My #SocialSellinVideo30 Challenge Journey
I was inspired to take on Joe Apflebaum's 30-day video challenge because making video content has been really intimidating for me. Whenever I'd have a video idea, I'd come up with 1,000 reasons why I couldn't make the video and end up posting something else instead.
I've posted some videos of myself and collaborated with others, but every time I'd start recording that pit in my stomach would return. That tiny voice in my head would start the "What if..." thinking:
What if people don't like my videos?
What if I look/sound terrible?
What if? What if? What if?
Just like anything unfamiliar, it seemed scary because I haven't done enough. So I decided to make myself uncomfortable to get comfortable with video content.
Here is my journey:
Video 1 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6554117717010464768/
I love Mondays! They are an opportunity to start fresh and face new challenges head-on. So I pushed through the fear and went for it. Nothing like making yourself accountable as announcing what you're up to ??
Video 2 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6554537228721246208/
It would've been so easy for me to not post a video this day. I had a full day and my book launch party at night. I clearly didn't have any content ready, so I posted a video of the party itself!
Video 3 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6554907188819709952/
I had some profanities posted in the comments of one of my recent posts and inappropriate engagement, so I decided to use this moment as an opportunity to share the experience with others and give an example of how to respond to ideas you disagree with cordially.
Video 4 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6555226782759440384/
Once a month, I like to ask the #LinkedInFam to submit their money questions to be answered in my #DearOlga column. It's also my monthly exercise in asking others for something. I struggle with asking others for help and make a point of working on it. It was also a great opportunity to test out how this worked in a new format!
Video 5 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6555641918657703936/
I announced a new project that I'm working on: streaming my writing sessions on Twitch. The most surprising change I noticed by day 5 is that I was actually excited to work on this video!
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I was so productive and then the weekend came ?? I debated for a long time that Saturday whether I was going to post a video. I had a weekend of relaxation planned after a hectic 3 weeks and was looking forward to unwinding. I just completed my ebook, published it, and threw a launch party!
And then I thought about my why, why exactly was I doing this challenge? For me, consistency isn't an issue. I already post (almost) daily. My goal with this challenge was to become comfortable with being on camera and creating video content.
As I entered my second year of business, I made a commitment to work less on weekends. I decided I deserve to relax on the weekends and to spend time recharging because #selfcare
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I realize that was a dangerous move, after two days off I could've easily dropped off ??
Video 6 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6556643310381879296/
I was inspired by a suggestion to stop using the phrase "I'm busy" and replace it with "That's not a priority right now." It's empowering to take control of what you're focusing on. This shift also allowed me to identify my priorities much more clearly.
Video 7 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6557019869940850688/
A close friend recently told me that sometimes I keep my best traits to myself so I decided to ask what would help you all learn more about me. I got so many amazing ideas ??
Video 8 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6557355706733867008
Shaneé Moret posted a video speaking in Spanish several months ago and it helped her connect further with her Spanish-speaking connections. I decided to do a video in Russian. It's my first language and it was a great way to help people learn more about it!
Video 9 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6557750412324163584/
A friend was writing an email and wanted my opinion on why he appreciates the person he was responding to so he can include it. I don't think we need to always need a reason to appreciate others and you don't always have to put it into words.
Video 10 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6558108369868070912/
Announcement for my first Twitch stream ??????
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The second weekend was here before I knew it and I was conflicted...do I post or do I leave it? The first weekend I didn't actually decide if I was just taking just the one weekend off or all weekends. I settled on weekends off because one of the reasons I started my business is to reclaim my me-time.
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Video 11 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6559205037640347648/
I wrote a blog post about food spoiling costs adding up to 30% in American households and gave suggestions to prevent this. One suggestion was to bring food for lunch to which someone replied that they have a culture of buying lunch at work and they feel uncomfortable bringing lunch from home. I decided to ask people about the lunch culture where they work.
Video 12 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6559584687424065536/
As I started my second year of business, I made a commitment to start giving away one free session per month to help people who may not be able to afford the one-on-one coaching sessions I offer. This is a monthly initiative so DM me if you want to learn more!
Video 13 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6559985026396626944 - The first time I asked for money questions to be submitted through my Typeform link. This time I asked people to ask away in the comments! It's always good to experiment with what works and people do hate leaving the site they are already on ??
Video 14 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6560340053405519872/
After a few weeks after my book, Shmoney Guide: Making Money Choices Doesn't Need to Be So Scary, was published it has been pushed to all major digital retailers. Read about the #ShmoneyGuide and where to snag your own copy here.
Video 15 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6560577747725369344
I failed ?? I overpromised and underdelivered on my Twitch stream ?? I allowed wishful thinking to get in the way of my planning. I work from home when I don't have coaching sessions, meetings, or networking events. The apartment next door is having renovations done and the crew had been gone for some time, several weeks! The morning of the stream, I woke up and they were back ??
Video 16 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6561703458272002048
After not being able to go through with the stream the week before, I was able to find not just one but THREE solutions! Sometimes something may seem like a total disaster and disappointment, but something good will still come out of it ??
Video 17 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6562154892780158976-AW9l
After an awesome SNG networking event and on the way home realized that I still didn't post a video! As I was walking to my train, I saw this performer and couldn't resist sharing.
Video 18 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6562493310395576320-W8FF
I went to another networking, this time with Dancing Diana! I had such a blast, I had to share my takeaways ??
Video 19 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6562839043225198592-hEfO
Since publishing my book, I'm often asked about tips for writing. One of my best tips is to make time for writing and sticking to it!
Video 20 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6563218529326288896-M2gp/
After all the grief, I made my first Twitch stream happen! It wasn't a total success but I loved doing it. It's definitely something I'm going to be incorporating more in the future.
Video 21 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6564291678008549376-lHK5/
After making videos every weekday for 4 weeks, I took some time to review my progress. Seeing the actual progress, made me realize that when I was thinking of quitting on day 13 that I was glad I kept pushing on.
Video 22 - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/activity-6564678238361141248-9SDU/
I arrived for a client meeting early and decided to do a quick video about available slots for August sessions. I'm now taking on September clients, if you're interested in solving your money-puzzle DM me!
I share a tip on content creation for those who sometimes run out of ideas. When I started engaging on LinkedIn, I would often run out of steam. Until my business coach, Anthony English, shifted my perspective and showed me how many content opportunities I have every day.
A follow tip from video 23, have a place to jot down your ideas! I like to take notes when I speak with people, this helps me go back and remember things I may have forgotten.
This was my first video shot on a different day and it gave me a completely new appreciation for having a content calendar and an asset library.
I share a conversation I had with a client who felt she was extremely behind on her retirement savings. I was able to shift her perspective and in a few moments, she went from feeling like she's behind to feeling like she's on track.
Part of my new routine is scheduling moments for self-care. I tried a lunchtime meditation session and it felt so great that I decided to share my takeaways.
Another share to ask for #DearOlga column, I try to ask at least once a month to keep the list of questions relatable to what people are writing in about. If you have a money question, ask me in the comments ??
This summer, making time for me and self-care have been major themes. So as I was taking an evening walk, I decided to share my thoughts on self-care.
I did it! ?? Not only did I do it but by the end of the 30, I truly enjoyed creating video content.
I also had some unexpected benefits like getting over my fear of posting multiple times a day. (What if I start to annoy people ??, does that sound familiar?) Well, nothing bad happened, I survived and had a little bit of fun while doing it!
Do you have any fun challenges that you've participated in recently? Let me know in the comments ??
Making sourdough bread because I love food and want to be healthy Inshallah! 50% profits go to support ???? | blessed Muslim revert ????
5 年Genuinely applaud you for your commitment for the challenge, you did so well considering it was out of your comfort zone ???????????? so many people will be motivated to throw themselves into video marketing after reading this! Great work Olga!
Organic LinkedIn Marketing Specialist Boosting Engagement & Generating Leads ?? Creating Compliance Automation Software ?? Launching 2025 - Classifi - CRS & FATCA Classification Tool for TCSPs and Family Offices.
5 年Wow this is brilliant Olga Kirshenbaum, so cool you documented everything that was going on around your videos!? Thanks for sharing you are inspiring me :)
Civil/Geotech Specialist l Servant-Leader l Avid Reader l Thinker l Writer l Giver l Humanist l #ONO
5 年Great videos Olga! I watched them all. Could be inspiration for content creators, entrepreneurs and any beginners in video blogs. Keep it up!
Intuitive Growth Strategist | Empowering Businesses & Clients To Break Through Barriers & Transform | Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner
5 年Olga Kirshenbaum?Love the advice to replace the term I'm busy with It's not a priority right now. Interesting that you're comfortable posting multiple times per day. Many people have recommended this. I'm still working on getting back to daily posting. I don't feel comfortable posting more than once. I'd worry it could lead to audience burn out. Would love to hear your thoughts!? Congratulations on being comfortable on video! This article was indicative of how caring & thorough you would be as a coach. I can attest to how your advice combines astute financial knowledge with compassion.
Freelance Writer for Coaches / Consultants
5 年Awesome work putting this together Olga Kirshenbaum!