I still can’t believe that I’m teaching people how to make videos.
I mean, I haven’t worked for a TV station. I haven’t taken courses in editing. I don’t have a degree in filmmaking or a camera costing thousands of dollars or years of experience in professional broadcasting.
I’m just a girl who makes videos.
But strangely, after creating dozens of videos (well, now more than 147), I got a reputation as someone who knows how to make videos that work.
As far as videos that don’t work … you’ve seen them.
Some of them are even super-professional, with animation and full makeup and external audio and snazzy editing.
But they’re flat. Passionless. Boring.
The videos I create have a different effect.
In my videos, I speak my truth.
Endear myself to my viewers. Create relationships. Bond with my tribe.
And for months (well, years) people asked me to teach them how to make videos like mine.
But I continued to object – I’m not a video expert! I can’t teach that! I’m just a girl who makes videos!
Until finally, in fall of 2009, I grudgingly created a home study video tutorial program (4 Weeks to Video), really just so my clients would stop nagging me about it.
And found that this was it.
Over the next few months, 4 Weeks to Video became my highest selling program to date.
With members reporting results.
People finally creating their first video. And actually posting it and getting positive feedback from their clients/prospects/followers/readers.
Even creating entire video blogs and video-based membership programs, from what they learned from me in the program.
Freaking awesometastic.
And, while I’m confident about what I teach, in a particular way I’m still flabbergasted.
Because for me, making videos (and teaching it) is easy. In the flow. Fun.
A natural expression of who I really am.
And it feels bizarre to charge money for that.
And then there’s the part of finding myself perceived as a video expert.
Weird.
What I’ve learned is that becoming an expert is not about degrees and certifications and decades of professional experience and being officially designated as such.
You don’t become an expert by declaring yourself one.
You become an expert by doing.
You become an expert by getting results.
And other people notice. Beg you to teach them or mentor them or share your wisdom.
And assuming you love it, assuming it’s a natural expression of who you are, that’s your money-making business.
(Or at least part of your business.)
So the lesson today is … listen to your tribe.
They will tell you what is the natural expression of who you really are. What they want to learn from you.
And then let them pay you money for teaching them your natural brilliance.
#thatisall
To learn how to make your own videos, check out my newest video program 3 Days to Video live virtual workshop or get the free Quickstart to just learn the basics!
If you want help finding what is the natural expression of who you really are, I’m available to help you via consulting with me (only until May 6th).
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What is a natural extension of who you really are?
What have people begged you to teach them even though you are not an “expert?”
I’d love to hear your comments below!
I'm Elizabeth Potts Weinstein, an attorney, mom, writer, and explorer.