It’s Food Video Friday! If you are jumping on the food video train, You Tube is a key part of that journey. You Tube is a whole different ball game than Facebook. Facebook allows you to expand your reach with food video, but you can’t monetize on it. If you can upload your video to Facebook, you really should upload it to You Tube and have the ability to monetize.
While you may be tempted to only do food videos, I challenge you to think outside your comfort zone to diversify your content to include some videos of you. Like all social media platforms, You Tube is a community. Facebook rules at 1.5 Billion but You Tube is a close second at 1 Billion. Doesn’t it make sense to be there too? You Tube is an incredible platform for dietitians to showcase their nutrition expertise while having the ability to monetize content. Like all other social media platforms, you will get out of it what you put in.
In order to encourage more dietitians to take You Tube seriously, I did a Q & A with the fabulous Abbey Sharp of Abbey’s Kitchen. Abbey has almost 5,000 subscribers on You Tube and after seeing her videos, you will see why. She’s fun and engaging, all while delivering sound nutrition advice! Her journey was a learning experience. I hope you will all see that you have to start somewhere. Don’t forget to go to her channel and subscribe!
Q1. When did you start your You Tube channel?
I originally started it about 5 years ago before I even started my blog. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I paid a production company 10K to make 12 videos. I didn’t have that kinda of money to continue so I let it go after the 12 videos were live. Then two years ago, my friend (who worked in production and is a food photographer), told me she wanted to start my channel back up again. I was apprehensive considering my first experience, but she talked me into creating a channel that would be fun and cheap to do.
Q2. Why do you think it’s important for dietitians to be on You Tube and are they missing out on opportunities by not using the platform?
I think RDs are missing a huge opportunity to spread good messages about healthy eating, and also to further their own brand and reach. Brands are all now moving towards doing more digital content since TV opportunities are dwindling so having this as part of your wheel house makes you stand out against other influencers. Its important that we are offering this service because when we don’t, brands and other commodity boards will go to non-RD influencers for content.
Q3. What is your advice to a RD newbie on You Tube?
Experiment with formats to find what resonates best with your audience. We have created a wide range of formats and types of content trying to identify which does best and have focused our energy on those.
With all this new and fabulous information, what do you need to do to get started on YouTube?
- Go to YouTube and start your You Tube channel.
- Upload a picture of yourself.
- Get some channel art. Canva has a variety of templates.
- Upload your videos.
- Engage with your community. Find other dietitians and subscribe and comment on their channels.
Author: Betsy Ramirez
Betsy is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, homeschool mom, & fairy tale junkie, who loves getting crafty. Being on my bike and lifting weights are my therapy. Thinking outside the box is my jam!
Great interview! I love Abbey’s videos! They’re always so fun & she’s definitely an inspiration to me to start a YouTube channel & get sharing awesome tips & recipes!
She definitely sets the bar high! You Tube is such a great opp for RDs! Just do it! Start your channel and dive in!
Great article, Betsy. Found you through Dietitians in Virtual Practice. While I’m comfortable in front of a crowd, I am not so comfortable in front of a camera. Maybe something I should be working on 🙂
Thanks so much, Beth! That is the beauty of video! You don’t have to be on it! You should join my food video group! We would love to have you!
i love Abbey’s video – always so energetic and informative!! i did my first ever video in a Q & A format and have few other ideas for the future.
I really loved your video, Dixya! Abbey is so inspiring! I can’t wait to see more from you!
Great insight into one of my most-watched channels on you tube!! Abbey is awesome!
Thanks, Bridget! Abbey is a rockstar!
Ahh thank you sooooo much!!
Thanks so much for all your insight, Abbey! We all so appreciate it!
Great interview Betsy! Abbey does such a great job!
Yes, she does! She’s such a rockstar!
Wonderful interview!! I love Abbey’s channel it’s hilarious and always has good content 🙂
She really is the best!
Agreed! Abbey is definitely a great TV personality. Her youtube videos are always fun, engaging, creative and worth-while! 😉
Abbey really rocks it! Thanks so much!
Inspiring! I think I might need to get on this. Do you recommend uploading Facebook live videos to You Tube? That’s an easy way to get started 🙂
Lauren, you can upload your Facebook live videos to YouTube! I have a video group you are welcome to join!
Great post Betsy! I need to start making videos!!
Yes, you do! Feel free to join our Food Video group!
Love that you wrote this!! Abbey’s videos are great- love following her and can’t wait to see other RD Youtubers also 😉
Thanks so much, Shannon!
Great post! It’s on my list of goals this month to bite the bullet and get my personal You Tube channel started!
Kelly, thank you! Yes, get on and join our group!