“Everyone loves a good story. That doesn’t mean every piece of content needs a plot, but you have to create some element of feeling. You have to have that wow factor!” If anyone knows how important the art of storytelling is, it’s Kevin E.
Kevin doesn’t just create content – he dissects it. As part of his mission to discover what makes great stories, he breaks down the best of the creator space and talks directly to the people behind the lens. And as the force behind The Creator’s Cut and the Beyond The Cut podcast, Kevin has built a community of visual storytellers, inspiring creators with his easy-to-follow deep dives into how to create moments of magic.
In this interview with Uppbeat, Kevin shares his secrets to creating content that resonates deeply with viewers. They’re six essential tips to improve your storytelling, no matter if you’re creating short TikTok clips or longer YouTube edits.
- Prioritize making a connection with your audience
- Create moments that make viewers feel a certain way
- Take your viewers on an emotional rollercoaster
- Bring your own experiences to your content
- Look for opportunities to learn your storytelling craft
- Focus on the “wow” moments
1. Storytelling is about making a connection with your audience
Every creator knows that storytelling is a key ingredient for capturing your audience’s attention. But before you can start thinking about clever narratives or editing, Kevin’s advice is to focus on connecting with your viewers first.
"Storytelling is human connection,” Kevin explains. “Everyone is drawn to stories – whether it's through experience or something that doesn't even relate to them, like fantasy worlds."
“When you see your friends, you’ll always have a good story to share. Which goes to show how making that human connection is the most important part of storytelling.”
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Stories are universal. Whether you're making short-form videos or long-form content, the simple act of sharing a story will help your audience relate to you. It builds emotional investment and encourages viewers to come back for more.
Don’t overthink your story – even sharing a simple moment from your day can form a meaningful connection with your audience if it’s honest and real.
2. Create moments that make your viewers feel something
Many creators fall into the trap of thinking that an action-packed sequence is the key to great storytelling, but Kevin has a different approach. It involves being tactical with how you dial up the emotions in your content, instead of overloading your audience
“The right effect at the right time can really make your viewers feel something – something to make them go, ‘whoa, this is crazy’ – but it doesn’t necessarily need to tell a story on its own,” Kevin explains.
"There are so many building blocks to storytelling, from audio to the use of certain visuals – so I look at content as a chance to practice putting them together. And not every piece of content has to have a plot, which is a weird thing to say!”
“But there always has to be some sort of element of feeling in your content. As a creator, once you practice your craft and get better at creating emotive moments, you’ll know when you’ve done it. You’ll then be able to tell better and better stories in the future.”
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to write a script to create content that resonates with your viewers. Sometimes a cool transition or an unexpected moment is enough to trigger an emotional response.
Focus on creating moments. If it makes your audience feel something – surprise, laughter, awe – it’s storytelling. Over time you’ll naturally start weaving these moments into your videos.
3. Take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster
Once you’ve mastered creating special moments that resonate with your viewers, you can start to pepper them throughout your content. But Kevin tells us it’s also important to consider when you include them. How you add light and shade to your content can make those special moments hit even harder too.
"To make people feel something – like sadness – you almost have to drag them in the opposite direction first,” says Kevin.
“You can't just have these big moments, one after the other – your scenes will start to feel the same. When there are highs and lows, and your main characters have hurdles to overcome – that’s what makes stories great."
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Good storytelling is like taking your viewers on a rollercoaster. If your video maintains the same energy all the way through, it falls flat. By contrast, the tension and release of an emotional arc keep people watching – and feeling.
Build contrast into your edits. Mix energy levels, music, pacing, and emotion to take your audience on a ride and see how you can highlight the range of emotions you want your viewers to feel.
4. Don’t shy away from sharing your own experiences
When it comes to the single most important piece of advice Kevin has for storytellers, it’s to lean into what you know.
“I draw from experience in my content, which is a form of storytelling in itself,” Kevin says. “I used to shoot weddings for four years – telling people about what that was like makes for authentic storytelling because I’m sharing what I’ve been through."
Kevin is unique in that he’s not just a content creator himself, but also someone who speaks to creators about their process. His podcast Beyond The Cut allows Kevin to connect and learn from other creators through their shared experiences.
“I jump on the podcast and speak to these guests who want to know more about my story, and vice versa. We talk about their videos to understand what makes them so great – asking questions like why did you choose this color and why do you wear this?”
“Getting into the stories of creators is amazing, it’s like experiencing another life. You learn more through their stories.”
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Your real-life experiences are often the best source of relatable storytelling. Sharing something you’ve lived through adds authenticity – and keeps your content from feeling generic.
Don’t be afraid to share your journey, even the messy bits. It makes your content more relatable, allowing your audience to get to know the real you.
5. Storytelling is a learnable skill
Weaving stories into your content can feel daunting. But one of the best pieces of advice Kevin has for us is that the art of storytelling is something you’ll get better at with practice.
“Storytelling can sound simple, but it’s very complex. The good thing is, you can get better at it,” Kevin explains. “And then sometimes people don’t know they’re good storytellers until they start creating. And with platforms like Uppbeat it’s easier than ever to get started and see for yourself”
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Storytelling isn’t a talent you're born with – it’s something you develop over time. The more you create, the more you’ll improve your instincts for pacing, emotion, and narrative. Try to take the time to review your old uploads and think about how you might improve.
A simple way to practice your storytelling is simply by making videos. As you create more content, your skill for telling stories will improve – without you even realizing it.
6. Focus on the “wow” moment
Grabbing people’s attention is a crucial part of successful storytelling. You want your videos to hook viewers, no matter what you’re creating. To achieve that ‘wow’ moment, Kevin’s advice is to make sure you focus on something unforgettable people feel compelled to share.
"If you have a ‘wow’ moment right at the beginning of your content, people will actually stay on that video longer just to watch it again – especially in this world of short form," explains Kevin.
“When a video has these moments, it then creates this sharability. You watch a video three or four times and you're sending it to your friend.”
“You want someone to rewatch your content so many times that they're like, I’ve got to share this.”
💡 Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Great stories often hinge on a single powerful moment – the one that makes someone sit up, rewatch, or share. These are the pieces of your video that will turn passive viewers into fans. Identify that one killer moment in your video, and make sure your pacing and edit build towards it.
The more content you create, the better you’ll be at storytelling
Good stories feel honest, move your audience, and take them somewhere else – even if just for a few seconds.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have a following, Kevin reminds us that the best stories often come from real experiences. Focus on creating videos that bring out strong emotions in your viewers. And keep experimenting with your content to see how you can improve how you share stories with your audience.
Remember, the music, sound effects and graphics you choose can all be used to highlight key moments and heighten how your viewers feel. Explore Uppbeat’s copyright-free library of assets to see how you can level up your storytelling.
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