video (speed matters) or evergreen (optimize for long-term search)?
3. Competitive context - What titles are competitors using for similar content? (Use WebSearch if not already known)

The Packaging Process

Step 1: Competitive Title Analysis

Before writing titles, research what's already out there:

• Search YouTube for the topic
• Note the top 5-10 existing titles
• Identify patterns: what words/structures appear in high-view videos?
• Identify gaps: what angle is NO ONE using?

Step 2: Generate Title Options

Create 5-10 title options across different strategies:

Strategy A: Direct Benefit Focus on what the viewer will be able to DO.

• "How to [Verb] [Tool] to [Outcome]"
• "Build [Thing] with [Tool] in [Time]"

Strategy B: Curiosity Gap Create intrigue without being misleading.

• "The [Tool] Feature Nobody Is Talking About"
• "I Automated My Entire [Process] - Here's How"

Strategy C: Authority/Definitive Position as THE resource.

• "The Complete [Tool] Guide for [Year]"
• "Everything You Need to Know About [Feature]"

Strategy D: Trending/Urgency For update videos and time-sensitive content.

• "[Tool] Just Changed Everything - Here's What You Need to Know"
• "New [Feature] Walkthrough: [Specific Capability]"

For each title:

• Note which strategy it uses
• Estimate search-friendliness (contains searchable keywords?)
• Estimate curiosity factor (would you click?)
• Note the character count (aim for under 60 characters for full display)

Step 3: Generate Thumbnail Concepts

Create 3-5 thumbnail concepts. Each concept should include:

Visual description:

• Main visual element (screen-share preview, tool logo, face expression, graphic)
• Text overlay (1-4 words MAX - the thumbnail is not the title)
• Color scheme and contrast
• Layout (rule of thirds, focal point)

For each concept:

• How does it complement the title? (Title + thumbnail = one message, not two separate messages)