Master the Short-Form Algorithm with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool Wisdom

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Master the Short-Form Algorithm with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool Wisdom

If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you’ve probably thought, “How do some people make this look so easy?”

Well, spoiler alert: there’s nothing “easy” about it. Behind every viral clip is a mix of strategy, psychology, and a little bit of caffeine-fueled creativity.

That’s where this newsletter series comes in. Over the next few editions, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about short-form video success. Think of this as your personal playbook to go from “meh” to “viral sensation.”

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What This Series Will Cover

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming your way:

This isn’t just a random collection of tips; it’s a step-by-step playbook. Each email builds on the last to turn you into a short-form video pro.

1. Master the Algorithm

We’re kicking off with the foundation: understanding the all-powerful algorithm. Learn how to work with it, not against it, to get your content in front of more eyeballs.

2. Picking a Niche in Your Industry

Before you create your first viral hit, you need a clear focus. We’ll cover how to pick a niche that aligns with your expertise, stands out in your market, and attracts the right audience.

3. Viral Hook Creation

The hook is your video’s make-or-break moment. I’ll teach you how to stop viewers in their scroll and get them to watch your content.

4. Increasing Viewer Engagement and Retention

Creating scroll-stopping hooks is one thing, but keeping people watching is another. You’ll learn how to boost engagement and make your videos impossible to skip.

5. Coming Up with Viral Ideas

Feel like you’ve hit a creative wall? Not anymore. This part is all about generating endless ideas that resonate with your audience and ride the wave of trending content. And I’’m even going to teach you how to do something called “Lazy Content” because we can’t be ready to talk to the camera all the time.

Why This Series Matters to You

Short-form video isn’t just a trend—it’s the cornerstone of modern content creation. Whether you’re growing a personal brand, running a business, or trying to become the next TikTok sensation, this series will give you the tools to succeed.

The best part? By the end of this series, you’ll have a complete strategy for creating videos that attract, engage, and convert your audience.

Today’s Lesson: Meet the Algorithm (and Stop Fearing It)

Ah, the Algorithm.

That digital overlord. The boogeyman of social media. Think of it as ChatGPT for your videos—scary at first, but once you understand how it works, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

But what if I told you the algorithm isn’t out to get you? It’s not some evil wizard casting a hex on your viral dreams. Nope. It’s more like a ruthless talent scout—you’ve just got to know what it’s looking for.

So, let’s demystify this misunderstood beast. And, spoiler alert, it’s way simpler than you think.

What Is the Algorithm, Really?

The algorithm is essentially the brain behind every major social media platform—TikTok (If it stays around), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, even that weird app you downloaded once and forgot about. Its sole mission is to keep users engaged for as long as possible. By the way don’t download Rednote unless you want to be enlisted in the chinese military.
Think of it as the ultimate matchmaker. Its job is to connect the right content with the right audience. If you post a video about fishing, the algorithm doesn’t toss it into the vast ocean of random viewers. Instead, it serves it to a handful of fishing enthusiasts to see if they nibble.

And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just care about likes, comments, or shares. Sure, those are nice, but the algorithm’s true love language is watch time.

Watch Time: The Golden Ticket to Algorithm Heaven

Forget likes. Forget emojis. Forget that one person who comments “First!” on all your posts. None of that matters as much as watch time.

When someone watches your video for most—or better yet, all—of its duration, the algorithm gets heart eyes. And if they re-watch it? You’ve just become the teacher’s pet.

But why is watch time so important? Simple: it makes the platforms money.

Here’s the math:

- More watch time = more time spent on the app.

- More time on the app = more ad views.

- More ad views = platforms rolling in cash like Scrooge McDuck.


So, when you optimize your content for watch time, you’re not just pleasing the algorithm—you’re feeding the platform’s bottom line. And when you feed their bottom line, they reward you by pushing your content to more viewers.

Yep its that simple

The Algorithm’s Trial-by-Fire Process

Posting a video isn’t just throwing it into the void Like we used to think. It’s more like auditioning for a Broadway show.

Phase 1: The Small Test Group

Your video is first shown to a tiny group of viewers who have a history of engaging with similar content. If they like what they see and watch a significant portion, congrats—you’ve passed round one.

Phase 2: The Slightly Bigger Pool

If the initial group gives your video a thumbs-up (via their watch time), the algorithm expands your audience. Now, your video is shown to a larger group with similar interests.

Phase 3: Viral Stardom

Pass the second test, and the algorithm starts pushing your content to larger Audiences in more stages. This is when your goofy skit or Broll video suddenly racks up millions of views, and you’re Googling “How to handle sudden internet fame.”

But here’s the catch: if your content bombs in Phase 1, it’s game over. The algorithm won’t waste its time promoting a video that no one watches.

The Myth of the Perfect Video Length

Here’s a question I’m sure you have thought of: “What’s the best length for my video?”

The answer? It depends.

The real question you should ask is: “How long can my video be while keeping people hooked from start to finish?”

A 10-second video that gets 100% watch time will beat a 5-minute masterpiece that people bail on after 30 seconds. Let that soak in for a sec.
​So, instead of obsessing over a magic number, focus on creating content that makes people say, “I have to see how this ends!” Now your starting to understand those 10 second videos with the novel in the captions.

Ryan Reynolds and the Art of “Killing Your Darlings”

Here’s a brutal truth: what you think is cool in your content might not matter to your audience.

Even Ryan Reynolds, everyone’s favorite smart-mouthed Canadian, knows this. In Deadpool, he cut a cameo of his best friend, Rob McElhenney, because the scene didn’t add value to the story. Imagine being Rob—your scene gets filmed, edited, and then… poof. Gone.

The lesson? If something in your content doesn’t serve the viewer, cut it. No matter how much you love it.

The Algorithm’s Simple but Ruthless Demand

If you take away one thing from this newsletter, let it be this:

Your content must do two things:

1. Hook people within the first few seconds.

If you can’t stop their scroll, your video is dead before it starts.

2. Keep them watching until the end.

The longer they watch, the more the algorithm loves you.

This means your job as a creator isn’t to please yourself. It’s to provide value to strangers on the internet—people who don’t know you, don’t care about you, and are one boring second away from swiping past your content.

The Secret to Success: It’s All About Them

When you’re creating content, ask yourself:

- Does this hook my audience immediately?

- Does it keep them engaged?

- Does it provide value, entertainment, or intrigue to them—not just to me?

If you can master this mindset, the algorithm will become your best friend, not your nemesis.

Bottom Line? The algorithm isn’t a mystery. It’s a machine with one goal: keep people on the platform. Learn to play by its rules, and you can turn it into a powerful ally.

So, go out there, create something binge-worthy, and let the algorithm do the heavy lifting.

Until next time,

– Keith

P.S. Now that you understand how the algorithm works and what it craves, it’s time to take the next step: making sure your content hits the right audience. In Part 2, we’ll dive into picking your niche—because if you try to speak to everyone, you’ll end up connecting with no one. Stay tuned!

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