Vidpros Insiders

How do you turn a passion for one NFL team into a full-time YouTube career?

In this episode of Vidpros Insiders, I sit down with IngravenVids, creator of one of YouTube's biggest Baltimore Ravens communities, to discuss how he found his niche, built an engaged audience, and stayed consistent for years.

We talk about why he shifted his content to the Ravens, building a respectful sports community, covering breaking news, creating videos every day, producing content without a team, and the realities of making YouTube a full-time career. We also dive into titles, thumbnails, YouTube Shorts, monetization, burnout, and the mindset needed to succeed as a creator. 

Whether you're building a sports channel or any niche business on YouTube, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who's been doing it successfully for years.

Learn more about IngravenVids:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IngravenvidsTKIC

Patreon: https://patreon.com/ingravenvids

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/IngravenVids

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Website: https://vidpros.com

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#IngravenVids

#BaltimoreRavens

#Ravens

#NFL

#YouTubeCreator

#SportsContent

#ContentCreation

#CreatorEconomy

#YouTubeGrowth

#Football

#VideoMarketing

#VidprosInsiders

Silver stacking creator Silver Slayer has spent nearly a decade helping people understand precious metals, investing, and building wealth through physical silver. What started as a hobby filming silver unboxings has grown into one of YouTube's largest channels in the niche. 

In this episode, Silver Slayer shares how he discovered the world of investing, why he believes consistency matters more than perfection, and how turning a genuine passion into content allowed him to build a full-time business on YouTube. 

We discuss what it was like growing alongside an emerging niche, why he believes creators should learn in public instead of waiting to become experts, and how documenting your own journey can be one of the fastest ways to build trust with an audience. 

Silver Slayer also explains how a collaboration with Robert Kiyosaki changed his career, why staying focused on your niche is often more valuable than chasing trends, and the biggest mistakes creators make when trying to grow on YouTube. 

We also dive into his production process, posting daily without burning out, creating engaging thumbnails, retention strategies, and why authenticity has become one of the biggest advantages creators have in the age of AI-generated content. 

Whether you're interested in investing, building a YouTube business, or creating content around a niche topic, this conversation is packed with practical advice from someone who has spent over ten years doing exactly that.

Learn more about Silver Slayer:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SilverSlayer

Patreon: https://patreon.com/c/silverslayer

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#SilverSlayer

#SilverStacking

#Investing

#PreciousMetals

#Gold

#Silver

#WealthBuilding

#YouTubeCreator

#CreatorEconomy

#PersonalFinance

#ContentCreation

#VidprosInsiders

#Vidpros

Meet Danny McGee, a travel and adventure filmmaker based in Colorado who combines filmmaking, technology, and outdoor exploration across YouTube, commercial projects, and brand work.

Danny creates content for camera and drone companies while documenting ambitious travel projects of his own. His biggest current project is Southbound, a motorcycle series following Danny and his friends as they ride from California toward the southern end of South America.

In this episode, Danny shares how a solo trip to Iceland helped him discover the kind of life he wanted to build. With little money, no international travel experience, and friends dropping out at the last minute, he decided to go alone. That experience led him to pursue travel filmmaking and eventually turn photography and video into a career.

We discuss what it really takes to start working with brands, especially before you have an established audience or portfolio. Danny explains how he researched companies already working with creators, sent large numbers of cold emails, and slowly learned which types of brands were most likely to respond. Over time, those early outreach efforts became long-term client relationships and inbound sponsorship opportunities.

Danny also shares how persistence helped him build a relationship with DJI. Instead of waiting for a major brand to hire him, he continued creating drone content, building his portfolio, and sharing his work until the right introduction appeared. That preparation allowed him to turn an initial contact into a relationship that eventually led to paid projects.

The conversation also explores the balance between creative fulfillment and commercial work. Danny explains why not every project needs to be your favorite and how accepting that creative work will sometimes feel like a job can help you build a more sustainable career. The commercial projects make it possible to continue producing the personal films and adventures that matter most.

We also break down Danny’s YouTube workflow, from research and scripting to filming, editing, thumbnails, retention, and storytelling. He explains why clearly telling viewers what a video will deliver can improve retention, and why even product reviews become stronger when creators include personal stories and give viewers a reason to connect with the person behind the camera.

Danny also shares his perspective on AI in filmmaking. He uses it for research, scripting support, transcription, and thumbnails, but remains conscious of not automating away the creative process and satisfaction that come from making the work himself.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, travel creator, drone pilot, or YouTuber trying to attract brand partnerships, this conversation offers practical lessons on building a portfolio, finding clients, improving your storytelling, and creating a career around work you genuinely enjoy.

Learn more about Danny:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mcgee
Website: https://mcgeemedia.co
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mcgeee

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#DannyMcGee
#TravelFilmmaking
#AdventureFilmmaking
#DroneFilmmaking
#TravelCreator
#YouTubeCreator
#VideoProduction
#Filmmaking
#ContentCreation
#BrandPartnerships
#DroneVideo
#CreativeCareer

Meet Simon Owens, media industry journalist, newsletter writer, and host of The Business of Content, where he interviews some of the world's most successful media entrepreneurs to uncover exactly how they built sustainable content businesses.

After starting his career as a newspaper reporter, Simon transitioned into covering the rapidly evolving media landscape, documenting the rise of independent creators long before the term "creator economy" became mainstream. Today, his work focuses on helping media operators, journalists, and creators understand the business models behind successful content companies.

In this episode, Simon shares how traditional journalism shaped the way he analyzes media businesses and why he believes the creator economy has fundamentally changed how content is produced, distributed, and monetized. We discuss how YouTube transformed independent media by introducing revenue sharing, why creators are increasingly becoming media companies themselves, and how traditional publishers are finally taking the creator economy seriously.

We also explore why successful creators think beyond ad revenue, the importance of diversifying income streams, and why subscriptions, newsletters, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and products all play different roles depending on the audience you're serving. Simon explains why understanding product-market fit matters just as much as creating great content.

The conversation also dives into AI and its growing impact on content creation. Simon explains how AI has lowered production costs while simultaneously flooding the internet with low-quality content, making authenticity and human creativity even more valuable. He shares practical examples of how creators can use AI to improve workflows without sacrificing originality.

We also discuss newsletters, podcasts, audience ownership, and why creators should focus on building direct relationships with their audiences instead of relying entirely on algorithms. Simon argues that newsletters remain one of the strongest ways to own your audience and build a sustainable media business over the long term.

The episode wraps up with Simon's predictions for where the creator economy is heading, including why he believes YouTube creators will eventually produce award-winning films and television that compete directly with traditional Hollywood studios.

Whether you're building a YouTube channel, launching a newsletter, growing a podcast, or creating your first media business, this conversation offers practical insights into building sustainable revenue, adapting to AI, and understanding where the creator economy is heading next.

Learn more about Simon:
Website: https://www.simonowens.net
Newsletter: https://www.simonowens.net
The Business of Content Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@nomissnewo/videos

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#SimonOwens
#CreatorEconomy
#MediaBusiness
#YouTube
#Newsletter
#Podcasting
#ContentCreator
#DigitalMedia
#AI
#ContentMarketing
#MediaStrategy
#Journalism
#BusinessOfContent
#VidprosInsiders
#Vidpros

Meet Jiayang Liu, filmmaker, YouTube creator, and founder of Gold Hour Studios, where he's on a mission to help aspiring filmmakers build meaningful careers while pursuing his own dream of directing feature films.

Fresh out of USC's School of Cinematic Arts, Jiayang has built more than a filmmaking career. Through his YouTube channel, podcast, production company, and educational content, he's helping the next generation of filmmakers develop both the creative and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today's industry. 

In this episode, Jiayang shares how his love for storytelling began with toy animals and iMovie before evolving into a career centered around filmmaking, education, and community. He explains why filmmaking is ultimately about helping people feel seen and less alone, and why that mission now shapes everything he creates through Gold Hour Studios. 

We also explore why social media has transformed filmmaking forever. Jiayang explains why every aspiring filmmaker should consider building a presence on YouTube, not just to showcase their work but to attract opportunities, develop storytelling skills, and build genuine relationships within the industry. Rather than chasing networking events, he believes the best opportunities come when your work speaks for itself. 

The conversation also covers creativity, storytelling, and finding your own artistic voice. Jiayang shares how his ideas come from everyday life, conversations with strangers, personal experiences, and staying curious about the world. Instead of copying successful filmmakers, he encourages creators to embrace their own perspective because the most personal stories often become the most universal. 

We also discuss entrepreneurship, commercial filmmaking, rejection, perfectionism, and the reality of building a creative career. Jiayang explains why filmmakers need to think like entrepreneurs, why systems matter more than motivation, and how embracing rejection has helped him continue moving forward despite the uncertainty that comes with creative work. 

Finally, Jiayang shares the vision behind Gold Hour Studios and why he hopes every film he creates leaves people feeling less alone. It's a conversation about purpose, creativity, and building a career that's driven by impact rather than external validation.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, YouTube creator, film student, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers practical advice on storytelling, building an audience, finding your creative voice, and creating work that truly connects with people.

Learn more about Jiayang:

Website: https://jiayangliu.com

Newsletter: https://jiayang.beehiiv.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jiayangliu_

Gold Hour Studios: https://goldhourstudios.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jiayang-liu

CONNECT WITH US

Website: https://vidpros.com

Instagram: / vidprosedits

Facebook: / vidprosedits

LinkedIn: / vidprosedits

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#JiayangLiu

#GoldHourStudios

#Filmmaking

#FilmSchool

#Storytelling

#YouTubeCreator

#CreativeEntrepreneur

#FilmDirector

#USC

#IndependentFilm

#ContentCreator

#Hollywood

#CreatorEconomy

#VidprosInsiders

#Vidpros

Meet Chris, the founder of Ridge Films and the creator of the Desktop Video Studio, a system that helps business owners create professional video content consistently without the complexity of traditional production.

For more than 25 years, Chris has watched the video industry evolve from VHS tapes and DVDs to AI-powered content creation and remote production. What started as a traditional video production company eventually transformed into a business focused on helping founders, executives, and professionals become more visible through video.

In this episode, Chris shares the journey behind that transformation, including the business lessons that came from years of trial and error, learning sales and marketing, and discovering that creating great videos isn't enough if you don't understand business fundamentals. He explains why visibility has become one of the biggest competitive advantages for modern companies and why simply owning great equipment won't help if you don't have systems that make content creation sustainable.

We also dive into one of the biggest challenges business owners face today: getting comfortable on camera. Chris breaks down the four obstacles that stop most people from publishing videos, from technology and scripting to performance anxiety and finally hitting publish. More importantly, he explains how those barriers can be overcome through repetition, coaching, and simple systems instead of chasing perfection.

One of the most powerful moments of the conversation is Chris's story of surviving a near-fatal drowning accident, an experience that completely changed the direction of his business and forced him to rethink what he truly wanted to build. That turning point led Ridge Films to focus entirely on helping professionals become more visible through video rather than remaining a traditional production company.

Chris also shares practical examples of how businesses can use video beyond marketing, including personalized sales videos, onboarding, customer communication, and website content. Instead of treating video as occasional content, he explains why companies should build systems that make video part of their everyday operations.

The conversation finishes with Chris's perspective on AI, consistency, mindset, and why knowing exactly what you want is often the first step toward building a business that actually reflects your vision.

Whether you're a founder, marketer, agency owner, content creator, or business leader trying to build authority online, this episode is packed with practical insights on using video to build trust, create stronger customer relationships, and stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

Learn more about Chris:
Ridge Films: https://ridgefilms.com.au
Video Marketing Podcast: https://www.ridgefilms.com.au/blog?tag=video+marketing+podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ridgefilms-videomarketing/videos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgoor/

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Instagram: / vidprosedits
Facebook: / vidprosedits
LinkedIn: / vidprosedits

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#VideoMarketing

#BusinessGrowth

#ContentMarketing

#RidgeFilms

#ChrisGoor

#VideoStrategy

#PersonalBrand

#Leadership

#Entrepreneurship

#ContentCreation

#Marketing

#BusinessOwner

#VideoProduction

#VidprosInsiders

#Vidpros

Meet Sean Weisbrot, entrepreneur, podcast host, and the founder of SparkVox, an AI-powered platform designed to turn business conversations into authentic LinkedIn content.

After living and building businesses across China, Vietnam, and now Portugal, Sean has spent the last 15 years as an entrepreneur while interviewing hundreds of founders through his podcast, We Live to Build. In this conversation, he shares how psychology, curiosity, international experience, and relationship building shaped the way he approaches business, networking, and AI.

We explore why Sean believes networking is often misunderstood, why genuine curiosity creates stronger relationships than transactional conversations, and how traveling and immersing yourself in different cultures can fundamentally change the way you think. He also shares lessons from raising capital, building companies, learning from mentors, and shutting down a startup after investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into it.

Sean also explains how podcasting became more than just content creation. For him, it became a way to learn from experienced founders, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities that extended far beyond audience growth. He shares why many business podcasts should focus less on views and more on building valuable connections with guests.

The conversation also dives into artificial intelligence and why Sean believes every modern business needs an AI-first mindset. Rather than fearing AI, he argues that entrepreneurs should use it to increase leverage while protecting the one thing technology cannot easily replace: authentic human relationships.

Finally, Sean walks through SparkVox, the platform he created to help founders and business owners transform sales calls, meetings, podcast appearances, and other transcripts into LinkedIn content that sounds like them instead of generic AI-generated writing. He explains the problem the software solves, who it's built for, and how using it has already led to podcast invitations, new business conversations, and partnership opportunities.

Whether you're building a startup, hosting a podcast, growing your personal brand, exploring AI, or simply looking to build stronger professional relationships, this conversation offers practical lessons on networking with intention, creating opportunities through curiosity, and solving problems that matter.

Learn more about Sean:
SparkVox: https://sparkvox.io
Network Before You Need It (eBook): https://www.welivetobuild.com/network-before-you-need-it-ebook
We Live to Build Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@welivetobuild/videos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot/

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#SeanWeisbrot

#SparkVox

#ArtificialIntelligence

#LinkedInMarketing

#PersonalBrand

#Networking

#Entrepreneurship

#Podcasting

#Founder

#BusinessGrowth

#ContentMarketing

#CreatorEconomy

#AIForBusiness

#VidprosInsiders

#Vidpros

Meet Austin Armstrong, AI entrepreneur, digital marketer, content creator, and CEO of Syllaby, an AI platform designed to simplify video creation.

In this episode, Austin shares how he built an audience through useful, searchable content, turned his experience in digital marketing into scalable businesses, and uses AI to make content production faster and more accessible.

We discuss short-form video, TikTok and YouTube growth, creating content people are actively searching for, and why consistency matters more than waiting for the perfect idea.

Austin also explains how Syllaby helps creators and businesses research topics, write scripts, produce videos, and streamline their publishing process. We also get into entrepreneurship, investing through Bullhouse Ventures, and where Austin sees the biggest opportunities in AI and content creation.

Whether you’re a creator, marketer, founder, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights into building an audience, using AI effectively, and turning content into a real business.

Learn more about Austin:

Website:
https://www.austinarmstrong.ai

Syllaby:
https://www.syllaby.io
Bullhouse Ventures:
https://www.bullhouseventures.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/socialtypro
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@usefulaiwebsites
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/socialtypro
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinarmstrong90

CONNECT WITH US

Website: https://vidpros.com
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#AustinArmstrong
#ArtificialIntelligence
#AIContentCreation
#Syllaby
#ContentMarketing
#DigitalMarketing
#ShortFormVideo
#TikTokMarketing
#YouTubeGrowth
#Entrepreneurship
#CreatorEconomy
#VideoMarketing
#VidprosInsiders

 
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Meet Gabrielle Dolan, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and storytelling expert helping leaders, creators, and professionals communicate with more clarity, trust, and authenticity.

In this episode, we talk about Gabrielle’s journey from the corporate world to building a career around business storytelling, why she believes personal stories are one of the most powerful ways to connect with an audience, and how her latest book, Story Intelligence, explores the craft of authentic storytelling in the age of AI.

Gabrielle shares why so many people believe they don’t have interesting stories to tell, why everyday moments are often the most relatable, and how leaders, founders, creators, and podcasters can use stories to make their message more memorable.

We also discuss the decline of trust in business, media, and leadership, and why facts, data, and corporate language are rarely enough on their own. Gabrielle explains how storytelling helps people feel connected to the person behind the message, whether that message is being shared in a keynote, a podcast, a LinkedIn post, or a team meeting.

The conversation also covers podcasting, consistency, audience connection, and how a regular show can build familiarity over time. Gabrielle opens up about her own podcast, Keeping It Real with Jac and Ral, what she learned from her first podcast, and why she now focuses more on usefulness, consistency, and connection than chasing metrics.

We also get into AI and storytelling, including where AI can help, where it can hurt, and why creators need to stay in control of their own voice. Gabrielle shares how AI can act as a storytelling coach, but also why it should never replace your personal perspective, lived experience, or the words you would naturally use.

Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, CEO, marketer, leader, podcaster, speaker, or someone who wants to become a better communicator, this episode offers practical insight into how stories build trust, make ideas stick, and help people communicate in a way that actually feels human.

Learn more about Gabrielle:

Website:
https://gabrielledolan.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/
Keeping It Real with Jac and Ral:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5yIs5ncJGvJyXhI55Js0if

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Instagram: / vidprosedits
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Need pro video editing? Vidpros helps creators and brands produce retention-focused content that performs.

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#Storytelling
#Leadership
#CommunicationSkills
#PersonalBranding
#Authenticity
#PublicSpeaking
#ContentCreation
#CreatorEconomy
#LeadershipDevelopment
#AI
#BusinessCommunication
#Podcasting
#StoryIntelligence
#Trust
#VidprosInsiders

Meet Jake Thomas, YouTube title strategist, creator, and the founder behind Creator Hooks, where he helps creators understand the psychology behind titles, thumbnails, hooks, and packaging that earn more clicks.

In this episode, we talk about why YouTube titles can make or break a video, how Jake went from being terrible at writing titles to studying thousands of them, and why a few words can be the difference between a video getting 100 views or one million.

We dive deep into YouTube growth, titles, thumbnails, hooks, click-through rate, video ideas, audience psychology, storytelling, creator strategy, clickbait, curiosity, fear, desire, and how educational channels can create packaging that actually gets people to click.

Jake shares how he learned title writing through repetition, why copying proven formats is not the same as stealing, and how creators can model successful videos from outside their niche to come up with more original and effective ideas.

We also discuss Jake’s Dream Ten and Model Ten framework, how to build a list of competitors and inspiration channels, how to study what works, and how creators can use proven topics and proven formulas to generate better video ideas.

Jake explains why creators need to understand what game they are playing, why titles should be written before filming, how to avoid clickbait while still creating strong hooks, and why your title, thumbnail, intro, and content all need to deliver on the same promise.

We also talk about the psychology behind curiosity, fear, and desire, why "secret" may be losing effectiveness, how to use fear without becoming manipulative, why personal stories build credibility, and why YouTube success is often less about originality and more about getting enough reps.

Whether you're a creator, editor, YouTuber, agency owner, marketer, podcaster, educator, or someone trying to get more views, write better titles, improve your thumbnails, and understand why people click, this episode is packed with practical insights on YouTube growth, creator psychology, packaging, and writing titles that actually earn clicks.

Learn more about Jake:
Creator Hooks:
https://creatorhooks.com/

Creator Hooks App:
https://app.creatorhooks.com/

YouTube:
   / @jakethomasyoutube 

X:
https://x.com/jthomas__

LinkedIn:
  / jake-thomas-creator-hooks 

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Need pro video editing? Vidpros helps creators and brands produce retention-focused content that performs.

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#YouTubeTitles
#YouTubeGrowth
#YouTubeStrategy
#YouTubeThumbnails
#ContentCreation
#CreatorEconomy
#YouTubeTips
#VideoMarketing
#Storytelling
#ClickThroughRate
#CreatorHooks
#YouTubeAlgorithm
#ContentStrategy
#PersonalBranding
#VidprosInsiders