Throughout October 2017, I participated in a challenge to make and post a YouTube video every business day. The challenge was organized by Tanya Alvarez of OwnersUp, a site that provides support and motivation to entrepreneurs, and video blogger Jen Morilla of The Social Girl Traveler.
Prior to taking part in this challenge, I already had a YouTube channel (accessible by clicking here), but I only posted sporadically whenever an idea for a video popped into my head. The experience of having to post every day for the OwnersUp challenge really helped me up my game (pun intended).
Here are three takeaways from participating in the OwnersUp YouTube Challenge:
Takeaway No. 1: You Can Do More Than You Think
The demands of modern life make it seem next to impossible to get everything done on our overloaded to-do lists and still have time for a personal life. Before the YouTube Challenge, I never thought I could have squeezed in making and posting a new video each day.
But I decided to keep it short, sweet and simple. I made quick videos of three minutes or less with my iPhone, using iMovie to edit. Not exactly masterpieces, but it got the job done.
Takeaway No. 2: There's A Happy Medium Between Perfectionism And Doing The Bare Minimum
Participating in the YouTube Challenge showed me that I can produce quick, simple videos on the fly. But the challenge also helped me realize that I need to be more strategic with my YouTube channel.
Instead of randomly making videos on any topic that suits my fancy, I need to first research how much public interest there is in a given topic. In other words, I need to be more user-focused and less self-focused: how can I match my video ideas with what viewers want?
I also need to upgrade my channel art and graphics, profile photo, etc., to present a more polished, professional image.
There is the danger of over-thinking and over-producing videos, as was pointed out by my friend and fellow OwnersUp YouTube Challenge participant Nina Froriep of Clockwise Productions.
But I think the sweet spot may be posting one well-researched, well-produced video a week. I can also leave room to be flexible and produce spontaneous videos when inspiration strikes.
Takeaway No. 3: Don't Be A Passive Consumer
The biggest takeaway from the YouTube Challenge is not to be a passive video viewer. Before taking part in this challenge, I'd never "like" or comment on videos I watched. But I've learned that giving constructive feedback really helps those who take the time to produce content that I enjoy and find useful.
Constructive feedback not only helps content creators attract new subscribers, but also gives them encouragement that people appreciate what they have to offer.
To view my video on this topic that I made for the OwnersUp YouTube Challenge, click here.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
How To Revise Your Manuscript
I'm in the process of revising my novel, "The Chloe Chronicles," which will be re-released in early 2018.
One tip I've picked up that helps a lot with revising is to take index cards and go through every scene in every chapter of your manuscript. Write down a summary of what happens in that scene and whether or not it can be cut.
You can use software that helps you generate note cards like Final Draft. Or you can do it by hand using index cards that you can buy for a stack of 100 for $1 at a grocery store or an office supply store.
Once you have all the scenes written down, spread them out on the floor, tape them to a wall or put them on bulletin boards or poster boards. Look over all the index cards, which will give you a bird's-eye view of all the scenes in your manuscript.
You'll begin to see patterns: some scenes are repetitive. Or you'll see that a particular scene isn't really necessary and you can reduce it to a one- or two-sentence summary and merge it with another scene.
Using the "Index Card Method," I've already cut down 100 pages from my novel from its previous length of more than 600 pages. This method also works with screenplays, stage plays and any kind of written material.
It's really hard work to cut scenes from a story that you love and cherish and that you worked and slaved over. But like Stephen King says, sometimes you have to kill your babies.
To view the video version of this blog post, click here.
One tip I've picked up that helps a lot with revising is to take index cards and go through every scene in every chapter of your manuscript. Write down a summary of what happens in that scene and whether or not it can be cut.
You can use software that helps you generate note cards like Final Draft. Or you can do it by hand using index cards that you can buy for a stack of 100 for $1 at a grocery store or an office supply store.
Once you have all the scenes written down, spread them out on the floor, tape them to a wall or put them on bulletin boards or poster boards. Look over all the index cards, which will give you a bird's-eye view of all the scenes in your manuscript.
You'll begin to see patterns: some scenes are repetitive. Or you'll see that a particular scene isn't really necessary and you can reduce it to a one- or two-sentence summary and merge it with another scene.
Using the "Index Card Method," I've already cut down 100 pages from my novel from its previous length of more than 600 pages. This method also works with screenplays, stage plays and any kind of written material.
It's really hard work to cut scenes from a story that you love and cherish and that you worked and slaved over. But like Stephen King says, sometimes you have to kill your babies.
To view the video version of this blog post, click here.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Author Shares Amazing Story of Escape From False Imprisonment
I had the privilege recently of speaking with "Thirteen Nasty Little Snakes" author Victor Levenstein. He will kick off the 2017 JCC Jewish Bookfair with an appearance at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave. , on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
In "Thirteen Nasty Little Snakes," Levenstein shares his amazing story of being falsely convicted, at age 21 in the 1940s, of plotting to assassinate Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. Levenstein, one of 13 students who were falsely convicted of the crime, was sentenced to exile in Siberia for the rest of his life.
Levenstein, who is now 94, goes on to describe how he managed to escape this draconian sentence and later restarted his life in the United States, along with his wife, Dora, and son, Matvey, in the 1980s. To read my interview with Levenstein in ThisWeek News, click here.
In "Thirteen Nasty Little Snakes," Levenstein shares his amazing story of being falsely convicted, at age 21 in the 1940s, of plotting to assassinate Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. Levenstein, one of 13 students who were falsely convicted of the crime, was sentenced to exile in Siberia for the rest of his life.
Levenstein, who is now 94, goes on to describe how he managed to escape this draconian sentence and later restarted his life in the United States, along with his wife, Dora, and son, Matvey, in the 1980s. To read my interview with Levenstein in ThisWeek News, click here.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Want To Meet Real 'Wonder Women'? Watch 'Lady Wrestler'
"Wonder Woman" is one of the biggest movies of not only the summer of 2017, but the whole year. The blockbuster superhero movie starring Gal Gadot in the title role has raked in more than $800 million at the worldwide box office and is now available on home video.
I've been a "Wonder Woman" fan ever since I was a kid in the '70s and the popular television show with Lynda Carter was all the rage. If you're a "Wonder Woman" fan like me and you're interested in a real story about female empowerment, see the forthcoming documentary "Lady Wrestler," which I wrote and directed.
Like "Wonder Woman," "Lady Wrestler" centers on the story of women who are thrust into a male-dominated world where they must overcome challenges, defeat opponents and show incredible strength and courage.
Like Diana Prince in "Wonder Woman," lady wrestlers like
Ethel Johnson, Babs Wingo, Marva Scott and Ramona Isbell were naïve young women who became unlikely "warriors." Like Diana leaving her sheltered island home Themyscira to embark on adventures in the larger world, the lady wrestlers ventured beyond their sheltered small town of Columbus, Ohio, in the 1950s and '60s. The women competed in matches internationally, from Japan to Latin America to Australia.
And like Diana Prince in "Wonder Woman," the lady wrestlers had dual identities. The women led conventional family lives outside of the ring and sometimes didn't even telling those closest to them about their dangerous line of work, so as not to worry them.
For more information about "Lady Wrestler" and when the documentary will officially be released, visit Ladywrestlermovie.com.
I've been a "Wonder Woman" fan ever since I was a kid in the '70s and the popular television show with Lynda Carter was all the rage. If you're a "Wonder Woman" fan like me and you're interested in a real story about female empowerment, see the forthcoming documentary "Lady Wrestler," which I wrote and directed.
Like "Wonder Woman," "Lady Wrestler" centers on the story of women who are thrust into a male-dominated world where they must overcome challenges, defeat opponents and show incredible strength and courage.
Like Diana Prince in "Wonder Woman," lady wrestlers like
Ethel Johnson, Babs Wingo, Marva Scott and Ramona Isbell were naïve young women who became unlikely "warriors." Like Diana leaving her sheltered island home Themyscira to embark on adventures in the larger world, the lady wrestlers ventured beyond their sheltered small town of Columbus, Ohio, in the 1950s and '60s. The women competed in matches internationally, from Japan to Latin America to Australia.
And like Diana Prince in "Wonder Woman," the lady wrestlers had dual identities. The women led conventional family lives outside of the ring and sometimes didn't even telling those closest to them about their dangerous line of work, so as not to worry them.
For more information about "Lady Wrestler" and when the documentary will officially be released, visit Ladywrestlermovie.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)