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Guest Interview – New YouTube Channel Owner

We all have those friends, right? You know – the ones we consider family. The ones we share a lifetime bond and connection with… Along with bickering, arguing, and stand-offs. But the ones we would never ever give up – because they’re the ones who understand us like none other, and who we can call at 3am on a Tuesday morning because someone pissed us off and we can’t sleep. The ones who always have your back – and who will defend you with the vigor of an angry mama bear at the slightest threat. Yep, those are the best friends to have. And I feel blessed to be interviewing one today.

Her name is Maryan, and she is quite the character. What is that supposed to mean!? – she is going to ask. But it simply means that she is unique, a personality unto herself, and that’s what I love about her.

We met almost 22 years ago at our first big girl job. We were so grown up – but really just kids. She sat next to me, training with a co-worker on her first day, and looked at him like he was a regular idiot when he gave her instructions that didn’t make complete sense. Uhhh, whatever, why would you DO THAT!?? she said. And I was intrigued – by her confidence, her gall, and her complete irreverence for what anyone else may think. We went to lunch, and she spoke up when the server gave her a paltry portion of rice: Uhhhh, can you put MORE on there?? – dripping with sarcasm. Then when the cashier took his time writing an unintelligible note on the receipt, she boldly said exactly what I was thinking: Um, WHAT are you DOING?? HELLO – Can you hurry up please?? I was hooked, and we became inseparable.

Through jobs, kids, dating fiascos, arguments, makeups, graduations, weddings, marriages, and more kids – we have been through it all. And even now – we are starting our creative pursuits at around the same time, and learning and going through the experience together.

So when I told Maryan that I was launching this new blog, I asked if I could interview her about her new YouTube channel. Why, she said, wouldn’t readers want someone much more experienced with a huge following? I disagreed, and told her that I thought it would be refreshing to hear the experience of someone just starting out, like many of us are, and that I could then periodically check back in to monitor progress as time goes on. She thought for a moment, and then surprised me with an Okay – makes sense – I’ll do it!

And so here we are.

Thanks for chatting with us today. First, I’d like you to explain what inspired you to start the StayingCreative YouTube channel.

I watch a lot of videos on YouTube personally, and really enjoy them. I started to think that people might find some of the things I want to share interesting or helpful. I was a thespian in high school and love being in front of the camera! I find YouTube to be a great creative outlet for me.

What were your original goals in starting the channel?

To inspire people and hopefully help a few along the way. I thought it would be fun as well. I wanted to share my creativity and thoughts with people without interruption hehee.

Since starting your channel, have your goals or vision changed?

Nope, and I really don’t think they ever will.

How do you decide what to talk about on your channel?

Really just whatever is inspiring me at the time. That’s why I purposely chose the name “StayingCreative” – because it is general enough to allow me to be free to create anything.

Do you have any insight as to what is resonating with your audience?

Yes, based on views it appears that viewers like the crochet and cooking videos the most. It is interesting, because while I enjoy crocheting, I am no expert, yet those videos are receiving many views.

Well, I think you’re much better than you give yourself credit for. But maybe it’s because people relate to you as someone who is learning, and are learning along with you?

Maybe? I don’t really know. I wish I knew more to share more, but I am constantly learning and sharing everything I know.

Are you making any money off your channel? If not, do you plan to?

Yes, so far I have made a few dollars but am not comfortable sharing the exact amount just yet. It’s not much but it’s a start, and I feel that if I can continue to increase traffic I could earn much more.

What is your target demographic, or the profile of your typical viewer?

I don’t have a target demographic in mind when I am creating videos. I just create what I am interested in and figure that it will resonate with like-minded people. But I believe that most of my viewers are women aged 18-40.

What value are you hoping your videos add?

I hope to inspire my viewers in some small way.

Do you have a motto or tagline that you operate under?

Stay Creative!!

How do you encourage viewers to connect and identify with you?

Mainly through YouTube comments or direct messages. Sometimes people will email me directly as well. I do also have Instagram and Twitter accounts, but am not as active with those as with YouTube.

What has been the most surprising part about starting a YouTube channel?

That I am actually receiving subscribers and viewers! I never expected the kinds of numbers that my videos have received, and that has been very encouraging and motivating.

What has been the most difficult part about starting a YouTube channel?

It would definitely be finding the time to edit my videos – it takes a while, especially in the beginning. Also finding good lighting in my home.

What is your favorite part about creating YouTube videos?

I really enjoy adding music to the videos and creating my thumbnails. It’s a big part of the creative process.

Why did you choose YouTube over other social media channels?

I don’t enjoy writing – it’s too much work! And I’m not much of a reader – unless of course it is reader comments. So YouTube definitely fits my personality the best. Plus I enjoy watching YouTube videos myself. It’s my weird way of unwinding after a long day of work.

What would you say to others considering starting a new YouTube channel?

It is definitely a lot more work than you probably think it will be. A short five minute video takes much, much longer than that to film, edit, and upload. But – it is also very rewarding. I love reading and responding to peoples’ comments, and have had the opportunity to connect with so many interesting viewers. Even though my goal is to inspire, I am always happily surprised when someone writes to thank me or comment about me inspiring them. It’s motivating and helps me feel like I am contributing in a positive way.

Do you have any other advice to give?

Be yourself on camera. Don’t be afraid to be goofy and real. Laugh at yourself and don’t take yourself so seriously. People want to connect with other people who make them feel good. And they want to relate to people like themselves – normal people like you and me. Don’t try to act or put up a front – viewers are smart enough to see right through that and then you come across as fake and inauthentic.

Do you think that your YouTube channel will meet, fall short of, or exceed your original goals?

Honestly, it has already exceeded my original goals! I wasn’t sure if anyone would pay attention to my channel or care what I had to share. But I’m finding that people actually do. So I just keep elevating my original goals.

What motivates or inspires you to keep uploading videos?

The fact that people are watching, and that my subscriber pool is increasing. I love hearing from viewers that something I have said or done resonates with them. It makes me feel proud of what I am doing and gives me the motivation to continue.

What personality traits do you think help you in this endeavor?

Not being afraid to be silly or creative. Not paying attention to the haters. Being myself.

What kind of support does your family provide?

Honestly, everyone I know is very supportive of my YouTube channel. My husband especially puts up with my constant videoing, even making cameos in many of my videos! He is a good sport.

I know that you ran a YouTube contest a little while back. Can you talk more about that? How did you decide what to do, was it successful, what lessons did you learn, and how would you tweak it next time?

Yes, I had a subscriber appreciation giveaway. My goal was to hit a milestone number of 100 subscribers. I exceeded the goal and found that the contest was a great way to connect with my viewers and subscribers. The only thing I would tweak next time is doing away with runner-ups. I had runner-ups the first time around, but learned that it created confusion for some of my viewers. So I think one single winner is the best approach for going forward. I really learned a lot! What was perhaps the most helpful was learning what my viewers were most interested in winning. This will help me put together an even better incentive prize for the next contest or giveaway that I run.

Finally, how do you personally “Stay Creative”?

I am constantly looking around and learning. I love browsing YouTube, Instagram, Etsy, and Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. I gravitate towards topics like crocheting, knitting, cooking, arts and crafts, home decor, shopping, plus size clothing hauls, family get-together planning, and the list could go on and on. I truly believe that you can find or demonstrate creativity in any aspect of your life – it’s all about your point of view. I think always learning, questioning, trying, and sharing are the keys to staying creative.

Thank you so much, Maryan. We will follow up with you in a few months to check in on your progress and any new learnings you have to share.

Interested in following Maryan and her progress? Connect with her on social media, and remember that sharing is caring!

YouTube – StayingCreative

Instagram – IStayingCreative

Twitter – @SeeStayCreative

And for a special treat, I’m including below the most popular StayingCreative video at over 12,000 views to date! Check it out for yourself.

7 Life Lessons I Learned in Preschool

Life is complicated. And it gets harder the older we get. So many rules, rituals, contingencies, and responsibilities – it’s hard to keep up! And yet, here in mid-life, it is finally hitting me that everything I really needed to know I learned back in preschool. Everything else is just fluff; the foundational themes I should really be paying attention to are what were instilled all those years ago.

We all have to share. We live on one planet with finite resources, and it’s our moral and social obligation to ensure that we are not utilizing beyond what our individual footprints require. In preschool I may have wanted the Strawberry Shortcake doll all to myself, but I had to share with Andrea, who also wanted a turn. In fact, if I didn’t give her a turn, the doll would be taken away from us altogether. The same principle applies now. What would happen if, today, we all hoarded water in rain-starved Los Angeles to maintain lush green lawns and luxurious 45-minute showers? Like the Strawberry Shortcake doll, the water would be taken from all of us as we would all have to pitch in to make up the deficit or face the consequences.

No hitting. It really doesn’t solve anything. As a preschooler, a hit would quickly earn me a hit or hair-pull back, ending with tears. Although frustration is inevitable from time to time, we have to find more constructive outlets. Today, a hit may be literal or figurative. Of course we all know that literal fighting is non-productive and likely to result in an arrest or worse. But hitting also means below the belt – making those verbal assaults that can never be taken back nor forgotten. Hits of either sort end with hurt feelings, broken relationships, and still no solution to the problem at hand.

We have to wait our turn. If you’re anything like me, you find it very hard to remain patient. Once I make my mind up about something, I want it done or realized now. But it simply doesn’t work that way, and everything really does come to us in due course. In preschool, every time there was a birthday, I wished it was MY birthday. But I learned that my birthday only comes around once a year and, in the meantime, I should help others celebrate their birthdays and be happy for their special days. Today, life remains cyclical. I may be having a low when someone else is having a high – yet it is my duty as that person’s friend or loved one to put my problems aside and truly be there and be present for them as we celebrate. All the while understanding that my turn will come.

Nap time is not negotiable. I hated taking naps as a child. I wasn’t tired! All the things I would miss out on! The unfairness of it all when the adults didn’t have to nap! But now I realize – naps are invaluable. Rest is what allows my mind and body to heal, process, and gear up for new challenges. Without adequate rest, exercise, and diet, my body will start failing and my mind and spirit won’t be far behind. To take care of my future, I need to take care of me right now.

Reading is important. A love of reading is the gift of a lifetime, one that allows for continuous learning, growth, reflection, and entertainment. In preschool, I adored “Curious George” and “Corduroy” – I couldn’t wait for their newest adventures come story time. And story time was always a priority; every preschool day, two stories would be read as we sat in awe and wonder. Since then, the habit has continued to spark my curiosity, interest, and intellect throughout my schooling and professional and personal lives. I now have the gift of passing that love on to my own children, and have realized that the act of reading to them is also a demonstration of my love, patience, and respect for them – as they now look up to me in awe and wonder like I once did.

Stay curious. We are never – never – too old to learn something new. My preschool teacher encouraged our natural creativity and curiosity. Activities of the day included clay modeling, painting, coloring, craft-making, and story-telling. No idea was too outrageous or dissuaded – in fact, the zanier the better! Somewhere along the lines, I lost that creativity. I became a drone doing what I was supposed to do without applying my own imagination. But now I’ve realized that this lesson is one I need to resurrect! Curiosity keeps us fresh and asking questions, brainstorming, and always improving. Where would we be if Thomas Edison wasn’t curious? Or Steve Jobs of modern day? The thousands of “why” questions that plagued our parents as preschoolers are now the questions that result in improvements to our lives.

The art of friendship. In the end, our loved ones are all that matter. The careers, the money, the toys, and the success are nice… But our friends are the people who make life worth living. They celebrate our achievements with us, and support us when we’re broken. They’re there when nobody else is. And preschool teaches us how to cultivate these relationships. How to give and how to receive so that a friendship can become rooted and blossom. Through trial and error, we learn how to make friends and also how to lose them. We learn who to trust and who is fair-weathered. And we leverage those lessons throughout the rest of our lives with the various people we meet along the way.

So, really, what else is there to know? These truly are the ingredients of living a good life – and they are lessons I learned almost 40 years ago. Too bad all the details and complexities have gotten in the way… But I am committed to getting back to these!

5 Things I’ve Learned in Three Weeks Since Leaving My Corporate Job

If I’m being honest, I knew several years ago that I was ready for a professional change. Even before kids. Before promotions. And before I really believed that I would ever actually take the leap.

I just knew that something was missing.

On paper, I had everything I had worked so hard for – the career, the compensation, the influence, the perks, and even the telecommuting arrangement. But it still wasn’t enough. When would it ever be enough? When would I finally feel fulfilled?

I like to think that fate finally stepped in, frustrated with my reluctance to make the decision that I needed to. Funny how a a few months checked out of life, in bed, will provide clarity and direction. But that’s another post.

So three weeks ago, I finally took the leap. Gave my resignation. With no concrete backup plan. No other job offer. No next step. Just a vague idea that I wanted to learn more, grow more, and write more. And now – only three weeks in – I’ve already learned lessons that I never would have anticipated.

My job didn’t define me

I always had a sneaking suspicion that this was the case. It seemed ludicrous, that a paid profession could define a person’s whole being. I had traveled extensively, and knew that this wasn’t the case in other parts of the world. That not every person in every country asks “So what do you do?” as a first or second getting-to-know-you question. But – here it is different. I was praised for my job. I received accolades and respect for my job. When I explained what I did for a living, I was given almost immediate credibility. But now that job is gone. And I am still me. A more authentic version of me. Forging down the path that feels right. And I think that makes for a better definition than a VP title.

I am not starving

Fear has always been one of the major reasons I have procrastinated this decision. Fear of never working again. Fear of regretting my decision. But most of all, fear of becoming broke and homeless. I ran the financial figures over and over again. It seemed like we could do it. But I wasn’t sure. What if I resigned and then-there-was-an-emergency-and-we-used-up-all-our-savings-and-then-had-no-more-money-and-then-had-to-file-bankruptcy-and-eventually-ended-up-homeless. It could happen. But, now, I realize we would figure it out. The fear is no longer all-encompassing. I am still eating. My children are still eating. We are still doing fun things. And the lifestyle changes so far have simply meant making more conscious money decisions. Understanding the difference between wants and needs.

There is life outside of Corporate America

Really, there is. I had wondered what I would do with all my time. Now, in three short weeks, I am wondering how to more effectively focus my efforts as I am beginning to spread myself too thin. There is an abundance of freelance, project, and contract work available. More than I ever realized existed. And people make a living combining many income sources – which means that I can too! Imagine that. People working effectively without bosses, without company-imposed deadlines, and without performance reviews. Simply out of self-motivation and love for the craft. It is truly liberating.

Not everyone is supportive

I suppose I didn’t expect everyone to be. But the range of reactions I’ve received is astounding. I’ve had people congratulate me, motivate me, and even provide me leads. I’ve had others sit me down to talk with me and ensure I have considered all the risks and potential outcomes (which I truly appreciate). And I’ve had others make fun of me, make comments about me becoming a kept woman, and remark on me becoming lazy and having “nothing to do” all day. I’ve even had people, former colleagues, subtly dissociate themselves from me, as if I’ve become a pariah for leaving The Firm. And while I understand that the decision I’ve made is not common nor popular, I’ve been surprised at how vocal people have been with their opinions. It has opened my eyes and helped me realize who I should be surrounding myself with to help keep me inspired, positive, and growing.

I have no regrets

I fully expected to experience a freak-out or panic attack at some point after resigning. It was bound to happen after I simply walked away from my 20+ year career. In fact, I planned on it, jotting words and phrases of positive inspiration into my journal for when the jitters hit. But – so far – nothing. No anxiety, no panic, and no angst. In fact, all I’ve felt so far is calm. Calm and peace with my decision. Confidence that I am doing the right thing at this phase of my life. Pride that I was finally strong enough to follow my heart. And excitement about all the doors opening and the options available to me. If there is any regret, it is that I didn’t have the courage to take the leap sooner.

If these are the life learnings after only three weeks, I look forward to the additional insight I have yet to experience over the long haul. It’s not all roses, and it’s not easy. But I finally feel capable of handling whatever comes my way. And embracing the ride.