The Last Regular Video on this Channel

Summary

After 10 years and 500 videos, the creator reflects on the journey of their YouTube channel, from its humble beginnings to reaching significant milestones. Starting with a goal of 1,000 subscribers, the channel grew by focusing on the maker community, with topics like IoT, LoRa, and ESP modules. Over time, community-driven projects and personal milestones shaped the channel. The creator shares lessons learned, including dealing with negative feedback, the evolution of IoT, and the challenges of commercialization. With the 10th anniversary approaching, they announce the shift from regular uploads, prioritizing life over content creation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The YouTube channel started in 2015 with a goal to reach 1,000 subscribers, primarily using a budget for YouTube ads.
• 😀 The channel evolved from focusing on niche topics to targeting makers and enthusiasts, especially with the rise of the ESP8266 and ESP32.
• 😀 The Swiss accent became a signature part of the channel's branding, and unique elements like white gloves and a hat were introduced.
• 😀 The channel grew significantly with community-driven projects like Tiny GS, Meshtastic, and radioondi.info, bringing real-world impact.
• 😀 Negative feedback, especially thumbs down, was initially challenging, but over time the creator learned to cope with it.
• 😀 The channel's educational focus has helped many viewers improve their careers, particularly in IoT and related fields.
• 😀 Over time, the content shifted from DIY projects to more complex topics like IoT frameworks, Proxmox, and Home Assistant.
• 😀 The creator resisted commercializing the channel too much, preferring independence and only occasionally accepting sponsorships.
• 😀 The channel reached 100,000 subscribers and later 500,000, with milestones such as producing 500 videos.
• 😀 On the channel's 10th anniversary, the creator announced that regular videos would stop, but occasional uploads would continue, reflecting a shift in priorities.
• 😀 The creator expressed deep gratitude to the viewers, especially the Patreons, whose support went beyond just covering expenses, but showed appreciation.

Q & A

What is the main reason behind this being the last regular video on the channel?

The main reason for this being the last regular video is that the creator has decided to shift priorities, with life becoming the number one priority and videos becoming secondary. The upload schedule will become irregular, and the creator's focus will change.

How did the creator initially start the YouTube channel?

The creator started the YouTube channel in June 2015 as a side project while consulting on ERP systems. The initial goal was to understand social media better and to build a channel with 1,000 subscribers. The first video had poor quality and was about a niche topic.

What were some key milestones in the growth of the channel?

Key milestones included reaching 1,000 subscribers by Christmas of the first year, gaining significant viewer feedback that motivated the creator, and eventually reaching 100,000 subscribers. Another major milestone was the achievement of 500,000 subscribers after 10 years.

What role did community projects play in the channel's evolution?

Community projects played a significant role by engaging the audience and involving them in self-organized initiatives. Notable projects included Tiny GS (satellite tracking) and Meshtastic (a Laura mesh network), which showcased the power of collective effort and were widely successful.

How did the introduction of ESP8266 and ESP32 impact the channel?

The ESP8266 and later the ESP32 were game-changers for the channel, as they brought wireless communication and Internet of Things (IoT) projects to the forefront. These chips allowed the creator to dive deeper into the field of wireless communication, expanding the channel's reach and content.

What were the creator's thoughts on product sponsorships and collaborations?

The creator was initially proud to receive free products for reviews but soon realized that product sponsorships could compromise independence. As a result, the creator stopped doing most sponsored content, only accepting it in rare instances where it didn’t interfere with his autonomy.

How did the creator manage the negative aspects of YouTube, such as negative comments and thumbs-down ratings?

The creator initially struggled with negative comments and thumbs-down ratings, feeling discouraged by them. However, they learned to handle negative comments and, over time, adapted to YouTube's changes regarding thumbs-down ratings, which made them more bearable.

What was the channel’s shift towards more professional content and higher levels of abstraction?

As IoT became mainstream and the technology evolved, the channel began focusing on more advanced topics such as Home Assistant, Proxmox, and virtualization. These topics were several levels above DIY projects, involving more powerful and complex technologies.

Why did the creator stop focusing on reaching 1 million subscribers?

The creator stopped focusing on reaching 1 million subscribers because their priorities shifted towards family and personal life. They also became content with the growth and impact of the channel and chose to enjoy the process without chasing arbitrary milestones.

How did the creator use YouTube's platform and community to help others professionally?

The creator was proud of the fact that many viewers were able to improve their careers by learning from the channel. The educational aspect was always important, and the creator valued the ability to help viewers in countries with limited local opportunities, offering them better job prospects.