retention-surgeon

name	retention-surgeon
description	Diagnose retention problems using benchmarks, identify which of the 4 curve shapes you have, recommend cutting patterns, and fix the first 30 seconds. Use when a video underperforms or when editing.
argument-hint	[paste retention data, or describe the video and its performance]

Retention Surgeon

Diagnose and fix retention for: $ARGUMENTS

Step 1: Identify the Retention Curve Shape

The 4 Shapes

1. The Cliff — Steep early drop (>30% lost in first 30 seconds)

   • Diagnosis: Failed hook. Title/thumbnail promise doesn't match opening.
   • Fix: Rewrite first 30 seconds. Deliver on the promise IMMEDIATELY.

2. Gradual Decline — Steady drop throughout

   • Diagnosis: Natural attrition. Healthy if above 40% at midpoint.
   • Fix: Add pattern interrupts every 20-30 seconds. More Setup-Tension-Payoff cycles.

3. The Bump — Spike at a specific point (people rewatching a segment)

   • Diagnosis: You have a rewatch-worthy moment. Extract it as a Short/clip.
   • Fix: Study what made that moment work. Replicate the structure.

4. Flat Line — Consistent engagement throughout

   • Diagnosis: Ideal. Rare. Your content is holding.
   • Fix: Nothing. Study this video and replicate.

Step 2: Benchmark Against Standards

By Video Length

Length	Good	Great	Problem
Under 5 min	50%	60%+	Below 40%
5-15 min	40%	50%+	Below 30%
15-30 min	30%	40%+	Below 25%
Over 30 min	25%	35%+	Below 20%
Shorts	70%	90%+	Below 50%

By Content Type

• Tutorials: 45-55% (viewers skip to relevant parts — expect dips)
• Thought leadership: 35-50%
• Product demos: Bimodal curves typical
• Interviews/Podcasts: 25-35%

Beast-Style Segment Targets

Use these as aggressive targets for highly packaged browse content:

Time	Target	Strategy
0-1 min	90%+ retention	Perfect hook, no wasted setup
1-3 min	80%+ retention	First escalation and clear reason to stay
3-6 min	65%+ retention	Twist, reveal, or upgrade every 3 minutes
6 min+	50%+ retention	Keep stair-stepping toward the peak moment
Final 30 sec	Hold or redirect	CTA, payoff, or next-video bridge

Engagement Ratios

• Like-to-view: 4-8% (long-form), 3-6% (Shorts)
• Return viewer rate: Above 10% = building an audience

Step 3: First 30 Seconds Audit

The first 30 seconds are make-or-break. Check:

• Does it deliver on the title's promise within 5 seconds?
• Is there ZERO preamble before the value starts?
• Does it introduce specific value the viewer will get?
• Is there a pattern interrupt at 25-35 seconds?
• Does it establish purpose ("By the end, you'll know...")?
• MrBeast test: Does the viewer see what they gain or lose in first 5 seconds?
• Does it show the best visual proof, final result, or biggest problem before explaining background?
• Is action underway by 15-30 seconds?

If any box is unchecked, rewrite the opening.

Step 4: Recommend a Cutting Pattern

5 Proven Patterns (AIR Media-Tech)

1. Progressive Rhythm — Best for: educational, explainer

• Min 0-3: Tight pacing, frequent visual changes
• Min 3-7: Stabilize, fewer cuts, more B-roll
• After min 8: Mix calm with energy bursts
• Used by: Veritasium, Ali Abdaal

2. Contrast Pattern — Best for: commentary, essay

• Simple pacing (15-25 sec/cut) most of the time
• Every 2-3 min: burst of 5-10 quick cuts
• Return to calm. Mimics conversation rhythm.
• Used by: Ryan Trahan, Drew Gooden

3. Narrative Loop — Best for: challenge, story, MrBeast-style

• Open with hook/question
• Every 2-3 min, remind viewers of core premise
• Smoother transitions, ambient bridges
• Used by: MrBeast, YesTheory

4. Hybrid Tempo — Best for: tutorial with energy

• Fast mode: micro-cuts every 10-15 sec with zooms/graphics
• Slow mode: holds up to 40 sec during examples
• Used by: Better Ideas, Think Media

5. Anchor Pattern — Best for: personal, documentary

• Edit at emotional beats, not time intervals
• Hold shots through full statements before cutting
• Ambient sound guides pacing
• Used by: Nathaniel Drew, Johnny Harris

Step 5: The Minute 8 Threshold

YouTube starts rewarding with higher suggested placement after minute 8. If your video is 8+ minutes:

• Maintain high energy through minute 8
• Place a strong payoff or reveal just past the 8-minute mark
• This triggers algorithmic momentum for suggested placement

Step 5.5: Re-Engagement Moments

If the curve drops every few minutes, add a re-engagement moment every 3-5 minutes:

• New rule or constraint
• New visual environment
• Unexpected failure
• Bigger prize, cost, timer, or consequence
• Open loop payoff followed by a new open loop

Step 6: Sound Design Check

• Voice dominates, music 5-25dB quieter
• Calm segments: -20 to -25dB music
• Energetic sequences: -8 to -12dB music
• Music track changes when story shifts
• Brief silence before major reveals
• Heavy transitions reserved for BIG moments only

Output Format

## Retention Diagnosis: "[Video Title]"

### Curve Shape: [Cliff / Gradual / Bump / Flat]
**Current retention**: [X]% average
**Benchmark**: [Good/Below/Great] for [length] [content type]

### Problem Areas
1. [Timestamp] — [what's happening] — [why viewers leave here]
2. [Timestamp] — [what's happening] — [why viewers leave here]

### Recommended Cutting Pattern: [Pattern Name]
**Why**: [reason this pattern fits this video]

### Fix List (priority order)
1. **First 30 seconds**: [specific rewrite]
2. **[Timestamp]**: [specific fix]
3. **[Timestamp]**: [specific fix]

### Opportunities
- **Rewatch spike at [timestamp]**: Extract as Short
- **Minute 8 checkpoint**: [is energy maintained? what to add?]

### Sound Design Notes
- [any sound issues identified]