I have recently transformed my approach to video production, resulting in a significant boost in my YouTube channel's performance.

It all began with my initial impressions video of the Apple Watch Ultra. Instead of sticking to my usual routine of sitting at my desk and talking while interspersing product b-roll, I opted to film throughout the day in a more dynamic manner. I even included a quirky coffee scene inspired by McKinnon and shot myself sprinting down the street.

While this method pushed me out of my comfort zone, it also posed a considerable risk. The YouTube audience is known for its low tolerance for lengthy or self-indulgent segments—lose their interest for even a moment, and you might lose them entirely.

But to my surprise, this approach paid off tremendously. That video has garnered views three times higher than my average (now surpassing 72,000), attracted 642 new subscribers, and generated impressive AdSense revenue.

This success has led me to adopt this format as a model for my future videos. I applied the same technique to a follow-up video for the Apple Watch Ultra this week, allowing me to write, film, edit, and publish it all in under a day.

The Key Is in Blogging I can’t emphasize enough how crucial blogging is for YouTubers.

There are two main reasons: - Blogs offer a valuable chance to expand your audience and generate additional income. - Blogs can serve as the foundation for your video content.

My content repurposing begins with writing a blog post, which I then publish and share on social media. From there, I distill the blog into bullet points that serve as a 'script' for my video production.

This method not only saves time but also ensures I am well-prepared. Having already crafted and edited the blog post means that my ideas are organized before I even begin filming.

For the Apple Watch Ultra follow-up, the blog was simply titled "5 Things I've Learned," which helped me divide each lesson into distinct scenes for the video.

With everything fresh in my mind, I only needed to jot down bullet points for each scene, grab my camera, and head to the nearby fields. The entire shooting process took merely two hours, including some additional b-roll filmed at home.

The Importance of Having a Process If I seem repetitive about the significance of blogging for YouTubers, I’m equally insistent about the need for solid processes in my work.

Whether it’s how I write a blog, film a video, or manage review units, these processes are essential. Without them, I would likely make numerous mistakes, miss deadlines, and disappoint sponsors—essentially, I would be unable to run my business effectively.

The process for creating these revamped videos combines both old and new techniques. The core elements of shooting, editing, and publishing remain consistent as tracked in Notion, using the same tools I have relied on for years.

The most significant change is my filming approach. Rather than being confined to my desk, I now utilize a carefully designed camera setup to capture each scene. For those interested in gear, my setup includes: - Sony FX3 camera - Sigma 16–28mm f2.8 lens - PGYTECH MantisPod - RØDE VideoMic Pro+

This setup is fantastic, largely due to the MantisPod, which can be placed on almost any surface and adapted to fit into tight spaces for the perfect shot.

With this gear, shooting becomes straightforward. I find a good location, set up the angle, review my bullet points, and record. I repeat this until I've captured all necessary footage and can move on to editing in Final Cut Pro.

I also maintain my editing process, which has streamlined over the past two years, adapting well to this new scene-based shooting style.

On the Monday I filmed the Apple Watch Ultra video, I didn’t waste time figuring out what to do next. My established processes acted as my guiding light.

Once you find a method that works, stick with it. Avoid changing your tools or being swayed by others suggesting you’re doing it wrong. Focus on what you know best.

Eliminating Excess A quick note on the crucial concept of "killing your darlings."

To become faster, more efficient, and skilled at creating YouTube videos, you must learn to cut out the parts you’re attached to but don’t add value.

This skill develops over time with practice and experience. Eventually, you will recognize sections in your videos that don’t enhance the content and need to be removed immediately.

We all have a tendency to ramble or stray into irrelevant tangents that only we find amusing.

The reason I was able to film, edit, and publish my Apple Watch Ultra video in less than a day was that I cut the fluff. I’ve gained enough experience to eliminate unnecessary parts during filming, but some remnants always remain once the footage is in Final Cut Pro.

Trust me, when I identify these, they are gone in seconds.

Don’t Overthink the Thumbnail I previously mentioned how little time I invest in creating YouTube thumbnails. Some may find this shocking, suggesting that you should devote as much time to your thumbnail as you do to the video itself—if not more.

I respectfully disagree. I typically spend no more than twenty minutes on a thumbnail, and that’s on the longer end. Most of my thumbnails are created in around ten minutes or even less.

They aren’t flawless; some may negatively affect video performance. However, the majority seem to work quite well.

My thumbnail process generally involves: 1. Taking a photo of myself with the product, making a goofy face. 2. Editing the photo quickly in Lightroom to enhance contrast, sharpness, vibrance, and clarity. 3. Importing the edited photo into Canva, adding an engaging caption, and exporting.

Straightforward and efficient.

For this particular video, I was even more carefree with the thumbnail. I simply captured a screenshot from the video and paired it with a poorly lit iPhone photo of my Apple Watch Ultra taken in my kitchen.

Done. It garnered over thirty thousand views within 24 hours.

Conclusion I don’t want to diminish the effort that went into my Apple Watch Ultra follow-up video. It was as challenging, intense, and at times stressful as any other video I’ve produced. However, it was also exhilarating, engaging, and incredibly enjoyable.

I hope this encourages others to step beyond their comfort zones and explore new content creation methods. While it involves risk, as with anything in life, without trying, you may never discover the magic.

If you’d like to see the outcome of my efforts from Monday, here it is!

Take My Free Video Editing Class My latest Skillshare course, "Video Editing Basics in Final Cut Pro X (For YouTube Success!)" is now live and free to try:

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on October 5, 2022.