So you've heard video is "the next big thing" for bloggers. But you're already so busy with social media, photography, client management and generally keeping your head above water, you wonder if it's worth it. Because video can be time-consuming, a whole new learning curve.

What you've heard is true. Video IS the next big thing. But approaching it strategically will help you tackle it productively.

During a beta course I created for up and coming foodie filmographers, Liz Latham of SimpleEasyCreative.com mentioned that she'd been reading a book called The High Performance Habit, and wondered what are 5 MOST IMPORTANT MOVES TO MOVE YOU FORWARD IN VIDEO WORK.

Here are my answers:

1. Learn Video

Getting over the learning curve was the single most important thing I did to unlock the power of video. Once I realized it wasn't some big, impossible skill that only special film-school-grads could master, it quickly became a fun thing I could learn in bite-sized ways, a new form of creativity and a new service I could offer to clients.

2. Always Offer It to Clients

Video takes a LONG time, so it often takes backseat in my work day. Unless, of course, I have a client order. THEN, I will create video all day long. When this occurred to me, in the very early days of creating video, I just started offering it to everyone. As an option, as an upgrade, as a freebie for retainer work, etc. Forcing myself to DO IT by making money from it helped me do it better, hone the skill quickly, and make mo' cash from video, too.

3. BUY THINGS

One of the best things I've ever done is just buy a lot of camera/lens/accessories/telepromoters/screens/presets/etc from Amazon (or rent them) and try them out to see what sticks. It's kind of like tuition, I figure. Offering me a hands-on opportunity to learn my trade.

4. WATCH EVERYTHING. WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING. TRY EVERYTHING.

Being an obsessive tryer-oner has helped me find my own style, know what I like, and push what I can create. It's given me the ability to have more creative control over the video I produce, which in turn has helped me expand my offerings to clients, since I feel far more confident as an art director now. I don't just have one style, but understand the power different styles and ideas can offer to different brands & different budgets.

5. HIRE SOMEONE

I hate to say it, but the BEST thing I ever did was hire someone to shoot for me, work with me, and edit for me. It gave me sorely needed structure, from requiring an editorial calendar and planning, so I couldn't back out of a shoot last minute, to actually getting me a steady boost of content (since I didn't have to make it all myself).

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY GEEK-OUT MOMENT

These images were shot with a Canon 5D Mk III paired with a SigmaArt 35mm f/1.4 lens. I love that lens. A lifestyle photog friend mentioned it was her go-to lens for family and portrait shoots, so I figured I'd give it a try. It's gorgeous. As with all the SigmaArt lenses, it's just a dream to have in your arsenal.

See my camera setup and discover even more tricks with my 90-Minute Food Photography Crash Course.

DID YOU KNOW I JUST LAUNCHED AN ALL NEW DocuVlog?

Discover what A Day in the Life of A Food Photographer is like. Go inside my studio, visit me behind-the-scenes and see what I've got cookin' up. WATCH SEASON 1 of LOVE, LARK NOW.

Wanna nerd out even more? Find tricks, tips and answers 24/7 in my Food Blogging, Photography & Videography Facebook Group. It's free to join!