Writing, Retiring, Recording: My First Year on YouTube

In February 2024, shortly after I retired, I launched a YouTube channel. I was 65 and had just decided to pursue full-time my long-held ambition to become a published author. That decision gave me something I’d been seeking for years: a theme around which to build a video channel. I began documenting my progress in the hope of building an audience – and, perhaps, a market – for my writing.

Since then, I’ve published over 30 videos, loosely aiming for two a month. The content has evolved, but the focus remains: behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on writing and publishing, and how-to reviews of writing software. It’s been, by turns, frustrating, surprising, immensely satisfying. I’ve learned a lot about video-making, and about presenting myself publicly as a writer.

A steep but rewarding learning curve

I wasn’t a complete novice when I started. I’d made videos before, and already had some gear: a good lapel mic, an audio recorder, and editing software. But the right camera was elusive. I tested a Sony compact, Android phone, webcam, and Canon DSLR before buying a Sony ZV-1, a vlogging camera that’s worked well, despite occasional overheating. (See below for hardware and software links.)

The real hurdle was speaking naturally to camera. Though I used to teach, I struggled. Memorising scripts didn’t work. Bullet points were no help. A homemade teleprompter failed. Eventually, I figured out how to set up a tablet just below the camera lens and found an app that lets me scroll my script. This means I can read while appearing (mostly) to look straight at the viewer. It’s not perfect, but it’s helped enormously.

What surprised me

The first real surprise came early, when a personal video, asking whether I was “too old” to start a writing career, got ten to twelve times more views than any of my other videos at the time. Why that one? I suspect the thumbnail helped: a baby photo of me beside one of me now. But maybe the question struck chord.

Another early success focused on Aeon Timeline, software I use to manage the tangled strands of my novel-in-progress. That suggested viewers might be more interested in tools than anything else.

I’d hoped to share readings of my writing, but those videos haven’t fared well. I’ve largely stopped making them (though they may make a comeback later down the line). For now, I focus on what seems to resonate: tools, process, and reflections on the writing life.

How I make a video

These days, a video begins with a rough idea and script. I often gather B-roll as I go, then film myself to camera (two to five takes), collect more visuals, and edit. I add intertitles, subtitles, and sometimes sound or music. I upload the video, manually subtitle it (never trusting YouTube’s AI), write a description, and make a thumbnail. I’ve developed this workflow gradually; early videos were far more chaotic.

Time remains the biggest challenge. Making videos is rewarding, but it pulls me away from writing. I try to keep video work to the afternoons and leave mornings for writing. I still aim for two videos a month, but only when I have something worth sharing.

Tools, guests, and advice

If you’re just starting, get a decent microphone. Audio matters more than video quality. A smartphone camera will do, as long as you mind the lighting.

Looking ahead, I’d love to interview fellow writers – some of you in this group perhaps. Whether traditionally or self-published, your stories could be valuable additions to my channel.

And if you’re considering starting a YouTube channel of your own, here’s my advice: do it for the experience. Don’t expect an audience overnight. Treat it as a hobby, a way to learn. Commit to a year. Start without expectations, except the promise to yourself that you’ll keep going. And yes: there are apps that turn your tablet into a poor man’s teleprompter. I wish I’d known that from the start.

Thank you for reading thus far. Click here to visit my YouTube Channel!

Hardware and software links

The essential items in this list are in bold.

This is the current hardware I use. (Links go to the manufacturer’s website):

• Main camera (bought for Christmas 2024): Sony ZV-1
• Backup camera (10 years old now): Sony Cybershot DSC HX90
• Smartphone camera: The one in my Fairphone 3, now 8 years old. (Note, the link goes to Fairphone 5 because 3 is no longer in production.)
• Tripod: Anything to hold your camera steady while you are filming will do. I have a regular sized camera tripod from Hama that must be 25+ years old, and a very small tripod to stand the camera up on a table, equally as elderly. For the standard camera tripod, if I’m using it with my smart phone, I have a little attachment to hold the camera. Something like this Universal Smartphone Clamp from Manfrotto.
• Microphone: I use a lapel mike, a.k.a. a lavalier mike, from RØDE – the Link LAV (cabled Pro Lavalier Microphone). Buy this with a TRS to TRRS adapter. (Without, you can use the cable to record to a smartphone; with, you can use it to record to a camera or a recording device as well.)
• Recording device: Zoom H1n. You don’t need this. Connect the mike to your camera for very decent audio. But if you want to stand away from your camera, a recording device like the Zoom H1n allows you to do so without the expense of setting up a wireless connection to your camera. You can carry the recording device in a pocket
• Lights (optional – daylight is preferable): Neewar lighting kit – two softboxes on stands with daylight bulbs. I bought this kit years ago when I was experimenting with portrait photography. The link goes to what seems to be Neewar’s latest version of the kit I have.
• Tablet (to use as a teleprompter): Galaxy Tab s6 lite. Mine is 10 years old now. You could use your smartphone, if you aren’t already filming with it.

This is the current software I use:

• Video editing: I use Movavi Video Suite 21, which I bought outright after experience using earlier versions of the Movavi video editor. Unfortunately Movavi have gone over to a subscription service, which I don’t recommend to anyone. The market leader/industry standard software, Adobe Premier Pro, is also only available as a subscription service nowadays. I’m told DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, and Shotcut are good, free alternatives, but I’ve not tested them. Note: I’m currently using a Windows PC. The Mac and Chromebook environments have other options.
• Audio editing: I use Audacity which is free and open source.
• Teleprompter app: I use Elegant Teleprompter which is free (with adverts) or you can pay a very modest sum to get the ad free version.