Social Media and Freelancing

How to Be a Successful Video Producer in 10 Steps and Monetize Your Content

A step-by-step guide to absolute beginners based on experience

Introduction

Film-making, video production, and media affairs are my passions. I perform these activities to make my living and also as a hobby and community work.

I recently posted an article about creating podcasts. Some subscribers inspired me to write an article about video creation and promotion.

In this post, my goal is to give you valuable tips based on my experience so that you can start producing your own videos, promote them, and earn money from your content. I believe you can be a great YouTuber.

To achieve your goals, first, you need to understand and follow these steps. If you miss a step, you might face problems in your progress.

However, if some of the details might not apply to you, you might skip them. This post is for guidance only. I keep each step as short as possible, only focusing on the critical items.

1 — Define the purpose of your videos.

If you have a passion for creating videos, the first step is to define their purpose of them. This step is critical for your success.

Defining the purpose of your videos can help you determine your target audience, the type of content you should create, and the message you want to convey.

By considering the following factors, you can define the purpose of your videos and create content that resonates with your audience and can help you achieve your goals.

Here are a few steps you can take to define the purpose of your videos:

1 — Pick your target audience first.

Who do you want to reach with your videos? Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and any other relevant demographics.

2 — Determine the message you want to convey.

What kind of message do you want to convey in your videos?

What do you want your viewers to understand, learn, feel, or do after watching them?

3 — Choose a format that fits your purpose.

Will your videos be educational, entertaining, or persuasive?

Will they be long or short?

Will you use narration, interviews, or a combination of techniques?

4 — Set specific goals for your videos

Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or generate leads?

Do you want to educate your audience, entertain them, or persuade them to take action?

If you are interested in creating short films within budged, you might check the attached article.

2 — Identify your audience.

I offer a few steps you can take to identify your audience for your video projects on YouTube.

By taking the following steps, you can get a better understanding of your audience on YouTube and create content that resonates with your subscribers.

1 — Consider your target market.

What kind of an audience do try to reach with your videos?

You might think about factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and any other relevant demographics.

2 — Analyze your channel data.

Look at your YouTube Analytics to see who is watching your videos and interacting with your channel. This can give you insights into your audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviors.

3 — Use YouTube’s Audience Insights tool.

This tool lets you see detailed information about your audience, including demographics, interests, and behaviors. You can use it to learn more about your viewers and tailor your content to better meet their needs.

4 — Engage with your audience.

Talk to your viewers and ask for their feedback. This can help you understand their interests and what they want to see from your channel. You can also ask them to complete surveys or questionnaires to gather more information about them.

3 — Develop your knowledge and skills for video production and filmmaking.

There are many ways you can develop your knowledge and skills in video production and filmmaking.

By taking the following steps, you can develop your knowledge and skills in video production and filmmaking and become a more confident and proficient creator.

1 — Take online courses or tutorials.

I came across many online courses and tutorials available that can teach you the basics of video production and filmmaking. These can be a great way to get started and learn at your own pace.

2 — Learn from industry experts.

You can also learn from industry experts by watching their videos or following their blogs or social media accounts. Many experts share tips, techniques, and insights that can help you improve your skills.

3 — Practice and experiment.

An effective way to develop your skills is to get hands-on experience. This can involve shooting and editing your own videos, working on projects with others, or collaborating with more experienced filmmakers.

As you practice, don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different techniques.

4 — Join a community or network.

Connecting with other video professionals or enthusiasts can be a great way to learn and grow. You can join online communities or forums, attend events or workshops, or join a local filmmaking group or club.

For example, as a YouTuber and writer, I volunteered to coordinate Illumination’s YouTube channel and met many top writers along the way.

I also created a publication called ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts to bring community members to one place. Here is my invitation if you would like to join.

You might check some of my community-building videos in the attached collection: Meet Top Writers of Medium on YouTube

4 — Create a high-level plan for your videos and channels.

Creating a high-level plan for your videos and channels can help you stay organized, focus on your goals, and create content that resonates with your audience.

Here are a few steps you can take to create a high-level plan for your videos and channels:

1 — Determine your goals.

What kind of audience do you want to reach with your videos and channels?

Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or generate leads?

Do you want to educate your audience, entertain them, or persuade them to take action?

2 — Analyze your target audience.

Who do you want to reach with your videos and channels?

Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and any other relevant demographics.

3 — Choose a format and content strategy

Will your videos be educational, entertaining, or persuasive? Will they be long or short? Will you use narration, interviews, or a combination of techniques? How often will you upload new videos?

4 — Create a content calendar.

Plan out the topics and themes you want to cover in your videos and schedule them in a calendar. This can help you stay organized and ensure that you have a consistent stream of new content.

By following these four steps, you can create a high-level plan for your videos and channels that will help you stay focused and achieve your goals.

5 — Purchase necessary tools and software.

There are many tools and software options available for creating videos on YouTube. The specific tools and software you need will depend on the type of videos you want to create and your budget. Here are a few options to consider:

1 — Video editing software

This is used to edit and enhance your videos after you’ve recorded them. There are many options available, including free ones like iMovie and Windows Movie Maker and more advanced paid options like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.

2 — Audio editing software.

This is used to edit and enhance the audio in your videos. Some options include Audacity and Adobe Audition.

3 — Graphic design software

This is used to create visual elements for your videos, such as logos, lower thirds, and intro, and outro graphics. Some options include Adobe Photoshop and Canva.

4 — Camera and microphone

If you’re recording video and audio, you’ll need a camera and microphone. You can use a smartphone, a digital camera, or a dedicated video camera, depending on your needs and budget. You can also use a separate microphone if you want to improve the audio quality.

5 — Lighting and backdrop

Depending on the location and setup of your shoot, you may need additional lighting or a backdrop to improve the visual quality of your videos.

By using the right tools and software apps, you can create high-quality videos that engage and inform your viewers and subscribers.

6 — Determine the length and frequency of your videos.

The length and frequency of your videos on YouTube will depend on your goals, audience, and content strategy. Here are a few things to consider when determining the length and frequency of your videos:

1 — Crystallise your goals.

Keep repeating this question: What do you want to achieve with your videos?

If your goal is to drive sales or generate leads, shorter videos may be more effective, as they are more likely to hold the attention of viewers.

If your goal is to educate or inform your audience, longer videos may be more appropriate.

2 — Think about your audience.

What kind of an audience are trying to reach with your videos?

Consider factors such as their attention span, interests, and the type of content they are likely to engage with.

For example, if your audience is young and has a short attention span, shorter videos may be more effective for them. If you have an academic audience you might offer longer videos.

3 — Analyze your channel data.

For example, look at your YouTube Analytics to see how long viewers are watching your videos and at what point they are dropping off. This can give you insights into the ideal length for your videos.

4 — Experiment with different lengths.

Don’t be intimidated to experiment with different lengths to see what works best for your audience.

You can also obtain feedback from your viewers to get their thoughts on the length of your videos.

By considering these points, you can determine the length and frequency of your videos that will be most effective for your audience and help you achieve your goals.

7- Edit or get your videos edited by professionals.

There are a few steps you can take to edit your videos or find professionals who can edit them for you:

1 — Learn how to edit your own videos.

If you have the time and resources, you can learn how to edit your own videos using video editing software.

You can find many tutorials and resources available online that can teach you the basics of video editing. Some popular video editing software options include iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro.

2 — Hire a video editor.

If you don’t have the time or skills to edit your own videos, you can hire a video editor to do it for you.

For example, you can find freelance video editors on websites like Upwork or Fiverr, or you can hire a video editing agency or studio.

3 — Use an online video editing service.

There are also online video editing services that allow you to upload your videos and have them edited by professionals.

These services typically have a range of pricing options and turnaround times to choose from.

By taking these three steps, you can edit your own videos or find professionals who can help you create high-quality, polished content for your YouTube channel.

8 — Promote your videos using various approaches.

There are many ways you can promote your videos to reach a broader audience on YouTube. Here are a few examples:

1 — Use YouTube’s built-in promotion tools.

YouTube has a number of built-in promotion tools that can help you reach a larger audience. For example, you can use YouTube Ads to create and run video ads that target specific demographics and interests.

You can also use YouTube’s End Screens feature to promote your other videos or channel at the end of your videos.

2 — Share your videos on multiple social media sites.

You might share your videos on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach a larger audience. You can also use hashtags to make it easier for people to discover your content.

3 — Collaborate with other creators.

Collaborating with other creators on YouTube can help you reach a new audience. You can do this by guest appearing in each other’s videos, cross-promoting each other’s content, or collaborating on a project together.

4 — Utilize email marketing.

If you have an email list, you can use it to promote your videos. You can send out newsletters or email campaigns to your subscribers, letting them know about your new videos and encouraging them to watch and share them.

5 — Promote your videos offline.

You can also promote your videos offline by sharing them with friends and family, posting flyers or posters in your local community, or promoting them through your business or organization.

By using these five strategies, you can promote your videos and reach a larger audience on YouTube and other platforms.

9 — Create a brand for your videos

Creating a brand for your videos can help you differentiate yourself from other creators and establish a strong, consistent identity for your content.

Here are the three reasons why creating a brand for your videos can be beneficial to your growth.

1 — Your brand can help you stand out in the crowd.

With so much content available on YouTube, it can be difficult to get noticed. By creating a unique brand, you can differentiate yourself from other creators and make your content more memorable.

2 —Your brand can help you establish credibility.

A consistent, professional brand can help you establish credibility and expertise in your field. This can be especially important if you are creating educational or informative videos.

3— Your brand can create trust with your subscribers.

A strong brand can help you build trust with your audience. When people know what to expect from your content, they are more likely to watch and engage with your videos.

To create a brand for your videos, you can start by developing a logo, color scheme, and visual style that reflects the tone and theme of your content.

You can also consider the type of content you want to create and the message you want to convey to your audience. By establishing a clear brand identity, you can create a cohesive, consistent experience for your viewers and build a strong, loyal following.

10 — Monetize your video content.

I found several ways you can monetize video content on YouTube and potentially earn money. Here are some examples.

1 — Ad revenue

One way to monetize your videos is through ad revenue. When you enable monetization on your channel, YouTube will place ads on your videos and pay you a percentage of the revenue generated from those ads.

To be eligible for ad revenue, you need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months.

2 — Sponsorship and partnerships

You can also monetize your videos through sponsorship and partnerships with brands or companies. This can involve creating sponsored content for a company or partnering with a brand to promote their products or services in your videos.

3 — Merchandise

If you can create a loyal and engaged audience, you can sell merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, or other items that feature your brand or logo.

4 — Paid memberships

Another option is to offer paid memberships to your channel, which can give subscribers access to exclusive content or perks. You might try this option by starting slowly with a group of fans.

5 — Services or products

If you have expertise or skills in a particular area, you can monetize your videos by offering related services or products. For example, if you create cooking videos, you could sell a cookbook or offer cooking classes.

By exploring these options, you can monetize your video content and potentially earn money from your YouTube channel.

However, it’s important to note that earning money from YouTube takes time and requires a consistent and engaged audience.

Final Words and Takeaways

I believe anyone can create videos in these days, as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers have made it very easy for us to record and edit videos.

Social media also made the promotion easier to reach out to a broader audience cost-effectively. In addition, paid ads such as from Google, Facebook, or Instagram are affordable.

By using these methods methodically and persistently, I believe anyone can effectively be a successful video producer. I hope you find these tips helpful and apply them in your video business.

I created a short video for writers to use YouTube effectively.

I also posted a video to increase the chance of your article going viral.

With that being said, thank you for reading, and have a good one.

If you are a dog owner, you might enjoy my recent story introducing an attractive dog training program.

I also introduce a program for FIFA gaming enthusiasts.

If you are into podcasting and want to share your gaming experience in a podcast, earlier, I posted an article guiding new podcasters. I hope you find it helpful.

In my previous story, I touched on the health aspect of gaming as it is an important aspect. If you missed it, you might check it from the attached link.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

Quick Updates on My Publication Duties for New Readers

Earlier I posted a new story about new writing content on Vocal for fiction writers.

I recently joined Vocal Media as a writer and found it interesting. There is a specific gaming community on Vocal. You might check my findings in the attached story.

If you are new to Vocal Media and would like to join as a member, you might use my referral. It will not cost you extra similar to Medium membership.

My new challenge is to learn about reviewing products, as discussed in the attached story.

I posted a new bulletin for my other publication called Illumination Videos and Podcasts. If you are a YouTuber or Podcaster, you may join my publication. Here is the invitation.

I shared my monthly writing challenge progress and updates from my publications. If you are a writer, you can join the 100-day writing challenge like many other writers and me.

I created my first curated collection for our new publication, ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts. I invited YouTubers and podcasters. The collection has interesting videos from talented writers. I hope you will find some valuable stories and videos.

On Medium, I recently posted my first curated collection for writers contributing to Illumination Gaming Publication. I hope you find some valuable pieces in this collection. I appreciate your support of these writers.

More importantly, I Attempt to Solve a Problem of the New Writers with a Bit of Humor on YouTube and TikTok. And I created a new website for the Illumination Gaming publication.

If you enjoy my posts, please consider following my profile since I plan to post about exciting gaming-related news and talk about technology, design, and social media in my stories.

If you are new to Medium, you can join by using my referral link. Promise, it won’t cost you extra. You can read my modest posts and the many beautiful stories of every other writer on this platform.

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