When I publish a video on YouTube, there is an entire process that happens first. There’s also a bigger strategy to decide what video comes out when, and how it fits into my overall marketing strategy so those videos generate leads.

That’s why in this post, I’m going to show you how I do it, from start to finish, so you can get a better idea of how the YouTube video creation process works!

I’ll show you how I plan out my content calendar, my editing process, how I batch videos, and even give you a peek inside my team and how they help me get all this done (flawlessly, I may add!).

Creating your YouTube Content Calendar

Before you do anything, you need to have a clear idea of where your content is going. And I’m not just talking about knowing what to say and when. Really, your videos should follow a structured content plan that has a four to six-video series.

Why? Well, because the algorithm, why else? YouTube wants people to binge-watch videos so they’re on YouTube longer. That means if they’re binging your content, YouTube will push that content out. It’s an “if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,” type of situation.

And what this means for your audience is that it builds trust. The more they see, the more they know you, and are more likely to buy from you in the future.

What to include in your series

So what do you talk about in these “series?” I like to align my Youtube content calendar with my marketing promotion strategy so it’s all cohesive.

Each quarter, my team and I determine if there will be a launch, and if so, we map out what kind of work needs to be done leading up to and during it. Honestly, that’s the basis of everything I post on YouTube.

I used to post twice a week, but honestly, once is fine too. That’s what I’m doing now. The important thing is that you’re consistent with whatever it is you decide to do. Even when posting a series.

Titles and thumbnails

The first thing I do is to brainstorm two or three titles for each video and make sure that each thumbnail aligns with the final title. I spend more time on this than people realize, and it’s because if you don’t have a click-worthy video, it’s going to be hard to get people to watch. You have to make it enticing, then follow through with great content!

Batch filming

I take one or two days every other week to batch-film all my YouTube videos and all the Reels/Stories that come along with them. On a batching day, I will do full-on hair and makeup but for me, this is amateur hour! Nothing fancy.

Once that’s done, I clear all the crap off my desk, set up my ring light, and get cozy near the window for that natural light! I also use a camera and mic on a small tripod, which helps me get different angles when needed.

I will film a complete video, and make sure I get a few thumbnail photos before I change shirts to do the same thing for the next video!

The team that makes it run

Once this is all filmed, I upload everything onto Google Drive. I also make sure I get any screen grabs, screen recordings, gifs, or broll for each of the videos. And this is where I will officially hand off the next step to my video editor! Then, my team submits the thumbnails to a graphic design company specifically for Youtube thumbnails — Custom Thumbnails.

Once the video is edited and we have the first draft, my content writing team (Uncanny Conten t) will turn my video not only into a blog post, but a weekly newsletter and social media captions too. It’s been a great investment because they are easily able to repurpose content since I don’t really like to write (which means it takes me forever to do on my own!).

Once we have the video ready to upload, my marketing director will make sure it has everything it needs to go live and schedules it for Wednesday morning at 8 am!

Get more YouTube tips inside of Going Video

Want more tips and tricks on nailing your YouTube strategy? Join me inside of Going Video here! If you’re ready to jump into the world of video and snag all those leads who are just browsing around YouTube, this is the course for you.

Inside, you’ll get:

The only video equipment guide you’ll ever need (yes, filming can be simple!)
My go-to YouTube script template
My professional YouTube workflow
A bank of YouTube titles, hooks, and calls to action for when you’re feeling uninspired
So much more!

Ready to turn YouTube into a lead-generating machine? Grab a seat inside of Going Video here!