Online streaming services have, inarguably, redefined the way we watch TV. Depending on where you are in the world, the number of services you can subscribe to can easily be in the double figures, to the point where few of us really watch according to a TV guide. And while most of the conversation on the topic tends to center around the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, more and more of us are finding ourselves drawn to the grandaddy of them all, YouTube.
YouTube differs from the other services in one major way – there is no bar on access, as long as you’re prepared to play by some very basic rules. And if you’re inclined towards tech, there are more channels on there than you could ever wish to follow. In this regard, it may seem as though prospective new YouTubers face an impossibly saturated marketplace. But if you like the idea of making videos on your pet tech topics, then there is always a way to get into the field.
I admit, even though I have been doing YouTube for a while I still do not fully have the hang of it. But, that is for many reasons…. namely LIFE! HA! I work a full-time job and have a lot of other things going on, so I do not make as many videos as I should. I envy those that have found a way to do it full time and make a decent living. Right now I just occasionally make gardening videos. I have done tech videos in the past and would love to get back to it.
If you want to get started it is not hard. You just need a focus. Here are some ideas.
Big projects
We’ve all watched TV shows where people buy a house and then set about remodeling it, or where they take an old piece of furniture and turn it into something remarkable, and this spirit is present in a lot of YouTube channels where content creators set about big projects. Maybe they want to recreate something from the set of a film, or maybe they want to come up with something bizarrely ambitious like the below Nerdforge video where the creator builds a PC that also makes coffee. Either way, doing something bold and attention-grabbing can bring in millions of views – as long as it’s your idea and not an attempt to copy someone else’s.
Repair videos
It’s increasingly common for people to note that an appliance or device in their home has stopped working and, instead of paying callout charges to have it repaired, try to fix it themselves. This often results in pulling up a video and watching someone else carry out the repair, then following their steps. If you’re handy with tech, this is a good way to get views and build a following. Unless you want your home to become a Frankenstein’s lab of tech awaiting revival, it’s a good idea to invest in self storage for the appliances you haven’t got to yet, and to curate an area for your repairs. One you’re happy for the world to see would be a good idea, until you’re making enough to move to a dedicated workshop.
Tech reviews
People do love to read reviews of films they plan to see, or even ones they have seen (and the same is true for books, music and TV shows). Someone with an engaging turn of phrase and trenchant viewpoints can build a considerable following just by talking about gadgets and games. The key to doing this in a way which is commercially successful is to ensure that this video could not have been a podcast; in other words, you need to make it visually interesting, which means having a skill for editing and being able to create a space that feels like a studio. Even if it’s your bedroom or a garden shed, some lights and wall art can make all the difference.
And then? Just speak from the heart and make the channel your own – there’s nothing to be gained by aiming for unvarnished facts at one end of the scale or edgy opinions at the other. You’ll sound more engaged, and engaging, expressing your own opinions in your own way – looking at the channels that get the most views bears this out.
Leave a Reply