Ideal video length?

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Triple Demon

Triple Demon

Wannabie Member
So I just finished editing a rather large video (started off 30 mins long) and manged to get it down to about 8 minutes ish and randomly looked at my analytics and I've noticed most of my views were only between 2-6 minutes of steady watching yet most motovloggers I see normally have about the same length of videos I have.

I think I have a fairly consistant viewership but I'm wondering if I should shorten my videos and go from about three topics to maybe two or one or if you guys get the same amount of time watched on your videos and thats just how youtube works. Any thoughts guys?
 
My thoughts are...try starting with shorter videos around the 5 minute mark. Then after you gain a larger following, you can afford to make longer videos because people will want more of you, so then they will end up sitting and watching more of your video. I guess my thought behind that thinking is larger "talking head" vloggers tend to get much love from their audience when they create a large "Christmas special" vlog or something similar...but if I came across someone who I haven't watched before and don't really have a connection with, there is no way that I would want to sit and watch their 30 minute video.

That example is kinda taking it to the extreme, but you kinda get what I'm saying. That's just my current take on the matter even though I have some older videos up that are probably longer than I would normally want to watch.

However...8 minutes isn't really too long for me.
 
What Toast said. Also, if your stats show people aren't yet prepared to watch past 6 mins, then I'd try to keep your vids below that length. Even if that means splitting a single vlog into separate uploads. If it's all the same or similar topics, make them Part I, Part II, etc. Cutting out all dead air can really help reduce the length of a vlog. If you don't speak for, say 5 seconds or more, remove most of that part. If it looks bad you can always undo the cut.
 
Good question. I have noticed that I will mostly skip, or intend to watch later, other people's vids that are in double digits (10 mins or more)
This is simply because of time restraints, if it's under 10 mins i reckon I can afford the time to watch. If over, it's going to have to be the Baron or Crumble or I might have to miss it o_O
 
ToastToGo said:
My thoughts are...try starting with shorter videos around the 5 minute mark. Then after you gain a larger following, you can afford to make longer videos because people will want more of you, so then they will end up sitting and watching more of your video. I guess my thought behind that thinking is larger "talking head" vloggers tend to get much love from their audience when they create a large "Christmas special" vlog or something similar...but if I came across someone who I haven't watched before and don't really have a connection with, there is no way that I would want to sit and watch their 30 minute video.

That example is kinda taking it to the extreme, but you kinda get what I'm saying. That's just my current take on the matter even though I have some older videos up that are probably longer than I would normally want to watch.

However...8 minutes isn't really too long for me.
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hmm never though of it that way Guess I'll try and keep it at the 5-6 min mark. I do love the special vlogs those are awesome to watch.

TriumfAnt said:
What Toast said. Also, if your stats show people aren't yet prepared to watch past 6 mins, then I'd try to keep your vids below that length. Even if that means splitting a single vlog into separate uploads. If it's all the same or similar topics, make them Part I, Part II, etc. Cutting out all dead air can really help reduce the length of a vlog. If you don't speak for, say 5 seconds or more, remove most of that part. If it looks bad you can always undo the cut.
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Yeah the dead air cutting really does help oddly enough my roommate suggested doing a part I part II type thing I never seen it in a motovlog other than baron but now that I see that other people do it I might try that.

CaptainCranky said:
Good question. I have noticed that I will mostly skip, or intend to watch later, other people's vids that are in double digits (10 mins or more)
This is simply because of time restraints, if it's under 10 mins i reckon I can afford the time to watch. If over, it's going to have to be the Baron or Crumble or I might have to miss it o_O
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When you intend to watch later what makes you go back to watch it if you do at all?


Seems like if I make shorter vlogs I'll at least be able to bank a few videos to have for a rainy day
 
Yea, I noticed I get more views and comments on my shorter motovlogs which are around 2-6 minutes.
 
Triple Demon said:
When you intend to watch later what makes you go back to watch it if you do at all?
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Oh yeah - good Q - I add them to "Watch Later" in YT. (You'll see that option on the bottom right of each vid) I find it a good place to manage stuff I don't want to miss, It'll stay there until you remove it.
 
Same with me, I tend to avoid videos over 10 minuets long. Unless they have a really interesting topic that is.
 
I don't think there is a perfect formula. I've always tried to follow a seven minute maximum rule, but did go over that in the earlier days. I have seen channels that grew to thousands of subscribers in a few months uploading 20 minute videos as a norm. I think it depends on content. Sad to say that 7 minute video where you actually put out a proper vlog and talk about a subject is not going to beat a 20 minute video of an idiot riding around endangering lives in terms of views. That is what "motovlogging" as become... less of the vlogging and more of the "who can keep their licence the longest".

And in saying that, I guess that deems me a "hater", but oh well.
 
i prefer to watch short vids that are jam packed, rather then someones whole ride,, so i think anywhere between maybe 4-8mins,, and 8 mins is pushing it, but anywhere between that is good.
 
the reason you see doods that post long videos do well has to do with the whole youtube suggestion formula. If people post a 30 min vlog, viewers tend to just have it open and listen, whilst doing other things. The longer audience retention you have, the more youtube will suggest your videos as they deem it quality due to viewers staying. that's why pewdiepie is the biggest youtuber, because he can post a half hour video people will listen to in the background, meaning it gets suggested more.
They key is to be able to hold a viewers attention for as long as possible. If it's only interesting for the first 4 minutes, that's where it should be, if it's a 30 minute constant talking, interesting video, then don't be afraid to keep it that long.
 
Triple Demon said:
So I just finished editing a rather large video (started off 30 mins long) and manged to get it down to about 8 minutes ish and randomly looked at my analytics and I've noticed most of my views were only between 2-6 minutes of steady watching yet most motovloggers I see normally have about the same length of videos I have.
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I just watched your last 10minute video. You could have easily split off the last 3 minutes on "your scariest experience" and put that in its own video. Your topics were unrelated, so why keep them together? Its a good topic on its own.
As far as length, I've said it before somewhere, it depends on your audience. Ive been watching a lot of adventure riding videos, often an hour or more long. I love them. I enjoy bakerxdereks half hour vids. But ive also switched off 3 minute videos when the topic didnt interest me. Your video should be as long as the topic needs to be. Some of my videos are 3 minutes, others an hour. The analytics doesnt mean much. How are you going to make videos that EVERYONE is interested in? No chance! People will start and decide if it interests them. You shouldnt care about that though. Make it for yourself and for those with the same or similar interests.
 
I have got to learn to trim it down, cut bits out, and keep on a single focus.
I am a rambler and will babble for 30 minutes if I dont pay attention.
Get lost in the ride... run my mouth, and end up with a Gone With The Wind length blab about nothing in general.


Jim
 
oh and Triple Demon.. yes .. cut and cut and cut all the silent bits out ... unless its for a specific view/scene or a whole no talking vid ...

edit it down ... then watch it through ... have a think... edit it down again ... polish the cut points a little... watch it... adjust your cuts... make sure you think "yep! .. thats just what i wanted and nothing extra"

... dont matter the length ... so long as you are the first one completely happy that whats in the video is exactly what you want there!!
 
Nerb said:
I just watched your last 10minute video. You could have easily split off the last 3 minutes on "your scariest experience" and put that in its own video. Your topics were unrelated, so why keep them together? Its a good topic on its own.
As far as length, I've said it before somewhere, it depends on your audience. Ive been watching a lot of adventure riding videos, often an hour or more long. I love them. I enjoy bakerxdereks half hour vids. But ive also switched off 3 minute videos when the topic didnt interest me. Your video should be as long as the topic needs to be. Some of my videos are 3 minutes, others an hour. The analytics doesnt mean much. How are you going to make videos that EVERYONE is interested in? No chance! People will start and decide if it interests them. You shouldnt care about that though. Make it for yourself and for those with the same or similar interests.
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Yeah I have a bad habit of doing unrelated topics but I think I'm having better luck with just sticking to one topic and doing a video about that I think as you said it I might as well just stick to what I like making videos about.

janx101 said:
oh and Triple Demon.. yes .. cut and cut and cut all the silent bits out ... unless its for a specific view/scene or a whole no talking vid ...

edit it down ... then watch it through ... have a think... edit it down again ... polish the cut points a little... watch it... adjust your cuts... make sure you think "yep! .. thats just what i wanted and nothing extra"

... dont matter the length ... so long as you are the first one completely happy that whats in the video is exactly what you want there!!
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I agree now that you mention it I did a few vlogs just a little while ago and I left a lot of silent space so I can cut. I think the only problem I've been having with my vlogs is that I tend to ramble a bit so it makes cutting hard because I'll say something relevant but thing go off about something else and than I can only cut so much before you have no idea what I'm talking about so I'm learning to talk pause when I want think about what I wanna say and when I mess up give myself some dead space so I can try again makes editing a lot more easy.
 
I think it depends on the style of vlogs you want to record.
If I look at R1Chronicles, he ALWAYS did 20 min+ vlogs. Yet, It suits his style and they're not boring at all!
While someone else (like me) will have more difficulty at making longer videos interesting.
 
lun471k said:
I think it depends on the style of vlogs you want to record.
If I look at R1Chronicles, he ALWAYS did 20 min+ vlogs. Yet, It suits his style and they're not boring at all!
While someone else (like me) will have more difficulty at making longer videos interesting.
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I just got finished watch two of his videos it does indeed suit his style. I don't think I would ever have a problem making a long vlog but I would end up rambling way to much in a way me motovlogging kinda is a stress relief lets me kinda unload seeing as I don't really do that to anyone I know. I just don't wanna turn my channel into a soap box.
 
sorry if this rambles a bit ... but..

further thought ... the content of what any vlog is .. and its 'interest factor' .. can easy determine how many views you get .. and/or how much time a viewer will KEEP watching that particular video! ..

i can only go off my own stats .. but .. with a total of 42 actual subs... lol .. big time!!!!! :D

my amateur fun/hoon 'review' of the MT09 (hugely popular bike vids late last year?)... 850-ish views ... however load up the analytics ... and 1 ..... 1!!!!! person watched it all the way through ... with another viewer commiting 11 seconds only! :rolleyes:

the unseen road vid with kangaroos .. (theoretically interesting to overseas people?) .. 260-ish views ... again .. 1 person watched all the way through!! .. (thankfully from a different country than the mt09 vid .. so i dont have a stalker!!) .. with the minimum being 7 seconds.. o_O

i could take this all to heart and say 'stuff it! ... the bastards dont care.... sob sniff wail!!' ;)

however .. i have some mad fun when im doing the recording .. i get to 'speak to my online buddies' ... i get to run out some 'dad jokes' , a lot of which are delivered poorly and get edited out, but they will get done right one day!! ... i get time to myself .... and i get to review it all and realise/think about how i can improve it all for the future, while i edit!

truth be told .. while i appreciate each and every view (however short) and each comment by anyone ... end of the day i really dont care if the world sees it or not! .. the vids are for 'me having fun' , for my online mates to get to know me a little better , for showing people the area where i live ... and maybe if they visit/ride through they can see/experience what i see! ..

what i am really learning is that im still soooooo much a noob at this!! .. 24 vids/42 subs/1700-ish views ... with the actual experience time i have put in vlogging and editing .. i cant hope (yet) to 'compete' with the likes of the various 'barons' , R1chronicles (which i havent even subbed or viewed yet!) , or even a few of my QLD Australia 'mates' who have been doing this for a few years! .. I simply dont have the skillset yet! .. dont have the mental discipline to choose a topic and stick to it while also making it 'video gold' .. and definitely dont have the spare time to suddenly gain such experience... this is a GOOD thing!! .. it means that i am gonna have to dedicate a couple YEARS to going out riding and vlogging, finding good topics/areas, buying extra 'fun bits' to record/edit with .. :D

so i'd have to say .. with 'we the noobs' .. yep we have to still ask questions of the old hands .. and take that info on board, whether we use it or not... but also give ourselves time to actually develop the skills and 'our style' etc .. think of all the saddle time we get to enjoy while doing it!!! :):):)
 
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