Mimi’s Counter is a collaboration and passion project between myself and Marianne Graves. The project focuses on creating engaging content that accomplishes several goals: testing and recommending high-quality kitchen tools and products; teaching recipes and cooking techniques to other home cooks; preserving Southern culture and family history through Marianne’s storytelling and personality; and showcasing lifestyle content related to Marianne’s rural property, garden, kitchen, and hobbies. We accomplish these goals through a weekly newsletter that centers around a specific topic or story, and by publishing short- and long-form video content on YouTube.

As videographer, I am responsible for filming and publishing high-quality videos on YouTube that capture Marianne’s quirky, endearing personality; excellent storytelling; and culinary teaching. Through my work on this project, I have gained additional experience in video production and online publishing.

In addition to filming and editing videos, I also play a key role in Mimi’s Counter’s affiliate marketing efforts. I work closely with Marianne to identify relevant products and services that align with our brand and target audience. We are currently working on building strategic partnerships and collaborations with various companies in order to monetize our content and earn revenue through affiliate marketing. This has been a rewarding experience for me as I continue to learn about the business side of content creation and online marketing.

One of my responsibilities in the Mimi’s Counter project is to edit and format the weekly email newsletter we send to our subscribers. The newsletter provides valuable cooking tips, recipes, and insights into Marianne’s life story and culinary journey. By working on the newsletter, I have continued to hone my writing and editing skills and have gained a deeper understanding of how to connect with our audience through email marketing.

While I handle the technical aspects of content creation, Marianne is the face of the project and the writer of the email newsletter copy. She is the driving force behind the project, bringing her passion and expertise to every aspect of Mimi’s Counter. As the project focuses on her life, skills, and recommendations, she inspires our viewers to try new dishes and cooking techniques.

I am responsible for maintaining Mimi’s Counter’s social media presence across various platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and (in the near future) TikTok. Through social media, we are able to engage with our audience and build a community around our content. This has been a rewarding experience for me as I have learned more about creating engaging social media posts, growing our following, and driving traffic to our website and YouTube channel.

Overall, Mimi’s Counter is a personal passion project and collaboration, but one that allows me to continue to develop important skills I use when I work with clients on digital marketing, video, and eLearning projects.Through my work on Mimi’s Counter, I have continued to grow in the areas of video production, affiliate marketing, email marketing, and social media management. I am grateful to have the skills to bring this project to life, as the goals of the project personally mean a great deal to me.

Audience: Women ages 45-70 with an interest in home cooking, modern Southern culture, and rural lifestyle content.

Roles: Videography, video production and editing, social media management, email marketing (newsletter creation, layout, publishing, and subscriber list management), affiliate marketing (including Amazon Associates program), content development, copyediting, graphic design, IT troubleshooting

Tools Used: Canon EOS R10 Content Creator Kit, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Premiere Rush, Audacity, Adobe Audition, Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Substack newsletter platform, YouTube content creator tools, iPhone 12, Google Docs