100 Bad Videos

You don’t need a strategy. You need a stack of reps.

Ugly ones.

Cringy ones.

Ones that make you flinch when you rewatch them six months later. Because the only way to make good content is to make a lot of bad content first.

I didn’t know that when I started. I was just a high school math teacher working from home during COVID. I had never really thought about content before. I wasn’t chasing virality, didn’t have a business idea, and definitely wasn’t trying to become a YouTuber. But when schools shut down and the classroom became Zoom links, I found myself with time—and curiosity.

I made videos in high school and college so it wasn’t completely brand new to me, but I was 10 years behind the times and certainly rusty. I started watching videos on videography and editing. I dove back into Premiere Pro just doing the basic editing. Something about creating videos clicked for me. Each time was energizing. Like putting a puzzle together and solving multiple problems, it was exciting. The opposite of what I felt teaching high school math. I was hooked.

We go back to physical classrooms 1-2 years after Covid and then on the way to work one morning,I got into a bad car accident. Physically, it knocked me out of my rhythm. Mentally, it shook me up. I had let my health go. I was overweight. Tired. Uninspired. It was the first time I really sat down and asked, “What kind of life am I actually building?”

I had been doing everything “right”—stable job, benefits, predictable path—but I didn’t feel proud of the path I was on. I didn’t like the way my life looked. I didn’t like how I was showing up at home. And I definitely didn’t like how I was showing up for myself. I felt like a hypocrite standing in front of 150 teenagers telling them all the things that were possible now thanks to the internet.

So I made a change. I quit to pursue an editing job. That never happened. Took a remote IT job for a few weeks and fucking hated it. Then I got super lucky. A couple friends tagged me in 2 opportunities and that’s what led me to where I’m at doing what I’m doing now and loving it.

On top of that career shift, I lost 55 pounds. I got sober. I started chasing what lit me up. And for me, that was making videos. Albeit it was for other people and their businesses, but I enjoy the process. It also has allowed me to learn SO much about business, both online and real physical business (real estate)

These videos are a not polished videos. I’m constantly learning and if you get into this field and this line of work, you have to be willing to be a lifelong learner.

And now with personal content, venturing out creating videos for myself and my business, I have made some bad videos. Really bad ones. I filmed on my phone, in my garage, with bad lighting, and awkward energy. I’d finish an edit, watch it back, and cringe at how slow I was talking or how bad the framing was. But I hit publish anyway. I didn’t know it then, but that was the most important decision I made.

Because the difference between a creator and a consumer is the decision to press upload. That’s it.

We want to believe it’s something more complex—like you need the perfect idea or the right camera or a strategy that aligns your content with your business funnel. But all of that comes later. First, you need to make 100 bad videos.

Most people won’t. They’ll spend six months thinking about the right niche. They’ll buy gear they don’t need. They’ll research until they know everything about everyone else’s journey—but nothing about their own. Because they haven’t started. Because they’re still stuck trying to figure it all out before they’ve made anything. Want to know how I know this? Because this was me for the last 3 years, till I made a decision in November of 2024.

So I know this mindset very well. I lived in it for years. I thought starting meant “having it all together.” I thought clarity came before action. It doesn’t. Action creates clarity.

That’s what this newsletter is about. It’s about giving you permission to start before you’re ready. To make something you’re not proud of. To create from where you are instead of where you want to be. Because the truth is, nobody skips the beginning. Everyone has to go through the awkward, messy, confusing start. And the people you admire? They’ve just been in it longer. They’ve made their 100 bad videos already. You just didn’t see them. Go scroll down to your favorite creators videos and watch their old stuff.

Here’s what’s really wild: those bad videos are where everything starts to click. You start to hear your own voice instead of trying to copy someone else’s. You start to realize what energizes you. You find out what people respond to. You find your rhythm. But none of that happens without publishing.

Most creators think their biggest problem is strategy. It’s not. It’s fear. Fear of looking dumb. Fear of wasting time. Fear of being judged. Fear of making something that doesn’t get views. But what’s worse than making something that doesn’t perform? Making nothing at all.

Let me say that again: making nothing at all is the only guaranteed way to get nowhere. That first video you make—the one you don’t want to post because the lighting sucks or your voice sounds weird—is worth more than a hundred ideas that never leave your notes app. Because the video you publish teaches you something. The one you don’t? That just reinforces hesitation. You learn by doing, not by planning.

Every time I made a new video, I noticed something. I’d realize I talked too slow. I’d notice how long my intro was dragging on. I’d watch back and see that my hook wasn’t clear. That feedback loop is what accelerated everything for me. Not views. Not likes. Not even comments. Just showing up, making something, publishing it, and repeating that process enough times until it became normal.

I wasn’t born a video guy. I became one. And you can too.

Failure is the best teacher.

Especially if you’re building a business.

Because in 2025, content isn’t optional for business owners—it’s leverage. Your ability to communicate, document, and build trust at scale is what sets you apart. And yet, I see so many founders, coaches, and creators paralyze themselves trying to make their content perfect on day one.

You’re not building a production company. You’re building a communication muscle.

If you’re a business owner, you already know how to solve problems. You already have expertise. You just need to start expressing it. Loudly. Messily. Authentically.

Your first videos don’t need to convert. They need to exist.

Because the only thing worse than being ignored online is never showing up in the first place.

Let’s talk about why most people never get past video #1.

It’s not because they don’t have ideas. It’s because they think the first one has to be good. They think their content needs to look like the creators they follow. But that comparison will kill your creativity faster than any algorithm ever could. You can’t compare your Day 1 to someone else’s Year 7.

The first time I tried to film a YouTube video, I didn’t know where to put my hands. I fumbled my intro five times. I exported a version with a typo in the title and uploaded it anyway. And you know what happened? Nothing. No one cared. And that was freeing. Because if no one cares, then I can do whatever I want. I can experiment. I can grow in public. I can find my rhythm without pressure.

That’s the beauty of being a beginner—there are no expectations.

You don’t need to post your 100th video today. You just need to start on your first.

Forget branding. Forget conversions. Forget click-through rate. Just get in the habit of hitting publish.

Want to know what your first 100 videos are really for?

They’re to teach you how to show up consistently. To practice. For the reps.

They’re to make publishing normal instead of terrifying.

They’re to remove the emotional weight from the act of sharing.

They’re to help you find your actual voice, not the one you think you’re supposed to use.

They’re to teach you what people care about—and what you care about.

Every business owner who waits to start posting until they feel “ready” misses the compound effect that comes from publishing consistently. Because content isn’t just a way to market your product. It’s the fastest way to find your people. Your future customers. Your future community. Your future self.

You want to build a content engine? Start making terrible videos.

You want to speak confidently on camera? Start stuttering now.

You want to become someone who creates effortlessly? Start creating awkwardly.

Every excuse you have right now is valid. You’re busy. You’re unsure. You’re self-conscious. But none of those reasons will matter six months from now when you’ve built a catalog of content that documents your progress and gives your brand a voice.

That’s what this game is really about—documenting your journey in real-time. Showing the work. Letting people in. Making your business more human.

And ironically, the way to do that isn’t by being polished. It’s by being honest. Raw. Imperfect. For whatever reason we want people to think we’re better than we actually are when we show up online. That’s dumb. I’ve made way more money being me sending dms than I ever have sending professional polished emails.

Your business doesn’t need more polish. It needs more you.

So if you’re sitting there thinking, “I’m not ready yet,” just remember: neither was I. I still don’t feel ready. But fuck it.

Here I am, trying to build a brand, scaling a content business, helping other creators do the same, and loving every second of it.

All because I decided to make a bad video.

And then another. And another. Until it became a habit.

That’s the difference.

You don’t need to be great to start.

You need to start to become great.

Let’s keep rolling.

ADVANTAGE: The Transformation Is in the Reps

The idea of making 100 bad videos sounds overwhelming at first—until you realize what’s really on the other side of it.

Confidence.

Clarity.

Conviction.

Not because the internet told you you’re good. But because you’ve become someone who shows up no matter what.

Once you start publishing consistently, something shifts. You stop asking “Is this good?” and start asking “Did this help someone?” You stop obsessing over metrics and start focusing on momentum. And over time, you go from being someone who wants to make content… to someone who does.

This is the creator’s rite of passage.

The ugly phase isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s what sharpens your voice, simplifies your message, and builds the muscle memory to create on demand.

But don’t just take my word for it.

MrBeast, one of the most successful YouTubers of all time, has said in multiple interviews that if he could give new creators one piece of advice, it would be:

“Make 100 videos. Every video, try to improve something. Don’t worry about views. Just keep uploading and learning.”

Source: Colin and Samir Interview

Ali Abdaal said it took him 52 videos before he made one that got more than 1,000 views. In his early days, he published with terrible lighting, no microphone, and “zero confidence on camera.” Now he’s built an 8-figure brand around his content. What changed? Volume.

Source: Ali Abdaal - How to be Consistent on YouTube

Austin Kleon, author of Show Your Work, wrote:

“You don’t have to be a genius. You just need to be a little bit brave and a little bit generous.”

That’s all creating in public really is—bravery and generosity on loop.

This isn’t about content as a performance. It’s content as a mirror. Each video reveals something about your message, your market, or yourself. Every time you post, you get a little sharper. Every time you hesitate, you stay stuck in an imaginary version of who you think you’re supposed to be.

We overestimate what we can plan and underestimate what we can discover.

The goal isn’t to go viral. The goal is to go consistent.

Because consistency compounds in ways you can’t predict. One day, someone reaches out. One day, an opportunity shows up. One day, a video you made in your garage becomes the gateway to a real business.

None of that happens without the reps.

And that’s the real advantage—you become someone who doesn’t need permission to publish.

Once that happens, your business changes. Your brand starts to breathe. You’re not just selling. You’re building trust. You’re not just documenting. You’re demonstrating value at scale.

There’s a quote from Atomic Habits by James Clear that perfectly captures this:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

And in content? Your system is your publishing habit.

Make 100 bad videos your system.

GAMIFY: The System for Getting Started and Sticking With It

Here’s the part where we get tactical. If you’ve bought into the mindset, but don’t know how to make it real, this is for you.

1. Commit to a publishing streak—not a performance goal.

Don’t chase views. Chase uploads. Set a goal to publish 3 short-form videos per week and 1 long-form video per week for 90 days. That’s 52 videos. Do that twice, and you’re already past halfway. Treat publishing like brushing your teeth—non-negotiable. It’s not about motivation. It’s maintenance.

2. Use the 0-100-10-1 Method.

This is a system I’ve refined for beginner creators.

 • 0 excuses

 • 100 pieces of content (shorts, reels, YouTube videos, whatever you choose)

 • 10 intentional improvements (track the tweaks—intros, pacing, clarity)

 • 1 breakthrough (what you learn from that journey will be your best asset)

3. Build a Feedback Loop, Not a Follower Count.

After every post, ask:

 • What worked?

 • What felt awkward?

 • What would I do differently?

Keep a simple Notion doc or Apple Note. This isn’t for the algorithm. This is for you. Patterns will emerge. Your growth will become obvious—and addictive.

4. Lower the Bar, Raise the Reps.

The best way to make 100 bad videos is to stop trying to make good ones. Use your phone. Film in your car. Talk while you’re walking. Use CapCut or Instagram’s built-in editor. Stop waiting for the perfect setup. Gear doesn’t build trust. Authenticity does.

5. Share the Journey, Not the Answer.

You don’t need to be an expert. You need to be honest. Talk about what you’re trying. What you’re testing. What you’re learning. People don’t follow you for information—they follow you for transformation. Show them yours.

6. Use Templates and Frameworks Until You Find Flow.

Use scripting templates (like the Story Hook > Shift > Lesson > CTA format) to reduce friction. Use the same hook three different ways. Turn a tweet into a short. Film one idea in five formats. Volume isn’t about chaos—it’s about rhythm.

7. Create a Visual Tracker and Reward System.

Gamify your streak. Print out a 100-box tracker and cross one off every time you post. Give yourself a small reward every 25 uploads—a book, a dinner, a day off. Celebrate momentum. Motivation is a byproduct of progress.

8. Don’t Waste the Cringe. Repurpose Everything.

A bad video today might be the punchline to a better story later. Save your worst videos. Use them in a future “look how far I’ve come” montage. Self-awareness is a content asset.

9. Turn Lessons Into Leverage.

As you go, write down the frameworks that work for you. These will become your future products, systems, services, or coaching curriculum. The first 100 videos aren’t just for building an audience—they’re for building IP.

10. Shift From Pressure to Practice.

Think like an athlete. The early reps don’t define your career. They shape your instincts. Every bad video is training. Every upload is conditioning. The camera is your gym. Show up.

You don’t need a viral moment. You need volume. You don’t need external validation. You need self-commitment. You don’t need better lighting. You need better habits.

That’s the Creator Court way.

One rep at a time.

Make 100 bad videos.

And watch what happens next.

Thanks for reading.

By the way, I’ve been thinking more lately about who my target demographic is with my content. In other words, who am I making these videos for?

And for now, if this sounds like you, this is what I’m building for you.

Content-Curious Creator (CCC)

Core Identity:

A busy 28-40-year-old professional or solopreneur who wants to start or grow a content-based business but feels overwhelmed by tools, tech, time, and what to focus on first.

They're ambitious, maybe a little lost, and need guidance that feels doable and inspiring-not guru fluff.

So if that’s you, welcome and thank you. Let me know how I can help.