Christopher Sharpe (@csharpe) is a writer, director, designer, blogger, and builder of internet things. Following an early career in traditional filmmaking, he’s currently the producer of two popular online video shows, Yoga With Adriene and Hilah Cooking.
Our conversation focuses on the nuts and bolts of producing video with a limited crew, as well as the inevitable drama that comes from working full-time in online video. Christopher’s work can be seen on his website, ChristopherSharpe.com, and you can see check out his book, YouTube Black Book.
Listen to the episode below and click through for examples of Chris’s video series.
Hilah Cooking: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Yoga with Adriene: 20 Minute Yoga Flow for Detox and Digestion
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Get The Episode
- Download The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 27 (MP3, 41:40, 60.5 MB)
- Download The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 27 (OGG, 41:40, 42.7 MB)
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Show Notes & Links
- Chris started with the traditional filmmaking route. Short films and commercials.
- Sex Machine, Chris’s first feature, on Netflix
- Shannon Morse, previous guest on The Busy Creator
- Are commercials an art form?
- No feedback on broadcast media, e.g. “What’s up with that Pampers commercial?”
- Permission Marketing by Seth Godin on Amazon
- Luke Sullivan, the 75-mile-per-hour billboard
- Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan on Amazon
- Advertising is annoying, especially when you’re used to watching online (Wayfair, I’m looking at you)
- Contextual advertising on YouTube
- Chris and Hilah have created several Cook Books through Kindle and in print
- Brand integration content
- Producing content for other companies
- Scripps Network launched uLive
- TasteMade YouTube Channel
- The phrase “recurring theme” seems to be a recurring theme
- Libsyn, host for The Busy Creator
- Consistency is rewarded in the YouTube algorithm
- Chris & co. didn’t earn any money for the first year, but they kept going
- Don’t forget to visit the website for Starship Design, Prescott’s design company
- Manager’s Schedule vs. Maker’s Schedule by Paul Graham
- YouTube Black Book by Christopher Sharpe on Amazon
Tools
- YouTube and Vimeo, video platforms
- Canon C100 and Canon T5i, for main and supporting cameras
- Final Cut Pro 10
- Adobe Audition
- iMacs
- Basecamp
- Google Apps
Techniques
- Examine the audience and make an educated guess, then rework the content based on the platform
- Record your show in real-time, and punch in “beauty” shots
- Examine your workflow and look for ways to save time, such as in editing
- Offer information as an effort to build traffic
- Offer a free PDF (The Breakfast Taco Book) to get them on the mailing list
- Seek to get the audience away from YouTube and onto a platform you control and can monitor
- Release three types of videos aimed at different audiences and reactions: one search engines, another for quick sharing on social networks, and a third for the YouTube Community itself
- Continue to interact on the comments for your blog posts and videos
Habits
- Get into “The Zone” early in the day. Writing and creative planning.
- Email and stuff before lunch, then to the office for editing/post-production
- Block work responsibilities into chunks of time (whether it’s 45 minutes or 3 hours)
- Be your own manager — chunk out your own time
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Join the Discussion
Add your experiences in the Comments section below.
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