I’m putting all my money where all my mouth is, and launching a 'TV channel' in my small town, which is a suburb of Manchester. The high street is famed for indie businesses and street art, in a world where many main drags are overtaken with illegal vape and chicken shops. Plenty of good stories to uncover. I’m starting this as a very, very small project, with the aim of gradually unfurling to incorporate Manchester as a whole. This is the trust-building exercise, plus a video lab, where I will hone my style and build my reputatiojn. Here’s the method behind it, for anyone wanting to follow the same model: 1. Pick your test bed – start in a small, manageable area where you can get access. I chose Withington because it’s vibrant, community-led, and has lots of businesses and street art worth filming. 2. Immerse yourself in the community – spend time walking, filming, and quietly observing. Don’t just make content about businesses; capture the streets, the murals, the atmosphere. This builds a library of authentic b-roll and establishes your presence locally. 3. Start with teasers – short, cryptic clips that hint at your series without giving everything away. My first teaser is a retro static intro, just saying Withington TV, coming soon. Simple, premium, and intriguing. 4. Be the face of the content – I’m both presenter and filmmaker. This makes the channel personal, trustworthy, and action-oriented. My style invites people to experience the place, not just watch it. 5. Engage businesses naturally – start with hellos, casual introductions, and show them the vibe of the series. Don’t pitch hard at first; trust and credibility matter more than immediate contracts. 6. Build a coherent body of work – every video, teaser, and insert contributes to a portfolio of high-quality content. This is what can scale beyond your initial area and attract clients, sponsors, and bigger projects. 7. Think long-term, not viral – this isn’t about chasing views or subscribers. It’s about creating a sustainable model, with a signature style, trust with the community, and proof of concept for future work across Manchester. 8.

You only need a tiny number.The optimum is two or three. After that, the benefit drops off and it starts to look messy. Use one niche tag One location tag Optional: one content type tag That keeps your post tidy and still puts it in the right searchable boxes. Tagging works differently and it is powerful for local creators. Tag one business per post Only tag the one that appears in your video. Keep it clean. When a business sees themselves tagged, they are more likely to reply, re-share, comment, or follow. That extra interaction bumps your post in the feed. It also helps the algorithm understand who your content is for. Hashtags put you in search boxes.Tags create direct visibility with the people you want to notice you. Hashtags bring discovery. Business tags bring relationships. Use both lightly and with intention. That is the trick.

SHARONNNN! Meet Ozzie, my new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Camera. Local Creators, you can still make fab footage on a phone. I've been doing it successfully for ten years - tell me what equipment you're using and we'll figure out the best settings. But with Ozzie, I can finally make feature-length local videos, show off my area properly, and attract better clients. Sometimes an investment changes your workflow and your opportunities.

Hello Creators, I was out filming a pilot for my latest series, A Year in Platt Fields. It might seem small, but I spotted a bin cover by the lake from a company called Earth Anchors. These covers prevent litter from blowing into the water, and the company name was engraved on it. I checked their website and noticed they had no video content, which is surprising given how visible and essential their products are – they also make signposts and way markers for footpaths. I decided to feature them in my video and sent them an email, hoping they might get involved with the series. I thought this would be useful to share because you can adapt this as a template for your own local features – a simple way to contact businesses while creating valuable content for your projects. Take a look: Hello Earth Anchors, I’m Vicky, a videographer currently filming a long-term documentary series called A Year in Platt Fields. While filming this week, I captured some great footage of your bin covers by the heart-shaped lake. They look fantastic, and I know the Friends of Platt Fields worked hard to get them installed. It’s great to see them making a difference in the landscape. You can see the shot in my pilot here at 18:20 mins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQGc9hWxD20 I’m looking for a brand partners to sponsor the series. Rather than traditional ads, I want to feature the infrastructure that makes the park work. I think this is a great fit for Earth Anchors because: - Real-World Proof: It shows your products in a busy urban park, proving they handle the elements and the public. - Targeted Reach: The series will be followed by the people who commission your products: Council officers, Parks Managers, and "Friends of" community groups across the North West. - Content Assets: You would be welcome to use the high-quality footage of your products for your own website, LinkedIn and social media channels. I noticed your website features catalogue photography. High-quality video is a natural next step: it's a much more immersive way to show your products in a real-world setting.

Here is a simple trick you can try the next time you film in your town. Film a five second “arrival shot” Before you go into a café, shop, venue, or event, grab a quick clip of you walking up to the door. Five seconds is enough. It gives your video a clear starting point. Viewers feel like they are arriving with you. It also makes your edit look smoother without adding any extra work. Next time you pop out, film that tiny arrival clip. Add it to your next vlog and watch how much more polished your video feels.