Hi Storytellers! Happy Filmmaking Thursday!

I know there has been a lot of talk about whether we should be uploading our videos to Facebook as well as YouTube. Videos are getting more reach than normal posts on Facebook.

The problem with just uploading the same video is that you may be confusing your platforms. I believe in having multiple platforms, but I also strongly believe in focusing on one, and YouTube is still the best at getting your videos out there. If only because of its relationship with Google.

I was just uploading the same videos to Facebook and I definitely had more reach, but I also realized that it wasn’t helping me reach my goals. I had an organized YouTube channel but it felt like I was abandoning it. So I tried something else.

The solution I’ve come up with is creating trailers for my videos that I can upload to Facebook, which then lead to the full content on YouTube.

This is not more work for you. Trailers are simply a 15-30 second excerpt from your video, and a graphic at the end that says watch more on my channel with the link to the full video. I also suggest you put the link and a text summary in the description. I’d recommend using the beginning of your video but without your intro.

Then you can just upload and schedule those trailers on your Facebook page.  

I’m trying this out right now, and I’ll keep you updated on the results.

I welcome you to try it out with me and create a Facebook trailer for your next video. Let me know how it works for you!

If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. If you want more, come on over and the Storyteller Circle, my private Facebook group filled with wonderful entrepreneurs like you that are looking for more support in crafting their video stories and an inspirational community. I adore the people in this group so I post some of my best stuff there. When you join you’ll instantly get a bonus gift “How to Reach, Grow & Teach Your Online Community With Video”. Just click the button below. And remember Tell Your Story. Inspire Action. Make a Change. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time! 

If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.

Hi Storytellers! Happy Filmmaking Thursday!

Creating an awesome video experience for your audience is all about utilizing video series and playlists in your YouTube channel by organizing your content.

Organizing your content is about more than being an organization freak, like me. It’s about three things:

                 1. Getting viewers to continue watching your content. When your videos are in                                 playlists, it’s super easy for your audience to just watch the next one in the list.

                 2. It makes it easier for you to explain complicated concepts. Taking a big topic like                        “Create Your Next Course” and breaking it down into either parts 1-7 or choosing mini                           topics helps your community digest your content and really understand your message.

                3. Making navigation on your YouTube channel seamless. Think about a time you                            landed on a YouTube channel and you were unsure of what their channel was about. You                    just couldn’t find what you needed and it was confusing. If you see the titles of the                                playlists and you can tell what the channel is all about, it’s so much easier to find what you                  are looking for and engage with the channel.

So here’s what I want you to do next:

                1. Put your current videos into playlists.

                2. Change your homepage view to browse view, and add your playlists as sections.

                3. Before you make your next video, try and break it down into 1-2 minute pieces and                            package it as a series.

If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. If you want more, come on over and join the Storyteller Circle, my private Facebook group filled with wonderful entrepreneurs like you that are looking for more support in crafting their video stories and an inspirational community. I adore the people in this group so I post some of my best stuff there. When you join you’ll instantly get a bonus gift “How to Reach, Grow & Teach Your Online Community With Video”. Just click the button below. And remember Tell Your Story. Inspire Action. Make a Change. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time!

If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.

Hi Storytellers! Happy Filmmaking Thursday!

In this video, I’m going to share some myths of video production that I’ve heard over and over in my community.

I know you know that video is awesome and an amazing way to reach and connect with your community. So why aren’t more entrepreneurs using it? Because there are so many myths and limiting beliefs. Let’s talk about four of them.

1. You need a full studio with high tech equipment. No , you don’t just grab your smart phone or a webcam, sit facing a window for some natural light, clean up your background and you are good to go.

2. I look terrible on camera. No, you don’t. Your ideal audience will appreciate your transparency and actually looking like a real person. People connect with real people.

3. I have *insert source of insecurity* and can’t talk on camera. I know it’s really hard to get through our own insecurities. But let me tell you about a great online event I took part in a few months ago. The presenter just sat in her living room and was on a google hangout. She had a slight stutter. But you know what she did. She owned it. She was enthusiastic, shared great content, and acknowledged how her stutter used to hold her back. It was nothing short of inspiring. And I’ll admit I found that event more engaging than some of the heavily produced ones with super experienced speakers.

4. I don’t have the time. I film 3 months of my video blogs in one day, then I take a day to edit and schedule them on my blog. That’s 2 focused days to have 3 months of content ready to go and automated. If you get efficient and schedule you can find 2 days to just create or use a weekend if you don’t want to take away from your week.

Don’t get me wrong. Video isn’t for everyone but I encourage you to give it a good committed try before nixing it off. Your message is incredibly important and can’t be diminished by these myths.

Now, I’d like to hear from you, what’s your biggest video question? Let me know in the comments below.

If you liked this video, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. If you want more, come on over and the Storyteller Circle, my private Facebook group filled with wonderful entrepreneurs like you that are looking for more support in crafting their video stories and an inspirational community. I adore the people in this group so I post some of my best stuff there. When you join you’ll instantly get a bonus gift “How to Reach, Grow & Teach Your Online Community With Video”. Just click the button below. And remember Tell Your Story. Inspire Action. Make a Change. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time!  If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.

In this video, I’m going to share 3 steps you can take to move your Vlog to an online show.

There is a big difference between a Vlog where you express your thoughts spontaneously and an engaging online show. They are both great options and I always recommend starting off with Vlogs to get your feet wet and get comfortable on video. But I always push my storytellers to upgrade their strategies and start creating shows that really get them passionate followers. This doesn’t mean that you need to be like Marie Forleo. This just means implementing some simple strategies in way that is aligned with you and your community.

So let’s jump in. The first three steps you can take are:

1. Create an editorial calendar. consistency and reliability are soo important on youtube. I recommend you pick a day and commit to releasing content at least every other week on that day. Then instead of thinking of topics on the fly as you are filming, brainstorm topics and schedule them out. That way when you film you aren’t wasting time thinking of topics and working out your ideas. Include when you will film and edit in this schedule. This will help you plan for launches or events as well, so you don’t have to worry about your videos when you are super busy with serving your clients.

2. Brand your videos. having a simple intro and outro graphic can work wonders. Add a simple lower third (that’s the text with your name and professional title) or on screen text graphics that reinforce what you are saying. Or even adding awesome thumbnails that match or slapping your logo onto the lower right hand corner throughout your videos. All of these things would match the colors and emotion of the branding of your business.

3. Have a consistent visual style. What I mean by this is just using the same background, colors, and style of shooting to your videos. So if for your Q&A videos you want to shoot them in front of your desk, then stick to that. And let’s say you switch to a softer living room background when you interview guests. Don’t let your constant change in scenery distract your viewers. Unless you use it to your advantage. One example is if your business or brand has an element of traveling. Then feel free to film videos in different locations as your travel.

For a bonus step check out my last video about creating structure and segments for your videos. 

Now let’s recap to go from Vlog to an online show:

1. Create an editorial calendar

2. Brand your videos

3. Have a consistent visual style

Now, I’d like to hear from you, what’s your biggest video question? Let me know in the comments below.

If you liked this video, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. If you want more, come on over and the Storyteller Circle, my private Facebook group filled with wonderful entrepreneurs like you that are looking for more support in crafting their video stories and an inspirational community. I adore the people in this group so I post some of my best stuff there. When you join you’ll instantly get a bonus gift “How to Reach, Grow & Teach Your Online Community With Video”. Just click the button below. And remember Tell Your Story. Inspire Action. Make a Change. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time! 

If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.

In this video, I’m going to share why you should be using video to educate and share

information with your team.

When you hire a team what are some of the issues you have:

• holes in communication: whether that’s someone misunderstanding an email, not
• knowing the specs of your branding, or missing steps in your processes
• having to personally train everyone
• keeping your team members excited about your goals

I’m sure there are more big and small. And most of the time it’s nobody’s fault. And There’s a

simple solution.

Here’s why using video in your team communication is great:

1. they save you time. You don’t have to teach each person step by step how to do something. Create a video once and you’re good to go. If there are any changes just adapt it and update your team. This is also great for questions you get asked a lot. Avoid having to write out an email a million times and just send them a video you already created.

2. you can break down really complicated concepts

3. you’ll avoid any major miscommunication. You can explain in your voice exactly what you mean and avoid false assumptions that often happen in emails

Think about creating a welcome packet for your new team members with videos that describe

important parts of your business.

And make it fun! What I don’t want you to do is make one of those corny videos from the 80s

that retail stores make their new employees watch for hours on end. This is about showing your

personality and how great your business is. Make them excited about working with you.

That’s why to get started I want you to create a video where you talk about three things:

1. your big why or purpose behind your business

2. who you are serving and the transformation your provide

3. your story

Think about it: What can video do to make communication in your team effortless?

Now, I’d like to hear from you, what’s your biggest video question? Let me know in the

comments below.

If you liked this video, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. If you want more, come on over and the Storyteller Circle, my private facebook group filled with wonderful entrepreneurs like you that are looking for more support in crafting their video stories and an inspirational community. I adore the people in this group so I post some of my best stuff there. When you join you’ll instantly get a bonus gift “How to Reach, Grow & Teach Your Online Community With Video”. Just click the button below. And remember Tell Your Story. Inspire Action. Make a Change. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time! 

If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.