why I'm spending 50% of my work hours on YouTube
Good Morning,
YouTube has become a big part of what we're doing at Lakeview Aquatic Consultants in 2024, so I thought I'd share a little bit about the why & how.
Prior to the Pandemic, my use of YouTube at work was limited to playlists I created to enhance lifeguard & swim instructor classes. These do not replace in-water skills, but they are a great supplement when the trainer needs a 5-10 mins prep break or the class is flagging and physically tired at the end of a long day.
In 2020 I uploaded all of the POOLaide Webinars on YouTube simply because of how much work I put into the project. I had never produced a video or hosted a live webinar for hundreds of people, so content > appearance. I did the same with the 2021 POOLaide Webinars.
Fast forward to Summer 2023, and the roll out of Bill C-18 (here in Canada), cutting off news articles from being reshared on our Facebook page. Since I could no longer talk about what I'm reading and seeing in the industry each week, I created an early version of the Aquatic Industry Insider where I record myself discussing and commenting on aquatic industry news stories. I didn't have a good video setup or editing and posting routine, so it didn't stick.
In early 2024, I started recording more videos - a mix of Aquatic Industry Insider, interviews & vlogs about topics like my work on an ISO Committee. I don't know what clicked, but the more videos I've recorded over the last six months, the more I am inspired and convicted that YouTube is the future of high-quality quality education and information opportunities for the swimming pool industry.
And I'm not the only one. Statistics bear out that YouTube recently became the most popular "streaming service," with one in 10 people who turn on a television planning to watch YouTube. At this stage it's impossible to distinguish between someone watching a makeup tutorial versus a web-based show versus tips on how to fix a dishwasher, but anecdotal evidence in my life indicates that people of all ages and backgrounds are going to YouTube for lots of different types of content.
All of this to say that 50% of my time not occupied by teaching or consulting is now dedicated to producing YouTube content. It's still a very slow process - it took me 2 hours to edit a 13-minute video the other day 🙃- but I can't stress enough how much I'm enjoying the creative process. And, for me, I really need to be interested in the work I'm doing; it's not (just) about the money.
I don't have Mr. Beast level camera angles, or custom graphics, or a theme song or a fancy outro, but the content I'm producing is unique and doesn't otherwise exist. Where else can you find commentary on pool operations, water safety, lifeguarding, new products, interviews with aquatic industry professionals and more from someone who actually knows what they're talking about?
So here's a quick run down of some content released on YouTube over the last month. I will still share 1-2 videos in this weekly newsletter, but there's always more content uploaded than I can possibly reshare (without spamming you), so please do consider subscribing to our channel.
Subscribing to our YT channel makes it much easier for you to see what new videos have been released since you last visited, and also to add videos to your Watch Later list. I personally use my Watch Later list extensively to listen to information-heavy content while doing computer admin work or broadcast my phone's YouTube app to the TV to watch graphic-heavy content while cooking.
If you're not sure how to subscribe to our channel, your Google account is likely already linked to YouTube and tracking your Watch History unless you've signed out. You don't necessarily need to create a YouTube account.
Other topics I've covered this year include the Apple patent filing for drowning technology; the Texas entrapment fatality; non-VGBA compliant drain covers for sale on Amazon; a mom who changed the legislation in Texas after her daughter fatally drowned at day camp; a video in defense of Paris Hilton, and more.
Thanks so much for sticking with me as I try new things. If you have specific topics you would like to see covered on YouTube, please click here.
I'll be back next week with a regular news round up in the newsletter.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.