YouTube Video Workflow

Let's bring everything together with a complete, practical workflow for creating a YouTube video using AI tools. This step-by-step process shows how each tool fits into a professional production.

The End-to-End AI YouTube Workflow

Overview

Ideation → Scripting → Recording → Editing →
Enhancement → Publishing → Repurposing

Total time (10-minute video):

• Traditional: 8-15 hours
• With AI: 3-5 hours

Phase 1: Ideation and Research

Generate Video Ideas

Use ChatGPT/Claude:

Prompt: I create videos about [your topic] for
[your audience]. Generate 10 video ideas that:
- Solve specific problems
- Have search potential
- Match current trends
- I can create with my expertise

Review and select:

• Check YouTube search volume
• Analyze competition
• Assess your unique angle

Research the Topic

Use Perplexity or ChatGPT:

Prompt: I'm creating a video about [topic].
Provide:
- Key points to cover
- Common misconceptions
- Statistics or data
- Expert perspectives
- Questions viewers might have

Time: 30-45 minutes

Phase 2: Script Writing

Generate First Draft

Use Claude or ChatGPT:

Prompt: Write a YouTube video script about [topic].
Structure:
- Hook (first 30 seconds, grab attention)
- Introduction (context, what they'll learn)
- Main content (3-5 key sections)
- Conclusion (summary, CTA)

Style: Conversational, engaging, clear
Length: ~1500 words (for 10-minute video)
Include B-roll suggestions in [brackets]

Refine the Script

Edit for:

• Your voice (adjust AI tone)
• Accuracy (verify facts)
• Flow (read aloud)
• Pacing (mark pauses)

Add B-roll notes:

[B-ROLL: Screen recording of tool]
[B-ROLL: AI-generated visualization of concept]
[B-ROLL: Stock footage of office setting]

Time: 45-60 minutes

Phase 3: Recording

Prepare for Recording

Camera setup:

• Good lighting (ring light or window)
• Clean background
• Camera at eye level
• Test audio levels

Script preparation:

• Load in teleprompter app
• Position near camera lens
• Break into sections

Record A-Roll

Best practices:

• Record each section separately
• Multiple takes are fine (AI helps edit)
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Look at the lens

Alternative: AI Avatar

If not filming yourself:

1. Load script into HeyGen/Synthesia
2. Select avatar
3. Generate video sections
4. Download for editing

Time: 30-60 minutes (filming) or 15-30 minutes (avatar generation)

Record Screen Content

If your video includes demonstrations:

• Use OBS, Loom, or built-in screen recording
• Record in sections
• Leave space for audio adjustment

Phase 4: AI-Enhanced Editing

Initial Edit in Descript

Upload and transcribe:

1. Import all footage
2. Wait for transcription
3. Organize by section

Rough cut by transcript:

1. Read through transcript
2. Delete mistakes, fillers
3. Rearrange sections if needed
4. Use "Remove filler words"
5. Apply Studio Sound

Time: 30-45 minutes

Enhanced Edit in CapCut/Premiere

Import from Descript:

1. Export rough cut
2. Import to CapCut or Premiere

Add visual elements:

1. Insert B-roll at marked points
2. Add lower thirds
3. Create title cards
4. Add transitions

Generate B-Roll (Runway/Pika):

Prompt for each B-roll need:
[Concept description], supporting visual for educational
YouTube video, clean, professional, relevant

Add captions:

1. Auto-generate in CapCut
2. Style consistently
3. Review for errors

Time: 60-90 minutes

Phase 5: Audio Enhancement

Background Music

Generate in Suno:

Prompt: Soft background music for educational YouTube
video, unobtrusive, positive energy, professional,
no vocals, medium tempo

Mix:

• Import to timeline
• Lower to -18 to -24 dB
• Apply ducking under voice
• Fade in/out at start/end

Sound Effects

Add strategic effects:

• Whoosh on transitions
• Subtle sounds on key points
• Notification sound for tips

Time: 15-20 minutes

Phase 6: Final Polish

Color Grade

Quick color correction:

• Match all clips
• Slight contrast boost
• Warm or cool based on mood
• Apply LUT if desired

Review

Watch full video:

• Check pacing
• Verify audio levels
• Spot visual issues
• Test on phone (mobile viewers)

Export

YouTube settings:

• Resolution: 1920x1080 (or 4K if filmed)
• Format: MP4 (H.264)
• Audio: AAC 320kbps
• Frame rate: Match source

Time: 30 minutes

Phase 7: Thumbnail and Metadata

Create Thumbnail

In Midjourney or Canva:

Prompt: YouTube thumbnail showing [concept],
person with [emotion] expression, bright colors,
high contrast, professional quality

Add text in Canva:

• 3-5 impactful words
• High contrast
• Large, readable

Write Title and Description

Use Claude/ChatGPT:

Prompt: Write a YouTube title and description for a
video about [topic]. The video covers: [key points]

Title requirements:
- Under 60 characters
- Includes main keyword
- Creates curiosity

Description requirements:
- Summary in first 2 lines
- Timestamps
- Relevant links
- Keywords naturally included

Tags and Cards

Generate tags:

Prompt: List 15 relevant YouTube tags for a video
about [topic], mix of broad and specific keywords

Time: 30-45 minutes

Phase 8: Repurposing

Create Shorts

Use Opus Clip:

1. Upload full video
2. AI extracts best clips
3. Review and select 5-10 clips
4. Add captions styling
5. Schedule for posting

Social Media Clips

Create variations:

• TikTok versions (trending sounds)
• Instagram Reels (polished)
• LinkedIn clips (professional context)

Blog Post

Use Claude:

Prompt: Convert this video transcript into a blog post
with proper formatting, subheadings, and SEO optimization.

Time: 45-60 minutes

Complete Timeline

Phase	Task	AI Tools	Time
1	Ideation	ChatGPT	30 min
2	Scripting	Claude	60 min
3	Recording	HeyGen (optional)	45 min
4	Editing	Descript, CapCut, Runway	90 min
5	Audio	Suno	20 min
6	Polish	CapCut	30 min
7	Thumbnail	Midjourney, Canva	45 min
8	Repurpose	Opus Clip, Claude	60 min
Total			~6 hours

Pro Tips for This Workflow

Time Optimization

Batch similar tasks:

• Script multiple videos in one session
• Generate all B-roll at once
• Create thumbnails in batch

Template everything:

• Intro/outro templates
• Caption styles saved
• Music library built

Quality Checks

Before publishing:

• Audio levels consistent
• No awkward cuts
• Captions accurate
• Thumbnail readable at small size
• Description complete
• Links working

Scaling

Once process is established:

• 1 video/week → 2-3 videos/week
• Build team for specific tasks
• Automate more steps
• Improve based on analytics

Key Takeaway

A complete YouTube video workflow integrates AI at every stage: ideation, scripting, editing, enhancement, and repurposing. The key is building a repeatable process where each tool has its role. Start with the full workflow for one video, then optimize based on your specific needs. The goal isn't just faster production—it's sustainable creation of quality content. In the next lesson, we'll apply similar thinking to marketing video production.