YouTube Tools & Products

If you told me last year that my focus this year was going to be YouTube, I would’ve laughed in your face.

No way in hell.

There’s actually no specific reason why I’m creating on YouTube other than having a natural inclination to play a new game.

I “seriously'“ played the TikTok, Instagram, and Podcast game from 2021-2022. In 2023 I introduced newsletters. Now, in 2024, it seems to be YouTube. YouTube is the only platform I haven't really experimented with.

Now, with the possibility of TikTok being banned and coincidentally seeing a large exodus of creators quitting YouTube, it’s given me all the fodder I need to seriously give it a go.

I’ve also wanted to try YouTube so I could share my ideas in long-form, but I was always hesitant because it seemed really complex (setup, video editing, creating a thumbnail, etc).

But I found an easy way.

In this section, I’m going to list the tools I use. In the next section, I’ll discuss how I use Descript (and their Ai features) to create YouTube videos effortlessly.

Tools & Software I’m Currently Using:

Note, these aren’t REQUIRED. This is just 3 years of slow accumulation in one finalized set. If you’re looking for that crisp look on YouTube, focus on investing in a camera first.

Rule of thumb: You can’t rush something you want to be sustainable!

Camera: Sony ZV-E10 + SD card

Camera Tripod: Sensyne Ring Light

Recording Host: Riverside.fm

Microphone: Shure SM7B + 2 XLR Cables + Cloudlifter + Focusrite

You don’t NEED this full setup. The Blue Snowball is a great, cheap alternative for starters (I used it for the first 80 episodes of my podcast).

Mic Arm: Mine is from IKEA, but THIS will do.

Lighting: Ring Light Clip + Philips Smart LED Lights (set to purple)

YouTube Made Easy

Whether you’re brand new to being a creator or an experienced YouTuber, the process of creating video content can be daunting and tiresome.

Every component - from coming up with the idea, filming (and it actually looking/sounding good), editing, and even creating a stupid thumbnail or click-worthy title - is A LOT to do.

But then I found Descript.

I’ve been using Descript for the past few months explicitly to help trim down the time it takes with podcast editing (transcription editing versus audio editing), but recently I tried their video editing suite…

IT’S FUCKING GREAT.

Not only is video editing 10x easier because it’s trimmed via transcription, but they also have a ton of AI features baked in that make the process effortless.

Some examples of what it can do:

• Create SEO-friendly YouTube titles & descriptions

• Timestamps (so the video is broken up by section)

• Clip suggestions

• And more!

Since I’m seriously jumping into YouTube, I plan on creating a lot of educational content in the future. An overview of Descript with all its features will be one of them.

Subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss anything!

️ Influencers: The End of an Era

Are influencers DEAD? 👀

As someone who’s been in the industry for 3 years, a lot has changed.

With the rise of TikTok, and eventually short-form video being adopted across all major platforms, becoming an influencer has never been easier, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

A recent survey showed that 57% of GenZers want to be influencers (41% of adults want to actually).

That’s INSANE, but also not surprising.

As our current systems continue to fail us, leaving many with ‘good jobs’ but little freedom, flexibility, or literal funds, everyone is looking for a way to get out of survival mode - and being a creator is just that.

But what happens when the people who are meant to buy the products from said influencers, can’t afford to?

What happens when everyone approaches this career as a cash grab instead of an authentic form of expression?

On last week’s episode (which is now available on YouTube), I dive into this more and what predictions I make for the future of the industry.

Do you think the business of influencers is dead?

My Biz Bank Account

I’ve had my business entity, Corporate Quitter LLC, since 2021, but I didn’t have a business bank account until this year.

Yes, I know this isn’t ideal… but you don’t know what you don’t know.

I knew it was important to do it sooner rather than later so I could reap the benefits of it all - but I hated what was on the market.

I didn’t want the mega-banks of the world having their greasy fingers in my business shit. I’ve personally dealt with almost every creditor in the US, and I’ve increasingly grown tired of playing their games.

In 2022, the three biggest U.S. banks made $2.11 billion combined on fees from small businesses and consumers.

FUCK THAT.

But then I discovered Novo.

Novo is a business that’s focused on helping and keeping small businesses running (check).

And it’s also backed by Middlesex Federal, a community-based bank that’s been in business since 1890 and has steadily grown over the past 130 years versus being explosive and exploitive like the big banks (double check).

I love that it’s high-tech enough to be integrated with many of the products I already use, like Stripe and Gusto, but also that it makes my life easier by reducing pay-out times and transaction fee BS.

I plan on taking advantage of their small business funding in a few months (you have to be a customer for 6-months to apply).

This is NOT sponsored - I’m just really, really happy with their product so far.

So if you’re on the hunt for a biz bank, check them out 🥳