Elevate Your Vlogs, TikTok Videos, and More in Five Steps

On January 1st, we all had our list of nearly obligatory New Year’s resolutions.

Many set out to meet new people, get in shape, and read more with the best of intentions. But, as Psychology Today revealed, “a study by researchers at Scranton University found that only 19 percent of individuals keep their resolutions. Most are abandoned by mid-January.”

From where we sit, the traditional new year resolution doesn't account for two things: motivation and mindset. As Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Attempting to scale a mountain with methods that are ineffective are bound to not only make the summit seem out of reach; the goal will seem completely unattainable.

If you are a content creator, odds are, you aspire to set creative goals. Those goals may include everything from upgrading one’s gear, to launching a personal brand, or to finally starting that YouTube channel. If you’re really serious about leaving your mark on the social media and online video landscapes, perhaps it’s time to swap resolutions for affirmations. With that in mind, we’ve come up with five action statements.

Before we jump in, here’s a quick snapshot:

1. Progress Over Perfection
2. Love What You Have
3. Your Authentic Self
4. Live and In Color
5. Consistency

Here are five creative affirmations that will get your content creation juices flowing.

I Will Seek Progress Over Perfection

As the old adage goes, perfection is the enemy of progress. 

While this bit of advice is universal, waiting for the right time to start, to write, to film, to shoot, or to upload is something that plagues new and even established creators. The most difficult part of the content creation process is just getting started. And, we understand why this is often the case. The online landscape is not only competitive; it’s near impossible to not compare one’s work or progress with others. That way it’s important to keep the following in mind: the finished product doesn’t tell the whole story. We can’t stress this enough, especially when it comes to YouTube videos or social media content. 

If you find yourself pumping the breaks before you even really hit the gas, try measuring success not by views or clicks; but, by setting and meeting manageable goals over a period of time. Want to create two videos a week? Great - start there. Want to go live once a month? Set the date and show up. Don’t discount the small victories - it’s all stepping stones towards the highly coveted prize of the internet: a viral video. 

I Will Love the Gear I Have

What's the number one question new content creators ask? Most often, iIt’s not regarding content ideas, frequency, or even which platform is best suited for their creative vision. It’s “what kind of camera and equipment do I need?” Or, “what kind of setup does so-and-so with a million followers (more than likely, a production team behind them) use?”

In our last Frame by Frame blog, we spoke at length about the right time to upgrade one’s gear. While there are instances where new gear is a must, there are plenty of other times where that wish list can be placed on the back burner. As a matter of fact, putting too much emphasis on new gear can be the reason why one has hit a wall in their creative process.

Being a person living in the 21st Century, there’s a pretty good chance that you already have a camera that will get the job done over the first few months. If there is an existing budget, it should be allocated towards accessories like a portable light source, microphone, memory cards, or a harddrive. 

I Will Embrace My Authentic Self

Quick question - How many instagram-ready homes and picturesque getaways have you scrolled past today? Trust us - we know it’s difficult to not only want to strive to meet those aesthetics; but, to feel like what you have and who you are isn’t enough. So, allow us to say the following. Embrace your authentic self. 

Here’s the thing about those meticulously planned feeds and manicured sets - they are becoming less relatable and more obviously staged. Especially in the age of COVID, we all just want to connect with positive and accepting communities.

I Will Go Live

Whatever your preferred social media platform, there’s probably a “go live” button. The option is there because apps like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram want creators to utilize their app as a live streaming platform.

Sure, it’s a plus for the platform. Social media companies want creators who attract and keep audiences on their app for an extended period of time. For the creator, there are two notable upsides - both we strongly encourage to take advantage of:

• First - Get ahead of the algorithm. A mix of using niche specific hashtags, talking about a trending topic, positing consistently, participating in video trends, and going live are a winning (and potentially viral) combination.

• And, connect with your audience in real time. From a production perspective, the setup is fast and requires no additional overhead costs. From a marketing point of view, live streaming allows one to target specific niches and reach more potential followers. But analytics and strategy aside, it's important to keep in mind that the secret behind successful personal brands is community building. Direct interaction through comments, likes, or going live has the potential to foster a lasting relationship between creators and viewers. 

I Will Plan For Consistency

Before one writes a script or hits record on a camera, it’s key to have ideas and proposed deadlines calendared. We highly encourage anyone who is serious about content creation to do the following: take an hour to plan content for the next week. Not only will this step keep one on track; it encourages a consistent production and posting schedule. 

As perfectly put by author Greg Reid, “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.”

Final Thoughts

The trick to meeting realistic goals is to set up oneself for success. Thankfully, everything you need to create a viral vlog or TikTok video is well within reach. Get started by adding these five affirmations to your daily routine.