Desk reporting, explainers and guides from The Tube newsroom. Some are drafted with AI assistance and every one is checked by an editor before publication. How we work.
Newsroom
The Tube Staff
Reporting and guides from The Tube newsroom.
Latest from The Tube Staff
Analysis
YouTube wants to be your editor, your agent and your co-host
At Made on YouTube 2026 the platform announced AI tools that edit, test and pitch on a creator’s behalf. Here is what was actually announced, what is still “coming soon,” and what to watch.
Analysis
Meta is turning Facebook and Instagram into video apps first
Both apps are testing versions that open straight to Reels. For creators, the shift says a lot about where Meta’s attention, and its distribution, is heading.
Analysis
TikTok wants the sale to happen inside the For You feed
An AI shopping assistant, one-click checkout from brand sites and a new ad network beyond the app: TikTok’s commerce push is widening. Here is what changed and what creators who sell should watch.
Craft & Tips
Write the thumbnail before you write the script
If an idea can't be sold in one image and a handful of words, no amount of editing will rescue it. Here's how to plan a video from the package outward.
Craft & Tips
The first 30 seconds: how to open a video so people stay
Viewers decide quickly whether a video is worth their time. A strong opening confirms the click, sets up a payoff, and gets out of its own way.
Craft & Tips
Better audio on a small budget starts with where you put the mic
Viewers will forgive soft video long before they forgive bad sound. Most audio problems can be fixed with placement, a few blankets, and sensible levels.
Craft & Tips
How to light a talking-head video with one or two lights
You don't need a studio full of gear to look good on camera. Understanding key, fill, and back light, plus the window you already have, gets you most of the way.
Craft & Tips
What your analytics are actually telling you
Click-through rate, retention, and returning viewers each answer a different question. Read them together and they point to what to fix next.
Craft & Tips
Short-form or long-form? How to decide where an idea belongs
Not every idea fits every format. Here's how to match concepts to the right length, and how to repurpose without your audience feeling served leftovers.
Creator Economy
How to price your first brand deal without underselling yourself
A sponsorship is more than a fee for a mention. Before you name a number, understand what you're actually being asked to provide, for how long, and on what terms.
Craft & Tips
Sustainable upload schedules: how to keep creating without burning out
Consistency matters, but not at any cost. Batching, buffers, and planned breaks can help you build a rhythm you can actually keep.
Craft & Tips
Going live for the first time: a practical checklist
A first stream doesn't need to be perfect, but a little preparation goes a long way. Here's what to set up, test, and plan before you hit the button.