In one hour, we filmed 14 one‑minute videos about HVAC pricing. Within 24 hours those clips pulled 410 views on YouTube, with viewers watching more than half of each video (0:51 average watch time and 53.5% average completion). A single $6.68 YouTube boost drove 53 HVAC business owners to HVACQuote.AI — real prospects for the price of a coffee in Las Vegas. If that isn’t proof that clear, direct content works, I don’t know what is.
Most local businesses overcomplicate marketing.
They think they need high-end video production, marketing agencies with secret formulas, and big ad budgets.
They don’t.
They just need to speak directly to the right audience, clearly and authentically — and let YouTube’s algorithm do the rest.
14 Videos in 1 Hour
Marko Sipilä and I decided to prove this with HVACQuote.AI, a tool that helps HVAC companies show their prices online.
We shot 14 short videos in about an hour — no lights, no crew, no editing software. Just a simple setup:
A whiteboard with “HVAC BUSINESS OWNERS” written in big letters.
A clear, conversational tone.
Each video addressing one specific pain point HVAC companies face.
“HVAC business owners—you’re losing money by not showing your prices online.”
That’s it. Straight to the point. Within seconds, the viewer knows this is for them.
We then uploaded everything to YouTube and Facebook, hit “boost,” and let the algorithms do the work.
The Results: 50% Watch Rates and Qualified Traffic
From just one of those videos:
That means over half of people who started the video watched almost the entire thing — and these aren’t random viewers.
You’d only sit through a full minute about HVAC pricing if you actually own or run an HVAC business.
The $6 Ad That Outperformed $3 Million Startups
Next, we boosted the same video using YouTube ads.
The results?
- Cost: $6.68
- Impressions: 1,842
- Views: 254
- Website visits: 53
That’s 53 qualified HVAC business owners clicking through to HVACQuote.AI — for the cost of a Starbucks coffee.
Meanwhile, startups like Eden have raised millions and still have weaker marketing results.
The difference isn’t money.
It’s message clarity.
Why It Worked
- We nailed the hook.
The first sentence called out the audience. No intros, no “Hi, I’m Dennis.” Just the problem. - We used volume and speed.
Fourteen videos in one session. Each one tested a different pain point. No perfectionism, just iteration. - We let the algorithm do the targeting.
YouTube’s paid algorithm is the same as its organic one — it quickly learns who’s watching through and finds more people like them. - We didn’t rely on agencies.
No overcomplicated funnels, no “growth hacks.” Just smart content and a few boosted posts.
Step-by-Step: How Young Adults Can Replicate This in Under an Hour
If you’re part of our AI Apprentice program (or training young adults on your team), here’s the recipe anyone can follow:
- Define the audience and pain point.
Decide who you’re speaking to (e.g., HVAC business owners) and what key problem you’re solving (e.g., they’re losing leads by hiding their prices). - Set up a simple shot.
Use your smartphone, decent lighting and a whiteboard or piece of paper. Write your target audience in big letters at the top of the board so viewers know immediately the video is for them. - Record a batch of one‑minute clips.
For each video, start with a clear hook that calls out the audience and states the problem. Deliver value right away; avoid long intros or rambling. You can easily record 10–20 clips in one hour. - Upload and title them properly.
Post each video to YouTube and your Facebook Page. Use titles and descriptions that repeat the hook and include a clear call‑to‑action linking to your landing page (in this case, HVACQuote.AI). - Boost with small budgets.
Use YouTube and Facebook’s promotion tools to boost each video with a modest daily budget (as little as $5). Choose an objective like “website visits” or “video views” and let the algorithms find similar viewers who watch through. - Watch the analytics and iterate.
Check metrics like view duration, watch percentage and link clicks. Use these insights to refine your hooks and topics in future videos. The Content Factory is all about learning quickly and iterating.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations.
He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications.
Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries.
Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.