Blog

Nostalgic for the Past. Hopeful for the Future

Reflections

Growing up, my favorite place to go was the library. It was about a fifteen minute walk from my house. Where else could a ‘tween go that was safe and cheap in New York City? Though I was an avid reader, my motivation for going there was because of another reason. The Internet.

After checking out HTML for Dummies, I studied how to build websites. Pretty soon I created my first website. It was a Backstreet Boys fansite using a simple pagebuilder tool and my crude HTML on Geocities. Geocities. As my kid would say, “That’s Unc status.” I guess we both don’t know what the other is saying.

But, it wasn’t long after that, that I began my first weblog under my online pseudonym Twilight. Sadly, some vampire chick flick ruined my branding. That’s a story for another day.

Some days, I am jealous of the creator I was in my youth.

The drive I had to see my projects through could take me around the world twice. The endless nights on Photoshop making layouts were some of my happiest. Hearing my mom get out of her room to get ready for work, and I hadn’t even slept a wink because I was coding all night, was scary. Do you know how hard it is to pick back up after stopping? 

Of course, circumstances are different now. I am a mom with responsibilities. Bills need to be paid. Children need to be fed. The house doesn’t clean itself. But, I am grateful that my husband is supportive and gives me the space to be me. I am just – missing something.  

Thanks to this media blog assignment, I reflected on this and learned that that something is motivation.

What motivates me to create? Where do I draw inspiration? What is causing the burn out? How can I keep myself accountable to – well, me? 

I invested time, energy, and quite a bit of coin to create a studio at home. Now it’s time to

focus the frame back on me.

Drop a comment with some encouraging words or share your favorite ways to stay motivated when you find your drive waning.

With peace and love,

G

From Idea to Upload: 6 Tools For Planning Out Your YouTube Videos

Tips

Creating a YouTube channel can be both exciting and challenging. Many know what type of channel they want to create, but executing your ideas can be easier said than done. It can easily be overwhelming.

Whether you’re a one-person-studio or working with a team, planning is essential. With the right tools and an open mind, you can become a video-making pro (like me, but better).

Here are six pro tips to organize your workflow and optimize your videos for YouTube:

  1. Keep a To-Do List and Set Reminders

    Paper is SO 20th century! By using a FREE digital productivity app, like Trello or Asana, you can break your project into bite-sized tasks, such as scripting, shooting, or editing.

    Sync these apps with your smartphone’s calendar, like Outlook or Google Calendar, to be alerted for deadlines.

    Enjoy the dopamine hits of satisfaction as you check things off and stay on schedule no matter where you are (because let’s be honest, your phone is always with you).

  2. Break through the Block

    When scriptwriting, just say NO to Word or Google Docs. Word processors can’t help you through writer’s block. Instead, use Celtx or Final Draft (free trials available). These tools make it super easy to format your ideas into words.

    It’s a game-changer.

  3. Think Like a Director

    I pity the fool who doesn’t use a shot list. OK, not really, but recording on the fly could have you wasting time and daylight.

    Download a free shot list template to detail every shot. This minimizes chaos and keeps production smooth.

  4. Be One with the Cloud

    Cloud storage, like iCloud, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive, is perfect for storing scripts, images, and other must-have files. Share them team members and access them from any device.

    No more, “Wait, which version of the script is this?”.

  5. Tame the Algorithm

    Researching the right keywords takes time. Using TubeBuddy or VidIQ, for high-ranking keywords and  optimizing video titles, tags, and descriptions.

    If you want viewers to find your videos, you have to take advantage of trends.

  6. Thumbnails Matter!

    Catch viewers’ wandering, scrolling eyes with attention-grabbing thumbnails. Use Canva’s free design templates with bold text and high-quality visuals. It’s simple to use and helps your videos stand out!

There you have it! Six ways to stay organized, plan ahead, and bring your content to the masses.

Best of luck on your channels. If you found this helpful, leave a comment below!