@HokageChess: Execution Checklist & Governance

Status: Active (33 subscribers, 71 videos)
12-Month Target: 8,000-10,000 subscribers
Last Updated: December 2025
Review Cycle: Weekly (every Sunday)

🚀 IMMEDIATE ACTION CHECKLIST (Next 30 Days)

Week 1: Account & Infrastructure Setup

Set up Ko-fi account (link in all video descriptions)
Create Patreon (even at 33 subs; seed with 1-2 supporters)
Join Chess.com Community Streamer Program (apply: chess.com/community-streamers)
Enable YouTube affiliate links (Chess.com, Amazon Associates)
Create Discord server (minimal: #general, #games, #ideas)
Post Discord invite in channel description and pinned comment

Week 2: Content Template Creation

Design thumbnail template in Canva (save as brand kit)
- Face element (with strong emotion)
- High-contrast background
- Bold text (2-4 words max, Impact font, white/yellow)
Create title formula document (3-5 approved patterns)
Record/write hook templates for opening 30 seconds
Build music library: dramatic beats, tension, payoff music
Download reaction shot templates (post-game confessional setup)

Week 3: Video Audit & Repackaging

Identify top 3 highest-view existing videos
Re-upload with NEW thumbnail/title (test optimization)
Add chapter markers to all long-form videos
Write SEO-optimized descriptions (150 char hook + timestamps)
Create 3 YouTube Shorts from existing footage
Post Shorts to TikTok/Instagram Reels

Week 4: Publishing & Schedule Lock

Lock upload schedule: 3 long-form (MWF) + 3 Shorts (TThrS)
Batch-film 2 weeks of content (prep buffer)
Set up content calendar (Google Sheets or Airtable)
Create checklist for every video (thumbnail approval, title check, hook review)
Publish first “reoptimized” video (measure CTR, retention)

📋 VIDEO PRODUCTION CHECKLIST (Use for Every Upload)

Pre-Production

Concept approved against kishōtenketsu structure (Ki/Shō/Ten/Ketsu)
Opponent/position selected & stakes defined
Rival/mentor context established (if applicable)
Competitor research done (is this angle unique?)

Filming/Recording

Main game/challenge filmed with screen capture
Confessional reaction clip recorded (post-game)
Audio clean (no background noise)
2-3 reaction shot moments captured (for editing)
B-roll of face/hands (optional but recommended)

Editing

Video length 8-12 min (long-form) or <60s (Shorts)
Hook: First 30 seconds establish stakes (flashforward technique)
Music: Tense during critical moments, payoff at resolution
Chapter markers added (every 2-3 min)
Confessional interludes placed strategically
Color grading consistent with brand
End screen + card placement (link to related videos)

Thumbnail & Metadata

Thumbnail created (follows template: face + contrast + text)
Thumbnail approved by: [Your Name / Mentor / Community Vote]
Title written (formula: [Emotion] + [Stakes] + [Series])
Title under 60 characters (optimal for search/display)
Description first 150 chars: Hook + keywords
Timestamps in description (chapters)
Tags added (10-15 relevant; prioritize: chess, rating climb, puzzle)
Affiliate links added (Chess.com, equipment if relevant)

Publishing

Upload as UNLISTED (48hr wait before public if big content)
Schedule publish time: 2 PM UTC (test optimal for audience)
Add to playlist (“Road to 1500” or “Puzzle Climb”)
Pin best comment in comments section (seed engagement)
Notification sent to Discord community
Cross-post Short to TikTok + Instagram + Twitter/X

Post-Publish (First 48 Hours)

Monitor CTR (target: 5-8%)
Monitor retention (target: 50%+ by 30 sec)
Reply to all comments within first hour
Share on Reddit r/chess (if adds value; don’t spam)

📊 QUARTERLY MILESTONE CHECKLIST

Q1: Foundation Optimization (Months 1-3)

Subscriber Target: 33 → 250

Go/No-Go Gate: If CTR <3% AND retention <40%, audit thumbnails + titles before Q2.

Q2: Momentum Building (Months 4-6)

Subscriber Target: 250 → 1,000

Go/No-Go Gate: If avg views <500 by end Q2, pivot content format or posting frequency.

Q3: Scaling Systems (Months 7-9)

Subscriber Target: 1,000 → 3,500

Go/No-Go Gate: If total monthly revenue <$200, review sponsorship strategy + coaching pricing.

Q4: Authority Establishment (Months 10-12)

Subscriber Target: 3,500 → 8,000-10,000

Go/No-Go Gate: If subscriber growth <2,000 by month 12, reassess positioning or consider strategic pivot.

📈 WEEKLY GOVERNANCE: Review & Optimization

Every Sunday (30 min review)

Metrics Check (record in spreadsheet):

New subscriber count
Total views this week
Best-performing video (CTR, retention, views)
Worst-performing video (CTR, retention, views)
Average view duration (all videos)
Average CTR (all videos)
Revenue (if applicable)

Content Audit:

Did thumbnails follow template? (Y/N)
Did hooks land within 30 sec? (Y/N)
Comment engagement: How many comments per 1,000 views?
- Target: 3-5% engagement rate
Any topics/games that sparked unusual engagement?

Next Week Prep:

3 long-form concepts locked (MWF publish dates)
3 Shorts pre-filmed (TThrS publish dates)
1 new opponent/rival lined up
Confessional interludes filmed (if needed)

Decision Log (note decisions for future reference):

What worked? ___________
What didn’t work? ________
What to test next? ________

🎯 DECISION MATRIX: Content Approval

Use this to decide IF a video idea is worth producing

Criterion	Weight	Score (1-5)	Notes
Genuine Stakes (will lose be real?)	25%	___	Underdog > Guaranteed Win
Narrative Arc (ki-sho-ten-ketsu shape?)	20%	___	Has setup, twist, resolution?
Uniqueness (different from last 5 videos?)	20%	___	Is this angle novel?
Engagement Potential (comments/shares?)	20%	___	Will people react/discuss?
Series Continuity (connects to larger arc?)	15%	___	Does it advance Road to X?
	TOTAL	___ / 100	Threshold: 60+ = Approve

Example Application:

Video: “I Lost to a 900 Rated Player (Here’s Why)”
- Genuine Stakes: 5 (real loss to lower-rated opponent)
- Narrative Arc: 4 (setback leading to analysis)
- Uniqueness: 3 (loss videos are common)
- Engagement: 5 (people LOVE underdog failures)
- Series Continuity: 3 (tangent from Road to 1500)
- TOTAL: 80/100 → APPROVE

📅 MONTHLY GOVERNANCE: Strategic Review

First Sunday of Month (60 min)

KPI Review (measure vs. targets):

[ ] Subscribers: Target __ Actual __ Variance __
[ ] Monthly views: Target __ Actual __ Variance __
[ ] Avg CTR: Target 5-8% Actual ___ Pass? ☐
[ ] Avg retention @ 30s: Target 50%+ Actual ___% Pass? ☐
[ ] Revenue (if applicable): Target $__ Actual $__ Variance __

Content Themes Performed Best:

________ (Views: __, CTR: __, Retention: __)
________ (Views: __, CTR: __, Retention: __)
________ (Views: __, CTR: __, Retention: __)

What to Double Down On:

Theme/format to repeat: ________
Next 3 videos will feature: ________

What to Abandon:

Format/theme that underperformed: ____
Last video with this format: _____ (date)

Community Feedback Summary:

Most common comment type: ________
Requested content: __________
Complaints/suggestions: _________

Next Month’s Focus:

Primary goal: ___________
Secondary goal: _____________
Content theme: __________

🏆 QUARTERLY NARRATIVE ARC PLANNING

Use this template every quarter to map your story

Q1 Example: “Climb from Chaos”

Ep 1-3: Introducing the current struggle (Ki)
Ep 4-7: Training montages, first rival appears (Shō)
Ep 8-10: Critical loss/breakthrough moment (Ten)
Ep 11-12: Rating milestone hit, new goal set (Ketsu)

Your Template:

Season Title: ____________
Arc Thesis: ____________
Starting Rating/Status: __
**Ending Rating/Status**: __

Eps	Phase	Key Events	Narrative Function
1-3	Ki	____	Establish stakes
4-7	Shō	____	Build investment
8-10	Ten	____	Twist/complication
11-12	Ketsu	____	Resolution + setup next arc

👥 ROLE DEFINITIONS (Scale as You Grow)

Current: Solo Creator

Your Role: Filmmaker, Strategist, Talent
Weekly Hours: 20-25 hrs (upload 6 pieces/week)

At 500 Subscribers: Invite Support

Consider adding: Community Manager (Discord moderation, comment replies - 3-5 hrs/week)
Or: Editor (video assembly - 5-10 hrs/week, part-time)

At 2,000 Subscribers: Formalize Team

Community Manager: Engagement + Discord (5-10 hrs/week, paid)
Editor: Video production (10-15 hrs/week, paid or revenue-share)
You: Content strategy + talent (15-20 hrs/week)

🚨 RED FLAGS: When to Pivot

STOP & Reassess if:

CTR drops below 3% for 2+ weeks (thumbnails broken)
Average retention <40% at 30-second mark for 2+ videos (hooks failing)
No subscriber growth for 4+ weeks despite consistent uploads
Comments become toxic or engagement drops >50% month-over-month
You burn out (unsustainable production pace detected)

Pivot Actions:

Take 1-week break to audit (don’t publish)
Re-test with 5 videos using new thumbnails/titles/hooks
Ask community: “What should I do next?” (Discord poll)
Consider format change (more Shorts? Live streams? Tutorial series?)

📱 ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS: Consider Adding

Who: Find 1-2 other small chess creators (100-1,000 subs range)
Frequency: Bi-weekly 15-min call
Purpose:

Share wins & setbacks
Brainstorm thumbnail/title ideas
Discuss collaboration opportunities
Hold each other accountable to monthly goals

📊 KPI TRACKING SPREADSHEET TEMPLATE

Create a Google Sheet with these columns:

Date	Subs	Views (Day)	Avg CTR	Avg Retention@30s	Top Video	Ad Revenue	Comments
12/1	33	0	N/A	N/A	N/A	$0	Track
12/8	45	120	4.2%	38%	_____	$1.20	notes
12/15	62	340	5.8%	52%	_____	$4.10	here
…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…

Review this every Sunday + flag anomalies

✅ LAUNCH READINESS CHECKLIST

Before publishing your first “reoptimized” video:

Status: ☐ Ready to Launch

☐ Needs More Prep

🎬 YOUR 7-DAY SPRINT (Week 1 of Q1)

Monday

Set up Ko-fi account
Create Patreon (basic tier)
Join Chess.com Streamer Program

Tuesday

Design thumbnail template in Canva
Download 20 royalty-free music tracks (dramatic, tense, payoff)
Create title formula doc (save 5 approved patterns)

Wednesday

Audit 5 best-performing existing videos
Note what thumbnails/titles worked
Identify 3 videos to re-upload with new packaging

Thursday

Create Discord server
Design 3 YouTube Shorts from existing footage
Write SEO descriptions for all existing videos

Friday

Upload first reoptimized video (NEW thumbnail + title)
Publish 3 YouTube Shorts to TikTok/Reels
Send Discord invite to all comments + community

Saturday

Batch film 2 weeks of confessional interludes
Plan next 12 video concepts (titles locked)
Create publishing checklist (laminate or screenshot)

Sunday (Weekly Review)

Record CTR, views, retention of reoptimized video
Check: Is it better than original?
Adjust template if needed
Plan Week 2

📝 NOTES

Owner/Creator: @HokageChess
Last Reviewed: December 16, 2025
Next Review: December 23, 2025 (Weekly)
Next Strategic Review: January 5, 2026 (Monthly)

Success Mindset:

Small, consistent wins compound exponentially
Algorithm rewards consistency + quality
Community rewards authenticity + stakes
Measure what matters (CTR, retention, subs) not what’s easy (views)
Pivot early, iterate fast, never quit

Print this checklist. Check boxes as you execute. Review weekly. Iterate relentlessly.