Finding Your Next Video Ideas

The best video ideas come from understanding what's already working - then making it your own. Here's how to use Subscribr to never run out of ideas.

The "Yoink and Twist" Approach#

Great creators don't reinvent the wheel - they take proven concepts and add their unique spin. This isn't copying; it's the same approach every successful creator uses:

1. Find what's working for others in your niche
2. Analyze why it worked
3. Adapt the concept for your audience and voice
4. Improve on the original in some way

Hunting for Outliers#

Outlier videos are your best source of proven ideas. Here's how to find them:

Step 1: Identify Competitors#

Use Intel to find 5-10 channels in your niche with similar subscriber counts or slightly larger.

Step 2: Look for Outliers#

For each channel, check their outlier videos - videos that got 2x or more their typical views. These represent topics or formats that really resonated.

Step 3: Find Patterns#

Look across multiple channels. If the same topic appears as an outlier for several creators, that's a strong signal it's a proven topic.

Step 4: Make It Yours#

Take the core concept and think about how you would approach this topic differently. Consider what unique angle you can bring, what the original creator missed that you could cover, and how your specific audience would want this presented.

Using Chat for Ideation#

The Subscribr chat is powerful for brainstorming. Here are some prompts to try:

• "Show me outliers from @competitor in the last 6 months"
• "What topics are trending in [your niche] right now?"
• "Analyze why this video performed so well: [video URL]"
• "Give me 10 video ideas based on what's working for channels like mine"
• "What gaps exist in [competitor's] content that I could fill?"

Filtering for Long-Form vs Shorts#

Different formats work differently. When researching, filter your Intel results by content type and look at outliers specifically in the format you're creating. It's also worth considering whether a short-form success could be expanded to long-form, or vice versa.

Remixing Existing Content#

Sometimes the best ideas come from remixing successful videos. There are several ways to remix content in Subscribr:

Remix a Video via Chat#

In the chat, use the "Remix a video" prompt or type something like "Help me remix this video: [URL]". This lets you take a successful video's structure and apply it to a different topic, cover the same topic with your voice and perspective, or create an updated version with new information.

Clone as Template#

You can also create a template by cloning one or more existing videos. This captures the structure and pacing you want to replicate, then lets you apply it to new topics.

Remix a Channel#

When creating a new channel, choose "Remix Channel" to build a channel inspired by an existing creator, taking their best elements and making them your own.

Validating Your Ideas#

Before investing time in a video, validate your idea with Intel data. Learn more about validating video ideas and channel concepts.

Building an Idea Pipeline#

Don't wait until you need an idea to start looking. Build a continuous flow by spending 30 minutes each week browsing Intel, bookmarking videos and channels that inspire you, and writing down every idea—even rough ones. Revisit your list regularly, since old ideas often become relevant as trends shift. Learn more about building an idea pipeline.

Next Steps#

Ready to develop your ideas further? Learn how to validate your ideas with data, or set up a sustainable idea pipeline. When you're ready to brainstorm, check out getting started with Chat and the Prompt Library for inspiration.