Ideas and topics: how to avoid the obvious

The idea decides more than the production

A video with flawless editing on a dull topic won't find viewers, while a simple phone recording that lands precisely might. So the idea is where effort belongs first.

Why the first list is always generic

Asking for "ideas for videos about [topic]" returns what's already obvious: "5 beginner mistakes", "how to start", "myths about…". The model produces the most probable, and the most probable is the most worn out.

What produces the non-obvious

• Your data instead of general knowledge. "Here are 40 questions people ask me in the comments: [list]. Which topics suggest themselves?" — ideas from real audience questions rather than from the air.
• Axes instead of a list. "Give me 20 ideas across four groups: demolishing a common misconception, dissecting my own mistake, comparing two approaches, answering an awkward question."
• The reverse move. "What does everyone in this niche avoid discussing, and why?" — that's usually where the unoccupied topic sits.
• Other people's comments. Comments under competitors' popular videos are a ready list of what's been left uncovered.

Selection matters more than generation

Twenty ideas are useless until one is chosen. The criteria that work: can I say something on this that others won't; do I have my own example or data; would I watch such a video to the end myself.

The third question eliminates the most. If you wouldn't watch it through, nobody will.

An idea bank rather than a one-off session

Once a week, add ideas from comments, questions and observations to one document. Within a month you have a queue, and "what should I make a video about" stops existing — and that's the question that most often stops people filming.

Cheat sheet

• The first list is always generic — you need your own data.
• Generation axes rather than a plain list.
• Selection matters more than quantity.
• An idea bank removes "what shall I film about".