YouTube Content

How to create technical videos without becoming a full-time YouTuber. Screen recordings and walkthroughs can be powerful ways to show your knowledge. You don’t even need to be on camera if you don’t want to be.
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  5 minute read  

Video isn’t just for influencers and vloggers. It’s one of the best ways to build trust, teach skills, and show off the real you - or at least, your screen.

If you’re already writing blog posts or building projects, adding a video layer can amplify your reach. You don’t even need to be on camera if you don’t want to be. Screen-sharing while you talk through your tool, idea, or process is more than enough.

Let’s walk through the basics.

With-Face or Faceless: Both Work

Some folks like being on camera. Others don’t. Either way is fine.

  • With-face: Add a webcam view of you talking while demoing or teaching. Tools like OBS make this fairly easy.
  • Faceless: Just screen-share and narrate. Plenty of successful channels do only this.

Start where you’re comfortable. Upgrade later if you feel like it.

YouTube SEO Basics

The YouTube algorithm cares about how clickable and watchable your video is. Here’s what you can optimize:

  • Title: Clear, searchable, and not clickbait. Ask ChatGPT:
    "Act as a YouTube title expert. Suggest 5 good video titles for this blog post: [URL]."
  • Description: Add real detail. Summarize what’s in the video. Include a link back to your blog or GitHub.
  • Hashtags: Use 3-5 that match your topic. (#bashscript, #itautomation, #devtools)
  • Thumbnail: This matters a lot. Use a still image with text overlay. Sites like Canva or Photopea are free and powerful. HINT: Ask ChatGPT for help on where to get help like free images and templates:
    "Act as a YouTube thumbnail expert. Where can I find free images and templates for my video thumbnail?"
Want a professional intro and outro?

Hire someone on Fiverr to make you a quick branded clip. 5 seconds at the start, 5 seconds at the end. Cheap and solid.

Video + Blog = Better Together

If your video is about the same thing as your blog post:

  • Embed the YouTube video in your blog post
  • In your YouTube description, link back to the blog

This cross-linking helps the algorithm see your content as legit, and it helps viewers who want more depth. Your YouTube audience gets exposed to your blog, and your blog readers can see the video in action.

Some places love YouTube links. Others hate them. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

PlatformBest Practice
LinkedInPaste the YouTube link directly - preview shows thumbnail
RedditDepends on the sub. Some allow videos, others prefer blog posts
Twitter/XUse the native video uploader if you can, or link to YouTube
FacebookPaste YouTube or re-upload natively - test both
Slack/DiscordPaste the link - auto previews are helpful
Use ChatGPT to write and tweak your social blurbs. Just like blog posts, keep it honest and helpful.

Tools to Create Video Content

Here are the tools you can use to record, edit, and publish videos:

Free and Cross-Platform

  • DaVinci Resolve – High-end editing, totally free
  • OBS Studio – Open source and powerful for recording screen + webcam. A MUST if you plan to do screen-sharing and also want to be on camera.
  • Shotcut – Simpler editor for quick cuts
  • Kdenlive – Great for Linux users

Windows-specific

  • ClipChamp (built into Windows 11) – Easy to use, beginner-friendly

macOS-specific

  • iMovie – Pre-installed, decent for quick edits
  • Final Cut Pro – Paid, professional-grade (if you grow into it)

YouTube Monetization 101

Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can apply to the YouTube Partner Program. Here’s what that means:

  • You can earn money from ads that play before or during your videos
  • Typical revenue is $1–$5 per 1,000 views (varies by niche and country)
  • Tech videos often sit in the $2–$8 CPM range
Don’t count on ads alone

YouTube ad revenue is nice, but the real money comes from affiliate links, digital products, or paid communities. That’s what the rest of this site is about. YouTube ads is just one piece of the puzzle.

Ideal Video Length?

  • 8–12 minutes is the sweet spot for engagement + monetization
  • Under 60 seconds? Post as a Short
  • Long-form (>15 min) is fine, but make sure the content stays engaging. Consider breaking it up into parts. That’s better for everyone:
    • You: You can break this up into pieces, which is easier to edit and publish - and it also gives you additional content to share.
    • Your audience: They can watch it in smaller chunks, which is easier to digest.
    • YouTube: This makes each video fit well into the Algorithm.
Important

Go over to YouTube Ads - we go into much more detail over there about how to set up your channel, optimize your videos, and make the most of YouTube monetization.

Summary

YouTube is a powerful way to share, teach, and maybe even earn. You don’t need a fancy setup - just a screen and a reason.

  • Screen-share or go on-camera, your choice
  • Optimize the title, description, hashtags, and thumbnail
  • Use intros/outros for polish (Fiverr is your friend)
  • Cross-link your blog and YouTube post
  • Share in the right places, and ask ChatGPT to help write blurbs
  • If you want to edit like a pro, start with OBS and DaVinci Resolve

Start simple. Your first few videos won’t be perfect - and that’s exactly how everyone starts.