Have you ever thought about starting a YouTube channel, but you are also a busy mom? I am here sharing all that I wish I knew when I got started with YouTube after I had my 4th child. It is now 5 years later and I am sharing all I wish I knew when I got started to help fast track your YouTube journey!
In the last 5 years of YouTube I have learned a bit more of what works and what doesn’t on YouTube. And after 5 years I still think sharing on YouTube takes the cake for profitability as far as social media goes and is one of the best ways to truly help others on their journey through life.
Today I am going to share courses I have taken that have taught me what I needed and accelerated my growth on YouTube, why I believe YouTube is better investment of your time than Instagram, and the basic equipment you could use to get started + what I am using now equipment wise.
Equipment
My first 30 videos were all taken on my iPhone. I didn’t even have a tripod or a mic. I sat in front of a window close enough and filmed that way. Here is a link to one of the oldest videos, so you can get a taste of how the lighting is ok, but the sound needed help.
Starting with an iPhone?
It was a fine way to get going, I think if I was going to start with my iPhone today I would start with a basic tripod + a mic. In those first 30 videos, I sound really far from the camera. A simple mic would have helped that a lot. I think decent light + GREAT sound helps a ton!
Basic Camera You Could Start With
After investing in a more expensive camera that had a big learning curve, I talked with a seasoned YouTuber and she revealed that she used this simple camera and the mic that was in the body. And she used that camera until she hit 100K subscribers!
AND she shot all her videos and still does in automatic mode. So proof it doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated.
I found mine on eBay and had two of them (both got knocked over from a cheap tripod).
But for the price and how EASY it is to whip out, I found I really loved this little camera.
YouTube Setup I am Currently Using
Now I am using a Canon 80D DSLR camera with a 35mm lens, a Rode Mic on top of the camera and with this tripod. This was all an investment in the craft of learning how to take more quality videos.
Also, NOT necessary. I bought this whole setup after taking a YouTube course, but then like I said it was so hard to get out and set up that I switched to the cheap eBay camera for 2 years.
And then went BACK to this setup because I felt convicted that I had a great camera and mic that I just wasn’t using.
Now I shoot in manual mode (learned from this course) and my Rode mic is on top of my camera.
None of this is necessary! It pains me to think of how many people think that getting the right equipment is essential to “making it” on YouTube. It is a skill and craft and no amount of fancy equipment is essential in the beginning.
- Camera
- Lens
- Mic
- Tripod
- External Hard drive
- Camera Card
- MacBook with 16GB (I would highly recommend using Mac products and having enough RAM for video processing)
- Final Cut for editing (I started with iMovie for first 2 years)
Other Accessories that are Handy:
Courses I Took
What I loved about taking Lisa’s YouTube Success Academy YouTube Course was that she taught and showed how to use equipment, basics of editing, different styles of videos, how to make a cover for a video called a thumbnail, and just her wisdom on what it takes a busy mom to be success on YouTube.
Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone (creator of the YouTube course) is my favorite and most reliable YouTuber. She isn’t a perfectionist, but believes that as a mom done is better than perfect when it comes to videos. Without fail, she hasn’t missed one week of posting on YouTube in 8 years!
That is why she is my favorite person to learn from! She is consistent and has mastered her craft of YouTube.
I also enjoy the Facebook community that comes along with the course. That is how I have connected with other mama YouTubers!
Many of the gals I have met in that Facebook community have become real life good friends. Having their help and perspective on YouTube has been invaluable to my growth and even enjoyment of YouTube. YouTube can be lonely going at it by yourself! Becoming friends with other YouTubers who are moms helps soooo much!
What I Wish I Knew as a New YouTuber + Mom
The best advice I had was that it will take 100 bad videos to make your first good video. It is just GOING and going and going, without overthinking it.
No one really watched my first 50 videos or so, I didn’t even have a video get a lot of views for 3 years!
I also wished I took a look at the thumbnails of other YouTubers that were doing well and use them as a jumping off point for my videos. I needed to study what works for others and then not copy, but at least try to learn why that thumbnail is attractive and grabs attention.
Know Your Why + Who Are You Videos For?
It is so helpful to know your WHY. Why are you getting started on YouTube? Who do you want to help and be the guide for?
For me I really wanted to help newer moms with the pain that comes from having to learn how to take care of a house, small children, and keep the faith in Jesus in the midst of having little sleep and support.
I am trying to help the me from 5-7 years ago! Who can you be the guide for?
Why You Shouldn’t Do YouTube
You shouldn’t do YouTube if you want to instant success, need money right away, or tend towards perfectionism. YouTube is a long game! But a great long game, because videos I made years ago still get plays today!
Why YouTube is Better for Moms than Instagram
I love the learners that are on YouTube, Instagram for those just taking a mind break or seeking to check out. Where as I feel that those watching YouTube like to mix their relaxing time with learning and often those more option to seek wisdom.
Also, there is a bigger dip to get going. See this YouTube video for what I mean…
There are a SEA of mama’s on instagram, but how many moms are willing to put into the time to learn the craft of YouTube? There is just a higher barrier to entry and a grit that is needed to stay and sustain. Most women are just not willing to go through that and so the competition to get your message out is just wayyyyy less stiff than all the Instagram moms.
Less time with phone in face and can be done more in the fringes since it doesn’t have to be a daily thing. I love that balance too! I am a better mom off of creating for Instagram. I am more creative and less distracted!
Also, videos get a lot longer play time than instagram videos ever do!
Ways to Make Money with YouTube as a Mom at Home
AdSense
It takes 4,000 watch hours (in one year) and 1,000 subscribers at the time of this writing to get monetized on YouTube. Gosh, this took me sooo long! BUT hear me, YouTube is a snowball. Just this month I got well over 4,000 watch hours, but I needed that much in a year! That was what took me the longest to get to.
***biggest tip to get these fast, is to look at what video titles have been successful for other women in your niche and make your OWN version of this. YouTube recognizes these titles as doing well, so it will serve your video alongside those other successful videos. I WISH I knew this sooner!
Other Products + Services
I think this is by far the best way to make money on YouTube! Make sure you point your viewer quickly to your service or product in every video. YouTube is a wonderful marketing machine!
For me it is my birth course, I just make a quick mention of my free birth class.
Why Selling Doesn’t Bother Me at All
This doesn’t feel yuck to me, because I really believe in my birth course and I know it can be a real HELP. Business is service to another. I have the highest good in mind for my viewer and if she is pregnant and needs help, I believe my course is worth the money to help change her whole birth experience.
I am not ashamed of that at all! My heart is to be a help and the birth course is one way I can do that.
And you shouldn’t be ashamed of selling your product or service if you can honestly say that if she uses what you are selling that her life can be improved.
Trading money for a product or service is simply helping her value what you are offering so she will take the time to use that product and service. And when she uses it, it will help change her life.
Paying helps someone have skin in the game and that is a GOOD thing for the user!
Affiliates
Pointing to other services and products that you believe in is a great way to make your first dollars. It can take time, but sharing about products you truly use and love is how I made my first money.
Affiliates grow like snowballs too, little by little. They are typically a small part of a YouTubers business unless your niche is shopping, but it can be helpful nonetheless.
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