My workflow for making videos with Obsidian

A repeatable Obsidian-based workflow is what makes high-volume video production sustainable: ideas become structured notes, those notes turn into a filming plan, and a Kanban board tracks every stage from thumbnail to captions to publishing. With 122 videos across four channels in a year (plus the one currently being watched), the core claim is straightforward—without a system to track decisions and tasks, output collapses. The setup matters because it reduces “blank page” work: most topics start from existing notes, so production focuses on presentation rather than reinventing research.

The process begins with a template that acts as a video command center. Each video note stores searchable metadata (including tags and—when used—Fantasy Calendar fields), auto-generates headings from the filename, and embeds the YouTube player via an iframe (chosen because typical link embeds don’t handle Shorts or live streams well). A Dataview inline field can list related plugins or guests, then the note becomes a checklist split into pre-production and post-production.

Pre-production is anchored by two algorithm-sensitive choices: thumbnail and title. Thumbnails are created in Canva using a minimalist approach rather than complex design tools. Titles are tested through TubeBuddy’s keyword scoring: the creator avoids clickbait and keyword stuffing, but uses small title tweaks to pick the version that best matches what the video actually delivers. Content planning then focuses on the most performance-critical segments—the hook and outro—written word-for-word and rehearsed without a teleprompter. The middle of the script is handled with a limited set of bullet points to prevent reading from the screen; filming includes room for ad-libbing, with edits later.

Editing and delivery are treated as a pipeline. After filming, videos are sent to a Dropbox folder for an editor (Eve), who reviews and revises using Frame.io’s timestamped commenting so feedback lands on the exact moment in the timeline. The creator keeps back-and-forth minimal, prioritizing “done” over perfection. Once edited, the creator uploads to YouTube and completes post-production tasks: adding cards at referenced timestamps, pinning a comment that answers recurring questions (like plugins and themes), generating captions through Rev (paid human captions for better translation quality), and using the captions to create chapters for easier navigation.

For tracking at scale, the workflow uses the Kanban plugin with columns such as ideas, on deck, research/plan, film, editing/prepping/previewing, and published—plus a process column for completion. Cards are generated from the video template, automatically creating notes in a designated content folder. A Dataview “video database” note then surfaces all cards/videos in one place, with optional breakdowns by tags, date, or publication status.

Finally, the system extends into scheduling and cross-promotion (Patreon previews, YouTube scheduling, playlists, and promotion on Mastodon and LinkedIn). Fantasy Calendar organizes dates and categories, with an announced migration path to Calendarium. The result is a structured, searchable archive that not only produces videos, but also reconnects them back into the creator’s broader knowledge base.