The Creator Classroom

22/01/2024

I get excited about every single video I make, but on Friday I accidentally hit the wrong button when I was doing something in Canva. It's a feature that's been there, but it hit me in the face about how BEST to package up this feature. I'm telling you. My jaw is still on the floor with this video idea. I spent an hour planning my filming process this morning and I will film it in the morning as long as my voice is there.

12/01/2024

Have you heard about the feature in Canva that will allow you to improve your YouTube Thumbnails (and FB Thumbnails too) by upscaling your image quality. This short little Canva tutorial will share with you what you need to know about this tool in Canva. It sure helped my friend Sharon over on Snazzy Vegan Life.

Try Canva Pro for 30 days absolutely free at no cost to you by clicking here
➡️ https://partner.canva.com/doJ2yQ (affiliate)

Additional Video: How to Implement this Strategy by Using Screen Shots for Your Thumbnails: https://youtu.be/UKapLklOVxA

ALT TEXT for thumbnail: A woman with glasses and the words improve images instantly. Logo of Canva is also seen on thumbnail

05/01/2024

If you don't have a budget for your YouTube channel for whatever reason, you can use Canva for free. However, you might find it difficult to find images and b roll that are free. This video will share with you how to find images directly inside of Canva that are free for use AND a little tip on where to find B roll too which is outside of Canva, but you can use it within Canva to make some edits.

If you discover this is too much of a hastle and want to give Canva Pro a try, then use my affiliate link to give it a whirl ➡️ https://partner.canva.com/doJ2yQ

ALT TEXT FOR THUMBNAIL: A woman with glasses and the words no budget no problem with the logos for YouTube & Canva. PS I realize I spelled budget wrong. Ooops.

03/01/2024

My husband bought me the sweetest gift. My birthday is coming up towards the end of the month. I knew a present was coming and I knew it had arrived, but I didn't open it. I woke up this morning and it was set up. The UNC desk pad. I had one for time zones on my desk. I got it bc it was inexpensive last year. But apparently my husband thought I'd love this one more. I do. What a great way to wake up. My desk set up for recording. Although I won't be filming today.

16/12/2023

If you joined my last two lives, this will make you laugh. If not, you're missing out.

Alt text. Stack of cartoon pancakes with crossed eyes and enlarges eye brows.

15/12/2023

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. I'm going live over on YT again! (2 times in one month is not typical for me much less two Fridays in a row). However last Friday there was a feature someone asked if I had. I did, but wasn't sure if I could share it yet. I heard through the grapevine I could share so I decided to hop on another live today to share that feature plus a few mores. It's the last chance of 2023 you'll have to ask your questions during one of my live streams because there won't be any more until 2024.

Let's explore Canva's new features together. Let's talk creator accountability for 2024. If you were here last week, you'll know I took a sneak peak myself ...

12/12/2023

If you have been at this a while and think you are stagnant, one of two things are true. You ARE stagnant. Or you're actually growing. I had the opportunity to look at my oldest content yesterday [I was proving a point to another creator. I knew my oldest thumbs and videos were not up to my standards now, but I needed her to see that we all start somewhere. I leave those videos up because it's a good reminder that in order to grow we just have to give ourselves water, sun, and soil.

Plant is our channel.

Soil is equal to our channels community. We thrive where we are planted. We need good soil to thrive. Your soil is the people you've connected that create content that help you be a better version of yourself. Your soil is the community that watches and engages with your content. They are the reason your roots are grounded. It's where your ideas come from. Your soil can also be your family, friends, or anything that makes you better.

Water is the blood, sweat and tears you put into the channel. You don't want to allow your plant to be in a drought, but you don't want to over water it either. You need a healthy system in place. Press record. Edit videos. Titles. Descriptions. The active work it takes to make a video. The work AFTER ideation.

Sun is that bit of pride you take in seeing the microchanges that lead to big growth. It's also the research and the ability to see the bigger picture. Shining a light on myself allows you to see the good and the room for improvement.

You've got this. Make sure your soil is healthy. Water your plant. Keep your plant well lit. Your channel will flourish when you focus on the soil, water and sun. 😉

10/12/2023

What is your current video project? I'm working on editing a room renovation project. Tomorrow I'll be filming another Canva tutorial for January. If I have time, I'll edit for at least one video to be shared here.

09/12/2023

What is everyone doing this weekend to move their journey forward?

08/12/2023

I'm going live over on YouTube in less than 10 minutes:

Let's explore Canva's new features together. Get an insider's look at my Canva tutorial strategy and stay tuned for an exciting surprise announcement. Have a...

07/12/2023

Thanks StreamYard. I love it.

03/12/2023

Take inspiration for YouTube wherever you go. I went to see the largest collection of Bob Ross' painting on Tuesday with my family. I saw this tidbit about Bob. He would film 13 episodes in just over 2 days.

30/11/2023

I'm taking a family member to get her first radiation & chemo therapy treatment in a little bit. Life is short. When you can help people, help people. Don't wait until they ask. Just do it.

My family member called upset because she got the news you never want to hear. I immediately said when is your next appointment. She told me and I said okay I'll pick you up 30 minutes before. I took her for her second one. She went alone two days ago for a bit more information, but today is her first treatment. I'll be picking her up. She knows I won't be able to drive her every day, but the least I can do is drive her when I'm capable.

That means that I may have to slow down on posting here, but my family comes first.

When you have to choose between doing what you're passionate about and a family member (or friend) - choose family. You can't get time back once they're gone.

27/11/2023

Started the planning process today for Canva tutorials in January 2024.

21/11/2023

I'm taking a few days off from social media. I need a rest couple of days prior to Thanksgiving. It's been a busy few days, and I am exhausted.

17/11/2023

The almost final push for December Canva tutorials happens today. I put on my Canva swag socks to have extra luck while editing. The goal is to get it mostly done in an hour.

Creator Tip of the Day. Time block your editing. If you know you have 60 minutes to get things done, you'll get more done than if you just edit without a time limit.

As you're editing your video think about B roll you would want and find it in Canva add then to a page. You may end up with a lot more than you need, but they are in order. You can bulk download individual videos. If you have an editor that allows you to add markers at tge B roll point it allows you to add those videos quickly.

16/11/2023

Join me tomorrow over on YouTube as I share a video filmed on Tuesday. Click the link and see what time it is in your time zone. But I'll be live in chat for the entire hour. I make over 7 YouTube thumbnails from a cooking channel to showcase a few techniques on how to make thumbnails with only images even if you forgot to take pictures!

I offered Snazzy Vegan Life an hour of my time to revamp her YouTube Thumbnails. We want to share with you how you can quickly update your thumbnails using ...

15/11/2023

Creator Tip of the Day. Take care of your body. Last week, I had an xray of my abdominal area to check on things. Today I'll have a follow up to confirm things are good and hopefully get released from needing further tests annually. Although I will know who I'd see if I have problems in the future. There is a chance something will be discovered, but I'll cross that bridge should it happen. I'll know by 9am.

14/11/2023

I just finished my second round of edits for this video. I had to film it twice because of an issue I kept having with the first video so my second edit has some repeats that I still need to cut out, but it's for a video coming out in December that shares how to create this effect in Canva!

13/11/2023

Creator Tip of the Day. Always have a plan B. I wanted to film on Friday. I was exhausted so I mostly rested with the goal to film today. Last week I filmed 4 out of 6 videos for December. I had it mostly edited, but needed the overlay layers. My goal was to film the other 2 today because Mondays are my best day. HOWEVER. I woke up not feeling well. I felt well enough to edit, but not well enough to be on camera.

My Plan B? I edited finalized the edits for 3 videos from 7 to 8:30 (with a shower during that time frame too).

I will schedule all 3 of those videos for December so they are completely done. I will make sure my filming prep is ready because I have to film tomorrow no matter what since I have medical appointments on Wednesday & Thursday and a live on Friday.

My Plan B would be to wait for those 2 videos until next week, but I'd rather get them done sooner rather than later since there is a lot happening that week too.

11/11/2023

Creator Tip. Take color inspiration from pictures. Comment something you know screams AUTUMN to you. For me it's Pumpkin and Leaves.

11/11/2023

Get a brainstorm buddy. Love mine. She's fabulous. We had a great brainstorm session yesterday. Came out with two or three solid video ideas one of which will include a special recorded live stream on YouTube. What do you think it could be? Hint. It involves thumbnails.

10/11/2023

I've received 100 reactions to my posts in the past 30 days. Thanks for your support. 🙏🤗🎉

09/11/2023

Creator Tip of the Day. What is the quickest way to learn how to use Canva? The truth is there is no shortcut. Spending time in Canva working on one skill at a time is how I learned.

Today I challenge you to open up a blank design. Play around with colors. Type R for a shape to come up. Ans change the color. Add a gradient. Do something. Duplicate it and keep playing. If you need a gradient color tutorial, let me know in the comments.

08/11/2023

Canva Tip for colors plus a color palette for you and how I put together this specific 🎨

07/11/2023

Canva tip of the day. Search this keyword to find some awesome corner graphics. Go to the elements tab on the left hand side and copy this into the search bar... set:nAFkKEzCfbM

06/11/2023

Creator Tip of the Day. Use the App called Shades to find color hue variations. Find it by going to apps on left side of design within Canva. Search for Shades. Pick primary color and it will find the perfect Shades to match. Add to design then use the document colors for the graphic you're creating. Have fun.

05/11/2023

Creator Tip of the Day. Come up with thumbnail and Title before you film. Create a design within Canva with both items, the date you want to publish and what your next steps are.

I know this video needs to be filmed. I may need to have a video call with a creator friend I call Crackles to record footage, but I'll determine that after filming and base edit. And I know this video will be for December 1st.

What's not on this design is I am thinking this will be a 12 minute video because I have 5 to 10 tips to give, but it will depend on the nuggets I give while filming and how in depth I decide to go on each one. My script bullet points is complete. I do not want more than 30 minutes of footage to cut.

I plan to film this on Monday morning. What questions do you have about this topic?