What's Next?

Just recently, I achieved a milestone that was not even initially a goal when starting my YouTube Channel. After all, I was not a professional video editor. I had no background in YouTube or video production, other than working in the educational space with recorded lectures, instructional design, and educational technologies. Beyond wanting to develop my skill set and as a hobby, I thought YouTube and blogging might be a good way to share some useful information for professionals looking to better organize their time and work lives. Again, I had no idea that this might be something people would really subscribe to.

I was really inspired to try this by several people in the e-ink space when I was researching my eventual purchase of the Supernote. Right before turning 50 in December of last year, I decided to jump in and try to create something. Admittedly, my first few videos were rough, and not something I feel was my best work. I started with a 4K document camera that doubled as my camera for shooting my talking head portions of the video as well. I did not have a great light source and was not using my primary computer setup. I started to produce more content and do more research. My first two videos dealt with an introduction (that most people commented was too quiet) and review and discussion of the Rocketbook, which to this day only have 753 views collectively.

However, even though my first two videos did not skyrocket, I thought they were valuable to me in thinking through how I could talk about organization. More importantly, they allowed me to begin to understand how a video should be made and reflect on the types of lighting and work that would be necessary to create something interesting. My third video was where I really began to find my niche. Before talking about some Supernote beta features (currently with 2,822 views), I had been talking mostly in generalities, but now I was specifically talking about the tools I use daily and how that philosophy of organization plays out in real world contexts.     

I did not enter the space expecting to talk about e-ink tablets. After all, there were a lot of thought leaders in that space who felt more capable of providing information. However, I began to realize that what many of these reviewers offered in wide coverage of many devices, I could provide in very specific use of devices over long periods of time. I used my Supernote daily for work in multiple industries and sectors. Even though I had found my niche, I was not really on any kind of a monetization track until my livestream with Kit Betts-Masters. I cannot overstate the importance of Kit when it comes to encouraging and helping me beyond just a hobby. He has been a great collaborator and mentor.

Other important influences in my journey include My Deep Guide and Brandon Boswell. I cannot take the time to name everyone who inspires me to keep producing content, but they are listed on my YouTube Channel under “My Favorite Tech Reviewers and Thinkers.” What is important to note here, however, is that as my channel began to gain viewers, I started branching out to talk about different things, everything from Microsoft and how I use their tools to a new favorite software called Obsidian. After discovering Obsidian, I began to look for ways to increase productivity using it and Supernote. That seems to have had an even greater impact on viewership.

Ok, so before this becomes way too long, I just want to talk about the title of “What’s Next?” Now that I have reached 1,000 subscribers and am monetizing my YouTube channel, I want to begin exploring even more topics around organization, leadership, and technology. While I don’t plan to abandon the Supernote and Obsidian when it comes to content, I do think that there are more conversations to be had. I am looking at branching out into technology and reading recommendations, producing more live content, and may even consider subscriptions or creating courses on maximizing productivity and organization. I would welcome your thoughts and feedback in the comments. What do you think should be next?

If you are interested in learning more, check out my video pages, the “Things I Use” page, and soon book recommendations. Also, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel and this blog.