Coffee with Creators: Staycation’s Secrets to Keeping Content Fresh

Ever thought about trying your hand at content creation? One of KontrolFreek’s Creators, Staycation, is a seasoned content creator and has some great tips for anyone looking to start out. KF staff had a chance to sit down with him to discuss his process and advice to anyone looking to become a creator.

How did you get started in content?
The first content-creating experience I had was with my friend Brett Barett. He is a sports YouTuber and back before I even had a platform, I used to participate in some of his football challenge videos because we played football together at our university. From there, it sparked the idea of YouTube being a possibility and would lead to me starting my own channel a year later!

What were some of your original videos like?
Let’s just start by saying cringe, very cringe… All jokes aside, I feel like my videos were just like any other YouTuber when they first started out! I played video games and didn’t think I was very good or entertaining but being yourself is what makes the videos special!  At the end of the day, looking back on them, I just made sure I gave it my best and of course with experience and time, they have become what they are today.

How has your process evolved from the first few videos to your current content?
I would say the biggest things that have changed from my first few videos to my current day content is confidence. When you first start out, everything is new and a constant experiment, but now I feel like I have a good understanding of what it is I represent, my style, and ultimately, the things I enjoy. This is not to say that you should ever get comfortable with one thing, though. YouTube is a constant changing world and although you will become experienced, maintaining a beginner’s mindset - and always looking for new ways to explore and create - is something that you should always keep.

What is your favorite part of the creation process?
My favorite part of the creation process is definitely the editing process! Filming and experiencing new gaming moments all the time is extremely exciting but something about editing your footage and bringing it to life for people to experience as a final product is what really satisfies me.

What are your tips to those interested in starting to create content?

If I could give a few tips for people looking to get into content creation:

• Create lots and create often. The only way to get comfortable and good at creating content is to gain experience doing it.

• Always be eager to improve and learn new things! I spend a lot of time researching good video topics and learning new editing techniques. Every time I get comfortable with my content, I always try to look at it from a different angle and ask others for their opinions! Oftentimes you can’t always see what needs improvement but others can.

• Embrace change. Like I said, YouTube is a constant changing world and you have to be ready to move with it. Keeping that beginner's mind of experimentation even when you feel stuck will keep you moving forward! 

What tools(tech, programs etc) should one have to properly execute content?

While everyone’s setup will be individual to their personal preferences, here is the gear I used when starting out: 

Hardware:
Microphone - Blue Yeti ($100 - $150)
Camera - Logitech C950 Webcam ($50 - $70)
Capture Card - Elgato HD60s ($150 - $200)

Software:
Video Editor - Davinci Resolve (Free)
Photo Editor - Gimp (Free)
Recording Software - OBS (Free)

If you already game, this is all you need to start making gaming videos! This is how I started off and a lot of it can be purchased second hand for an even better deal. Don’t get too caught up in all of this though because the effort you put into making the videos is far more important.

What tools (tech, programs etc) do you currently use?

Hardware:
Microphone - Shure SM7B
Camera - Sony A7III (55mm F1.4 Lens)
Capture Card - Elgato 4K60 MkII

Software:
Video Editor - Adobe Premiere Pro
Photo Editor - Gimp
Recording Software - OBS

Do you plan out your content? If so, why?
I do plan out my content. Researching what is most relevant and creating great ideas is important. I normally write out the entire week so I have a place to pencil in videos but I don’t normally plan any more than 2-3 days in advance. A lot can change or new things might come out in that time so when it comes to content I try to stay relevant.

How do you choose what content to make?
Just like I plan out my content, I try to stay on top of hot topics when it comes to the types of games I want to cover. Keeping up to date on social media and seeing what people care about the most really helps me know what people want to see in the videos.

Where do you post content and why?
I post content on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter and Instagram. I think they are all very solidified platforms that have their own unique qualities that bring people back for different reasons. YouTube is obviously the main source of revenue and what I’m passionate about but it’s also great to diversify. As they say, never put all your eggs in one basket!

To find out more about Staycation, you can follow along on YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, and Instagram