One-third of online activity is spent watching video.It is predicted that by 2021, 80% of the World’s Internet Traffic Will Be Video.

Creating Videos has always Interested Me.

Growing up, my brother and I would make clay animations when a video camera our family won. We record movies with scenes that dragged out way too long but we’re fun to make. And we used PowerPoint rather creatively to animate scenes of our own computer games. Often, I dreamed of being an animator and would spend hours drawing characters from various angles and poses. In high school, my best friend and I worked on our own soapie and snuck out of a few maths classes to record it.I made flash animations for people as farewell gifts and even picked up a few freelance jobs making marketing videos and even an animated video for a wedding.When I found out flash and after effects were being taught in my design degree, I was so excited and loved playing with it and making videos and title sequences.All this to say, I have long been fascinated by film, video and getting creative with motion graphics.A little time travel back to my video past:2007- First ever YouTube upload. I was 21, and yes my brother and I are a bit looney.

2008- 2009- Design School Projects

The New Inventors Title sequence from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.

Self promo video from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.

Electric Feel from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.

Quirky tales from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.

Enmore Talks Jungle Theme from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.2012- Wedding video for a client

cindy and richard- a love story from Tabitha Emma Bray on Vimeo.So know you know I am a bit crazy quirky! But love playing with video. Hmm maybe I need snippets of animation in my new videos!

Why I didn’t get into Video Sooner

When I heard that video is the biggest growing way to get seen and found and creating content that connects as an online business owner, I was kind of excited about it.The idea of video seems to scare a lot of people. Putting your face, that talks and moves out there for all to see, getting your head around the tech and then all the time it takes. I knew I had more to learn and obstacles to overcome, but my heart said ‘do it, you will love it’.From my early experiments, I knew video could be very time consuming to produce, which is why I had never dove into it consistently before. I saw no return on time investment to bother pursuing it while building my business. I saw it as a bit of creative fun, but that was all.When I became aware of how important video was becoming for online business, I quickly started listening up and researching what those who were doing it consistently where doing. This was late 2016, just before Christmas.Everyone was saying ‘start with what you have’, but with an older model iPhone with a poor camera and a cracked screen (thanks kids!), it didn’t seem good enough for me. I had a Canon 50D DSLR but it didn’t record video. So knowing I could still use my Canon lenses, I looked for a model that did video within my funds and bought a 700D body only with no lenses.I tried recording a few on the fly videos that summer and uploaded them to YouTube.The trouble was I had some big audio problems, the sound of the lens focussing ruined the video, and I didn't know how to prevent it. I also didn’t really have a plan of what to talk about and didn’t know a lot about smooth cut edits. I had 0 strategy, just a load of excitement.So I spent some time away from YouTube and did more research, experiments and practiced by making videos to put on my website and make perfect course, social media and challenge content. As my camera confidence grew, I found myself wanting to keep in the practice to continue getting better at it.I knew I wanted to get back into YouTube but wanted to do so with strategy. So I bought ‘Volg like a Boss' by Amy Schmittauer, watched and studied YouTubers I admired and listened to other YouTube strategists. I also asked a lot of questions about equipment and found what worked for me.One of the biggest things I learned was the importance of consistency. Not uploading videos sporadically but on a schedule.So I waited.I waited until I had some other big things out the way, such as re-designing my website and making a few other behind the scenes changes to my business. I wanted to be ready to commit. Not jump in only to fall off.But I also didn’t make it ambiguous, leaving it to never happen.I decided the exact things I wanted sorted out first, and as soon as they were done it was time to make a move on YouTube.

How I Prepared in the Lead Up

When IGTV hit the scene, I used it as a testing ground to prep myself. I started making weekly blogs, to break the ice, and take some pressure off myself and allow a space to trial a weekly video without defined commitment. (Watch here)

I worked on animating my logo and playing with a title sequence. I created my brand video and turned it into a channel trailer. I came up with a workflow and decided to start with re-creating old blog posts into videos.I made a launch plan, optomized my profile. Then started recording, editing and making my first videos.

Time to launch

So, the time has now come. It may still not be 100% perfect of the best I could ever do. But I am not going to let more time pass, waiting for the perfect timing. I am diving in, committing and taking a new content creation journey.So come on over, hit subscribe and join me on this journey.

Want to get Started with Video?

These are my top recommended people to start watching and listening too to get you started in the video world, whether you opt for YouTube, Facebook, live video or something go else.-Amy Landino- Youtube, Vlogging Superstar- Jessica Stansberry- Down to Earth and funny, lots of YouTube as content marketing advice.- Trina Little- Another amazing video content marketing lady.- Sarah Dietschy- Has a great Skillshare course on vlogging- Charli Marie- Great example of a female designer doing awesome on YouTube.- Sean McCabe- Great business mind and also teaches about video- Michelle Lewis- Her comfy on Camera Challenge is a game changer. Also very knowlagble on making video, with a videographer husband.