Keep It Simple: Last Weeks Adventure with Major TV News Station
As you work on your business, are you making things more complicated than it needs to be? Are you making excuses about why you can't do something - such as making YouTube videos? In my case, I must admit, since the beginning of the year, I have been planning to start making YouTube videos. Yet. Here it is April. I have not made a single video yet. As I have procrastinated; I have come up with a ton of excuses.
Yet last Wednesday, I was able to take part in an "adventure" that proved to me that there is truth behind the KISS principle. A major TV station set up a temporary studio in MY little shop.
As some of you may know, I opened a little home decor / used book shop last fall. My shop is located next door to the only gas station and convenience store within a 30 or 40 miles. The convenience store has a Subway sandwich shop. Between the convenience store and the liquor store on my other side, this is a popular location for the locals.
Yet, we rarely see news media crews. After all, my shop is in little Colorado town is about 2 hours away from Denver, our state capital. Colorado Springs, the next largest city in our state is about 45 minutes away. Some people might say that this town is located in the middle of no where.
Fortunately, the Denver Fox News station was not here because of a bad wildfire . They were not here because of a big illegal marijuana grow bust. So I must say, I am very thankful that this week's visit a "boring" visit. There was not even a single fireman or police officer in sight. The Denver Fox new station was doing a story on a proposed full day kindergarten program. They had planned to interview at least one local mom.
Since I don't watch TV, I didn't recognize the reporter. Basically, he just came in and asked if I would mind if they did their interview in my shop. The reporter thought it would be more desirable than doing the interview out by the road. I said sure.
I cleared some artwork off of one table. The photojournalist set up his equipment. They pulled out a couple of chairs. The reporter sat in one and the mom to be interviewed .
They used one light, which was back behind the camera. I was surprised, they did not use a one of the big fancy cameras that they use outdoors. Instead, they used a simple Canon 5D camera on a tripod. For those of you that are not big into photography, a Canon 5D is a nice professional quality camera. Yet, I still considered to be a simple set up compared to what I expected.
The camera has some sort of microphone attachment. The mom sat in one chair. The reporter in the other. Each wore a microphone on their lapel. The reporter asked a few questions while the camera recorded the video. Then it was done.
I was able to chat with the photojournalist a few minutes. Getting to hear about the guy's upcoming trip to Normandy for the D-Day anniversary was most interesting part of the entire experience.
They thanked me and left.
Afterwards, I thought about the experience. They made the process of recording the video for their news story so simple that it was boring.
If they were able to quickly record video for television broadcast in my shop, there is no reason why I can't.
I already the equipment that should work for a YouTube video. There is no reason that you can't record video either as long as you have a camera that can record video plus a light source.
The Fireman / WA Super Affiliate
As I found myself thinking about how I should be glad that my adventure with the television station reporters did not include any firemen, I started thinking about a Texas fireman that has also became one of Wealthy Affiliate's super affiliates. I am talking about Eric Cantu. He joined WA in January 2017. By that November, he earned his invite to Vegas 2018. He also made it to Vegas 2019. The guy knows what he is doing.
Have you ever seen his website or YouTube vidoes? They are simple. Simple yet extremely effective. Eric's YouTube videos are so simply that he does not even appear in any of the ones that I have watched.
In fact if you want to see what I mean by simple, I highly encourage you to check out Eric's YouTube video, "How to Sell Your Photos Online 2018." That simple video, which promotes WA - at the end, has had over 60,000 views. While there, you may want to check out some of his other educational videos. Not only are they informative, it is interesting seeing how he manages to promote WA at the end of each one.
He has created a fairly simple system to promote WA that is working. Granted, all simple things do require some planning to execute them.
I have to warn you. If you hope to actually SEE this fireman in any of the YouTube videos, you will be disappointed. He does not make a single appearance. We only hear his voice. If this post was on my private blog, I would be providing an Amazon links to the 2019 Colorado Firefighter calendar. The proceeds from the calendar sales benefit the burn center program at the Colorado's Childrens hospital.
I admit. I have always appreciated firefighters. Once upon a time, I was even engaged to one. Yet, my free spirit prevailed. Even so, those of us that live in El Paso country, CO are very appreciative of the fire fighters.
A picture that I took of the Waldo Canyon fire as it came over the ridge. 2012.
Not only do the fire fighters put out countless fires all of the time, their efforts in extinguishing the Waldo Canyon (2012) and Black Forest (2013) fires will always be remembered and appreciated. Those were the two most destructive fires in Colorado's history. That is why I am thankful that my adventure with the news station last week was boring.
So, Eric if you read this, thank you for what you do as a Texas firefighter. Thank you for also always maintaining a postivie attitude when you comment on WA blog posts.
What about if you really do not want to be in the video?
Be like Eric Cantu. Just don't be in the video. Keep it simple.
Note: All links go to either Eric Cantu's WA profile or his Youtube channel that promotes WA.
To conclude: As you work on your websites or consider doing YouTube videos, keep things simple.
I hope that you all have a great week.
-Sondra
Recent Comments
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Life is simple and boring if you never have a go. Being positive and having a go sparks up your life with adventure and interest which I call living the life.
Tom.
Tom, I like how you said that I am following you now.
"Living the Life" if I didn't already have a motto, I would adopt that one.
I like to say, "See It. Experience It. Live it."
We only have one life so live it or wast it. Your life, your choice.
I had not finished and had to stop as my wife told me we had to go down town for a medical.
You mentioned the fires. We in Australia live with fires. We have the worst drought here in certain parts of the east just west of the range.
Just north of our town on the State boarder range was on fire. The night fire north of the town photo.
I am sorry to hear about the drought. That makes the fires even worse.
Your image would have been beautiful had that been the last bit of a sunset. Yet, that is too bad that it is an extremely large fire.
What was the name of that fire? I just Googled your fires but Australia has had so many this fire season that I could not tell for sure which one it was.
Hopefully you all will get some moisture to relieve your drought.
Maybe very little rain until September as winter is near. Many dams are empty. The fire was at Wallangarra on the McPherson range.
Hi Sondra and thanks for an entertaining post. We too are about to take the plunge into video so good luck to us all. We have viewed a number of Eric's videos and they are all really good, so professional looking. A good model to follow.
Colette and Philip
Hey! Awesome post you really got my attention and that's what it's all about. My question to you is have you made your YouTube video yet? I will be looking out for your videos, lol
I am glad the post got your attention. I have planned to do at least three videos this month.
We are supposed to have a snow storm tomorrow night. So, my plan is to have a video showing that even if you have terrible weather outside, an online business lets you (or me) keep working.
What about you? Have you made one yet?
This is just what I needed! One of my goals for this year is to start creating YouTube videos, but I haven't done even one yet. You're giving me the push and motivation to get crackin!
Janelle
You are welcome Janelle! Maybe you can make it a goal to have at least one video completed this month.
Thanks for an excellent post Sondra!
Not only did I enjoy your writing about your shop in your little Colorado town, and the simplicity of the news crew and their equipment; I loved the info about Eric and his instructional videos.
Well done!
KyleAnn
KyleAnn,
Thank you!
I am extremely impressed with Eric's videos. He is proof that is you are dedicated, follow the WA training and stay positive, it is possible to achieve success even if you have a full time job.
This is great Sondra! I would do just like Eric, screen record and talk without going in the front of the camera.
But what can you advise folks who are not native English speakers?
If they are not native English speakers, I would consider focusing on videos for people in my native language.
Look at how well Jerry is doing with his affiliate marketing training program for people that speak Chinese.
The Spanish speaking market also really needs a someone that is fluent in Spanish to provide affiliate marketing training. .
If you are trying to do videos in English and you are not an English speaker, I would just use slides with text to communicate the information.
This blog post sure held my attention all the way through. Great example of combining a story with info!
(The facts that I lived for years in the small CO town of Crestone and that fire grabs my attn were part of it.)
Thank you!!! I've been working on trying to create educational stories so I really appreciate the compliment.
Do you miss Crestone? That is a pretty area.
LOL The weather is great when it is great. When not.....not so much.
Friends and memories of time spent with friends is to be cherished.
I hope you have a great day.
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Hi Sondra.
"the KISS principle" is my absolute favourite all-time bestest principle ever! I love it.
Nothing aggravates me more in my work as an IT contractor than to be in the company of those who insist of coding through three sides of a square instead of simply going from A to B. It's amazingly infuriating, and is one reason why I'm so desperate to get my own online business off the ground.
Yep, I'm right there with you alright. 👍
Regards,
That does sound frustrating Tayo.
I hope that you get your online business up and running even faster than you envision.
Cheers.
Aww, cheers Sondra, and please allow me to wish you even speedier success! 👍