If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I’m a proud Instagram girly at heart. I just adore creating ‘that perfect photo.’ 

But in the last year, I’ve shifted my strategy from Instagram-first to content-first. It’s been a little bit chaotic, a lot of learning, and actually… kind of brilliant.

So why did I change from Instagram to YouTube first?

It started last year with a lost Instagram login and a Taylor Swift video that unexpectedly went viral on YouTube. You can read all about it in my I Posted The Same Thing On Social Media for 3 Months blog post.

Now, I’ve posted 18 long-form YouTube videos since February and my Chelsea in Bloom video hit 13,000+ views, pushing me past 4,000 watch hours and halfway to monetisation! 🎉

So, what exactly did I do? And if you’re a content creator or business owner, can I convince you to consider your YouTube strategy? Let’s investigate.

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🎥 The YouTube Experiment

My new approach meant creating one strong piece of content every week. A full blog post + a YouTube video. Then repurposing it across my other channels like Pinterest and Instagram. I really need to work on my LinkedIn, but you can’t win ’em all!

I did this every single week for three months. And yes, it’s been a HOT MESS.

I’ve filmed in all kinds of weather, fumbled with microphones, stayed up until 1:30am editing, and navigated some very questionable lighting setups. But I’ve learned SO much.

Like most social media, I honestly don’t think there is any way of getting ‘good’ at YouTube without ‘doing’ YouTube. So watching, filming, editing, posting, replying to comments. YouTube has its own rhythm, just like every other social media platform so if you don’t take the time to understand it, it is harder to improve.

For example I could have outsourced my editing. But then how would I ever have got better at knowing how to film it in the first place? Exactly.

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💐 A Real Example of YouTube Strategy: Chelsea in Bloom

My Pinterest analytics showed that there was serious interest in Chelsea in Bloom, which runs alongside the Chelsea Flower Show every May. Normally, I’d head down on the first day, get some content, and post to Instagram the next day.

But this year?

I did things differently.

I planned ahead, and I mean a month ahead. I posted a Chelsea in Bloom 2025 blog and YouTube video using archive footage and insider tips. That post already started performing before the event even began. The comments were lovely, and I could tell I was onto something.

So when the event actually arrived, I was READY:

✔️ I filmed on the Sunday (set-up day)
✔️ Filmed again on Monday (event launch day)
✔️ Stayed up late editing (1:30am!)
✔️ Got the blog and YouTube video out within 24 hours
✔️ Spoke to florists, brought a friend (hi, Fatinah!), planned outfits, scheduled breaks, and delivered it Met Gala-style

And here she is, a video I’m genuinely proud to share. It’s now my most-viewed video ever, pushing me over 4,000 watch hours and helping me gain 500+ new subscribers.

It proved the strategy works.

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📹 From Filming Chaos to Content Confidence – Beginner Tips for YouTube

When I started posting to YouTube, I was filming and editing on my phone. I’ll always recommend starting on your phone.

Tips for Filming on your iPhone for YouTube for Beginners:

1. Film using the back camera as it is way better
2. I used a mirror to film talking head videos so I could see myself but I know this is tricky. In the end I bought a mirrored phone case – buy here (AFF Link).
3. Change your settings to 4k and 60FPS to try and get the best quality
4. You should be ok filming at home without a microphone to get started. But you might want to invest in a mic when you’re ready. I used the DJI Osmo mic with the receiver plugged into my iPhone buy here (AFF Link).
5. I would also buy a small tripod. When it is just an iPhone you can get this super small sleek tripod to pop your phone in the top. It fits in my YSL Camera bag with ease and extends to like full height – so I’m happy lols! Oh and it has bluetooth remote for easy shooting buy here (AFF Link).
6. You might also like to get a light. I am not the best at lighting so I try to use natural light as much as possible. But I have a tiny light for selfies buy here (AFF Link). A small light for the desk buy here (AFF Link).  And a big one that is big but does the job buy here (AFF link).

Tips for Editing on your iPhone for YouTube for Beginners:

It is SO hard to do this due to video length and complexity.

I used InShot but I know Capcut is very similar.

For example – adding stacks of B Roll, enhancing sound, layering on voiceover on a teeny screen is super hard. Every time I would make a small edit, everything would screw up.

My Valentino collection video is 18 mins long and it was HORRENDOUS TO EDIT. Too long for phone editing. Let’s not discuss the terrible sound.

I managed it by editing each 2 to 3 minute video separately and then piecing them together.

It has still got over 3.2k views though which is good for me!

Investing in YouTube Kit for Beginners

After that a short video on my tips for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour went viral. When I filmed a longer version, I finally admitted defeat. I couldn’t realistically edit anything over three minutes (with B Roll and so on) using my phone. My storage was a mess. My audio was dodgy. And my workflow was not the one.

That’s when I started investing:

🎥 A DJI Osmo Pocket camera which is the best thing ever. It can spin round and film me at 4k and I can see myself on the screen. It is smooth, sharp and ultra small. It fits in my tiny Chanel bag! And I can take the memory card out and move the footage straight to my Hard Drive. Win, win! Buy here (AFF link).

🎙️ A wireless mic (either included in a bundle with the above or separate). Buy here (AFF link)

💻 Editing on my laptop – a Mac Book Pro

💾 A huge hard drive (thank goodness). Go hard or go home with this – get the biggest size you can as video files are massive. Buy here for Mac (AFF Link). I also have a Seagate too which works for both Mac and PC – buy here (AFF link).

⚡ I can’t live without two portable power banks / chargers. If I’m out filming for a full day I will take both of them. Buy here (AFF link)

🔭 I also have a really serious 6 foot tripod. This is one where I can attach my iPhone using a connector or screw my Osmo Pocket (or any camera) in the top. Mine is no longer available so here is a more compact version buy here (AFF link). There’s also this version of my Manfrotto Tripod too buy here (AFF link). And to attach your phone you’ll need one of these adapters buy here (AFF Link).

I also finally opened YouTube Studio (IYKYK) and started using their built-in music library. Game-changer.

Since February, I’ve now posted 18 long-form videos. Some good, some bad, and a few very ugly. But each one taught me something, and I’m getting better at working within my normal life to create content that connects.

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🧠 What I’ve Learned

• Prep beats panic. Planning ahead (like I did for Chelsea in Bloom) makes the launch so much smoother.

• You don’t need perfect gear but you do need a plan. If you’re starting out, your iPhone is the best place to start. Get used to that and then you’ll know what tech to invest in.

• Editing as you can imagine, takes so much longer with YouTube videos. I’m still trying to perfect filming and editing in the optimum way. I’ve had to accept I can’t invest the time I used to in other channels.

• Repurposing is everything. My videos are feeding my blog, Pinterest and Instagram. I know, I’ll get to LinkedIn one day!

• The audience feedback is GOLD. Especially when people leave lovely comments (or even mean ones — because hey, that means they’re watching!).

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🌟 Why I’m Sticking With It

It’s taken time, tech upgrades, late nights, and a lot of trial and error. But I finally feel like I’ve found a rhythm that works. My audience is growing, not just numbers, but actual engagement. People are clicking through from blog to video and vice versa.

And more than anything, I feel proud of the work I’m sharing.

So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the switch from short-term engagement to long-form growth?

My answer is YES. The one thing I have noticed is that the numbers grow. A lot of my videos are evergreen content meaning the numbers continue to grow slowly but surely. How refreshing. I don’t get that with Instagram.

The experiment continues but I’m sticking with it 💪

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Let me know: have you tried YouTube or long-form content lately? Leave a comment below or come chat with me on YouTube! 

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📬 Want more?

My downloadble book on How to Instagram Like A Pro can be downloaded here: