02/02/2022
🎯 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀
If you’re new to creating video content for any purpose - business, artistic, or educational - then this should help.
It’s always a bit daunting to step into what seems to be very deep waters.
That’s how I felt about 4-5 years ago when I decided to start creating videos.
Even back then, the bar seemed pretty high, based on what was already being published.
Today, when 17-year-olds regularly publish cinematic quality videos from their bedroom, it’s easy to feel intimidated.
But that doesn’t have to stop you.
And it didn’t stop me when I got started.
What did slow me down, perhaps, was a general lack of understanding of a few key principles that can make a big difference.
Over time, I’ve pieced together these principles, from experience, and from education.
And that’s what I want to share with you today in this article.
That way you benefit from my experience and shorten your learning curve.
Here’s an analogy that might help:
✈️ When pilots are about to take off, they run a pre-takeoff checklist.
There’s another checklist they run through shortly after takeoff, and again as they continue to climb.
These checklists make the complex and seemingly daunting task of flying an airplane much easier!
So, you can think of this list as a kind of pre-takeoff checklist for your video content journey.
I do sincerely hope that these recommendations help!
Feel free to comment below and let me know if you have any questions.
In the meantime, let’s dive in!
⭐️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲
You won’t necessarily come out and say it directly on each and every video you make.
However, it’s VERY important to have your core vision, values, and message clear.
These answer questions such as:
What do you stand for?
What message do you want to share with your audience?
Why should they listen to you?
How will this improve the human condition?
Or the state of the world?
Note that your values and vision are generally agnostic towards the vehicle you use to share the message.
It could be artistic.
It could be educational.
It could be for business.
Or a combination of these.
Regardless of the method of delivery, it’s ultimately the message that matters.
For example, in my case, I’m very clear now on my core vision and message:
My top values in life are Truth, Care, Courage, and Freedom.
I envision us living in a world of physically manifested freedom.
A world in which we are all physically and mentally free from any and all kinds of enslavement, vis-a-vis systematic violence and coercion.
My content focuses on sharing deeply occulted knowledge and principles about the hidden spiritual laws of the Universe.
The application of which unlocks such physical freedom.
As well as the deep inner work that we must each do to overcome our past traumas and limitations.
This core philosophy pervades all of my work and endeavors - both in business and in my personal life.
As such, it’s very easy for me to create an endless amount of video content that represents these values.
Interestingly, I create content of a wide variety.
Some of my content is comedic or based on satire.
Some of it is more educational and sharing ideas directly.
Other videos are pure business.
And so forth…
I encourage you to get crystal clear on what you stand for.
It’s probably worth writing it out to yourself as a kind of personal mission statement.
See if you could explain it to a 5-year-old.
The simpler and more concise - the better.
And don’t worry about “getting it right” the first time.
Your mission statement and vision can evolve over time as you do.
As you start to “own your vision,” it will guide and direct your message and delivery through each of your videos.
Eventually, you will reach a point where you’ll never run out of ideas.
I’ll speak more about that in a bit.
⭐️ 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 - 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽
In a sea of voices, it’s easy to think yours won’t be heard.
But, have you ever listened to a chorus with several hundred members?
Or the symphony orchestra playing in a live concert?
Did you know that each and every participant counts?
Start removing them - and the power and impact of the music diminish.
It’s the same with each of us, in relation to the entirety of humanity.
Your voice DOES count.
Especially when you step fully into your empowering beliefs and principles, and begin sharing them.
Did you know that most of the harm or wrongdoing that happens in the world occurs because of silence and compliance?
Imagine how different the world would be if each person spoke out - for truth, courage, and freedom - and against harm, deception, and coercion?
Whatever your core message is - it’s meant to be heard.
Even if others are speaking a similar language.
Your voice is also unique - just like you are.
We may often share values and ideas, but each of us lends them a unique style, flavor, and aesthetic that no one else can.
Over time, as you refine your craft as a video content creator, the unique flavor of your voice will emerge.
And then you can be the artist, carefully crafting and refining that flavor.
Molding your presentation into the image you’d most like to share.
You and I may share values and principles.
But the way you speak about them will be different than mine.
And when both of us are speaking - those ideas and principles gain power in the world.
So speak up - let your voice be heard!
⭐️ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗼 𝗢𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 “𝗚𝗼”
Perfectionism kills dreams.
It robs us of the will and courage to act.
It robs humanity of its rightful message and inspiration.
That’s because perfection is an illusion - it doesn’t exist.
Everything is already perfectly imperfect and evolving.
Especially when just getting started, you should let go of perfectionism.
💥 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 “𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱” 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼!
That was probably the single most important piece of advice I’ve shared in this article.
It’s probably the #1 reason video content creators never move into action.
You’re going to have to cultivate and act upon two very important faculties:
First, you’ll need to have the will to overcome any fear, anxiety, worry, or doubt that would otherwise hold you back.
Second, you’ll need to combine that will with the courage to move into physical action.
The good news is - if you can achieve this even just once, then you’ve opened the gates to success.
In terms of your actual equipment, I recommend the following to start:
👉 A mobile phone camera.
Most are full high-definition (FHD or 1080p) and of sufficiently high quality.
I personally use a Samsung Galaxy phone model A71 that I bought nearly 2 years ago.
👉 A stabilizer selfie-stick, that allows you to hold and stabilize your phone while you speak.
Many come with a mini tripod as well.
I personally use the DJI Osmo.
The point is - you probably already have most or all of the equipment you need to start, or you can obtain it in a matter of a few days.
So don’t use the “I don’t have professional equipment” excuse to delay action.
Just go for it!
⭐️ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲
As you begin creating content, you’ll notice that a portal will open.
And from this portal, you’ll start receiving more and more creative ideas on what to speak about in your videos.
Over time, the ideas will come to you faster and faster.
And so, it’s very important that you capture them in a way that you can take action on them.
The simplest approach is to maintain a written log or journal and jot down a brief description of each idea.
I personally like to write down the proposed title of each video; for me, that’s usually enough for me to work with.
In my case - being a systems engineer, and very organized - I prefer to keep a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
If an idea comes to me while out and about, I whip out my smartphone, open the spreadsheet, and add a new row with the title or idea.
But, you do you - if you prefer a hand-written approach - go for it.
The important thing is to track all of your ideas, so you can always cherry-pick the ones you feel most inspired to act on.
⭐️ 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵
When you record more than you have time to publish, a few things happen.
First, you will be improving your delivery and performance more quickly.
Second, you’ll never run out of materials to publish.
And, you’ll always be able to pick your favorites.
This means the overall quality of your public-facing work will improve as well.
If you hire or work with an editor or production crew, they will always appreciate having more than enough material to work from!
Rather than having to chase you down for more content.
Keep that queue full of raw video content!
⭐️ 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 & 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀
Your friends, family, and colleagues can be a great source of inspiration, advice, and feedback for you.
It’s very helpful to have a sounding board to try out ideas, before publishing to a larger audience.
My own mom loves to watch all of my videos - and often gives me great advice and suggestions.
In the beginning, enlist a few of your closest friends and allies to help you level up faster.
We all need some encouragement from time to time.
I offer a free critique of videos up to 10 minutes in length - feel free to reach out if you’d like me to critique one of your videos.
⭐️ 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
This is kind of related to letting go of perfectionism that I spoke about earlier.
As you develop and refine your craft, you’ll be able to raise the bar of professionalism, in terms of both the production and post-production quality of your content.
Production refers to the actual recording.
Post-production refers to editing and publishing.
Avoid the need to have everything super polished from the get-go, or to use all the latest editing tools.
That’s neither realistic nor necessary, and it’ll just keep slowing you down.
Unless you happen to start with an almost unlimited budget!
Conclusions:
I hope this has been helpful!
What I’ve just shared with you is what I learned from more than 4 years of putting myself out there.
Believe me - when I watch one of my videos from 2018 - I cringe!
But I also smile, knowing and recognizing how far I’ve come.
One day perhaps you will too.
But only if you take that first step!
