Why I’m Bringing Creative Boom to YouTube: Stories, Not Tutorials
From a recent vlog of In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats at Testbed, Leeds. Photography by Cian O’Riain
It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally ready to put my face on camera. Aside from turning Creative Boom back into a personality-led platform and showing up on Reels and short-form video, I’m also doubling down on YouTube. But the channel won’t be an educational affair, oh no. There are already numerous brilliant tutorial channels doing that. And I’d personally find filming such content dreadfully boring. What I want to bring is something different: truth and storytelling. That’s where I feel most at home.
Think of it as a creative diary – the life of an editor. Full-on vlogging. A mix of behind-the-scenes moments, honest reflections, and on-the-ground reports from studios, festivals, events, and cities around the world. Less ‘10 tips to grow your freelance business’ and more, ‘Here I am in Mexico with Véronica Fuerte’. I want to capture the mood, the funny bits, the challenges, and the unexpected encounters that make this community so damn special.
Creative Boom has always been about celebrating and supporting creatives, and YouTube is just the next chapter. It’s a chance to show the messy, human side of creativity in a way articles and podcasts can’t always capture. (And yes, The Creative Boom Podcast will be adding video next season, which will also be featured on the channel. We’ve stuck to audio until now, preferring to share short clips on socials rather than full-blown video chats. So expect video episodes soon.)
With video, I’m still figuring out formats. But as a journalist and storyteller, that’s my natural angle. I’m not here as a teacher or a coach; I’m here as an editor, bringing you along for the ride. Some vlogs are shaping up to be city tours featuring other creatives, while others offer behind-the-scenes access at big events. Bottom line: I’m going to create content that I would find interesting. It just might take me a while to find my feet.
There are many YouTube channels I admire and enjoy following. They all have the same thing in common: they’re inspiring, centred around an interesting character who is curious about people, and entertaining. It’s not necessarily about them but the people they meet. Whether they’re vlogging from Benidorm, getting drunk at festivals or sharing their adventures around Italy, learning to cook… that’s the spirit I’ll be bringing to Creative Boom. Less vanity project, more ‘reporting live from the scene’.
Regardless of how this channel evolves, I will never forget my own voice. Something no one can replicate. The cheeky Northern charm. The warmth and compassion. The curiosity, the silliness, and the ability to talk to anyone. You can’t avoid bringing your own personality to the table. People follow people, after all. And I’ve got 25 years of journalism experience to add to the mix. Broadcasting is what I enjoy the most. Who wouldn’t love a profession that involves meeting loads of people and hearing their stories?
And that’s really the point. Anyone can churn out advice videos. Not everyone can tell stories that make you feel something. That’s where Creative Boom belongs… and that’s the kind of channel I want to make. Maybe no one will subscribe. But I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, follow your gut. And if you’re enjoying yourself and making content that feels right, then perhaps it might just lead to something brilliant.
So hit that subscribe button @creativeboomofficial and follow my adventures. I’ve got some fun trips planned for the next six months, travelling far and wide. And if you spot me out and about with my Creative Boom-branded mic, say hello – I’d love to chat.