Long-form content in the ‘If I Wanted To‘ format is crushing it on YouTube.
It works like this: Open with a hook like “If I wanted to [achieve a specific outcome], here is exactly what I would do,” and then you walk through your step-by-step strategy from start to finish.
The key is the hypothetical framing. You are not telling people what to do. You are describing what you would have done if you were in their shoes. That small shift in language changes everything about how the content feels.
Instead of bragging about what you’ve achieved, you are generous with your blueprint based on your experience achieving the viewers’ desired outcome (even though you may have used a different approach to get there).
Viewers do not feel sold to; they feel like they are getting insider knowledge from an expert.
When structured correctly, the video feels like a free mini-course, which builds trust faster than any polished sales pitch (see our step-by-step guide below).
Here is what this content looks like in practice:
How To Create Engaging ‘If I Wanted To’ Videos Step By Step
Follow these five steps to create videos that build authority and attract your ideal customers using this format:
Step 1: Pick One Specific Outcome Your Audience Wants
Start with the result, not the topic. What does your ideal client actually want to achieve? For instance, get their first sale online, replace their 9-5 income, scale their service-based business to $100k/month, etc.
The outcome must be specific enough to feel personal but common enough that many people share the goal.
“If I wanted to get my first 100 customers” works better than “If I wanted to grow my business” because the former paints a clearer picture.
Step 2: Write the “If I Wanted to…” Title
Your title is the hook. Keep it simple and results-focused. Here are some examples:
- “If I Wanted to Get My First 10 agency Clients in 30 Days, Here’s What I Would Do”
- “If I Wanted to Build a 7-Figure Fashion Business From Scratch, I’d Do This”
- “If I Wanted to Grow My Email List to 10,000 Subscribers in 90 Days, I Would Do This”
The title should make the viewer feel like they are about to get the real answer, not a teaser.
Step 3: Script Your Actual Step-by-Step Strategy
This is where most creators choke. They give general advice when the format demands specifics.
Write out 5-8 real steps that you actually took or would take.
Do not list tips.
Tell the story of how the result is achieved. Start from the very beginning, even if it feels obvious to you, as your audience is not where you are.
The more granular you get, the more valuable the video becomes. Generic advice gets scrolled past. Specific blueprints get saved, shared, and rewatched, further boosting your organic reach.
Step 4: Film It as a Talking-Head or Screen Share
You do not need a studio. A talking-head video with good lighting and clear audio works perfectly. A screen share showing the actual tools, dashboards, or workflows you use also performs well.
Keep the video between 8-15 minutes. Long enough to deliver real value, short enough to hold attention. YouTube viewers who search for “how to” are looking for depth, not a 30-second overview.
Step 5: Drop a Soft CTA at the End
Close with one clear next step. Do not pitch your course; just tell them what to do next.
“Drop a comment with your biggest challenge, and I will reply.”
“Bookmark this video and come back to it when you are ready to launch.”
“If you enjoyed this video, you may also like [another video on your YT channel or a PDF checklist on your landing page].”
The goal is to turn a viewer into a subscriber or a community member, or to have them visit your landing page for more specific solutions to their needs, not to close a sale in the video itself.
Of course, you also want to strategically funnel them into your offer, so don’t be shy about offering more tools, resources, or services after delivering value.
Our Key Takeaways
The “If I Wanted To” format is a high-impact content trend for course creators, coaches, and info marketers.
- The hypothetical framing removes ego and makes your advice feel like a gift, not a flex, which drives shares and saves.
- Specific, step-by-step strategies outperform generic advice every time. Give the real blueprint, not the abbreviated version.
- YouTube rewards videos that hold attention from start to finish. This format hooks viewers in the first seconds and keeps them until the very last step.
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