5 Steps to Identify a Good Idea

There are 5 hallmarks of a great video idea.

In a recent episode of Sweat Equity, my co-host Brian broke down Paddy Galloway’s 5-step formula for identifying a winning content idea.

For context, Paddy has a YouTube channel with 500K subscribers from just 33 uploads and has helped grow channels like Mr. Beast and RedBull.

And to give you an idea of dedicated idea generation - he typically brainstorms 100 ideas to get to 1 winner.

So here are the 5 key things he looks for.

1: Appeal to Your Core, Casual, and New Audience

Your content ideas need to cater to three audience groups to reach the biggest total addressable market (TAM):

• Core - These are the die-hard fans who watch every single video.
• Casual - These viewers tune in sometimes, but maybe only for selected topics. Different casual viewers will watch depending on their specific interests.
• New - These are the viewers who could be interested in your content but you haven't reached them yet. This is where you use trending topics like Wimbledon to lure them in and introduce them to our channel.

2: Easy to Convey in a Title or Thumbnail

Your content idea should be easy to distill into a clear, compelling title and thumbnail.

These constraints force you to cut to the heart of what makes your video interesting and valuable.

Take our "Good vs. Bad Content" series. The title immediately tells you what the video is about and what to expect.

Ask yourself: Can I convey the key point in a snappy, attention-grabbing title?

The easier it is for potential viewers to understand what your video offers, the more likely they are to watch.

3: Unique & Novelty Value

This is how you stand out in a crowded content feed.

Everyone and their grandma might be talking about Wimbledon, but they're all focusing on the same old angles - the matches, the players, the scores.

But because we approached it from a completely different perspective, dissecting how they promoted the event and engaged fans - we carved out our own niche.

So always ask:

• What's the angle that no one else is taking?
• How can I approach this in a way that's fresh, surprising, and uniquely valuable to my audience?

4: Combine 1 or More Viral Formats Together

Your idea should be able to be communicated in at least one viral format for the platform you post on. For us, it’s the talking head format that works so well on IG.

5: Friends Get Excited When You Talk About It

How do your friends react when you share the content idea with them?

For example, when I shared my idea for, “How Wimbledon Gained 1M New Followers in 14 Days” with my COO, Faiez, his reaction told me everything I needed to know.

“Holy shit, that’s f****n crazy.”

That’s how I knew it was a winner.

So pay attention to those emotional cues. More often than not, it's leading you to your next great video.