In case you missed it, TAIP is officially on YouTube!

When I took over the website (in case you missed that too), I knew I wanted to continue to publish weekly articles with the ultimate goal of helping all of you move to France, adapt once you get there, and potentially connect with other expats in Paris (join our Facebook community if you haven’t already). But, with the world as a whole turning decidedly towards video, I also knew I wanted to start sharing on social media in a more important way.

Not to minimize what we’ve already accomplished here on the site — the opposite really — but to reach even more people who also dream of making a life in France one day.

In true TAIP fashion, I was encouraged by Stephen (who is still very much involved in the website and consultations) to document the process. We urge you to do the same in our book 29 Days to France, so it makes sense. 

I’m also a writer at heart, and documentation is all a part of it. In the past, I’ve often let my fear of being perceived prevent me from sharing too deeply, especially online. In the way that some feel empowered by the anonymity of it all, I can feel intimidated by it. But, creating this channel has ripped off the proverbial band-aid. I have shared, and it doesn’t look like much can stop me now.

So, in this first chapter of building our YouTube channel in public, it’s only fitting that we start back in the beginning, when the idea first entered my ether.

“Would You Ever Start a YouTube Channel With Me?”

Was pretty much how Stephen approached me with the project. We work together on many things within and outside of the TAIP universe, but were coming off of several quiet months where we didn’t have too much going on. 

I had been in charge of the site for months at this point, but life kept getting in the way of me doing anything different with it. I knew I wanted to start posting more on social media, but didn’t really have a plan for how to start, or even what to post, for that matter.

So when Stephen mentioned a YouTube channel I found myself saying yes almost immediately — it would give me the content I was looking for and could be a really fun creative outlet. I had already started dabbling with making more well-thought-out videos for Instagram and TikTok and had really enjoyed the process. If I could do that, all while helping people who also dreamt of living in France, well… it was an easy yes.

In Over My Head

I tend to think, “Oh, I can do that,” about almost anything. It’s a belief that has served me very well in my personal and professional life but it also means I can get myself in over my own head quite easily. 

The YouTube learning curve has been steep — especially for someone who doesn’t even really consume YT on their own. I have general SEO knowledge thanks to my writing career, but did it work the same with video? What should I put in titles and descriptions? And what the heck is a thumbnail?

All of the above doesn’t even include everything I had to learn about video editing, which is a monster to learn in its own right.

Two months in and I’m finally feeling like I’m no longer in over my head. Editing is still difficult and time-consuming but it’s getting easier. I’ve learned a ton, we’ve gotten such a great response, and now I have so many more skills to add to my repertoire. 

Feeling More Comfortable Sharing

Something else that has stemmed from starting our YouTube channel is that I’m becoming much more comfortable in front of the camera and sharing in general. I’m beginning to understand the value in opening up more — if someone can relate to something I share and finds it helpful, my job is done. Ultimately, I love helping others and if posting YT videos can accomplish that, I’m happy.

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. If you speak to some of my closest friends, they will tell you that I’ve debated being more public and sharing my story more deeply online for years. Now that I’m doing it and have seen how helpful it can be for all of you, and how fun it has been for me, I’m so excited to keep going.

I’m also excited to share more of what goes on behind the scenes as we build this channel up. We have so much in store, and this truly is just the beginning. We’ve only been at it since April and I’m already thinking about a rebrand and a schedule switch-up after everything I’ve been learning.

If you’re interested in following along, you know where to find me — yapping over on YouTube, or writing here on the site. I can’t wait to see where this takes all of us.

Photo by Nat Weerawong on Unsplash

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