I'm all about some DIY projects. So when I was thinking about changing my video backdrop/ background in my recording room for YouTube I thought about the popular organic balloon garlands I keep seeing online and on Instagram. I used to work at a party store for years blowing up balloons on a daily so I thought this would be a fun DIY balloon project. I got a balloon pump from Ebay, table cloth from The Dollar Tree and the balloons are both from The Dollar Tree and Ebay.
I'm all about some DIY projects. So when I was thinking about changing my video backdrop/ background in my recording room for YouTube I thought about the popular organic balloon garlands I keep seeing online and on Instagram. I used to work at a party store for years blowing up balloons on a daily so I thought this would be a fun DIY balloon project. I got a balloon pump from Ebay, table cloth from The Dollar Tree and the balloons are both from The Dollar Tree and Ebay.
I have all of these ideas but I feel like I'm stuck. Not because I don't have the ideas but because I have TOO MANY ideas. I was watching the video below and I really recorded all day. In total I think I did 5 videos in a day that particular day. I wake up with so many ideas I get paralyzed and don't do any of them. So I'm thinking I need to write down a couple and work on them one at a time so I don't feel so overwhelmed.
I also see I had a high level of excitement that I don't currently have. This was also back in October 2019 before all of the insanity of 2020 and 2021. So it was a more carefree time with none of the stresses we have at the moment. Make sure to come back I have some DIY recipes I'm going to post on the blog. Here is a blast from the past. My YouTube upload from October 2019:
I have all of these ideas but I feel like I'm stuck. Not because I don't have the ideas but because I have TOO MANY ideas. I was watching the video below and I really recorded all day. In total I think I did 5 videos in a day that particular day. I wake up with so many ideas I get paralyzed and don't do any of them. So I'm thinking I need to write down a couple and work on them one at a time so I don't feel so overwhelmed.
I also see I had a high level of excitement that I don't currently have. This was also back in October 2019 before all of the insanity of 2020 and 2021. So it was a more carefree time with none of the stresses we have at the moment. Make sure to come back I have some DIY recipes I'm going to post on the blog. Here is a blast from the past. My YouTube upload from October 2019:
Ramen Noodles are a staple in a many households. Ramen is my go to when I don't have anything else in my pantry (and dry beans) Can't go wrong with a 5 pack of ramen for $1.00. I started experimenting with ramen noodles without the packet and it's been my new favorite dish ever since! That silver packet is nothing but a mini pouch of diabetes and high blood pressure. After using everything from store bought broth, homemade broth and vegetarian bullion cubes I feel like I've struck gold with how to make your ramen taste amazing with no flavor packet what so ever.
Yes, I use way to many seasonings but believe me it's worth it! Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Cayenne, Onion Powder, Cumin, Ginger, Chives, Soy Sauce, Hot Sauce .... I know I put the whole kitchen in my ramen but it's absolutely delicious! Here are some videos I made about "Ramen Without the Flavor Packet" and "Ramen Noodles in the Microwave in 5 minutes" in both videos I do not use a flavor packet and come out with very tasty ramen noodles that can be eaten on any budget.
Ramen Noodles are a staple in a many households. Ramen is my go to when I don't have anything else in my pantry (and dry beans) Can't go wrong with a 5 pack of ramen for $1.00. I started experimenting with ramen noodles without the packet and it's been my new favorite dish ever since! That silver packet is nothing but a mini pouch of diabetes and high blood pressure. After using everything from store bought broth, homemade broth and vegetarian bullion cubes I feel like I've struck gold with how to make your ramen taste amazing with no flavor packet what so ever.
Yes, I use way to many seasonings but believe me it's worth it! Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Cayenne, Onion Powder, Cumin, Ginger, Chives, Soy Sauce, Hot Sauce .... I know I put the whole kitchen in my ramen but it's absolutely delicious! Here are some videos I made about "Ramen Without the Flavor Packet" and "Ramen Noodles in the Microwave in 5 minutes" in both videos I do not use a flavor packet and come out with very tasty ramen noodles that can be eaten on any budget.
With the new rules YouTube has implemented on the platform you now have to have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time (240,000 minutes) to be a partner and get monetized on YouTube. The 1,000 subscribers actually isn't the hard part it will take time but with consistency you will make it. But getting 4,000 hours of watch time is the hard part. If you break it down you will be able to digest it better.
4,000 hours of watch time broken down into 12 months is 333.333 so you need 334 hours of watch time a month or more. I was lucky because I was doing YouTube very heavy at the time and Mukbang videos were super popular so I barely made it but I was able to get the 4,000 hours. I have slowed down since 2017-2018 on YouTube but here are some things you can do to reach this goal to get monetized:
Record Longer Videos
Yes! Instead of those 3-5 minute quick uploads try to make your uploads 10 minutes or longer. It gives you more of a chance to get more watch time with each viewer that clicks your video
Create Playlist
Separate your videos into categories and make playlist. I have a playlist for every genre of video I've ever made Mukbang, Vlog, DIY even one that just Random. You never know who might want to watch all your Story Times or just Vlogs. Plus a playlist will play every video in that playlist so someone might watch 10 videos straight of you cooking!
Leave Comments
Leaving comments is a great way to communicate with other YouTubers like yourself. I like to leave comments on smaller channels. There is a greater chance they will come back and leave a comment also. It doesn't matter if they do or don't your now being seen in the comment section. You never know who might click on your channel so make sure your comments are good not just "Nice Video" take the chance to say something witty or conversational.
Promote Your Channel
Tell people you do YouTube! You don't know how many times I told people I do YouTube and they look up my channel right in front of me and start watching (It's kind of weird when people do that) People are nosey and want the tea. They want to know what you are doing on YouTube it's curiosity. So don't be shy! Even get a hat or a t-shirt made and wear it to an event. Order or make some cheap cards with all your info on it (YouTube, Blog, Depop, Online Store) pass them out wherever you go! You'll be surprised at the people that will support what your doing.
Collab With Other YouTubers
I don't care if a person has 5 subscribers and you have 15 don't worry about that. The focus should be on consistent content. The more you collab with other people the more your getting exposed to different audiences. If the person has a bigger platform that's great but even if you have the same amount or they have less subscribers I would still take the opportunity to work with another YouTuber for exposure and experience. Who knows you might have a ongoing relationship after you make content.
Use End Cards
When your watching a YouTube video at the end there are these boxes that come up that go to your other videos and back to your channel. You have to add them to the end of the video when your uploading in your YouTube dashboard. It's very easy and I suggest to put them on every video. Instead of your video ending and going to another channel there is a higher chance of the viewer staying on your channel to see what else you have to offer.
Share On Social Media
This is a big one! You can definitely drive your own traffic with social media. Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest there are so many ways to promote your channel on all of these platforms. After every upload there should definitely be a little promotion of the video afterwards. Even send it in a text message alerting the person your video is posted. But don't be annoying and spam that can get you blocked.
Go Live
Livestreaming is huge right now! And it's a great way to get more views and videos. Live works for you in two ways. You get the views and watch time from the people on the livestream in real time then if you keep the video you will get playbacks from viewers who missed it and want to see what happened. Livestreaming was a big way I was able to get my 4,000 hours I would livestream like every night.
There it is (8) ways I got to 4,000 hours of watch time on YouTube! If you have any other ways please feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading and let's get these hours people!
With the new rules YouTube has implemented on the platform you now have to have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time (240,000 minutes) to be a partner and get monetized on YouTube. The 1,000 subscribers actually isn't the hard part it will take time but with consistency you will make it. But getting 4,000 hours of watch time is the hard part. If you break it down you will be able to digest it better.
4,000 hours of watch time broken down into 12 months is 333.333 so you need 334 hours of watch time a month or more. I was lucky because I was doing YouTube very heavy at the time and Mukbang videos were super popular so I barely made it but I was able to get the 4,000 hours. I have slowed down since 2017-2018 on YouTube but here are some things you can do to reach this goal to get monetized:
Record Longer Videos
Yes! Instead of those 3-5 minute quick uploads try to make your uploads 10 minutes or longer. It gives you more of a chance to get more watch time with each viewer that clicks your video
Create Playlist
Separate your videos into categories and make playlist. I have a playlist for every genre of video I've ever made Mukbang, Vlog, DIY even one that just Random. You never know who might want to watch all your Story Times or just Vlogs. Plus a playlist will play every video in that playlist so someone might watch 10 videos straight of you cooking!
Leave Comments
Leaving comments is a great way to communicate with other YouTubers like yourself. I like to leave comments on smaller channels. There is a greater chance they will come back and leave a comment also. It doesn't matter if they do or don't your now being seen in the comment section. You never know who might click on your channel so make sure your comments are good not just "Nice Video" take the chance to say something witty or conversational.
Promote Your Channel
Tell people you do YouTube! You don't know how many times I told people I do YouTube and they look up my channel right in front of me and start watching (It's kind of weird when people do that) People are nosey and want the tea. They want to know what you are doing on YouTube it's curiosity. So don't be shy! Even get a hat or a t-shirt made and wear it to an event. Order or make some cheap cards with all your info on it (YouTube, Blog, Depop, Online Store) pass them out wherever you go! You'll be surprised at the people that will support what your doing.
Collab With Other YouTubers
I don't care if a person has 5 subscribers and you have 15 don't worry about that. The focus should be on consistent content. The more you collab with other people the more your getting exposed to different audiences. If the person has a bigger platform that's great but even if you have the same amount or they have less subscribers I would still take the opportunity to work with another YouTuber for exposure and experience. Who knows you might have a ongoing relationship after you make content.
Use End Cards
When your watching a YouTube video at the end there are these boxes that come up that go to your other videos and back to your channel. You have to add them to the end of the video when your uploading in your YouTube dashboard. It's very easy and I suggest to put them on every video. Instead of your video ending and going to another channel there is a higher chance of the viewer staying on your channel to see what else you have to offer.
Share On Social Media
This is a big one! You can definitely drive your own traffic with social media. Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest there are so many ways to promote your channel on all of these platforms. After every upload there should definitely be a little promotion of the video afterwards. Even send it in a text message alerting the person your video is posted. But don't be annoying and spam that can get you blocked.
Go Live
Livestreaming is huge right now! And it's a great way to get more views and videos. Live works for you in two ways. You get the views and watch time from the people on the livestream in real time then if you keep the video you will get playbacks from viewers who missed it and want to see what happened. Livestreaming was a big way I was able to get my 4,000 hours I would livestream like every night.
There it is (8) ways I got to 4,000 hours of watch time on YouTube! If you have any other ways please feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading and let's get these hours people!
I’m always running around doing errands and trying to vlog at the same time. I saw there was a problem though, everything was always scattered everywhere. My camera would be in my jacket pocket, SD and battery in my pants pocket, and then my tripod would be too big to go in my purse so I would have to leave it at home. My old canon was on the way out so I said I was going to make the most compact affordable YouTube set up ever! It’s going to be so compact it will fit in a standard fanny pack! So here is the YouTube vlogger on the go fanny pack gear :
Of course you need a basic fanny pack. The more zippers and pockets the better. Got this one of eBay for I think $8.00 it was meant for the gym actually.
This is my old Canon Powershot Elph I used for vlogging before the sound went out. UPDATE: I wanted a camera I could see myself in so I got the Canon SX740 SX. It's a great deal to me for the quality of footage I get plus the fact that I can see myself makes it all worth it! (Yes the new camera fits in the fanny pack as well)
This little tripod is the best thing ever! It’s a Manfrotto mini tripod. It’s so small and fits in your hand perfectly. I didn’t know if it was going to fit into the fanny pack or not so when I saw it fit my day was made! I haven't stopped recording since.
The extra batteries for me are a must! I use the record feature a lot so when my camera flashes red and tells me to change the battery I stop, change it, put the other one on charge and continue. For me I have (3) batteries for the Canon SX 740 SX that’s enough to keep me going for the entire day. The most I’ve ever had to change the battery is once in a day. (I do the same with the Canon Power Shot ELPH 340 HS and my DSLR Canon)
All together I probably have about (29) SD Cards because I list online daily and do videos on multiple platforms. For the average person 2-4 SD Cards with between 8GB to 16GB should be well more than enough to get started. When I’m out I have one in my camera and one in the fanny pack. UPDATE: I have now moved up to 32-64GB because of more photography and more video but it’s not necessary starting out a 16GB SD Card is ideal though)
This was a very inexpensive light and helps to be seen on camera when you are losing light. It’s meant to be clipped on a cell phone but it can be clipped anywhere. It gives off (3) strengths of light and it’s great at night time.
See being a YouTuber, Instagrammer or Tik Toker is only a fanny pack away! Get some starter gear and start creating!
I’m always running around doing errands and trying to vlog at the same time. I saw there was a problem though, everything was always scattered everywhere. My camera would be in my jacket pocket, SD and battery in my pants pocket, and then my tripod would be too big to go in my purse so I would have to leave it at home. My old canon was on the way out so I said I was going to make the most compact affordable YouTube set up ever! It’s going to be so compact it will fit in a standard fanny pack! So here is the YouTube vlogger on the go fanny pack gear :
Of course you need a basic fanny pack. The more zippers and pockets the better. Got this one of eBay for I think $8.00 it was meant for the gym actually.
This is my old Canon Powershot Elph I used for vlogging before the sound went out. UPDATE: I wanted a camera I could see myself in so I got the Canon SX740 SX. It's a great deal to me for the quality of footage I get plus the fact that I can see myself makes it all worth it! (Yes the new camera fits in the fanny pack as well)
This little tripod is the best thing ever! It’s a Manfrotto mini tripod. It’s so small and fits in your hand perfectly. I didn’t know if it was going to fit into the fanny pack or not so when I saw it fit my day was made! I haven't stopped recording since.
The extra batteries for me are a must! I use the record feature a lot so when my camera flashes red and tells me to change the battery I stop, change it, put the other one on charge and continue. For me I have (3) batteries for the Canon SX 740 SX that’s enough to keep me going for the entire day. The most I’ve ever had to change the battery is once in a day. (I do the same with the Canon Power Shot ELPH 340 HS and my DSLR Canon)
All together I probably have about (29) SD Cards because I list online daily and do videos on multiple platforms. For the average person 2-4 SD Cards with between 8GB to 16GB should be well more than enough to get started. When I’m out I have one in my camera and one in the fanny pack. UPDATE: I have now moved up to 32-64GB because of more photography and more video but it’s not necessary starting out a 16GB SD Card is ideal though)
This was a very inexpensive light and helps to be seen on camera when you are losing light. It’s meant to be clipped on a cell phone but it can be clipped anywhere. It gives off (3) strengths of light and it’s great at night time.
See being a YouTuber, Instagrammer or Tik Toker is only a fanny pack away! Get some starter gear and start creating!
This is one of my favorite quick breakfast recipes Vanilla Allspice Cinnamon Pancakes! It taste so good you wouldn't realize how low cost it is. Take a box of any brand Pancake mix I chose Kroger buttermilk pancake mix. The whole box is under $2.00 which is a steal because as a single person I will have that box for a long time.
This is one of my favorite quick breakfast recipes Vanilla Allspice Cinnamon Pancakes! It taste so good you wouldn't realize how low cost it is. Take a box of any brand Pancake mix I chose Kroger buttermilk pancake mix. The whole box is under $2.00 which is a steal because as a single person I will have that box for a long time.
It has taken me roughly 4-5 years to be able to use my DSLR camera for YouTube without the footage looking blurry and out of focus. I tried to make a YouTube video to say Thank You for 1,800 subscribers about a year ago it was so bad! It was a real struggle! I have been in photography class for about (3) weeks and because we have been working with camera settings I decided to come home and work on the video settings and here is a snap shot of the settings I'm using on the Canon 1300 D DSLR camera to do YouTube video:
It has taken me roughly 4-5 years to be able to use my DSLR camera for YouTube without the footage looking blurry and out of focus. I tried to make a YouTube video to say Thank You for 1,800 subscribers about a year ago it was so bad! It was a real struggle! I have been in photography class for about (3) weeks and because we have been working with camera settings I decided to come home and work on the video settings and here is a snap shot of the settings I'm using on the Canon 1300 D DSLR camera to do YouTube video:
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