# Commentary — YouTube Long Format

> Reaction + analysis of cultural events, content, news. 10-30 min typical. Personal voice.

## Format basics

- Length: 10-30 min typical
- Aspect: 16:9
- Reaction + analysis
- Cultural commentary
- Personal voice / opinion
- Often topical (responding to news/event)

## Structure

```
0-1min    HOOK
          What you're commenting on
          Why now

1-3min    CONTEXT
          What happened
          Background needed

3-15min   REACTION + ANALYSIS
          Your take
          Specific moments examined
          Patterns identified

15-25min  DEEPER COMMENTARY
          Implications
          Broader patterns
          Personal POV

25-28min  CONCLUSION
          Final take
          Where things go from here

28-30min  CTA
          Subscribe
          Discussion in comments
```

## Sample 15-min commentary

```
"What [Major Coffee Brand]'s New Strategy Says About the Industry"

0-1min: HOOK
- "Last week, [major brand] announced they're moving to direct-trade
coffee. Here's why this is bigger than coffee."
- Quick visual: their announcement

1-3min: CONTEXT
- Brand's history (mass market)
- The announcement details
- The industry context

3-8min: REACTION
- "Here's why I think this matters."
- Specific aspects of announcement
- What's good
- What's marketing speak
- What's actually new

8-12min: ANALYSIS
- Industry trend analysis
- Other brands following
- Consumer behavior shifts
- Direct trade explained

12-14min: DEEPER COMMENTARY
- What this means for small roasters
- Customer expectations changing
- Next 5 years prediction

14-15min: CONCLUSION + CTA
- "Coffee industry is changing. This is how."
- "Comment your take below"
- "Subscribe for more industry commentary"
```

## Key principles

### Personal voice
- Your take matters
- Don't be neutral observer
- Have opinion

### Substantive analysis
- Not just reaction
- Patterns identified
- Implications drawn

### Specific evidence
- Quote sources
- Show clips/screenshots
- Specific examples

### Engagement-driven
- Provoke discussion
- Invite comments
- Be willing to be wrong

### Timely
- React to recent events
- Algorithm rewards timeliness
- Audience comes for current take

## Sub-types

### Industry commentary
- Trends in your field
- Insider perspective
- Authority-building

### Cultural commentary
- Social trends
- Internet culture
- Generational analysis

### Political commentary
- Current events
- Policy analysis
- Personal political views

### Tech commentary
- New releases
- Industry shifts
- Future predictions

### Sports commentary
- Game analysis
- Trade reactions
- Career evaluations

## When to use

- Building authority in field
- Audience-building (engagement)
- Discussion-driven content
- Patreon / Substack audience
- Newsletter companion content

## Common mistakes

- All reaction, no analysis
- Generic takes (anyone could say)
- Late to topic (algorithm doesn't reward)
- Personal attacks
- Echo-chamber feel

## Voice style

- Confident
- Conversational
- Direct camera engagement
- Specific examples
- Personal story occasionally
