I started a YouTube channel!
After several months of thinking, planning, and panicking – I posted my first video!
Setting up the channel was easier than I thought.
I created a channel header on Canva. I use Canva to make a lot of promotional graphics for my books. Since I’m no graphic designer (though I know an amazing one, if you ever need one!), some of the things that I’ve created have never seen the light of day (and a few that I have posted maybe should have stayed in the deep dark “never use” folder). But they provide an option for YouTube Channel Art that makes it easy to create the perfect size image.
After I uploaded my channel art and a picture of my face, it was time to film the video.
I have an inexpensive microphone and ring light that also holds my phone. I set them up in a corner of the basement so they would be out of the way, and I could leave them up all the time. I want to make it as easy as possible to record videos.
I had an outline of what I wanted to say (as a writer, I love a good outline). But for my 3 minute and 43 second video, I probably have at least 30 minutes of footage. I would forget what I was saying mid-sentence or my chair would make a funny sound (it was the chair, I promise!).
So editing turned out to be the hard part as I sorted through trying to find where I actually said what I wanted to say.
I used iMovie to edit because it’s already on my computer and pretty easy to figure out. I think it has a lot more features than I used, but I’m learning.
I also made my thumbnail using Canva. I pulled a screenshot from the video, added some text, and voila!
I think the whole process will become a little easier and faster over time. For me, just getting the first video out there was a huge success.
I’m excited to make more videos! Please subscribe to my channel if you want to be notified when I post a new video!
Do you have a YouTube channel, or are you thinking about starting one? Please share in the comments below!