The video above shows what I’ve been up to when it was my 5th year anniversary on YouTube. I want to make my 6th year one but I have a lot of good projects this year that I’ve decided to hold it off for now once a lot of them are completed.
But yes, it’s been 6 years since I’ve been making videos on YouTube. I started off with really bad/second hand gear such as some cheep and worn-off Logitech headphones with a mic with a dying 2009 HP laptop, I soon evolved to better gear such as an iPad, then soon my trusty DSLR with my Rode Video Mic and editing on my 2015 MacBook Pro.
From editing with Windows Movie Maker to the iMovie app on the iPad to now practising with Davinci Resolve, from making really bad Minecraft videos to doing Club Penguin Livestreams, from doing this as a hobby to using my skills for SBS…
It’s pretty clear how far I’ve come doing this.
I’ve grown as a content creator and I know there are people who still question my interests, but they soon come to slowly understand that I’m enjoying what I love doing.
What Have I learned?
Over the years as an editor, a YouTuber, a video journalist, etc, people ask me how I’m able to do this. How long does it take to make a video? Is my success based off luck? And here are my answers to all those asked questons.
1. Interest/Purpose changes overtime
One of the things that people say when it come making content on the internet is “Find a good reason why you’re doing this… and ENJOY IT!”. Despite it being a good piece of advice, there is nothing wrong from steering away from what drove you to doing videos and experimenting with other interest.
When I first started YouTube, I wanted to be a gaming YouTuber. That soon derailed to becoming a vlogger in 2014 and now, a video journalist.
There is nothing wrong from finding new interest and genres to experiment and create. Just make sure your audience is cool with it.
Speaking of audience…
2. People will like different things
One of the things I get criticised is my viewer count – why some videos doesn’t get a lot of views.
The thing about my YouTube channel is that it’s not one genre, but multiple. It means that I don’t only just do vlogs in it, I also do other things like covers, gaming, fan edits, news stories, etc.
Why? Because when I first started YouTube, people liked more of the vlogs and covers than my gaming videos, then I became a fan account for Dan and Phil… you can see where this is going.
If my channel hosts multiple genres, of course there will be some huge divide in regards to which videos get the views. But I don’t mind because I love what I create.
But for channels who host only one genre, who are like 100% gaming or 100% vlogging… people will like certain types of your videos. Some might stay for the lets plays while some will like your collabs. Some will like your storytimes, while some will like your challenges. You can’t please everyone so just relax and enjoy what you create.
3. Network with people
Networking is key.
Make good connections with people. Collaborate. Chat and share editing tips! That’s a good way to share your content and exchange experiences with others.
It’s good to learn from each other. Best suggestions is to join Facebook Groups, Discord servers, forum threads. Lots of people out there who are willing to help you out.
4. Experiment and be unique
Time to change it up a notch!
Try to find new formulas/editing styles/topics to cover in your channel. Try steering away from the mainstream and play games that not many people know!
This is the reason why I don’t play Fortnite, because EVERYONE IS DOING IT!!! I rather do something that not many people have covered than do something that a majority is.
But in saying that, if you plan to do something that’s currently on trend, find a way to make it your own. An example is the #YouTubeIsOverParty drama in 2016. While everyone is just ranting on the internet about it, I’ve decided to do a little skit… which was probably not my proudest moment but it was fun.
5. Take time to workshop an idea
Let’s say you have this huge project in mind. It’s very different to what you usually create and it will take some time to make it happen. The best way to make it as good as possible it workshop it. Whether that is in your head or storyboards or just talking about it with some friends, it’s best to plan it out. That way, you get to achieve the goal as best and accurate as possible.
An example – the “Casual Nerds Podcast”
Matt and I had to plan out how this will be achieved. And trust me, there were a few disagreements on certain things, STARTING WITH THE NAME OF THE PODCAST!!!
We already knew what it was about, a podcast to talk about our interest, but a name to call ourselves, the topics, the scheduling, EVEN THE THEME of the podcast… it’s something we had to talk about over and over! If you listen to our first episode and compare it to what we’ve done now, you can see how much has improved due to constant planning and workshopping ideas.
6. Have Fun!!!
This is the part where people tend to forget. Have fun! If you think what you’re doing is now a chore, then there is something wrong.
Every content that I create, I make sure that I’m enjoying myself. If I’m not, then I needed to find out why that’s so. When in doubt, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I overworking myself on a video that’s not showing the results I wanted?
- Am I getting sick of the genre/topic that’s being discussed?
- Am I not feeling proud on what I’m creating/trying to create?
- Am I creating the same mistakes in this project?
If you say yes to any of these, then you need to stop, take a break, and try to find new ways to make yourself not feel like rubbish or overworked.
The hardest part of being a YouTuber or a video content creator is the editing. Filming and planning is easy, it’s the editing that puts it all together.
Also, learn from your mistakes/past videos. How can they be improved if given the chance to start over. Take note of it and see if you can apply it to your newer content that you’ll be creating.
Final words
The past 6 years of making videos on and outside of YouTube has been quite a rollercoaster ride. So much has changed overtime that I’ve begin to grow and improve on my skills. I’m so happy that I’ve been given the chance to do this as a possible career and that I’m able to keep doing what I love till this day.
You are your own content creator, not an imitation of someone else. Whether you have 1 million subscribers or just 10, do it because you’re passionate about making videos.
Never give up, and just keep enjoying what you do. Because who knows, it may take you to paths you’ve never thought you’ll take.
Leave a Reply