The Enthusiasm Project

What’s the difference between inspiration and emulation? If you create something to share with the world, like a YouTube channel or podcast, it’s natural to look at what others are doing as a guide. But what if you don’t see anyone else doing things the way you do? What does it mean to be authentic, and how does in play in to the long term growth/sustainability of something that you invest a ton of time and energy into?

It's a full studio this week! I'm lucky to have three awesome creators share what they do, how they do it, and why they got started in the first place. This is a great conversation for anyone who creates and shares something online, I hope you enjoy it!

For years, the online creator community has proclaimed “Story is king! Gear doesn’t matter!” But is this doing more harm than good? Has it helped to create a new generation of creators who feel entitled to "pro" results without investing the time and money to get there?

And alternate title for this episode could be “Old Man Yells at Cloud.”

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Do you have innate responsibilities when you have a platform/audience? Last week I talked about my goal of one day being able to generate a full time income via YouTube. This week I explain how I seem to be actively undermining that goal with my over the top ethics statement in a discussion sparked by the impossible-to-ignore gender gap in the camera/video/photo space on YouTube.

Some of My Favorite Female Creators:
•HeatherJustCreate
https://youtube.com/heatherjustcreate

•Fellow Filmmaker
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUqN8Ne316hhQxXus4SQelA

•Gabrielle Ruddick
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyoMCKNRJHE7yzw_26s_cUA

•Becki and Chris
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIXKkzlHjD1rUPOLRfJZvrg

•Felicia Smith
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VID5nSIk6QDC65bHym7TQ

•TheSnapChick
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2hubjuU7U4zIc_UpG-hFqA

•Mayuko
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDkO7wshcDZ7UZo17rPkzQ

•Art with Flo
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVJ5hHQMXBiRwNv394EOj_w

•Amanda Woolsey
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMvFpZt2EfFnfPHXusmmIQg

•The Bite Shot
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsM3clfP0vfMFlnf2tde41A

•Minnie Small
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcxo0ysMP27XTiRKqrdASg

If you work full time but also want to create a YouTube Channel or podcast, how on Earth is it possible to balance everything, especially once your creative endeavors begin to grow? And at what point, if any, should you consider leaving your job to become a full time creator?

It’s time for my second Question & Answer episode! Thank you to everyone who sent in questions on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Anchor.

Many of the questions were gear related, but I tried to give answers/context in ways that would be helpful to anyone who creates any kind of content, so I think you’ll really enjoy this one! It was a ton of fun to record.

Let’s revisit my rebranding escapades over the past month because I think there are quite a few valuable lessons for anyone who creates and shares their work online. I was incredibly nervous to rebrand my YouTube channel, which lead down a rabbit whole of other questions. But I’ve ultimately learned a lot and now feel very excited (or should I say…enthusiastic) about where things are and where they’re heade

If you have a creative spark that’s been in the back of your mind, or you’ve had the little urge to get started on something new. Just go for it. Don’t wait, just create!

I know firsthand the frustration that cmomes with waiting for things to be perfect before you get started, but I’ve also learned the value of just jumping in and figuring it out as you go.

Why does every creative endeavor need to become a money making venture? This week I wanted to dive in to some thoughts I’ve been having on why it seems that “having fun” isn’t as much of a priority on YOuTube as it used to be. Is there a way to be strategic with the content you create while also staying true to yourself and hanging on to the spark of fun that made you want to begin in the first place?

And thank you to everyone who has sent me messages over the past few weeks. I apologize for the lack of episodes. My dad passed away in August right as the new school year was beginning, so it was important to take some time and focus on taking care of myself amidst all that chaos before being able to jump back into the normal flow of things.

This week’s show is a journey. We’re going to talk about cameras, but that’s really just for context. More importantly, I’m going to share a creative identity crisis I’ve been dealing with that forced me to reconnect with my roots in terms of why I originally wanted to share anything with the world in the first place and how authenticity plays a key role in every part of that.

It’s my first ever Q&A episode! I can’t believe how many great questions were submitted, so let’s dive in for an extended episode! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to submit a question.

Let’s get ethical! Last season I talked about wanting to develop an ethics statement to help guide how I approach potential partnerships with my YouTube channel and podcast, and to help keep my audience, me, and partners on the same page.

It took about 6 weeks, but I drafted a statement that I’m very happy with and that has already helped to build stronger relationships. This week I want to go line by line and explain my thinking behind each point and how it might apply to anyone who created online content.

It’s been a whirlwind of camera news lately, and I think it’s super exciting! However, as people are praising new releases or lamenting imitations, there’s a third group that tends to show up and remind everyone that “story is king” and “gear doesn’t matter.” While there’s definitely truth to those platitudes, I think they can actually be harmful, and in some instances, can even end up discouraging people from diving in and making something.

My lovely wife Heather has been struggling with the direction of her own YouTube channel lately. We wanted to have a candid conversation about creativity and how she might want to adapt/approach her content in the future. I think this includes a lot of very valuable lessons for anyone who creates things to share with an audience online.

Thank you to Heather for being so open! Be sure to check out Heather’s YouTube channel:

We’re kicking off Season 3 on what happens to be the 3 year anniversary of my YouTube channel! To celebrate, I wanted to share three personal stories with you that taught me 3 very valuable lessons, not only helpful for life in general, but that have also proven immensely valuable as a digital content creator.

Thanks to everyone who’s been listening and sending me awesome messages of support. Let's wrap up Season 2 with a dive into all the ways that comparison can negatively affect your attitude and accomplishments. Whether it's against yourself or others, comparison has a way of devaluing our successes and planting the seeds for insecurities. Ultimately, it's important to stay keenly aware of the present moment and give ourselves a bit of kindness/credit for what we do and what we work to accomplish. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys, and the YouTube camera/tech space is fairly diverse when it comes to race/age/orientation, but have you noticed that the gender split is wildly uneven? This week Heather and I dive into the issue and explore some of the possible reasons why female creators aren’t often found in this niche.

If you’re like me, this might be something you didn’t notice until it was pointed out, but once you notice it, you can’t ignore it. If you have any thoughts/input/ideas, or if you are a female creator and want to share your insight, definitely leave me a voice message and I’ll include you as a part of a future episode.

This week I wanted to share some of the unexpected places I’ve found inspiration for my videos and how that has helped me to develop my personal style over time. I think that anyone who creates anything often struggles with where to find inspiration and how to be inspired without plagiarizing, so it’s a valuable discussion even if you’re not someone who makes videos specifically.

Here are the videos I talk about in this episode:

As my YouTube channel grows, there are more opportunities to work with brands for sponsored content- which also means there are more opportunities to damage the relationship between me and my audience or put my credibility at stake.

This week I explain what that’s like from the position of a relatively small channel that wants to create a strong foundation for future growth. I also go over some of the pitfalls that can come with the wrong partnerships, and explain why I’ve come to think that it’s important to develop an ethics statement for your potential partners, your audience, and yourself.

This week I interview Heather all about her professional and personal journeys. It just so happens that we recorded this the day before our somewhat impromptu quarantine wedding at the county office, so it was a ton of fun!

If you haven't heard last week's episode yet, Heather interviewed me and we tried out a simultaneous podcast recording and video live stream because why not? So you can check out the video replay on Heather’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fyUdn2_YpI

This week we’ve flipped things around– Heather interviews ME. Eek. We dive into YouTube, teaching, and life in general. It was incredibly fun, and I'm very grateful to Heather for leading the discussion, managing our live stream, and moderating the chat all at once!

We tried out a simultaneous podcast recording and video live stream because why not? So you can check out the video replay on Heather’s YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fyUdn2_YpI

Over the past 8 years I’ve had quite a few of my digital media students level up their skills in incredible ways. Despite all the differences in their circumstances, personalities, skills, and interests, this week I wanted to share the top 5 lessons I’ve learned from my students when it comes to digital media.

I also open the episode with an update on the LLC that Heather and I started earlier this year along with some of the more “interesting” situations I’ve encountered as my YouTube channel has grown over the past few months.

My name is Tom Buck, I'm a high school digital media teacher and independent creator, and this is my entry for the 2020 MyRodeCast contest! I produce a YouTube channel called The Enthusiasm Project and a weekly podcast of the same name. This entry is a condensed version of my latest episode where I cover 5 lessons that my digital media students have taught me over the past 8 years. 

Our insecurities are often barriers in our own mind. This week I wanted to explore how accepting the fact that I’m a “video production guy” and not a “filmmaker” was oddly freeing and how it allowed me to better enjoy what I do.

With the entire world being thrown into an unprecedented situation, how do you handle it as a creator of online content? Do you stop making stuff, do you continue as usual, or is there another strategy?

If you find yourself with a little extra time at home lately, it might be a great time to revisit your YouTube channel, or to finally start that channel you’ve been thinking about.

These are the 6 things I’ve found to be the most important when it comes to building a channel that feels consistent and complete:

Let’s take a look “behind the curtain” at what it really takes to create a work/life balance, especially when building a side business in addition to a traditional day job, including some of the creative sacrifices and tough decisions that sometimes have to be made.

Definitely check Out “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown. It’s an awesome read that’ll help guide you to examine what really is essential for your own happiness and success.

This week we’re taking a close look at the production process that I’ve developed for my YouTube videos. While everybody’s process is going to look a little different, this is what I’ve organically come up with over the past 2.5 years, and I think there’s a lot of helpful info here that might be able to save you a few tears and gray hairs.

This week I share my biggest regret when it comes to my YouTube channel and offer some thoughts and advice to anyone who may be in a similar situation. The lesson is, you can’t get better until you get started.

This week I’m taking YOUR questions from Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. I’ve never done a Q&A before, so thank you so much to everyone who sent in questions and helped make this more of a two way conversation. I’m loving the community we’re building here!

Here are a few of the links mentioned in the episode:

Over the past 2.5 years my YouTube channel has started to organically generate revenue, which is kind of amazing. So this week I go through the ways Heather I make money on YouTube and the different ways you might be able to effectively monetize your own channel. We also dispel a few myths about that sweet sweet ad revenue.

It’s almost cliche advice at this point, but learning to build your brand lets you take effective control of your narrative and drive your story forward on your terms. After spending the past few weeks fine tuning and in some cases, redesigning my “brand,” I wanted to share what I learned and why it’s something worth your time.

I also discovered that Anchor lets people leave voice messages, so I’m VERY excited to share a few special messages from listeners this week.

This week I wanted to take some time to explore a bit of insecurity that’s popped up along the journey to start a business, and share a few stories/examples of how a bit of ignorance and naiveté can sometimes be exactly what you need to succeed. After all, you can’t get better until you get started.

I also discovered that Anchor lets people leave voice messages, so I’m VERY excited to share a few special messages from listeners this week.

It’s time to take the next step in formalizing this idea to start a business. Heather and I are teaming up for the next step, and this is our chance to explore some of the finer points.

Heather is back in the studio as web talk about what I think is a critical missing piece to The Enthusiasm Project: community. Eric Wen and I had an incredible conversation about how to build a channel that appeals to others while maintaining authenticity. It was rad.

Last week we talked about my journey to start a business and the fact that I have no idea what I’m doing. This week I share the story of why I chose to spend all of my free time creating a “media kit” for what first appeared to be no good reason at all. And it was all because of a 15 year old kid in New Zealand.

Check out the media kit I put together:
https://www.enthusiasmproject.com/media

—— Gear of the Week ——
I love my 2013 MacBook Pro, so upgrading was actually a pretty difficult decision, but this new 16” model is unreal. From the processing power to the large display to the perfect keyboard, it’s an absolute joy to use.

16” MacBook Pro
https://amzn.to/2Dl578h

S2E02

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Season 2 kicks off with a bang as Heather and I talk about the role of failure in starting a business and growing as an entrepreneur. I share a few of my recent failures and Heather provides her feedback as a veteran business owner.

Connect with Heather:
Instagram @heatherjustcreate
youtube.com/sharesparkmedia

—— Gear of the Week ——

My gosh, this light absolutely lives up to the hype and is worth the investment. It’s ginormous, but the build, design, and quality of light are easily the best I’ve ever used.

Aputure 120d II:
https://amzn.to/32WDDjH

Aputure Light Dome II:
https://amzn.to/2XhGe6x

S2E01

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It’s the last episode of Season 1! Bet you didn’t know these were seasons, huh? Me either. 

I wanted to take a moment to look back on this season of episodes and explains the how’s and why’s of what’s coming in Season 2. I’m super excited about it, and I think you’ll really like it too! 

Thanks for listening!

Is age really nothing but a number? This week I want to share an example of someone who isn’t afraid to jump headfirst into the world of YouTube and new media.

Last week I signed up for a one hour session with Video Creators to critique my YouTube channel. In this episode I recap some of what was talked about, what I learned, and whether or not I think it was worth the $200 (spoiler alert: yes, it was absolutely worth it).

YouTube’s Trending Page is an interesting glimpse into what the platform values and the culture of YouTube.

As I’m working to be strategic about my Owen channel, I thought that taking a look at what I DON’T like would be a helpful way to find out where I DO want to go, and I think that’s an interesting thing for anyone who has or is thinking about starting their own YouTube channel. 

It’s the beginning of summer, so I wanted to take a bit and give some updates about what’s been happening. From getting a new camera and developing a YouTube strategy to wrapping up the school year and learning to be more optimistic about the future, it’s been a busy few weeks!

Starting your own business is hard (or at least I’ve been told and witness to), and sometimes you can be your own worst boss. Heather is at a crossroads about where to take and grow her business. So we decided to fire up the microphones and work through the discussion together! I think this will be a really helpful conversation for solopreneurs, or anyone who is thinking about striking out on their own. 

Check out Heather’s channel for more:
http://youtube.com/heatherjustcreate

Earlier this week I was honored to be recognized as Riverside County Teacher of the Year. Out of 20,000 teachers, 4 are selected each year, so I’m still wrapping my head around the entire thing, but it’s incredibly exciting! @HeatherJustCreate wanted to spend this week’s episode of Sharespark TV (our weekly digital media live stream) talking to me about my career and teaching digital media. 

I thought it was a really great conversation, and I wanted to share the audio here as a podcast episode. So it is a little difference than normal, but I think you’ll really enjoy it. 

Check out Heather’s channel for more:
http://youtube.com/heatherjustcreate

I’ve got a major case of Influenca, meaning that I’m sick of influencers. This past week saw the rise of a massive influencer campaign for a new photo/video product that I personally find overpriced and under-designed. Unfortunately, because so many reliable sources are pitching this product, I fear that many people may spend a lot of money on something that isn’t right for them. 

At the same time, “influencer marketing” is a fast growing segment of the economy and isn’t all evil, so how do we find a healthy balance? I don’t know, but I ramble about it for almost an hour, so check it out. 

Two years in to my YouTube journey I’ve had a startling realization: developing a strategy is not only necessary, but it can actually be…fun? What.
In this episode I breakdown the strategy that I’ll be implementing on my channel, and how that might be helpful to you if you’re working to grow your own YouTube channel.

This week Heather and I give an update on the progress made towards the creative digital media event we’re planning to host this fall, and go in depth the how’s, why’s, and huh’s of trying to build a community of creatives. 

This was a super fun talk, and Heather gives some great advice on entrepreneurship!

You can find Heather @heatherjustcreate on all the things!

Heather and I have been working on the idea of putting together an even for aspiring digital media creators, and this is the first step in taking it from our car conversations to reality. 

Since our goal is to host the event at some point in 2019, we’ll have regular updates on the process of developing and planning a conference/workshop/rally/creative/fun type of event. 

You can find Heather @heatherjustcreate on all the things!\

Episode 9: Men’s Mental Health- It’s OK to be Human

After finding an AskReddit thread that took a deep dive into a lot of mental health issues faced by men that aren’t often talked about, I thought it would be a good idea to share my perspective, and add my voice to help show that it’s ok to be human and deal with tough issues. 

Even though this is mainly focused around “men’s” mental health, I’m sure a lot of the issues are pretty universal, and more than anything, I’m just in favor of people working to better understand themselves and be happy.