✨ the SPARK 232 ~ Practicing in Public - Because... Why Not?

Time for a YouTube update

Well, it’s been a little over a month since I’ve been back on YouTube, so it’s time for an update.

I’ll give you some context in a second, but I think it’s important to address “Why YouTube?" (Other than the obvious of it being a search engine).

I shared my Marketing Trifecta in this newsletter: Substack, Email, & YouTube. I won’t go into a ton of detail here (I talked about it a bit in that newsletter), but I enjoy doing videos and wanted to get in front of another audience.

I had a podcast for a long time (started in 2013) and stopped last year, thinking I’d bring it back. However, I wasn’t sure what that would look like, and I didn’t want to do more of the same. So I paused (remember, it’s OK to pause and take a break).

Now that I’m back on YouTube and have finally found clarity on a brand shift (coming soon), I also see a new avenue for a podcast.

I’d also like to bring paid traffic back into the mix and would rather try my hand at YouTube ads over Facebook/IG ads. I’ve successfully run ads on FB/IG before, just not a huge fan of the platforms right now.

Back to YouTube.

To be fair, when I went “back to YouTube,” I had a little under 1600 subscribers from my WordPress Chick days. I had already deleted a bunch of old WordPress videos (loads of outdated plugin and theme tutorials) and had to decide about the rest of the WordPress videos, live streams from my old Content Creators Facebook group, and a handful of podcast episodes.

My ego wanted to hang onto a few with over 30k views… but why?

A few were family slideshow type videos, my old ‘manifesto’ (an animated PowerPoint to music), and a trailer for a movie I produced (long story for another day) that I made private/unlisted…

The rest?

I deleted.

Yep. I deleted over 100 videos and haven’t given it another thought.

The goal is to publish two a week. One week, I had a technical issue, and this week is a bit nuts, so I’m officially at seven videos (I have one to publish this week if I can get it edited).

Here are my results for the last 28 days:

I won’t go too sideways with data and analytics here, because let’s face it, after only a month, it’s not too terribly exciting. 😉

A handful of things to note:

• I didn’t sign up for a YouTube course or program (not that someone shouldn’t, but I know plenty to get “back on the horse again”)

• I didn’t have months of content planned out (which I’m now working on)

• I wasn’t sure exactly what tool I would use to record/edit (I have a few but after the first video went back to Descript which is the only tool I’ll use for editing. GAME changer)

• I didn’t do keyword research or dive deep into what other channels are doing (I have a lifetime license to TubeBuddy - old AppSumo deal, and will be making use of that now)

• I just started

Since starting, here’s where I’m at with my recording, my process, and what I’ve added (I still need to dial in a promotional strategy… as in start promoting 🙄).

It’s all about batching.

This was always part of the plan, but I was doing two at a time for the week.

Now, I’m determined to be 4-5 videos ahead of schedule, which means getting more organized, and is why I’ve gone back to Notion (what can I say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears). In this case, ChatGPT is cutting my Notion time in half… if not more! It can create a CSV file to import and walk you through steps/issues.

I have an ideation page and an SEO tracker.

The SEO tracker is because I’ve started working with an SEO person just for YouTube (they contacted me, we literally just started this week). I’ve blurred out the title ideas, theme, and newsletter tie-in.

For the SEO tracker, you’ll see the CTR (click-through rate), which I haven’t added other things to click from the videos yet, and need to create UTM parameters for the calls to action (to get specific data from links).

I'll start adding other relevant data because I’ve hired someone to help with SEO. I also think I can set up an automation that runs and helps populate this data into Notion (or at least gathers it for me).

What I’ve Learned (Already)

Even just a few videos in, here’s what’s hitting me:

• Starting is easier when you’re not trying to impress anyone

• People connect more to the process than the perfection

• There’s something magical about being a beginner again

I don’t know exactly where this will lead. But I know it’s leading somewhere meaningful—because I’m doing it in a way that feels good.

SPARK Spotlight 🔥

I’ve not only gone back to Notion, but I’ve fallen in love with Notion Calendar, too (it does a lot more than it used to).

All of your commitments, now in one place. Meet the beautifully designed, fully integrated calendar for your work and life.

A Little Brainpower 🧠

Simple strategies to add 1,000 subs to your list in the next 60 days from

Matt Giaro ⚙️

Read “The Fastest Way to Build an Email List in 2025.”

Substack Notes are game changers (I’m still finding my way). Read “I Tested 3 Substack Notes Strategies Perfect for Introverts (and My Subscriber Count Exploded)” by

Wes Pearce

.

How

Tom Orbach

drove 650+ subs with his “Free Advice Flywheel” by

Chenell Basilio

.

Tool Time 🛠️

• Webinars/live training: I shared this a couple of years ago, but it’s worth repeating. Set up an event page, invite friends and sell tickets. Host a memorable event today. Use Luma free here.

• AI: I haven’t tried this yet, but I love the idea of one place to access the different AI models. Check out Mammoth here.

• AI Social Media: Another option for generating social content with AI. Try Postiz free for 7 days here.

• AI Characters: Create beautiful, consistent characters across every scene. Characto ensures your characters stay recognizable and magical from start to finish. Try Characto free here.

Wrapping things up…

No matter what platform you’re leaning into, here’s your reminder: you don’t need a perfect plan to begin.

You just need the willingness to start, to tweak as you go, and to trust that momentum builds through action. YouTube isn’t about being a pro from day one—it’s about showing up, being real, and letting your voice evolve in public.

With coffee & kindness,
Kim