Everyone can make a vertical video. The skill gap now is retention —keeping people watching for 30 seconds. Long-form is returning: YouTube is pushing 10-20 minute videos because they drive more ad revenue. Deep dives, documentaries, and analysis are booming. AI is your co-pilot, not your replacement: AI can write scripts (ChatGPT) and generate B-roll (Runway, Pika). But AI cannot capture genuine emotion, build real trust with an audience, or film a live event. Creators who use AI to speed up editing (transcription, captions) will thrive. Creators who try to automate everything will fail.
: The ability to hook viewers in the first 3 seconds and maintain engagement throughout the narrative. ManyVids.22.12.17.Sloansmoans.Mommy.Tricked.Int...
Successful creators spend only about 30–40% of their time actually "creating" content; the rest is spent on the business and strategy of digital media. Everyone can make a vertical video