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Camera Confidence for YouTube – How to Be Confident and Comfortable on Camera

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

I get it. Showing up on camera is SCARY.

Especially when you’re not feeling super perky or you are going through some other challenges.

 You would rather not film…. but

 You also have a goal of filming and uploading regularly…. right?

 You still need to show up. Because your audience is waiting.

 Here are some tips on getting your confidence UP!

Often times the hardest part about being a YouTuber is showing up on camera.

Especially when you are just starting out, it feels so weird talking to a camera. It’s intimidating to say the least!

And then the editing process can stop you when you see just how awkward it is to edit your videos. You are always finding weird poses in the editing process and that’s what you remember!

I feel your pain!

When I started out, I was very awkward but I learned some tips and tricks after 12 years of making content for YouTube.

First off, plan your clothing, especially if you are batch filming. Chose mostly solid colors so your face is highlighted.

Next, use makeup! Makeup is used throughout the film industry, even newscasters. The truth is bright lights can wash you out on camera as well as a well lit stage.

We are just using makeup to highlight our features to bring them out.  Guys, too.

Next, make sure you have a great light. If you have a great southern window with lots of sun, that is perfect.  But if not, get a ring light. It’s worth the price having a consistent light source.

Here is the ring light I use: Neewer Ring Light Kit at Amazon.

Be clear about your message. If you have passion for your subject, that will ignite your audience. Keep thinking about them and what you are sharing!

And last of all, keep practicing. Filming and editing are new skills that improve over time.

The more videos you make, the easier it will get for you, because you will have the steps laid out above you and in time you will see the camera as a doorway to reach people with your message!

In this video you will learn:

 

  • How and why to plan your clothing in advance
  • Why simple makeup strategies creates better results, just like the pros
  • Make sure the light is good: natural sunlight or ring light
  • Be clear about your message
  • Keep practicing!

Until next time…

How Your Niche Interacts with the YouTube Algorithm

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

Have you been wondering what kinds of videos you should make?

Are you trying different things to see what works?

Are you still figuring out what you want your channel to be about?

This video explains how growing your channel is done by finding your best niche.

Your YouTube niche and the YouTube algorithm work together to build your channel, especially if you are new or a small channel.

When you define your niche and your subscribers click through and watch your content, the algorithm sends more like content to your subscribers.

 These interactions help YouTube to show your content to others people that match the video watchers.

On the other hand, if your niche is not clearly defined and you are making videos with unrelated content, the algorithm gets confused because it doesn’t know what your channel is about and then it can’t really show your videos across the platform.

That’s why I recommend that you are really clear about who you are making videos for and what kind of people would love to consume your video content.

The more clear you are, the better content you will make for your viewers and subscribers. And that great content will be noted by the algorithm so it will show your videos to more people.  It’s a win/win!

 

Until next time,

Building Community on YouTube by Growing a Following on Social Media

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

Are you tired of uploading videos with very little to show for it?

Starting and growing a channel can be a long and lonely slog! 😔

But it doesn’t have to be that way… 💡

growing a following on other social media can help you boost your videos so new people can find you!

Because it’s really about growing your community of people who will follow you anywhere!

Sometimes your channel may need a little outside help. This is where using social media can really help people to get to know your channel and subscribe.

Publishing on YouTube is great but you can spread your reach further using social media.

After your video goes live is the perfect time to share. ➡️  Make sure you first like and watchyour own video. Then share it to social media.

With my upload sharing routine, I typically share my videos in my private Facebook groupsand also sometimes my Facebook personal page, depending on the content. I also share on Pinterest,  Twitter & LinkedIn.

➡️  Pay attention for the best times to go live for your general audience. Mornings tend to be better than evenings, so when you post matters.

Consider this: Sharing on social media is just spreading the word to new audiences so they can find your content. 🔅

And last of all, I feature my most recent video to my email list and my blog.

Once you get a routine going on the days when your videos go live, it gets much easier. It’s all about staying organized, focused and consistent.

You certainly do not need to post everywhere all at once. If you are new to social media, just pick one or two places to post your videos to start off.

I look forward to seeing your success!

How to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Canva

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

When it comes to YouTube, Thumbnails are key to getting your videos found as they promote your video across the YouTube platform.

If you have not watched my video on what to put on your thumbnail (and what NOT to put on your thumbnail)  then you should watch that first.  👇

Thumbnails for YouTube  – Netflix Research Algorithm Analytics

 Did you watch it? Now you are ready to dig in.

💎 Most successful YouTubers put just as much time and planning into making the thumbnail as they do the video!

In this video, I show you exactly how I make thumbnails using Canva.

I usually take screen shots from my original video and then I import them into Canva. Then I find a background that I like, and once I do that, I will take my screen shot and put it into my thumbnail.

The next step is removing the background, adding a filter and then adding a white halo around my image. (It’s all the rage on YouTube now!)

After that,  I add the text. Remember less is more.  You want everything to pop out and keep it relevant to your video.

And last of all, I created a layered image and I show you exactly what I am doing using Loom so you can follow me every step of the way.

And if you are interested in signing up for Canva – here is a link. I highly recommend getting the paid version. There are so many extras that it is totally worth it!

In this video you will learn:

 

  • How to use Canva to make Thumbnails
  • Why you don’t want to use the stock thumbnails on Canva 
  • How to upload your pictures into Canva
  • How to erase the background and edit images.
  • How to create a glow around your image
  • How to create text effects
  • How to make custom images for your thumbnails

And the great thing about Canva, it is an online program and you can save your images and create your own templates.

It’s a huge time save!

 I would love to see your thumbnails!

 Send me an email with links to your Thumbnail & video, now that you’ve seen mine. 🙂

Until next time,

Copyright Free Audio Tracks from YouTube – How to Use Them for Your Channel

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

Would you like to add a more professional presentation on your YouTube videos?

Have you admired the audio backgrounds on other people’s channels?

Did you wonder how you could get audio, too, but without worrying about getting a copyright claim?

Good news! Adding audio is easier than you think.

Did you know that there are copyright free, royalty free audio tracks that you can access and download within your YouTube Studio?

Many people, including myself, like having background music behind the talking videos.
.
To find the audios in YouTube Studio, you actually have to scroll down on the left hand menu to access the free audios.

 Once you are in the audio interface, you can see the lists of sound effects and audios. You can search for length, genre, mood and artist.

Some audios require attribution with a link required on your video, while others do not. Make sure you copy and paste the attribution in the description of your video.

You can listen to the audios before you download them. When you find ones you like, mouse over the date added  and you will see the download button. Click and it will download into your download folder.

I actually like adding an audio background track for when I’m talking a lot. It keeps things pleasant and calm, especially when talking about technical things. Have fun experimenting!

In this video you will learn:

  • Why adding a backing track helps people listen to your content longer
  • Where to find the audio files buried within YouTube Studio
  • How to search for audios using parameters for time length, mood, genre, attribution and artist
  • How to paste attribution text in your video description, if needed
  • How to download the audio files by mousing over the file date uploaded.

Audios make for a pleasing experience when listening to a complex or technical subjects.

Try some on and see how it works for your videos.

 And as always, let me know about anything you would like to know more about regarding YouTube.

Just send me an email and let me know!

I would love to hear from you!

Thumbnails for YouTube – Netflix Research Algorithm Analytics

by | May 12, 2024 | YouTube

Are you struggling to get more views and subscribers? 

It could be that your Thumbnails are not enticing enough to win the click. And if you are not using custom thumbnails at all, it will be hard to grow your channel.

Back in the day, the YouTube generated thumbnail was all you needed. Now times have changed and the Thumbnail is key to getting your videos found.

Many beginning YouTubers are so focused on making content that they neglect one of the most important pieces for getting their videos found and clicked on. It’s the Thumbnail.

The thumbnail is like a little advertisement for your video. Back in the day, custom thumbnails weren’t that important but now, it is absolutely required if you want to grow your channel.

When YouTube features your video after uploading, it shows your video thumbnail across the platform. If your thumbnail isn’t enticing, you won’t get very many new views.

Recently, Netflix did research on their Thumbnails and how people browsing Netflix chose videos. The Netflix research algorithm analytics showed which thumbnails were most likely to be clicked.

The concepts they discovered apply to YouTube as well.

It’s best to understand the theories of how to design a click worth thumbnail and once you get the concept, the design is easy using a program like Canva, Photoshop and many others.

In this video you will learn:

  • Why thumbnails are so important
  • How less is more when designing a thumbnail
  • Why smiling faces or extreme emotion win the click
  • Only three point of focus on your thumbnail
  • Use big, high contrast text
  • Make sure your thumbnails show what your video is about
  • Why you should NOT put your business or channel name on your thumbnail
  • Why you should limit your text to six words or less on your thumbnail

To be completely honest, most successful YouTubers put just as much thought and care into designing their thumbnails as they do their actual content!

It’s that important!

Do you have any questions regarding anything YouTube?

Send me an email at vocalsplendor@gmail.com and let me know!

I would love to hear from you!

See? The more you learn, the easier it gets!

 

Any questions you need an answer to?

Send me an email at vocalsplendor@gmail.com