Cook with me
Two summers ago I had a conversation with my brother:
Content Creator Ben: "Why don’t you make cooking videos for your blog?"
Me: "Ugh, no. I don’t have time. Maybe I’ll make those hands-in-pans videos* one day but who knows when."
I wish I could remember our next conversation better because not only did I change my mind, but I was genuinely excited about it. I remember that Ben said:
"Making videos is easy.”
Looking back, I’m glad he told that whopper because if I’d known the truth, I would never have started.
It’s now the end of July 2026 and I’ve released 43 videos. The hardest thing about starting a YouTube channel is learning and failing in public. Most people’s early videos are ropey and mine are no exception. The first 30 were almost entirely scripted. I cringe at how wooden I sound if I have to watch them back.
I’m still experimenting with content. So far I’ve filmed reviews, bread maker recipes, shorter videos (but not shorts) and ultra-long-real-time cooking. The latter (over 2 hours long) are background videos, meant to keep someone company while they do chores or study. They’re fun to film, but take forever to edit, so I don’t know if I’ll continue with them.
Ben warned me that YouTube is a long game. I’m so glad I knew this up front.
“Three years”
he said, and I’ve heard the same timeframe from others. It’s a weird, time-sucking, sometimes lonely hobby, but I’m completely hooked and there’s no going back.
Progress isn’t linear and comes with long bouts of stagnation. Recent videos have had low views and there was even a day with negative subscribers. That’s just how it goes. The older videos still get views and that’s the great thing about long-form content; it can have a decent shelf life.
I’m lucky to have Col’s support. We chat about videos daily and he frees up huge chunks of my time so I can write, film, edit, then clear my mind at the gym. My output is roughly one video a fortnight. Creators are supposed to aim for one a week but nope. Without Col, I’d be lucky to publish once a month and then I’d lose all momentum.
This blog post is the first in a series about content creation. I’ve learned loads but still feel like an utter n00b. It’s good to share, though, and future posts will cover equipment, emotions, mistakes and lessons. I’ve got a massive Google doc full of links and tips, from general advice like:
- YouTube is a marathon, not a sprint
- Don’t focus on the outcome; just keep showing up
to the really specific, like how to:
- Use proxies when editing on an old computer
- Choose a voice-activated teleprompter app over a traditional scroller. I love Prompt+ (one-off £15 payment, no subscription)
- Pick a camera lens to suit your face shape (no, really)
By far, the best thing about YouTube is talking to people from all over the world. A huge thank you to anyone who has watched, commented, or interacted in any way. Even the negative comments are useful. I’ve learned that:
- Background music is divisive
- Water quality and microplastics are emotive topics
- Lots of people can’t stand the idea of using a bread maker to make dough - they want hands-off recipes - no shaping or baking in an oven
Apart from a short stint at the beginning, this blog doesn't have comments. For a long time I preferred it that way. I’m a member of the r/ididnthaveeggs subreddit (“reviews by people who don’t follow a recipe and then complain that it sucks”). The posts on there amuse and often horrify me. But YouTube has shown me that interaction and feedback are valuable. Col’s working on adding blog comments again, and I look forward to having more dialogue here soon.
* Short how-to videos filmed top-down.
