Having filmed and edited Youtube videos for the past 5 years, I’ve definitely learned a lot of lessons along the way – especially ones that may not be the most obvious or ranked high in the searches. 

What do I mean by that?

While most Youtube searches include things like, “how to start a Youtube channel” or “how to film your own videos,” you won’t usually find content about the things that you mentally go through when you’re actually creating videos for yourself.

When you’re a department of 1, filming your own videos, editing them yourself, working on your channel, or promoting your videos. So here are my Youtube lessons…

 

Rather watch that read? Head on over to my Youtube channel where I get personal. 

1. There is no such thing as a perfect video

When I talk with clients in discovery calls or with students in my video accelerator program, I can’t tell you how many times the notion of perfection comes up. It’s this idea that you only want to create a perfect video for your channel. Over the years though, you learn the truth – that as you continue to show up on camera and post videos, and honing in on your skills… 

…there is no such thing as a perfect video. 

Yes, you can definitely have fantastic videos that you’re really proud of – I have several of those. The key to really mastering them, though? Learning to let go of the cycle of perfection. 

Because there will always be something that you could have done better or filmed differently.

But when you embrace the imperfections that you might see, you actually make your video more human – we are all people that make mistakes and don’t always get everything right on the first try, and it’s okay to show these things on camera. Don’t be afraid to show the real person behind that camera.

And if all else fails, follow my favorite saying…“Don’t hate it? Post it.”

I’ve shared this with my clients in coaching sessions before, but many years ago when I was editing my Youtube videos, I came up with this mentality that if I didn’t hate it, I was going to post it.

This became such a game changer for me to really let go of the sense of perfection. Any time I have finished an edit and looked at the final video, I would ask myself, “Do I hate the video?” If the answer was, “No, I don’t hate the video,” then the video went up!

And because I look at my videos this way, there have only been three or four videos in the past 5 years that I have not posted because I truly did not like them.

2. Show your personality!

I am naturally an introvert, so you bet it took me a while to become comfortable on camera. As I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve been editing my own videos ever since I started my Youtube channel. And, it’s a weird experience when you film yourself and then have to edit yourself.

You start to notice the way you explain things and the way that you talk. For example, I had to get used to my own voice and the way I talk with my hands. But, as soon as I embraced my own quirks, I became a lot more comfortable on camera.

As a result, my videos started to do a lot better because my audience was able to really see my personality shine through and who I was behind the camera (although I probably don’t talk as quickly in real life as I do on camera 😂). 

3. There are a lot of highs and lows

When you’re filming your videos, there will be times that you’re beyond excited to go on camera and film. But there will also be times when you do not want to show your face at all and you don’t know what to say, and you don’t think anyone will be interested. And on yet another day, you’ll get a surge of inspiration and want to film #allthevideos for your channel.

So, my coping mechanism? Just embrace that all of this is normal.

Anytime I’m in a funk about creating videos or just showing up on camera, I try to disconnect so that I can recharge my batteries and really get inspired by other things in the world. Then I get to come back and enjoy creating videos again.

It sounds counterintuitive, but it works! Giving myself that space helps me come back and not feel pressured by trends or what other people are doing. 

Most importantly, remember… 

There will always be a video that you’re really proud of, that’s just not going to do as well with your audience as you thought it would. And that’s okay.

Embrace the highs and lows of this creative process. We all go through it. We all think that one video is going to be amazing and then…crickets. And then another video, that you didn’t put a lot of effort into, gets a ton of views! Sometimes an audience is unpredictable like that!

I hope this gives you a little inspiration the next time you feel in a funk about creating videos for your own channel. Be sure to save this for a rainy day when you need a gentle reminder that all your feelings are normal! 🤗

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