Diy Video Guy: Make Better Web Videos By Yourself

#81 - Running a business is hard. You work long hours, you have the livelihood of your employees resting on your shoulders, and you want to do ALL the ideas that are in your head.But sometimes, as successful as you might feel financially or look to others online you burn out. You hit a wall. Your business runs out of money. You need to re-think everything and make the hard decisions.In this podcast episode I chat with Sean McCabe, who has built multiple businesses through client services, creating physical products, growing a membership community, and selling online courses.Throughout this episode we discuss starting how to grow a physical or digital product business, what to do when you feel stuck, why you need to be making content online, how to pre-sell a new product, avoiding scarcity mindset, and why Sean is taking a full year sabbatical.Show NotesSean's interview of me on his podcastRescue TimePresale Profits | seanwes256: How to Defeat Scarcity Mindset | seanwes podcastseanwes - Business Community for

#80 - I’ve been talking to a lot of beginners lately.People just getting started with video, wanting to launch their YouTube channel, record the first online course, start their business, etc.And there is this recurring theme with all of them.They’re doing it wrong. Here’s what I mean.There is really only one metric that matters when you’re starting out.Action. Doing. Movement. Go.When making videos, here are some things that you might think really matter at first, but don’t.Should I use my phone or a DSLR camera?Should I film in 1080p or 4K?Should I start my YouTube channel or my website first?The answer to all of these questions is: YES.Its like when you starting working out at the gym. It almost doesn’t matter what exercises you do. What matters is that you go to the gym, you do SOMETHING, and then you keep coming back.Even this video I’m filming right now is an example, I really needed to shave and I was gonna do that before I hit record, but NO. Action. Just, do it.Eventually you will reach a point where

#079 - After six years of running a video production business I have developed and honed my entire process to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.In this podcast episode I talk in detail about that process and the changes I have made over the years. I cover all the phases of a project from the initial onboarding period to the actual shoot day and all the way through post production.I learned some lessons the hard way and share those with you so hopefully, you don't have to.This isn't the sexy stuff but it's the essential stuff that makes business run smoothly.Chapters / Timestamps:OnboardingPre-ProductionDay Before/Travel TipsShoot DayPost-Production & RevisionsGetting Reviews & Referrals Mentioned in this episode:Think Tank Roller Carry on BagTile Pro TrackerFrame.ioAdobe SignQuickbooksWipsterSquarespaceLensProToGoAirbnbBreather

#078 - Growing a business from scratch is tough. Especially when you're also trying to build up the skills to do the work your future clients need you to do at the same time.In this podcast episode I talk with my wife Jen Wojcik about how she built and scaled her wedding photography business into a full-time job over the course of 6 years after moving to a new city and not having photographed a wedding ever before.If you're looking to grow a client based business, there is a lot in this episode to learn from.We discuss building up your portfolio, landing a gig as a second shooter, and how to land the clients you dream of working for.Chapters / Timestamps:00:42 - Getting Started with Photography08:25 - Shooter her first wedding10:16 - Starting to scale your business15:08 - Setting prices at the beginning17:04 - Building a portfolio21:05 - Wedding workshops25:52 - Inspiration shoots29:17 - Standing out in a crowded industry30:56 - Shooting film instead of digital34:33 - Don't try something new on a paid job39:1

#077 - One year ago I launched my camera tripod invention, [SwitchPod], on Kickstarter. It went on to raise over $415,000 and we have since manufactured and shipped almost 10,000 tripods all over the world.In this podcast episode I share 17 lessons I’ve learned from launching and growing SwitchPod over the past 3 years that you can apply to the projects and businesses that you’re building.Here’s a list of all the lessons:1. Have Patience When Building Something New2. Building Buzz & Hype3. Wait to Launch Until You’re 90% Ready4. Don’t Network, Make Friends5. Be Careful with Influencers6. Double Down on What’s Working7. Fame vs. Being in the Trenches8. Pay Attention to Detail9. The Constant Inventory Battle10. Roll the Dice & Re-Invest11. Retailers Bring Legitimacy12. Amazon is a Pain13. Know Your Numbers14. Don’t Forget About...15. Customer Support is a Full-Time Job16. Don’t Quit Your Day Job17. Have Fun 

#076 - In this episode I share a quick update about what to expect from me in 2020. I’ll talk about my YouTube channel, my podcast, and my training courses.2019 was the busiest and biggest year for me yet. And that’s not just because my family actually grew by one and I’m now a Dad. :)Here’s a full update about what’s to come from me in 2020, what’s been hard about balancing 3 businesses, my words for the year, and whether I’m changing my brand name online.Caleb Wojcik Films - My client businessSwitchPod - The handheld tripod I inventedDIY Video School - My training coursesIn this Episode I talked about:0:00 Introduction0:25 Balancing 3 Businesses3:39 Words for the Year6:11 Branding7:47 Summary

#075 - This episode is a little different in that I don't interview anyone, but I tell my story.I went immediately from college into the corporate world, and then from there, into the entrepreneurial space to work for a blogger. I eventually started my own business as a freelance filmmaker. I discuss how it's led to my channel, my podcast, and my new invention, the SwitchPod.In this episode I talked about:01:12 - Growing up - part nerd/part athlete03:54 - Choosing a 9 to 5 felt safe at the time07:48 - Stumbling into entrepreneurship10:00 - The Art of Non-Conformity and Chris Guillebeau14:14 - How a $500 investment in an online course changed my life17:00 - Helping build Fizzle.co and getting back into video22:43 - The itch to run my own thing29:16 - Connecting the dots going backwards33:50 - Leaning into my obsessionLinks to things mentioned:SwitchPodFizzle

#074 - In this episode I talk to Dave Maze who runs a channel called Kinotika where he talks all about camera gear and equipment.We talk about transitioning from full time freelancer to full time YouTuber, what it’s like to run a channel focused on reviews, and the future of YouTube and camera gear. If you want to grow your YouTube channel or do sponsored content as an influencer, this episode is for you.Table of Contents:00:47 - Introduction05:28 - Shooting weddings09:02 - Becoming an independent Filmmaker15:48 - Starting out on youtube19:36 - Influencers and making sponsored videos25:50 - The direction YouTube is headed34:11 - Best piece of gear and what needs to change in cameras

#073 - In this episode I talk with Kitty Peters who runs Atola Visuals, a filmmaking company focusing on client work, as well as a YouTube Channel with the same name, where she features filmmaking gear and tutorials.We talk about whether or not she believes film school was worth it for her, why it’s important to have multiple income streams, and quantity vs. quality when it comes to content.In this episode we talked about:00:31 - How do you explain what you do to non-YouTubers?01:44 - Going to film school08:48 - First getting into filming13:58 - How do you make your videos entertaining?17:06 - A tactic you know would work that you don't use18:50 - Balancing quality and quantity21:32 - The ups and downs to social media30:07 - Gear: A flop and the must haves

#072 - Levi Allen is an adventure filmmaker. In this episode we talk about how his short film Untethered got a Vimeo staff pick, which lead to the film being distributed internationally, but then how he fought back for the rights to have it free and public again.We also talk about how to build up a client business from scratch and why your personality is an important reason why people subscribe to your YouTube channel.In this episode we talked about:01:07 - Introduction02:01 - Untethered getting a Vimeo Staff Pick13:46 - After Untethered’s success & tempering expectations17:55 - Distribution & owning your work25:43 - Why were are bad YouTubers29:39 - Letting your personality show33:25 - Titling & thumbnail tips for Youtube38:26 - Being open with other creators44:16 - Landing your first clients

#071 - Pat Flynn helped me co-invent and create SwitchPod over the past 15 months before we launched it on Kickstarter.At the time of recording this episode, a couple days into the campaign, we had already doubled our goal and raised over $227,000 to make thousands of SwitchPods for our backers.In this episode we talked about:1:06 — 15 Months of Development7:25 — Building Pre-Launch Buzz13:02 — Solving Problems with Products19:31 — Negative Marketing23:52 — Finding Your Own Niche27:52 — Launch Day Response32:09 — Pat's Amazing Wedding Video34:13 — SwitchPods in the Wild36:03 — Documenting & Connecting39:00 — Superpowers & Collaborating

#070 - In this conversation I chat with 5 other YouTubers and Filmmakers about what it takes to be a full-time YouTuber or Filmmaker, gear recommendations for starting out, what really matters feature wise in a camera, what stats and numbers you should track (and what you should ignore), and how to actually make money on YouTube.If you'd like to jump around the conversation, use the timestamps below.0:45 — Weird Things That Happen While Filming2:11 — Lightweight & Cheaper vs. Heavy & Expensive Gear12:42 — Camera Companies Purposely Limiting Features19:52 — The Urge to Always Upgrade Gear24:02 — "Reviewing" Gear on YouTube28:13 — The Long-Game of Making Money31:53 — Being Negative & Honest in Reviews34:21 — Current YouTube Trends & Competition38:22 — Does Subscriber Count Matter?41:30 — Focusing on Money instead of Vanity Metrics44:41 — Planning Successful Videos48:37 — Variability in View Counts51:30 — Why Did You Start?54:17 — Tips for Filmmakers Wanting to Go Full-TimeSubscribe to their YouT

#069 - In this episode I share why I am putting this podcast on hold to focus on creating more video content for YouTube. I talk about doubling down, simplifying, following what is working, and how video is the best format for most of what I want to share & create. I also share my ten favorite episodes from the last sixty-eight.Show NotesSubscribe to the DIY Video Guy YouTube ChannelCheck out all our free and paid courses at DIYVideoSchool.comFollow me on InstagramMy Top 5 Favorite Interview Episodes So Far:Austin Evans — #31Thomas Frank — #56Sean McCabe — #10Amy Schmittauer — #12Levi Allen — #57Top 5 Favorite Non-Interview Episodes So Far:10 Video Mistakes I've Made & How to Avoid Them — #23Creative Distance — #48Professionals Show Up — #17Hey YouTuber, You're Doing These 9 Things Wrong — #349 Ways to Overcome Video Editor's Block — #37

#068 - I think podcasts are one of the best ways to continually learn while you're doing something. Most days I listen to multiple podcast episodes while driving, working out, or walking my dog. In this episode I share what some of my favorite podcasts for filmmakers, YouTubers, and freelancers are.April 21, 2016http://www.DIYVideoGuy.com/68

#067 - When you follow a lot of people online and you see them publishing videos all the time, it is easy to get down on yourself for not publishing as frequently or at as high a quality as you'd prefer. In this episode I chat with Satchell Drakes, who runs a YouTube channel with some of the highest quality videos in the video gaming niche. I talk with him about his process of creating videos, what has helped his channel grow, and what he recommends for someone that isn't getting the traction they want out of their videos.Items mentioned in this episode:Satchbag's Goods - YouTubeSuperTry Satch (@SatchellDrakes) | TwitterDidYouKnowGaming? - YouTubeTheNationalDex - YouTubeThat One Video Gamer - YouTubeNormalBoots - Entertainment RebootedNerd Writer on YouTube

#066 - In this episode I discuss video gear, but I don't talk about specific pieces I recommend. This will be more of a philosophical discussion about why you need gear and more importantly, when to stop buying it once you get to a certain point. I also talk about when to upgrade vs. when to keep using what you have and share my strategies for getting the most money you can when selling old gear you don't use anymore. We also published our new "Recommended Gear" pages.Here are all of our "Recommended Gear" pages mentioned in this episode:Cameras — DIY Video GuyLenses — DIY Video GuyAudio — DIY Video GuyLighting — DIY Video GuyBags & Traveling — DIY Video GuyMovement & Stabilizing — DIY Video GuyAccessories — DIY Video GuyPodcasting — DIY Video GuyiPhone & Android — DIY Video Guy

#065 - Knowing exactly why you're making videos and who they are for is the best way to be successful on a platform like YouTube. In this episode of the podcast I talk with Jessica Holsman, who YouTubes at Study with Jess, about what it's like to grow a YouTube channel to 100,000 subscribers in a year by knowing exactly who your target audience is and what to make for them. She also shares how she got more comfortable on camera by vlogging on a second channel, how she collaborated with a YouTuber on a different continent that she'd never met before, and how she used YouTube to grow an existing business selling physical products.Items mentioned in this episode:Study With Jess - YouTubeseed.ED EducationeryA Love Letter To My Younger Self - YouTubecommunitychannel - YouTubeThomas Frank - YouTubeAll Our Free & Paid Courses at DIYVideoSchool.comMarch 24, 2016

#064 - It is already a ton of work to make a video, so setting up your YouTube channel with proper branding, tags, upload defaults, and more often gets set aside. In this podcast episode I chat with Tom Martin about how to properly get your YouTube channel fully set-up so your videos are more likely to show up in search and as suggested videos in the sidebar. After listening you'll have a bunch of ways to make your YouTube channel look more professional and in turn help your videos rank even better than they do now.Items mentioned in this episode:FAQTube.com | Helping you achieve better YouTube resultsYouTube Optimization: The Complete Guide Ebook | FAQ TubeHow To Start A YouTube Channel The RIGHT Way | FAQ TubeTom's Page for DIY Video Guy listeners | FAQ TubeTom's YouTube Channel Audits | FAQ TubevidIQ | More Views, Less Time.vidIQ Vision Extension for ChromeTubeTrackrMarch 17, 2016

#063 - Being unique and standing out in a sea of creators within a similar niche is tough. That's why I wanted to chat with Luke Sizemore, better known on YouTube as Yungtown, about what it takes to stand out in the genre of making videos about video games. In this episode we talk about how he was making music way before rapping on YouTube, why it makes sense to hide older unrelated videos on a channel, when you should focus a channel on a single type of video vs. having different styles of videos on it, his advice for YouTubers just getting started, and more.Items mentioned in this episode:yungtown - YouTubeTop 10 Super Smash Bros. 4 Characters - Yungtown - YouTubeDraw My Life - Yungtown - YouTubeOpen Broadcaster SoftwareAmazon.com: Elgato Systems Game Capture HD Game RecorderFinal Cut Pro X - Apple.comFinal Cut Pro X 101 - A Free Course — DIY Video GuyLogic Pro X - Music Production App - Apple.comAmazon.com: Edirol UA-25 USB Audio InterfaceAmazon.com: Audio Technica AT3035 Condenser MicrophoneMarch 10, 2016

#062 - It can feel great to have all the time in the world to complete something, but more often than not, that leads to never finishing what you're doing. Deadlines push us to hustle, finish, and ship. (Just like cramming really hard in school for an exam.) In this podcast episode we talk about how having a release schedule and public accountability helps push you to be consistently creative and get better at your craft, while also getting more done.Items mentioned in this episode:044: Should You Break Down Big Goals to Make Them Attainable? | seanwesMarch 3, 2016