I discovered YouTube when it was still in its infancy - the year 2006 to be precise. Around this time vloggers were all the rage - the group who I followed had very small followings and seldom hit 4-figure viewcounts - yet they were still idolised. Having smaller audiences also meant that they gave a shit about you. This was when the video response system still existed - so we could challenge each other to "name 10 fun facts about yourself" or "tell a funny story about school" - and under everybody's videos there would be pages and pages of these video responses. It was pretty cool. Yes, some people did make a lot of money during this era - one that immediately springs to mind is Brookers - but compared to the "YouTube stars" of today, she was fairly small-time.
Regardless, whether or not you believe me or not - I create content as a hobby. I write blogs and make videos for fun. I started this blog back in 2013 as a creative outlet. I wrote blogs for myself. I wrote about things *I* cared about. Then when I moved onto making videos I discussed content *I* liked, did unboxings of products *I* wanted to show off - etc. And to this day that is still true. If I didn't enjoy doing what I do, I'd stop doing it. If a certain aspect of content creation became boring or frustrating to me to the point where I didn't look forward to doing it - I'd stop doing it.
So why do I post it online? If I make what I make for myself, why publish it?
The same question could be asked of a person who plays a musical instrument and sends a video to their friend. An artist or sculptor who creates a piece and displays it in their home. A chef who bakes a cake and then offers it around - it's exactly the same thing. I am proud of what I produce and thus I want to share it with other people who may also be interested in the same things I am. Shock horror, an easy way to make friends is to share common interests and start meaningful discussions. The point is, whether I get one view or one thousand views - I made that *thing* for myself initially - the fact that other people were interested in it and/or enjoyed it is a bonus.
So why do you monetise? Why run ads? Why have a Patreon?
So you're telling me you wouldn't like to get a little bit of money for doing something you like doing? You'd rather sell off hours of your life doing some bullshit menial job for somebody else? I don't make a *lot* - but the amount I make is irrelevant and of little consequence. Everything I make is fed back directly into my content somewhere along the line. I buy games to review, products to unbox, gunge powder to mix and throw over myself - and of course sometimes fund larger things that are essential to content creation - a new camera, a green screen etc. So you're telling me if somebody can paint a portrait and go on to sell it for £50 that they then spend on more paints and canvasses, they shouldn't do it?
You're wasting your time, you're not learning anything or doing anything meaningful.
Au contraire dear - in the process of content creation I've learned many things - quite a few being transferable skills that helped me get actual paid employment. Did you know that *this* blog was included in a portfolio that secured me an SEO copywriting job and social media manager position? From that job came another - writing content for websites? Then I got my seasonal work that I've done for 3 years in a row - an essential skill for that job? Knowing how to use Photoshop. I'm self taught in Photoshop and keep my skills honed making thumbnails (mainly), banners, buttons and other fun things.
Here is a little list of computer programs, technical things and personal skills I've learned or improved on whilst working on my content creation:
- Self confidence
- Speaking aloud
- Creative thinking
- Problem solving
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere
- WavePad sound studio
- SEO
- Social media management
- General written communication skills
- Video camera technical skills
- Screenwriting & film directing
Now I don't know about you - but they seem like pretty useful things for someone who is interested in working in media/IT/communications roles to me.
But negativity contributes to worsening mental health!
Yes, while that may be true - having a creative project I can use to occupy myself on a day-to-day basis is more beneficial to me. I get to spend time writing and talking about subjects that interest me, learn new skills and techniques constantly and keep my current ones up-to-date and I've met a lot of cool people who I can chat with, exchange ideas or just spam with cute cat pictures. I don't often get negative comments, but those I do, I reply back with a superior air or just counter-troll them. They are the vast minority and are more of an annoyance than anything. They're like having a mosquito bite on your arse. Kinda annoying, but not life threatening - and will eventually go away if ignored.
If you have anxiety, how can you post videos of yourself online?
Ah, I get this one a lot. The answer is simple. I'm in control. Streaming on the other hand is far harder to control than edited and scheduled videos. Firstly, I can script videos. I can plan, I can use cue cards or refer to some sort of script. I can edit. If I go wrong or record something I don't want to share - use that good ol' razorblade tool and chop it off! I can re-record. If it goes wrong, I can always try it again another time. And if in the end I'm not happy with whatever I've done - I just don't post it. It's simple. I can present myself online exactly how I want people to see me. Whereas in day-to-day life, I can't script. I can't edit. I can't re-do over a social situation if I fuck it up. Now do you get it?
But you only have ____ subscribers/views/likes - hur hur why bother?
See above. I make content for myself. Numbers are irrelevant. Plus, the way I see it - 50 views is 50 views. Imagine 50 physical people. They wouldn't all fit in my kitchen, that's for certain. Also, how many people are interested in the mundane shit you post dear? Yeah, I thought so. Also, consider this. Every successful creator, be they an artist/writer/musician/etc started somewhere. They didn't just go multi-platinum or Turner art prize overnight. Everybody started out small, for the most part - many had to struggle, work hard and deal with their own failures, shortcomings and lack of recognition. Only a few manage to achieve stardom - but what ignoramuses like you fail to realise is that not everybody *wants* to be fucking famous! I know I certainly don't. I've never been recognised by someone in person - and the day that happens I'll probably run away and cry because I'm ridiculously shy off-camera. Plus - celebrities are not role models. They're just people. They have all had diarrhoea at some point in their life.
You're wasting your time/money/effort!
Regardless of if I am or not - which I feel I'm not - how does that affect you? It's my time. It's my effort. It's my money. I fail to see how I spend *my* time affects you. I'd rather sit and create than sit and blandly consume. I want to watch/read/see things that are specific to me - and being a bit of an oddball, not much actually exists - so I decided to make it myself!
So in conclusion... Creating content has:
- Improved my overall self image and self confidence
- Allowed me to be creative and try out new and exciting things
- Amuse and entertain other people with my nonsense
- Make a little bit of cash that can be fed back into the blog/channel/etc
- Learn new skills and improve on ones I already had
- Make new friends and chat with cool like-minded people online
- Spend my time doing something meaningful that I enjoy instead of sitting around bored and allowing the negative thoughts to take hold
As I personally enjoy what I do - if anybody else is inspired or has been thinking about content creation and is still dithering about it - I recommend you at least try it. After all, it's the age-old adage that you don't know what you enjoy until you try it - and believe me, there's no greater satisfaction than seeing your vision come to life - seeing your idea blossom from notes into a finished product. And if you're still jaded and bitter and cynical and who hates the idea of anybody enjoying themselves, go back to your sad, boring, lonely and pathetic existence.
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