My Easy YouTube Creation Process
As a content creator, I've always been passionate about sharing my knowledge and insights with my audience. For the past few years, I've been producing a multi-platform show, with content available on YouTube, my blog, and as a podcast. However, as I enter a new season of life, I've made the decision to shift the focus of my content to just the podcast format for the time being.
In this blog post, I want to take you behind the scenes and share the process I've used to create my YouTube videos. I'll also explain why I'm making this change and what it means for my content going forward. My goal is to provide you with a glimpse into the inner workings of my content creation process, as well as offer some tips and insights that you might find helpful if you're considering a similar approach.
Listen on the Podcast
Watch on YouTube
Keeping It Simple: My Approach to Video Production
When it comes to creating my YouTube videos, I've always been mindful of keeping the process as simple and streamlined as possible. As a busy entrepreneur, I don't have the luxury of spending hours upon hours on video production. Instead, I've developed a workflow that allows me to create high-quality content without getting bogged down in the technical details.
One of the key ways I've kept things simple is by not trying to over-optimize my videos for search engine optimization (SEO) from the very beginning. As a self-proclaimed "strategist brain," it would be easy for me to get caught up in the minutiae of keyword research, video titles, and metadata. However, I've found that this approach can often hold creators back from even starting in the first place.
Instead, I've focused on creating content that is genuinely helpful and engaging for my audience. I don't worry too much about the technical aspects of SEO until after the video is recorded and ready to be published. This allows me to be more present and authentic in my delivery, without getting distracted by the need to "optimize" everything.
My Video Production Workflow
So, what does my video production workflow actually look like? Let me take you through the step-by-step process:
The Setup
Filming Equipment: I keep my setup relatively simple, using a Blue Yeti microphone and natural lighting from the corner of my office. I've found that having a dedicated filming space, even if it's just a corner of a room, helps me get into the right mindset for recording.
Slide Preparation: I use Canva to create my slides, which I then share on my screen during the recording process. This allows me to have a visual aid without the need for complex video editing.
Wardrobe Changes: To create the illusion of filming multiple videos in different outfits, I keep a selection of tops nearby that I can quickly change into between recordings.
The Recording Process
Recording Software: I use Tella, a video recording and editing app, to capture my footage. Tella allows me to easily adjust the layout and format of the video, as well as make basic edits like removing filler words or silences.
Batch Recording: Instead of recording each video individually, I try to batch-record multiple episodes at once. This helps me maintain momentum and efficiency, as I can get into a rhythm and avoid having to set up and tear down my equipment multiple times.
Editing and Polishing: After recording, I use Tella's built-in editing tools to trim and refine the footage. I also take advantage of the app's ability to change the layout and format of the video, allowing me to experiment with different styles and presentations.
Post-Production and Distribution
Video Uploads: Once the video is edited and polished, I upload it to both YouTube and Hello Audio (a podcast hosting platform).
Transcription and Blog Posts: To maximize the reach and value of my content, I use an AI-powered transcription service to convert the video's audio into a written transcript. I then use this transcript as the foundation for a blog post, which I publish on my website.
Promotion and Repurposing: Finally, I share the video, podcast episode, and blog post across my various social media channels, as well as in my email newsletter. This helps me reach my audience through multiple touchpoints and ensures that my content is easily accessible.
By following this streamlined workflow, I've been able to consistently produce high-quality content without getting bogged down in the technical details. Of course, there's always room for improvement, and I'm constantly evaluating and refining my process. But for now, this approach has allowed me to maintain a regular content schedule while still leaving room for other important aspects of my business and personal life.
Why I'm Shifting to Podcasting (For Now)
As great as this set up as been, I've made the decision to shift the focus of my content to just the podcast format for the time being. This is not a decision I've made lightly, as I've truly enjoyed the process of creating my multi-platform show. However, as I enter a new season of life, I've recognized the need to simplify and streamline my content creation efforts.
One of the primary reasons for this shift is that I'm facing some significant changes in my personal life. Without getting too personal, I can say that there are some big things on the horizon, and I need to clear the decks and simplify things a bit. As much as I've loved creating content for my YouTube channel, podcast, and blog, this is one area that I can let go of for now, at least in its current form.
By transitioning to a podcast-only format, I'll be able to focus my energy and attention on producing high-quality audio content without the added burden of video production and blog post writing. This will not only help me manage my workload during this transitional period, but it will also allow me to continue providing value to my audience in a more sustainable way.
It's important to note that this is not a permanent change. I fully intend to return to a multi-platform format in the future, when I have the capacity to do so. My commitment to accessibility and providing content in multiple formats is a core part of my values, and I don't want to abandon that completely.
In the meantime, I'll be focusing my efforts on the Life-First Business Podcast. This will allow me to continue sharing my insights and expertise with my audience, while also giving me the flexibility to adapt to the changes in my personal life.
While I'll miss the visual element of my YouTube videos, I'm excited about the opportunities that the podcast format presents. I believe that this shift will allow me to continue providing valuable content to my audience while also giving me the flexibility to navigate the changes in my personal life.
Resources and Tools I Use
As I've mentioned throughout this post, I rely on a variety of tools and resources to support my content creation process. Here are a few of the key ones that I'd like to highlight:
Filming and Editing
Tella - The video recording and editing app I use to capture and refine my footage.
Blue Yeti Microphone - My go-to microphone for high-quality audio recording.
Canva - The design platform I use to create my slide decks and other visual assets.
Transcription and Blog Post Creation
AI Transcription Service - The tool I use to convert my video and podcast audio into written transcripts, which I then use as the foundation for my blog posts.
Podcast Hosting and Distribution
Hello Audio - The podcast hosting platform I use to distribute my audio content.
I hope this behind-the-scenes look at my content creation process has been helpful and insightful. Remember, the key is to find a workflow that works for you and your unique circumstances. Don't be afraid to experiment and iterate until you find the right balance.
