Me and My Little YouTube Channel
Happy Launch Day Let's Like and Subscribe
Dear Reader,
It began as most ideas do, with a fleeting thought that would carry on for years and eventually cause me to hyper fixate for weeks on making it happen : Cody TV has been the name of the joke and by joke I mean a very real idea for a tv show project of sorts. Some day I would follow the Alice Pieszecki pipeline and go from bisexual radio show host to full on television studio media mogul.
Well friends, My YouTube Channel is here. Stop everything you’re doing. Hold the phone. Like and subscribe. I have no idea how to add music yet or make a transition in between clips. It is my first time video editing or adding text or cool graphics (just WAIT til you see the graphics) to a video. After 900+ Personal Practice videos I never once edited one. I just picked my favorite fifteen seconds. This is a whole new world
I have spent the last week researching the YouTube girlies, trying to understand their ways, how they clip their microphones on, how they use CapCut, how to angle my phone tripod, how to plan what I am going to film. In no way shape or form do I understand how to monetize YouTube nor do I know if I’ll ever try.
I know what you must be thinking. Cody - isn’t this just another social media platform? No, it’s not. Not for me. I have no addictive sensations when I login to YouTube. I absolutely see there are social connectivity functions, the same as Substack or Pinterest, but to me it is a search engine for long form art making. And that is how I plan to use it. If it feels like social media for you and you like that - yay! If it feels like social media for you and you don’t like that - don’t use it!
It also has me turning towards my own values : I never said I would never use any social media ever again, I just knew I couldn’t use Instagram. So if a scientist would like to prove me wrong go ahead I am happy to be a social media user of the YouTubes and happy to report I am not addicted to it.
The plan for my channel is simple : Writing, Pilates, and whatever else I decide to do. Basically anything. I envision a very loyal following of around forty seven people, mostly my friends who will “forget” to watch the videos but will like the thumbnail on principle. I will upload when I feel like it for now which is a strategy absolutely none of the girlies told me to do. But it is my hope that my sheer charisma floods the feed and I am a breakout YouTuber star.
Filming my first video was thrilling in the same way that doing anything alone for the first time is thrilling like baking a pie or moving a piece of furniture. Figuring out how to link the clips together - THRILLING! Adding a sailboat emoji that moves - THRILLING! Adding text over my own hand - THRILLING! Every time I pause is a chance to either cut the clip or add text to make myself look contemplative.
Do I regret this life choice? Nope, not yet. Will I make a second video? Building a Mystery by Sarah McLachlan plays softly in the background. One thing about YouTube is - anyone could find me there who doesn’t already know me and make a horrible comment like this reader who read my book about Personal Practice :
I just have to remember. I am not for everyone. But maybe I am for you! The good news about not being for everyone is it opens up more pathways for who you ARE for!
ALL I KNOW IS THAT ON LAUNCH DAY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TELL THE PEOPLE TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE AND SEND THE VIDEO TO A FRIEND. HONESTY - DROP A COMMENT ON THE VID!
THIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IS :
→ YOU ARE GAY AND WANT TO TRY PILATES
→ YOU ARE A FRINGE HETERO* WHO WANTS TO TRY PILATES
FRINGE HETERO IS THE NEW TERM I AM USING FOR NON QUEERS WHO ARE STRAIGHT BUT COME TO ALL MY CLASSES AND ARE WAY COOLER THAN NORMAL STRAIGHT PEOPLE
→ YOU WANT TO WATCH SOMEONE DO PILATES IN BAGGY CLOTHES INSTEAD OF SPANDEX
→ YOU LOVE BEING GUIDED IN WRITING PROMPTS
→ YOU WANT TO DO WRITING PROMPTS
→ YOU THINK I AM FUNNY
THIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL IS NOT FOR YOU IF :
→ YOU DON’T WANT TO TRY PILATES
→ YOU WANT TO WATCH PILATES DONE IN TIGHT CLOTHES
→ YOU DON’T THINK I AM FUNNY
→ YOU DON’T LIKE WRITING PROMPTS
→ YOU’RE ABOUT TO HIT UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER
→ YOU DON’T LIKE YOUTUBE
Thank you dear reader. For being a part of my tornado person ecosystem. For being a part of the launch day of my very own YouTube channel. Videos every Sunday! (No idea if that’s actually true just wanted to type it to see how it felt. Felt pretty good!) Also - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE ON CODY TV?!?!?!?
Again, what a gift to be in your inbox as always. I hope you have a beautiful Monday.
Xo
COdy
Things of Note :
Today I am on the amazing Scratch That Podcast with the brilliant hosts Caitlin Metz and Rebekah Taussig (two of the coolest people on Earth) please give it a listen!
We talk about money, leaving Instagram behind, and there just might be a little news about my next book but who is to say!
THIS WEDNESDAY IN CEDAR, MI : In person I am teaching BEACH BLANKET IN A DAY - If you need to pay less for class or work out a trade I am ALL EARS please just respond to this email I would LOVE TO HAVE YOU!
CLASSIFIEDS : Join Grief Writing for Children of Immigrants, where we explore, name, and experience our collective and individual grief in shared space. Virtual. FREE. First Sunday of every month. Register today. From Do You Ever: Razzle Dazzle ‘Em // The only tool you need to answer the question, what do you do? Free.99 notion template The world you wish to experience begins with your relationship to reality 🪞 Commit to your peace with dedicated 1-on-1 remote Reflection Sessions For the love of fun and adventure. FOUR RABBIT blends design and function with wearable, playable Bandana Board Games. Free Shipping because it’s my birthday with code BIRTHDAY25 52 Ripples Zine is seeking offerings inspired by water from artists, writers, witches. Join the Zine Club to receive ritual in the post each month.
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Are.na
Email : info@codycookparrott.com
Website : https://www.codycookparrott.com
P.S. Do you have a vibrant and successful YouTube channel and want to give me advice on how to make mine better - email me I am open to any and all idea thank you : )