Youtube Channel Startup

The idea of starting a Youtube channel seems so easy in theory. All you need is a computer, a camera, and microphone. Turn them on, look forward and talk. All your thoughts will be presented in video form for the whole world to watch and be inspired. It can be that simple, but doesn't mean an audience will automatically form. A good Youtube channel takes time to grow and develop a following. For all those with a million views, there are a million other people who get anywhere from 100 to a few thousand on good days. According to some experts (and many will claim that title) there are ways to become successful.

Probably the number one suggestion they all can agree on is don't hesitate, just start. Almost all of the big names didn't know exactly what they were doing. They wanted to record themselves and place online for everyone to watch. Many look back at their first recordings and laugh at the embarrassing first efforts. What none of them do is wish they never tried. Take their mistakes and learn a few lessons. Be inspired by where the biggest Youtube stars are today. Be careful not to try and copy what many popular Youtubers are doing without finding a personal touch.

Becoming a Youtube sensation takes more than making a recording and slapping on the Internet for viewership. That is a sure recipe for disaster and limited interest for viewers. Casual research might make it seem that is what everyone is doing, but it isn't true. No matter what magnetic personality comes out when pressing record, there needs to be purpose. All the slick, professional, popular, and viral channels have a particular focus that relates to every created video. Some of the most common subjects are fashion, food, travel, and reviews of products. The voice can be serious to comedy, and anywhere in between.

Think small before hitting big. People are not going to suddenly drop by and subscribe. It takes work forming connections and building up a community. Go to other similar channels and write comments that engage the topics. Pick only a few large Youtubers because hundreds or thousands of other will be trying to get attention. A large portion of interactions should be a number of smaller and relatively unknown personalities. They might return the favor (but never ask to return the favor) by visiting your channel videos. Starting at rock bottom might require asking friends, family, and those from other social media platforms to watch what you have recorded. One of the biggest Youtube sensations, Rhett and Link, failed multiple times until Good Mythical Morning became a hit. The dub-step dancing violin artist Lindsey Stirling lost a nationally broadcast competition in humiliation. the self-made Crystallize video made her a huge star. Failure is part of the equation toward success.

Make sure your productions are consistently made and the channel maintained. Upload once a week at the least, and on a specific time table. Twice a week is common and once a day is best if there is enough to show and say. The more videos made, the greater chances people will find the content. Of course, the content needs to be interesting or it could be viewed and then forgotten. Algorithms count views if a person remains watching for at least three minutes, so it is best to have five to fifteen minutes for each video presentation. Any content on the channel should be named according to top search items when looking for similar topics. Don't forget to add as many labels for search engines as possible with related subjects. Most of all, don't worry about how well they actually do because the best videos are done with passion and fun.

Photo by Gianandrea Villa on Unsplash

Any Life Can Be a Simple Life

By N. D. Melander

Most people acknowledge their lives have become busy and complicated. They wish to simplify, but aren't sure how that can be possible.   It doesn't take drastic measures to enjoy a simple life. There are steps that any person can take to lower stress and still have a normal life.

Probably the biggest challenge to a simple life is financial concerns. This is tied to a very consumerist culture that may question buying too much, but is still in debt to the point of bankruptcy. The main culprit is using credit to purchase almost everything. Financial guru Dave Ramsey suggests paying cash for any purchase other than basic expensive necessities, “When you pay cash, you can 'feel' the money leaving you. This is not true with credit cards. Flipping a credit card up on a counter registers nothing emotionally.” ( Dave Ramsey ). Although many people use credit cards responsibly, too many pile up debt burdens that increase stress. It is better for those who are looking for a simple life to save up and allocate cash for  specific purchases.

Spending money leads to the issue of having too much stuff. What was once wanted, even for a fleeting moment, starts to take up too much space. Marie Kondo suggests in her best selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up that a simple life is a clean and organized one. To be successful at doing what is necessary to create a simple life means changing hard to break habits. “Changing lifestyle habits acquired over a span of many years is generally extremely difficult,” Kondo wrote, “. . .  People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. And that is not easy!”(pg. 15). Most simple living experts suggest having a needed and don't need pile, then getting rid of the latter.

Deciding what is needed and what isn't cannot be a one time thing for creating a simple life. Every decision and purchase must ask the question is this necessary? Whatever becomes not used is a complication. Living space must be sparse and clean, and that goes for a personal life as well. Learn to walk away from people, places, and things. Cleaning expert Don Aslett wrote in his book Lose 200 LBS. This Weekend, “We don't like to admit that anyone or anything could get the best of us. So instead we let overbearing people – or our overload of clutter – push us to the breaking point.” (pg. 55). Fewer objects and drama leads to more happiness and fulfillment.

Getting rid of debt, unnecessary possessions, bad relationships, and wanting it all can give a person freedom and peace. They don't worry as much because there isn't as much to worry about. Unplug the computer and cable containing frivolous entertainment. Take time to go for a hike, plant a garden, and talk with a neighbor. A simple life opens up more time with family and friends, helping others to enjoy life too. That is worth having fewer things.

Life.Simplified. T-shirt.