The EASIEST Retention Hack: Foreshadowing

One of the most amazing benefits of being a “YouTube coach” is that I learn HEAPS from my students. Called the ‘Protege effect’, it states that the act of teaching forces us to distill complex ideas into understandable parts, deepening our own understanding in the process.

So, when I was reviewing my student Abby’s video, riddled with footage moving too fast, clips oriented wrong, and low resolution, I was struck that I was still 100% engaged in the story.

Having helped her storyboard and review the episode, I knew she had a good foundation. She also had a way with words.

But I noticed she was also using a brilliant retention hack.

The Retention Hack

First and foremost, “retention” in the context of YouTube videos refers to a percentage representing the amount of time people spend consuming your video. An audience retention rate of 45% means that on average, viewers watch 45% of your video.

The hacks she is using are foreshadowing and signposting. These are both narrative techniques used increase retention, not just within a video but also to keep them moving from video to video.

While they are very similar, there are some small differences between the two:

• Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is where hints or clues are provided early in a story about events or outcomes that will occur later. It creates anticipation and builds tension by suggesting what might happen in the future. In the context of YouTube videos, foreshadowing can involve teasing upcoming content, revealing glimpses of what’s to come, or dropping subtle hints about the direction the video will take.
• Signposting: Signposting involves explicitly indicating to the audience what will be covered in the content, typically by using clear markers such as headings, bullet points, or verbal cues. It serves to structure the presentation and help viewers navigate through the material. Unlike foreshadowing, which hints at future developments, signposting provides immediate guidance and helps viewers understand the organization of the content.

Going back to Abby, she included a clever foreshadowing trick when she made a checklist of all the things that needed to be complete on her boat:​

​Now, I’m going to go into some of the creative ways you can use foreshadowing and signposting in a second (see what I did there), but first let me tell you why it works.

Why It Works

Sets Expectations

In case you didn’t watch the clip above, Abby made a list of jobs that needed to be completed in order to launch her new-to-her sailboat. By doing this, she set expectations for what was to come. I implicitly knew that she’d be getting through the list before the episode was done. And since the list was long, I knew it was time to settle in a bit more.

Contextualizes Information

As Abby went through each list item, she returned to the same shot to check the item off. As long as she wasn’t done with the list, I knew how each scene related to the story.

When viewers understand the context, they can better connect new information with existing knowledge. There’s no asking “Why is she showing us this?”

Reinforcement Through Repetition

The brilliant thing about Abby’s checklist is that she constantly returns to it. This repetition serves as reinforcement, strengthening the memory trace of the information in the minds of viewers and improving retention.

Highlighting Key Points

When Abby was editing her third video in the series (the one that got her over 4,000 watch hours to join the YouTube Partner Program!), she added in this scene that caught my attention. She made a gentle stab at one of the characters on her boat, and then said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be popping back up.”

Boom! In my brain, I will be remembering that point and keeping an eye out for when that character is brought up again. In fact, I will be waiting for it!​

Emotional Engagement

At the end of every episode, Abby tells us what the next episode is about, but she doesn’t do so explicitly. She hints at something, for example saying, “Our next destination (and problems) are waiting for us at Port Colborne.” This leaves us asking, “What are those problems?” and wanting to return for the next episode to see what happens. ​

Ideas

Now I told you that I’d give you some creative ways to incorporate foreshadowing into your videos, so here goes:

1. Teaser Clips: Start your vlog with short teaser clips or snippets of exciting moments or highlights from later in the video. This gives viewers a taste of what’s to come and hooks their interest right from the beginning.
2. Cryptic Comments: Drop cryptic comments or hints about upcoming events or surprises throughout the vlog. These could be subtle references, mysterious statements, or even visual clues that foreshadow what’s coming next.
3. Flash-forwards: Use flash-forwards to show brief glimpses of future scenes or moments in the vlog. These flash-forwards can be inserted strategically throughout the video to tease upcoming content and build anticipation.
4. Symbolism: Incorporate symbolic elements or recurring motifs that foreshadow future events or themes in the vlog. This could involve using specific props, colors, or visual symbols that have significance related to what will happen later. You might notice that in Abby’s video, “get engine running” was the only check item she skipped and then went back to, foreshadowing to more engine problems to come.
5. Narrative Hooks: Introduce narrative hooks early in the vlog that hint at potential storylines or developments. These hooks could be intriguing questions, unresolved conflicts, or intriguing premises that pique viewers’ curiosity and keep them invested in the narrative.
6. Foreshadowing Music: Use music as a foreshadowing tool by selecting tracks that evoke the mood or atmosphere of upcoming scenes or events. The music can subtly hint at what’s to come and create a sense of anticipation for viewers.
7. Subtle Visual Cues: Include subtle visual cues or “Easter eggs “in the background of your vlog that foreshadow future events. These could be objects, images, or even hidden messages that observant viewers can pick up on.
8. Foreshadowing Dialogue: Incorporate foreshadowing into your dialogue by having conversations or interactions that allude to future events or plot twists. These could be casual remarks, inside jokes, or foreshadowing-laden exchanges between characters.
9. Foreshadowing Titles and Thumbnails: Use intriguing titles and thumbnails for your vlog that hint at what viewers can expect to see. This sets the tone and builds anticipation before viewers even click on the video.
10. Interactive Foreshadowing: Engage viewers directly by inviting them to speculate or make predictions about what will happen next in the vlog. This interactive approach encourages audience participation and creates a sense of anticipation as viewers wait to see if their predictions come true.

Takeaway

Remember, foreshadowing or signposting doesn’t have to only be within a video but can be used from video to video. In your next video, I want you to find at least one way you can use either of these techniques.

FREE Storyboarding Session

By the way, Abby was able to monetise so fast because she proactively used the 1:1 coaching available through my course. I know Abby would agree with me that her videos wouldn’t be what they are without our storyboarding sessions. Abby has generously allowed me to give you a recording of our last session so you can see what it looks like. All you have to do is claim your free guide to Travel Vlogging, and you’ll get the recording, the guide, and two other free bonus recordings to help you develop your channel!