One Year on YouTube Reflection
It’s been quite a year! Not even the one that I was expecting, but reflecting on this past year, I’d like to share my schedule, how long it takes to make one video, the support that I have had, and earnings. I feel like I’ve grown a lot over the past year, and have gained a lot of insight into the people that I surround myself with (in a good way - thank goodness).
Last July, I visited my mom and Ralph in Santa Fe and jokingly said I was going to start a YouTube channel. I did not realize how much work it was going to be, how it would change my relationships, or how much time I would dedicate to this endeavor that I mentioned so nonchalantly. And then slowly, but surely, I started to collect my cameras and tripods. At one point, I think I had 7 tripods. I got the cheap kind first, and then slowly upgraded, while still hanging on to the originals. I don’t recommend this. Just get the nicer one to begin with. In addition to a DSLR, I’ve also accumulated a GoPro and a drone. My phone doesn’t have a lot of space on it for storing footage, and it doesn’t even have a micro-SD slot, which is really unfortunate. Next time I get a phone, I’ll keep this in mind.
Fast forward one year and these videos are literally on my mind all the time. Just last night I was trying to interpret why one of my recent videos did so well because so many different factors are involved in each and every upload. In this particular instance, it was the second in a series, also a friend had shared it on Facebook, also it had to do with people of colour. I’d like to continue to do more of whatever made that particular video successful, but it’s impossible to do that if I don’t know why it was better received than the others.
I try my best not to bring it up in conversation because I know that there are other things. I imagine it’s like having a kid. I’m not interested in having an actual child, but having something “take over” most of my time, from the time I get up around six, to work on editing or research or writing a script, to the time I go to bed. I understand that conversations are a two-way street, and I do care to listen to what other people have to say, and be a part of that conversation. But at the same time, I am always extremely excited to share my next project, or my last project, what the heck analytics are doing, what the new trend is on Tik Tok, and so on.
I used to struggle with coming up with ideas for new videos. I think that was mostly because I had no idea what niche I wanted to be considered. Good thing I still don’t know. At this point, I consider most of my videos vlogs with a sprinkle of some advice from a friend.
Once I’ve come up with an idea, there’s research to be done. This includes a description that will be included under the video in the description, keywords, hashtags, and last, but not least scripting. Although I did a brief few videos that were outlines, instead of full scripts, I think scripts make me feel more comfortable. At least for now. They help me stay focused and not use as many buzzwords. I also take pride in hiding the many cuts that I make, that would be jump cuts, but are covered with b-roll instead.
Filming… I think I’m probably over-filming. What I mean by that is that the first or second take would probably have worked just fine. I don’t need twelve angles of me sitting down because 100% not going to use all of them. I may use one. Maybe. The reason that I don’t typically stick with the first or second take is because I use too many buzzwords: like, and, so, um, uh. I would rather just not use those words. Not as filler words anyway.
Editing takes up about 60% of the video production, the 15% is filming, and then the rest is research and social media marketing. This might be because I’m a perfectionist and have role models, like Casey Neistat, Peter McKinnon, Peter Lindgren, and Daniel Schiffer. They’re all extremely brilliant videographers and storytellers. I strive to be that good of a storyteller. My thoughts are kind of anywhere and everywhere all the time. I blame it on my undiagnosed ADHD. If you’ve spoken with me in real life, you understand that my sentences are very choppy, when (and if) I finish them. Perhaps continuing to practice in front of the camera will improve my social skills and speech abilities.
I’m actually not really sure what I used to do when I got up in the mornings before my YouTube days. I think I went to the gym in the morning? Now, I feel super efficient with my time. Either the night before, or the morning of, I make a list of all the things that I’d like to get done that day. When I’m done, I color-code it by what should be done before work, and what could be done on my breaks. After work, if Austin isn’t busy, I like to spend some quality time with him, playing video games or watching our shows. I split my workflow of each video up throughout the week, so I know that one day I’ll be doing research, and the next I’ll work on the script, and so on.
After I’m done editing, the draft is uploaded to YouTube and my mom, Ralph, and sister review it. I know that Ralph and my mom find it difficult to say anything “bad” about the video, but I do appreciate it when they do. Taylor (my sister) is so honest with me and I could not love her any more for it than I already do. When a video is bad, she’ll tell me. Sometimes I’ll already know it’s coming because I felt like the filming and editing was a bit off, but here’s where the most growth has happened - I upload it anyway.
With my perfectionist nature, it already takes me so long, TOO long, to go through the entire process of video creation. It still takes me a lot of time, but I’ve also added so much to the process. I didn’t used to post to Facebook and Instagram, now I’m making shorts for Tik Tok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts. I also keep a map of my adventures up-to-date, write subtitles, and blog at least 1000 words on every video for my website. It’s wild how much is involved. It’s wild what can be fit inside a single day too when you really push, which is why rest is so necessary. A day out of the week I sleep in, or take a bath, or do a face mask, or read for pleasure. I know the “grind” is really frowned upon in self-care, but a form of my self-care is letting my creativity run wild with these videos. And “run wild” is an exaggeration as my particular nature doesn’t let me do just ANYTHING. It’s got to be done just so, and in a certain order.
I recently tried to watch my first uploaded video to YouTube on this channel and it is the cringiest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that it’s me, a year ago, or if it's because I exported it using the wrong dimensions to import into YouTube. I barely smiled because I was so nervous. I use sarcasm so well, sometimes, that my friends and family don’t even realise that I’m using it. It’s a blessing and a curse.
I will say that, if anything, I’ve learned that I’m very fortunate to have friends and family support me, like I didn’t even want to support myself. They believe in me, and they haven’t said anything negative, like “you won’t make it”, “what are you even doing?”. All of those negative thoughts are coming from within. I know that someday I might receive those comments, as is bound to happen when you share anything on social media because everyone has an opinion, but I’m not also receiving it so close to home. I think that’s important as I continue on this journey. Who knows how long it’s going to last, but it’s been fun recording my life, even if it’s cringy to watch it. :)
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
