- Joined
- May 4, 2015
- Messages
- 947
Thanks again everyone for all the feedback. Ill be sure to keep this in mind while im doing this type of stuff.
I wish I had advice, but honestly, I'm still amazed more than 15 people subscribe to me. I just started on a lark. And it didn't get to the point where it was anything but a huge drain on my finances until last year, and that's only because of Patreon, and because a lot of people have been really generous lending gear. And because I basically haven't had a weekend off for two years. And I still know that even with this success, I could never quit my day job for it. If you're getting into YouTube to make money, don't. it's getting worse and worse every day for knife channels. Do it for passion, or don't do it.
I think the reason I've done OK is that I work very, very hard to keep things structured and honest, and to treat reviews like the lectures I gave when I taught in grad school. I write my reviews ahead of time, instead of just talking free-form. I try to arrange points in a way that makes logical sense, where one leads to the next. And I stick to a defined format. Some folks love it, some folks hate it, but it's about the only thing I'm doing very differently.
Don't mean to discourage, just want to make sure you're not coming into this thinking it's an easy path, or a fiscally rewarding one. But it's a great hobby.
Do it for passion, or don't do it.
Don't mean to discourage, just want to make sure you're not coming into this thinking it's an easy path, or a fiscally rewarding one. But it's a great hobby.
That is what I have always thought about when people/content creators were whining about losing Ad Revenue. I mean nobody is forced to "work as a youtuber"
what have you got to offer that all the others that already exists don't? What is your niche? how is your bank roll? These are some things to consider
Yeah, but to defend that, even if you know there's not a career in it, running a channel is a *huge* time-sink, and it's deeply frustrating to have your N hours a week suddenly pay (offset!) half what it used to, and to fight demonetizations for every remaining dime. Patreon-style viewer donations are the only way to even break even these days. The vast majority of my videos don't even cover the return shipping on the item.
Even if it's just a side-gig to offset your expensive knife habit, if your neighbor pays you $100 a week to walk the dog for years, then abruptly starts paying $25 instead, it's not a great feeling. But managing expectations will help.
Well, truthfully, I dont know for sure that I really have any particular quality that would set me apart from other knife based YouTube channels. This is a new way for me to explore the hobby. A chance to learn and interract with a community that shares the same interest. If it goes somewhere, maybe I take another step. Who knows. On a slight tangent, I like the feedback I get here on bladeforums for all types of knife related stuff because you guys dont screw around. You just tell me how it is, in one form or another. Some people get really bent out of shape when they get a negative response to an idea or thought. Not me. I'm a freakin' car salesman. People respond negatively to me before they even roll down their window, and they REALLY give me the beans when I show them what their trade-in is worth XD. I'm motivated, but WELL prepared to accept criticism and even defeat if for any reason I can't keep it going after a while.
I'm still amazed more than 15 people subscribe to me.
I suppose I generally just looked at it as a hobby, nobody forces you to devote that much time and energy into it, nobody forces people to play Golf or Tennis three times a week, practice, buy equipment, pay membership fees etcpp (well unless you're a helicopter parent who forces their kid to do it ) just from that viewpoint, any Youtuber is in it because they want to be in it, either for money or because they like doing it. If it becomes more work than fun, turns non-profitable I don't see a reason to continue it, especially if it's becoming frustrating.
Well, truthfully, I dont know for sure that I really have any particular quality that would set me apart from other knife based YouTube channels. This is a new way for me to explore the hobby. A chance to learn and interract with a community that shares the same interest. If it goes somewhere, maybe I take another step. Who knows. On a slight tangent, I like the feedback I get here on bladeforums for all types of knife related stuff because you guys dont screw around. You just tell me how it is, in one form or another. Some people get really bent out of shape when they get a negative response to an idea or thought. Not me. I'm a freakin' car salesman. People respond negatively to me before they even roll down their window, and they REALLY give me the beans when I show them what their trade-in is worth XD. I'm motivated, but WELL prepared to accept criticism and even defeat if for any reason I can't keep it going after a while.
Since you asked...
What makes what you think about a knife important to a potential viewer?
Are you someone who's opinion deserves more respect than someone else's? Why?
Are you an expert on any aspect of knife making, forging, metallurgy, machining, or anything else that makes what you think more valuable than someone else?
Bottom line, why should anyone listen to what you have to say?
If you can honestly answer the above and have something of value to offer you might do well, if you can't or don't, you won't.
Yes useful information first, then add personality. Fondling is not very informative. Comparisons to other knives can be very helpful.If it's just for the luv and you have $$$ , time and energy to burn , then by all means go for it ! I always welcome good , honest knife and gear reviews . Especially the ones that feature actually appropriate USE and not just unboxing and fondling .