Creating Audience-First Digital Content
Course

PBS: Creating Audience-First Digital Content

Self-paced

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Full course description

Course Dates:

Ongoing

Duration:

Self Paced

Commitment:

2h30m - 3h15m

Audience:

Public Media Staff

Course Type:

Open Entry/Open Exit

Credential:

Certificate upon Completion

Course Overview

In today’s crowded digital landscape, it’s not enough to simply publish video—you need to create content that earns attention and builds community. Creating Audience-First Digital Content helps station teams develop a digital-first mindset and apply it to YouTube and vertical video strategies.

You’ll learn how to define your target audience, shape platform-specific content, write effective titles and thumbnails, and analyze performance using retention and watch time. The course includes real examples from PBS Digital Studios and stations like WHYY, Twin Cities PBS, and PBS North Carolina, plus downloadable templates, scripting tools, and packaging guides to support your next digital series.

What You'll Gain

  • A practical framework for crafting audience-first content across digital platforms
  • Tools to develop vertical and horizontal video strategies that fit your audience and brand
  • Proven techniques for writing hooks, scripting for social, and building community engagement
  • Best practices for comment moderation, data-driven iteration, and growing your digital presence

Target Audience: Public Media Staff

Course is offered by Public Broadcasting Service

Meet Your Instructors

Gabriela

Gabrielle Ewing

Director of Programming, PBS Digital Studios

Gabrielle leads programming strategy for PBS Digital Studios and supports the growth of digital series across the public media system. In this course, she shares guidance on building digital-first content and measuring what works on YouTube.

Claribel

Claribel Rivas

Senior Social Media Manager, PBS Digital Studios

Claribel brings expertise in short-form video strategy, scripting, and platform-specific best practices for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. She shares hands-on tools for ideating and producing effective vertical content.

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