What I learned from making my first YouTube video
My first real YouTube video felt like 10 years in the making. I never knew what I would make videos about, and I could never stick with it. I only recently decided to pursue a YouTube channel (again) for my business. My first video was going to be, “A week in my life as a freelance editor.” The vlog fell on the perfect week of busy work and travel, I was finally going to make a great video…
I’ve only ever had vlog clips organized nicely and sent to me via Google Drive from clients. I’d never filmed myself before on a consistent basis, and I prep all of my content ahead of time. My iPhone storage and I were not prepared for this.
Those clips never came compressed nicely in a drive file. I uploaded them from my phone and stitched them together, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what I did that week. The clips were few and far between, lots of sunsets and driving, and not enough clips of my work days. Not gonna happen.
One failed vlog attempt later, I figured the least I could do was share my perspective, what I learned as someone who was a little clueless about making vlogs, but not really. So this is what I learned:
A good vlog has a story
Even if it’s a simple one, we need something to follow and look forward to. Have you ever started watching a vlog and thought, “What’s the point of this?”
The biggest mistake I made was not capturing enough footage to tell a complete story. A compelling video requires a beginning, middle, and end that flows naturally. If you skip filming key moments or lose focus on the narrative, it can leave your audience feeling disconnected.
To fix this, make sure you outline your story beforehand and capture all the necessary elements to bring it to life. Remember, editing can’t fill gaps in footage that doesn’t exist!
⭐️ Tip: Scale down the video if what you planned is too hard. Trying to vlog an entire week was clearly too much for me, so (for my next attempt) I will scale down and vlog one day.
Remember what your audience is here to see
It’s easy to feel like every part of your day is interesting, but your audience might not agree. Effective videos focus on what provides value, whether that’s entertainment, education, or inspiration. Think about what your viewers want to see and tailor your content to meet those expectations.
For example, instead of showing repetitive mundane tasks like making coffee multiple times, highlight unique moments that align with your video’s theme. Always ask yourself: "Does this clip add to the story or the value I’m offering?" If not, it’s best left out.
A clear vision is essential
Starting without a defined purpose or theme was another lesson learned the hard way. Without a clear vision, your video can feel scattered and unorganized. You may even lose track of what you’re creating in the process. Before filming, ask yourself: What is the main message or story I want to share? What do I want my audience to feel or take away from this video?
⭐️ Tip: A clear vision does not mean perfection. I promise having something in mind will make the process much easier.
Key Tips for a Good YouTube Video (from an editor)
Start with a clear narrative
Remember the value you’re creating
Be intentional with filming and editing
Show your personality
Let this be a blog of encouragement, that no matter how prepared you are for your first video, you probably aren't…and that’s a good thing! You now have these lovely tools to make great YouTube videos, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I am so glad I didn’t let this vlog get the best of me and turned it into something I could be proud of - and now a blog post too. Happy creating!
