Tag: Vlogging

iMovie Problem Resolved, Blog Menu added, and Vlog Equipment Arrived

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Wow what a day. I’ve been working hard trying to knock some things off the list so I can get on with the rest of the list and to what I enjoy doing the most. And this weekend is really important because the month of June is really getting busy and plans for July and August need to be made. And I had some problems to solve before I could move forward. I’m pleased with what I was able to do.

First of all iMovie. Apparently Apple had taken away the music files as they were – after iMovie was updated. It was not me at all. I ended up speaking with Apple after uninstalling and reinstalling with no efforts at bringing the music back. And I assumed I had messed it up and deleted it – but no the latest version did not have it as Apple removed the music selections from the iMovie app in the iMac version. However it does have it on the phone version. Oh well. It least that mystery is solved and I have my Epidemic Sound music to use but I’m pleased to know that I’m not operating with a defective iMovie app at least. I was determined to get this resolved and now it is.

Next was opening up my Yunteng tripod and seeing how that works.

It’s a glorified selfie stick and tripod that comes with the clicker. You can add iphone, go pro, or a camera to it. I wanted it to be versatile. Also important to me was the ease in which you could add the phone to it and be able to pivot it around. The previous tripod I had ordered was difficult to move around and very hard to get the brace open to put the iphone into. I dropped the phone several times trying to do that old one. So I went up a few levels to get a better one this time around and the selfie stick goes out a bit. I really like it. Now the bigger challenge is using this in public – if I do. I am sure I will have to if I keep this videoing up. I’ll be so embarrassed using it as people will stare.

I’ve not tried the microphone yet. But it’s arrived too and I’ll be using it eventually. I may do a video showing the difference between the iphone without the microphone and then with it.

I had video’d myself in a car chat yesterday and replayed it and I was just so tired looking, the lighting was awful and I just decided I was NOT going to put that out there. So I tried it again this morning with the new tripod set up and it was much better. I realized though I was in my shirt FROM THAT SHAKE/SUPPLEMENT COMPANY I USE lol. I should have dressed up more for the video and not been in a t-shirt. So I know there are some things I have to improve about myself before doing these videos which will look better on video: darker lipstick, longer hair (like a bob), smiling more, brighter clothes – it’ll all be a work in progress if I expect anyone at all to watch. And I’m wondering if I should go back to contacts again? Maybe that is a bit too far. Well too far was me saying to myself – should I get a facelift? lol Neh, won’t do that. And my hair is going through a lot right now as it morphs from color to salt and pepper with a white streak in front. So I’ll just “bless my heart” myself and go on. I think I will order a round brush hair dryer on Amazon I’ve been looking at. That will help style it as it grows a bit longer. I still have to cut some of the brown out though. So it’s going to be a while. And I hope I can live with the styling of the longer layered bob when I get there. Having it short is easy but it doesn’t come across the camera very well. I wonder what those magnetic eyelashes would look like on me, haaaaaaaaaa!

I also added in the menus to the blog which includes an About Me section. I am sure I’ll be updating that one from time to time. But I just did it on the fly. And the “VIDEO” section which sends you to my YouTube Channel directly. I can add more MENU items but I think this is all I need for now. That was a learning process as well. It was a little confusing as there are so many bells and whistles but I think I have it down.

I’ve also added “behind the scenes” automatic posting to the facebook and twitter accounts. Where I don’t have to do that myself. It’ll automatically post for me. I don’t think it will for Instagram but not sure.

I also did laundry, vacuumed, cleaned kitchen and made us breakfast. So a busy day on the homefront. I knew better than to start in my office first so I did the laundry and housework first.

And I have tomorrow left.

OK so…..I have accomplished things that were standing in my way before I could get the next video done. And so I’m ready to start working on it. It’ll still be a while as we are insanely busy the next two weekends with grad parties, dog trims, baby showers, planning July and planning our trip to Texas.

I must say the week must have worn me out though. Yesterday by the time I got home, I was just mentally and physically DONE. I didn’t remember it being such a stressful week – but apparently it was. I believe that a lot that was on my mind really took a toll. And that is why I decided to do a little segment on 5 ways to de-stress when you are overwhelmed. I didn’t feel so overwhelmed at the time but I think my little head was on overdrive – with too many to dos, keeping with the news, all the discord on Facebook, and that little work issue which left me wondering if I would need to seek another job, but that works itself out too, for now anyway. I guess my head was stretched to the max. I ended up having to lay down and just not think of anything at all. I didn’t sleep, I just rested. And it worked wonders.

So yeah, we are off to “ready set GO” on the next video and I’ll be having to get into the mindset of trying to capture videos of things we have going on. It’s hard to tell a story when nothing is there to tell about. So I have to get crafty. lol

And that is really all I know. I’m just shocked that we are all getting back out there. I’m not sure what to expect. It’s like COVID is over. I know better. But we are ready to see family and friends. And I don’t know if we’ll all end up getting it or what. I’m still being careful but honestly with our friends/family we are not wearing masks. Just out places. And only me really. George hasn’t been wearing his for the most part.

Also George went back to work – he is partly at work and partly at home. They rotate on various days. I just don’t know what to expect. Shall we expect to get it then? I hope not but it’s entirely possible as we all end up going to see each other and getting out there and businesses open and all that. Lord help us all.

I’ve just not listened much to the news lately because of all the negativity, groupthink, judgment, politics, people dissing your religious thoughts, and all that going on. Sometimes you just need a little sanity. Sometimes you need to just have your own thoughts and let everyone else have theirs. lol

And after a couple of days of being out of touch with all that….I can say this…

And so we shall see what tomorrow’s day off brings.

George bottled some wine. Should have gotten that on video. See, I’m going to have to work on this videoing of our moments. I’ll get better. Don’t worry. There is so much to improve getting around this curve.

Ya’ll take care.

YouTube Success is Slow, Pedicure Protocol, and Plans

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized1 Comment
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Ahhhh, tis Friday. And I’m going for my 2nd cup of coffee! I have been awake since 2:37. Mainly just my brain thinking of things I want to do or could do. Now that it is 5:27, I’d kind of like to turn my brain to OFF.

But off to work we must go.

I looked at the YouTube channel this morning and the video has had 76 views. And I have 6 subscribers. Only 94 more to go to reach my goal. When I count the number of friends and family I have, I really thought I’d have more than that. But I do remember someone saying that your family and friends are NOT your support base when it comes to this YouTube success. Much as it is for blogging or even the net work marketing I once used to do. You have to tap into the niche. I guess that is really what was keeping me up this morning. I have to seek out my peeps. My type. And connect with them. So I will learn to be a marketing expert. 😉

Setting up Twitter and Instagram was a bit unsuccessful so far – well it’s been two days. I only have one follower on Instagram – I had two and one left, lol lol lol. With hardly nothing on my profile and it not built up, and no one really knows who I am, so to follow someone – they aren’t going to follow back.

I have not connected anything to my blog yet. I needed to actually set the LessHustleMoreCoffee accounts up on all the social media platforms before I connected it, of course. So it’s set up. And I will work this weekend to get blog set up to lead people to YouTube, to Twitter, and to Instagram.

So I was thinking that it was a pain to go back and forth on Instagram from my personal one to the blog one. I was considering deleting the personal one. But, I think I do want to keep them separate and keep my personal account. I did delete my twitter one though, I think. I will only be using the LessHustleMoreCoffee Twitter account. I just don’t really use twitter much. Honestly I’m not on Instagram much either but I don’t want to lose what I’ve posted so I’ll keep it and go back and forth as needed.

It’ll all happen slowly. But I will admit to some disappointment at only have 6 subscribers so far. I don’t want people to subscribe just because I asked or just for pity, lol. I want people who will actually watch and enjoy it – like you all seem to do with the blog. And I also (have said this before). The people that watch the videos are likely to be folks that really don’t read the blog.

So I have to do more videos – one on a channel is kinda puny. I have to get on a schedule but that won’t come for a while. I don’t want to commit anything I can’t promise or overdo myself b/c then it won’t be a hobby.

I think I have close to 557 friends on Facebook and I posted in my personal feed but honestly with the Facebook algorithm, I bet less than 50 actually saw the thing. And there’s the factor of when it’s convenient to even watch a video. I can really only watch mine at home or prefer that anyway. Much of the time you are out and around others and even though you scroll you can’t watch. Often at home you have to watch what the masses want to watch. My spouse doesn’t give a flying flip about some of the You Tube shows I want to watch. So I get it. It’s not convenient much to watch a video like it is to read a blog blip.

I’ll find the niche though. Others have. It can be done. I also have to create value as I keep saying. I’ll start doing that to grab attention on YouTube to lead people to it. Then when I do get any subscribers, I’ll be scared to death. lol. So definitely a learning curve here.

Just parking my thoughts down on it this morning. It’ll all come together. We’ll see where this goes and hopefully we’ll have more outings to share as time goes on and we can get out more. Right now coming up with subject matter at the house. But I’ll focus on updating the blog this weekend. That has been on my mind for a while to add some components here. But I like a good challenge. I will enjoy seeing the changes and measurements as I go along. And as I find the niche, the rhythm, and the style.

Pedicure Protocol

I went to get my toes done last night after work. It was grand and glorious. Felt so good. Here’s how that went:

  • A sign on the door saying not to come in if you have not called and made an appointment
  • Walk in and sign in. I had to dig for my pen as I didn’t want to use theirs. You had to list your phone number. So your name and phone number is out there for anyone to have and see – I didn’t like that at all. I already have some ridiculous spam texters.
  • Hand sanitizer – you had to use before heading on into the salon area.
  • They had shields b/w the worker and you – even at the pedicure stations.
  • I did not see any water being offered (I wanted/needed some really bad but didn’t dare ask)
  • They workers had on masks AND face shields.
  • I wore my mask as well.
  • I sanitized again after getting into my car.

My feet feel so soft now. For the most part. I think it’ll take a while for them to get back to real soft texture. I missed two months of not having one.

Anyway, it’s Friday. I’m so happy about that. It’s been a fast week. I’ll be happy to work on a few things here at home this weekend. We get to see our SIL and BIL and go out with them. I will begin to try to set up the blog like I want and to try and see if I can fix my iMovie to get the songs back. The have a song list that you can use with no copyright issues. I usually use Epidemic Sound but I did like some of the iMovie music and they had some intros and things like that. I’d really like to get that back. So I’ll work on that.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Are you getting out and doing anything this weekend? Are you braving it yet?

Take care. Oh, George starts back to work on site soon – rotating with another person in and out of the office. Still have some home repairs going on next week. So much for the flooring? lol. Nah, we can plan that at some point. Oh and I think we will be planning a vacay at some point to Texas. We have a date planned. Need to discuss it more and I’ll need to get all that approved and planned.

Have a good one.

Pool Party and Defining my Niche in Vlogging

On By BackporchwriterIn Uncategorized5 Comments

Well, it just seems like the numbers of the virus are not growing fast in our county. I guess that is why everyone is free to go back to partial openings – usually in 2nd phases in Tennessee. We will see how it does in a couple of weeks as everyone kinda gets back to society.

We really really really enjoyed time with our friends yesterday. It was so good to see them. There were six of us. We ate together, swam together, and yes we gave each other hugs.

Here is Mr. Stud Muffin right here. We all enjoyed our pool time / chat time.

They have a lovely place and a salt water pool. We sat on the screened in patio some too. Very nice. It was a perfect day for a cook out / pool party.

The cheese burgers were great and we had potato salad, slaw, baked beans (we took those), chips and dip, bread and spinach dip. We had whoopi pie for dessert as well as a lemoncello cake. All so good.

Judy made some dreamcicle margarita drinks. I just had a little of that as I had a glass of wine. But we ate, talked, caught up and had a really good time.

We left about 9:15 and I was ready for bed since I get up so early. We got home and I was in bed by 10:01. lol

So, yesterday before we left for the party, and after doing laundry, I did some viewing of YouTube videos on creating a YouTube channel. I allowed myself to just do whatever I wanted yesterday without specific focus. I was wanting to go ahead and create my channel and get it started. So I wanted to check out videos to kinda guide me through some of it.

One video leads to another and so forth. It’s all so intriguing to me and I’m like a sponge soaking it all in. It gets to be overwhelming quickly – the legal parts, the details of what to do and what not to do, how the algorithms work and how to market yourself and all of that if you want to grow your channel. I want people to like it and so that interests me too. But it got me thinking – probably a little too much. Like anything else, you have to think of it like a business, you have to crank out the videos on pretty much a weekly schedule, and you need to be able to provide VALUE for people to want to subscribe. LOL LOL. So I began thinking about all that and it really kinda made me laugh at first and then kinda made me sad.

Does my blog bring value? It’s just me spilling over whatever it is I need to say, and what we did the day before and sharing our life to who ever wants to read. So if I bring the blog to life in a vlog – how does that bring value? lol Oh dear.

I’ve always really just wanted to have a format in which I just say what I want. I don’t usually have a formal format of “Here’s 5 reasons you should BLAH BLAH BLAH”. I don’t usually give advice in my blogs, I just share my life. And that is probably not interesting enough to bring in new subscribers. But who knows? Maybe I can bring some kind of entertainment value. haaaaa. I think that is what makes me laugh. So what made me sad is that I realized if I don’t vlog in a certain way there may not be any subscribers. And if I don’t put out a video on a regular schedule, they will not stay, according to those with successful channels. I’m not so worried about monetizing the thing but if it grows, I’m not going to turn it down. And then there are milestones and rewards and such just like anything (goals to set in YouTube), which I will want to go for if I do this. For example even with 100 subscribers you get your own URL with a name instead of a number code and people can find you easier. So then I thought – well, COULD I begin adding some things that bring value? I’m sorry this makes me laugh every time I write it. lol I’m not used to thinking in terms of bringing value, to telling about what happened yesterday, lol. Heck, I’m entertaining myself here. But one video suggested that before I even begin, I should have 12 topics ready to go for the next 12 videos. So…….that’s just weird when you are reality blogger. And I have to have a niche. It can be about 3 things really. Enough to let them know who you are and what you normally bring to the table.

So what value have I brought to you guys?

Maybe I need to understand why my readers are here? What value does this blog bring to you? What do you want to see more of?

It has been suggested that you can still vlog but in the beginning or along side of – you need to bring some value. This still makes me laugh when I say it because it really trying to turn my blog into a vlog and into a business of sorts. That’s really what the videos on YouTube were calling successful. It’s a business. Is that what I really want? I mean I think it would be nice at retirement to have the extra income if it turned out that way. By then we’d get to travel more.

So I’m trying to think through here what value this blog brings to anyone other than for me to spill forth my thoughts about yesterday and share what happened.

I’ve heard that someone reads because she is interested in the Nashville area. Well that’s a biggie right there. We are usually out and about more. I will have Nashville area blogger in my description. And would eventually change it to vlogger as my format changed more toward vlogging formats and less of blogging formats. I can’t see how I could possibly keep both blog and vlog going in as detailed of a fashion like it is- another feature about this that makes me sad. The more public it becomes the less personal I can be also. And that makes me question if I’d be losing the reason I blog/vlog in the first place.

So yes, I’m having an identity crises through this thing. I’m in the midst of deciding what is important to me now and what is important as I morph and change. I also know part of the growth and change is to be flexible. I also have to get used to filming myself – at least in some scenes. I also don’t like the way I look in them. So I have to figure out how to look interesting on the camera. I know it’s within me to do so, but it’s something that will be a trial and error kind of thing. Hair, makeup, accessories – something that pops! So this is all scary and exciting. And it’s almost making me want to back out, but I enjoy the making of the videos, and I see others doing it, and I know in my heart it is something I want to do. And I am up for the challenge! I’m almost afraid for it to be successful. What if people do subscribe – I’ll be scared to death. Ahhhhhh.

So yeah….I am trying to decide what VALUE this type of scenario could bring to the YouTube world. What would my niche be that I would describe in the description?

I have organization skills and household skills. I have management/business skills. I do not want to make it a business blog!! I want it to be open to all sorts of things. There may be days I DO want to talk about business. So I think one of my niche description will be a “Reality Blogger”. I have to also emphasize down time and coffee as that is in the title and that is what I love. I guess I have life skills. I could turn certain things I do and discover into a “how to” or a “here’s something to think about” or “5 ways to ____”. I also get excited about new apps, new products I find, and of course I’m sure hubby George can entertain us some in the kitchen. But I’m not really an expert at anything. So who am I to offer anyone advice? lol. I did think of one vlog that would be fun to do. Taking you into my kitchen and saying “Here’s examples of how to decorate your kitchen on a budget”. Lights, greenery, decorating with books, and there is that calendar of Greece that I had framed, and our bucket list. See I would enjoy that kind of thing. I could also do a video about placing greenery around the home – and show what a difference it makes. But I don’t want to go down a certain path. It may be a home video one day and we may be out trying new cuisine the next. I think I can make it work? What do you think?

So while I thought I’d be setting up a YouTube Channel this weekend, maybe I just need to think on it some more. I could use your help. If I can add a few things in that actually “bring value” I could grow the channel alongside my vlogging which I fully intend to do. I’m also trying to figure out what my vlog style is going to be. There is one person that does an informational video and a vlog video on the same channel. Business and personal. She does two a week. She also makes this her full time job as she became successful in it and had to quit her FT job. I’m not saying I am trying to go that route. It would not be something that is a consistent form of income IF it did get subscribers. On the other hand, retirement is just 5 years down the road.

I realize a lot of this stuff is going to just take time and morph into whatever it will be. I think for the most part I just need to stay true to who I am, need to just keep going in the direction I’m going with learning the vlog scene. I can heed the advice given and try to work in their advice here and there. I want it to be fun and a hobby and not a chore. So I have to remember that. I don’t want to burn myself out. So I guess I will just do what I know to do and try to do the best I can with it. Right now life is not too interesting to blog or vlog about, lol.

What value do you get from this blog?

Why do you return?

What would you like to see more of?

By knowing that I’ll have a better idea of the wording to use for my “niche”. So I appreciate your help. This is all blowing my mind right now, a little bit.

I really just want to have fun with it…but I also want it to be successful. It’s kinda scary.

I’ll be adding songs to the video I’m working on today. And I realize I’m going to have to be more simple with some of the videos. The 30 minutes to try and cut down to 15 or so, is not easy.

Well, that’s it for today. I’m going to work on the laundry, ironing, and make lasagna today. I’ve been bad and have not been doing many videos of the week either, but it’s ok. I’ve not really shoved the boat off in this direction, I’ve not set a schedule yet, and I’m just dabbling at this point trying to figure out what this will all look like. Oh and I spent a long time working on my intro but I was told it can’t be more than so many seconds. So I need to work on that. But I’ll probably wait til the NEXT video. lol

OK over and out. More tomorrow. I truly hope to get some things off my list in the next couple of days. I love working on the blog/vlog stuff.

Am I hearing sighs from the spouse at my being in here in my office so much? I’ve heard a few but not sure if it’s me or something else? He told me “I’ll see you in June” when he gave me my iMac at Christmas. He knows me well. Oh, and if this keeps up I’ll be buying a new camera with my money from the government. lol. I’ve always wanted a really nice one but I think we’ll reach some goals first. I kinda want to reach some milestones. I also need to learn how to use the drone. But I’m scared. I wish George would do that part and just give me the video. ha. I’m afraid I’ll crash the thing.

Oh well, over and out.