Ta-Da!!!!!!!! Announcing…
Y’all have been asking me to create videos.
I have long wanted to, but these concerns have stopped me:
- I have zero extra time. So, how do I add something time-consuming to my life?
- Because I have no extra time, I also have no brain space to learn a whole new, ahh, thing.
- I watch a lot of vlogs on YouTube. Many of them involve couples, and it is clear that one of them normally spends 40 hours a week creating a single video. The option of me having 40 hours a week I can just pull out of a bag is beyond impossible.
My life though has changed of late, forcing me to embrace something which has heretofore seemed wholly not doable.
Y’all know that I sell vintage lighting. When Covid first hit I panicked. Would my sales crash? This did happen during the latter half of March, 2020. By early April though something unexpected happened: sales jumped up. And the following 28 months proved extraordinary, with 2020 surpassing my 2019 numbers, with 2021 surpassing my 2020 numbers, and with 2022 surpassing my 2021 numbers.
Then came last month: my sales crashed and burned. Why? Why? I have no idea. Nor was I too concerned as my health suddenly reached a crisis state and having less to do felt like a godsend.
But this month?
Even worse.
The numbers are terrifying and unsustainable. Why? Why? I have had my business since 2006 and have never before experienced two back-to-back devastating sale numbers.
I am now officially panicked.
The only thing I can think of to ward off disaster is to create a YouTube channel about restoring old lights (and a certain old house). I will begin with about six videos on lights, with the first introducing myself and what I do. This will be the longest video. Can I create this in, say, 10 hours? The following videos will be much shorter and will be video versions of the Before/After posts I do on this blog thingy. Can each of these be done in a hour or two?
The BIG question: Will this effort lead to sales?
Only time will reveal an answer.
Some research has indicated that I can film using my iPhone and Mac. Today I discovered iMovie video editing) was already bundled into the Mac. I had no idea.
This week I will reach out to the local tech school. Is there some young thing who can help me?
Yes, I know the following:
- Lighting is vital.
- Sound is vital.
- Non-jerky filming is vital
NOTE: I knew zip about creating a blog in early 2014 but my background in design and writing proved vital in creating Restoring Ross. I think I did a good job.
If I can get into the swing of doing videos I hope to begin doing videos of the Cross House. Some will be pretty involved. Some will be short. But all will, dahlink, be fabulous, no doubt!
Ross terrified. Ross excited.
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I think as terrifying a prospect it may be, it will be something you excel at. I can’t wait! I’m sure I speak for all the followers of your blog when I say I am looking forward to seeing more of the house, the furry friends and the people who drop by. Ready to subscribe!
People were sitting at home staring at their walls, thinking and then a lot decided to either move or fix up their current housing. You benefitted from that. Well, things have opened up and people are out shopping rather than sitting home surfing the internet. Then there is the current economy. The elections sucked up a lot of attention and time. Hopefully things will bounce back.
I think videos are an excellent idea. A new skill. A new outlet. Video can enhance the presentation of some of your vintage fixtures far beyond a 2D flat photo or even a series of photos. Filming a 360, plus top and bottom can really highlight the beauty of these period chandeliers. It will take time at first to learn and become fluent but eventually you will cut down the time it will take. As you increase your skill you’ll streamline the process.
Videos sound very exciting.
My hand is already hovering over the subscribe button!! Have you thought about adding a patrion account?
How wonderful! I think, the more outreach, the better.
Patreon might also be a great thing, but of course you have to find the time to create all this content.
With your knowledge about design and architecture, you could potentially also share a series about your favorite buildings, as you sometimes do on the blog.
Very much looking forward to your premiere.
Cheers, Lis
I wish I lived in Emporia, because your show; “This old thing?” Would go viral in two episodes.
…Excellent
You can do it, Ross. I watch a lot of youtube videos, too. Avoid long, rambling introductions – get into the meat of the title fairly quickly. Don’t talk too fast. Make sure the background of where you film is pleasant and non-distracting. That’s about all I can think of right now. Good luck.
It’s probably inflation that’s tanking sales. Hang in there. They’ll come up again.
Wow! I think that’ll be awesome! You already have a built in audience with us and we can share them! You can do it!
Contact Matt Fowler at Gravel bike shop downtown. He is the man
Assume that every 30 minutes you shoot will result in 10 minutes of good footage that will take an hour to edit into a cohesive piece.
Good luck Ross.
As an old-ish user of social media, I say bring on the young ones! Check with your local community college to see if you can provide a non-paying semester long internship to set up a working social media presence. Starting with a YouTube channel, but re-using snippets of videos for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Hate to admit that I indulge in regular Sunday viewing of multiple British ex-pats and their French Chateau renovation YouTube channels:
— How to Renovate a Chateau without Killing Your Partner
— The Chateau Diaries
— Escape to the Dream, Restoring the Chateau
— Chateau de la Ferte
I enjoy watching their hard work and renovation projects, love their personal interactions and personalities, and their challenges and successes. They talk directly to the audience about their choices, challenges, and expertise with humor and warmth.
I’ve seen financial estimates that they make between $60-$120K per year just with YouTube advertising and their weekly 40-120K video views. And this does not include other channel revenue (Instagram advertising, etc.), lack of a retail channel like your lighting business, and various sponsorships.
You are correct that this is a significant time sink to establish video filming topics and schedules, set-up and filming, and then editing and managing your channel viewer interactions. And yes, this works for them because there are more than one of them (partner, extended family).
Recommend you put together a one page pitch for an Internship establishing your Channels (for the house and your lighting business), scheduling, filming, editing, and channel management. The students will have the opportunity to build an amazing professional resume —- establishing social media channels from scratch, filming/editing xx number of long and short film videos, driving xx number of view/viewers, driving to xx dollars of revenue —- it will be a dream opportunity. And if you cannot get the local Community College to bite, advertise the job internship and include modest revenue sharing.
I can easily imagine YouTube videos of your recent work — your night-time library oculus, discussions of the violet paint choice for the porch ceiling, and gorgeous multiple perspectives of your lights and their restoration.
Good luck! And I promise to subscribe to all your channels —- except TikTok (I don’t do that one!).
I love Chateau de la Ferte and How to Reno w/o killing your partner as well. Check out our French Chateau too, US, Ca couple in France now.
Yes! This is a BRILLIANT idea! Having met you, I know that you’ll excel at this new endeavor!
It *is* quite time-consuming. Once you get used to the software, editing will take much less of your valuable time. As was mentioned above, most of what you record will be left on the “cutting room floor”. You don’t have to explain things, as you’re recording. You can come back later and add a voice track, if that makes it easier for you. Doing it all on the Mac will help.
I think it’s a great marketing idea, for the lighting business! Are you thinking of doing “how to” lighting-repair videos?
Ross! What a great way to promote your lighting business, share restoration, AND promote the restoration of the Cross House! Looking forward to subscribing to your new YouTube channel and watching regularly!
Ross, Have you also considered social media accounts (FB, Instagram, etc.)?
You may already have a FB and if so, I apologize. But I see so many instagram ads now, and maybe that could be a good way to advertise into the online sector you already specialize in. Videos, I agree, are daunting and time consuming, but I wish you the best of luck! iMac software definitely makes the process easier.
You go Ross! You will be a star!
There are many great comments and ideas above.
Learning something new is great, and well-aligned with your design and writing talent.
You will definitely have a built-in audience from the start.
I wish you every success!
My experience with videos is creating screencast recordings demonstrating library resources. BUT i do still think i have insight. You don’t have to be super technical with editing (which people do when they have 40+ hours to spend). Keep it simple. Know what you are going to do. Have the recording space prepared with lighting, mics, and all your tools and supplies and then try and get it in one take. (one rehearsal, one take). If you stumble over your words, laugh and begin again. People love reality, if you keep it simple, the only edit you will need is start and stop recording. You can do it Ross!
Not saying this is the answer, but… have you ever seen videos on YouTube by The Second Empire Strikes Back? The young-ish couple who have that YT channel are restoring a circa-1890s home in St. Louis, Missouri. Kaleb, the main person in the videos, along with his new wife, are seemingly doing the bulk of the work themselves. If nothing else, maybe it’s worth reaching out to get advice about doing a YouTube channel? (I know the focus is supposed to be your lighting business, but… it can’t hurt to network!) Here’s their channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/the2ndempirestrikesback
I think Kaleb had some experience professionally with video production as well prior to his purchase of the house. He is about 5 hours from your house Ross, and you two both seem to be pretty like minded in many ways to restoration and preservation. He has help other channels by giving them a shot out, that in turn have really boosted their views and subs.
Though more importantly, Kaleb has some really awesome lights he has acquired. A collaboration with him to show him about lighting repairs, may prove fruitful for both of you. Plus i wanna see his lights for the newel posts given the Old Above glow up so bad!!! 😆
Thanks, Dan!
Yes, I know of Kaleb. He posted several lighting videos and I was concerned about how much incorrect information he put out there. I commented, and offered factual information.
He very clearly did not appreciate the help.
I gave up on his vlog.
Ross I think you’ll do great with the YouTube videos. I’ve had a YouTube channel for almost 3 years now talking about reselling vintage and antique items. Hardest challenge is definitely the editing of the videos. That’s what takes the most time. I use my phone and iMovie as my editor. I know other channels that are much more successful than mine, who also still use their phone and iMovie as their editing software. So it doesn’t take a large dollar investment to get started. one of the best ways to get subscribers is by having other people endorse your channel who have an existing subscriber base. I’ll be happy to plug your channel when it’s up and running.
Wishing you the best in this new endeavor.
Clay, silly! How do we find you on YouTube?
Sorry Ross, here’s the link to Clay’s Collections, my channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQbc0zUxSAwX9bYfFd_zmqw?view_as=subscriber
Oh you’ll be fine! It’s how you figure it out. I have faith in you!
Yes!!! This is how I first found your blog was because of you doing the interview on youtube. Your voice is calm and like a hug. Your interesting and you are very talented. I like a lot of Youtube reno or restoration more accurately, and always think man, these People need Ross to help them with their lights for a source or repair. This could help your lighting business. I follow your FB old above, and an instagram may produce better results for you than FB specifically for your lights. I believe you can sync up your posts between FB and IG so it posts on both.
Your blogs turned into vlogs on Youtube of the Cross house story, journey and renovation could be a business in and of itself, I think. You are able to tell a story that’s engaging, interesting and informative. Also documenting on youtube may help your furture plans for Airbnb or short term rentals of both properties as it has other youtubers stateside and abroad.
Excited for your new adventure!
So perfect! It could definitely help you out financially. And your idea about asking a student is great. Imho, I think that doing a historical background of the lighting, the house and all you’re doing to it would be well received. I watch YouTube videos a ton. I would definitely watch yours. I think that the universe will smile on you about your new adventure!
Absolutely brilliant!
Genius!
I think it will be a great idea!
I found you and the interview about the purchase of Cross House & I believe on You Tube!
Ross, don’t make it complicated for yourself. You have so many vlog people just waiting to hit the subscribe button. You know what to do, you watch YT, just relax and have fun.
Another good YouTube channel is https://youtube.com/@restoreleaguehouse
It’s about a woman restoring a mansion on Galveston Island, and the many issues she has uncovered within the walls.
Thank you, Lisa. I’ve watched every episode of her vlog. Her house makes my house seem like a piece of cake!
I love this idea and I’ll watch on multiple devices to get you views!
As a teacher, my advice is to write down your “lesson plan” and give yourself step by step instructions on what you’re going to do. This is helpful if you get distracted easily, like me. Practice and prepare, and then shoot the video, this will result in less editing time. Practice now and just watch yourself, no editing required, and then change what you don’t like.
I love the idea about the internship. Students might also be able to get you to the top of Google search results, which will get you more views. Ads on FB and IG could help, too. Get a patreon page, too. All the cool kids have them.
I don’t have any advice — I just wanted to say that I love this idea. You’re a good storyteller, so lean on those skills and it will make whatever you’re talking about come alive for the viewer. Looking forward to seeing how this works out for you!
I am excited! I will likely never get to see your wonderful house in person, which means I will not be able to meet you. And this makes me sad.
I enjoy your sense of humor, I love your house, and would love to meet both of you.
I would also love to donate time to you and the Cross House.
Love this idea. I would suggest having an Instagram account to simultaneously post content you are creating there, plus the ability to easily share photos and stories. No one is on Facebook any longer, so I wouldn’t bother with that 🙂 Instagram works best if you follow the accounts that you want to follow you back. I think you would be a hit in the “old house” community there!
YES. YES YES YES. I have thought *for years* that you’d be great on YouTube or TikTok, and that video content could be an income stream for you – you’re so talented and knowledgeable!! I can imagine a young person offering the tech support or tech education in return for apprenticeship in restoration, or lighting, or housing?