So I have had a bit time off from the Blog, why I could blame a few things, lack of interest for the time it takes?, less cycling because of van stuck in a garage?, more interested in my Motorcycle?, or my Jeep?
Could use any of these reasons but I blame Youtube!, or rather the lure Youtube has had on me since I bought and got back to owning a motorcycle again, but it was owning a new Royal Enfield that has captured a lot of peoples interest which had so many views my YouTube channel was monetised
Sounds great eh? making films and you get paid for it right?,
Take off! well I thought so at first and my channel really gathered pace in Subscribers going from 2600 subs to 5000 subs in a year, so did the money flow in?
Most I have ever made for all my work was £160 for one months films - which average 2-3 per week,
I used to joke as the months rolled on to not quit your day job, and that has turned out true...
I watched other similar channels which have started around the same time earning money as my channel had mostly from the same Royal Enfield Motorcycle and some have lost interest and disappeared, others are still going and some are still getting bigger in film views etc...
But my own channel seemed to peak when later Royal Enfield Motorcycles were released and Moto Vloggers as the term has become known chase the latest must have bikes released, some after films guessing what these new unreleased Motorcycles are. If folk want to do that kind of filming then fair enough, Though there is a load of channels all doing the same thing, which is good though if you're in the market for a new Motorcycle!. Other Channels have basically become beggars, from asking for a few pounds for folk to buy them a coffee to taking out subscriptions and Paypal donations!, often after a film saying how expensive their equipment is to buy along with the motorcycles to make these films... Now hold the bus here they want YOU to pay for THEIR Hobbies?
I have never asked people for money, my channel has a Super Thanks button like all monitesed channels but I NEVER expect money from people,
Cost of my own channel to run?
LOL!, so firstly here are a few things from myself;
I am not a Moto Vlogger, i just own one motor cycle and any reviews of that bike are from my own experience of riding and servicing etc...
All my expensive equipment? it is 1 Go Pro HERO 10, now 2 years old, and an older 10 which I use in garage and in my Jeep, I don't use a microphone system or anything else, I keep it simple,
My Channel has a motorcycle in it, along with a Willys Jeep, and Fatbikes I cycle on the coast, and all 3 interests I use to visit places and share on film be it history, scenery, fixing things myself etc...
Around 6 months ago my channel earnings started to drop to about half the usual amount despite subscribers and commenters increasing, basically I am/was spending far too much time on my YouTube Channel, and over Xmas Holidays decided wether to have a break from YouTube for a while...
Hours and hours a month for an average of £89 a month, not a lot for the hours involved - you would earn more working part time in Macdondalds!
YouTube conspiracy?;
Some people think YouTube is a con and bait people into thinking they have a channel that is going to make them a fortune, usually by mentioning channels that have `blown up` as a result of a film they did and there are indeed some channels that get thousands even hundreds of thousands of views in days and there are even channels now full of people telling you vital things you MUST do to get instant views and success. I don't think it is a conspiracy just a very, very few folk that get lucky...
The truth?
None of these things will make a difference to the amount of views your channel and latest film gets...
Other social media posts and links do to an extent help your latest film but only by a tiny difference,
I do laugh at all the YouTube channels now of folk telling you DO THESE THINGS or BE THE NEXT BIG THING! that and click bate Thumbnail films with false facts LOL!
People do like reviews and comparing things and those types of films do well, along with VAN LIFE lol!
Coastrider Channel future?
So what to do?
I will continue doing my Youtube channel but if no change then I will be posting less films,
If there are any new films then they will be on the usual days -
Jeep film on a Monday,
Mancave (Garage) Wednesday
Motorcycle on a Friday
These at the usual times, however if either subject is not done then be no posts that day. February's films are already pre scheduled and if the income stays the same after the increase in views of a few recent films I will just post 1 film a week on 1 of 3 subjects...
Also not be Series of films ie Pt 1,2,3 etc as only the first films get the views. I worked out that with my NC500 Motorcycle film, next trip just be one film, even if longer...
How you DO MAKE MONEY;
The money gets made from adverts on Youtube. You need a minimum 8 minute film for an advert, if you are say a 20 minute film you need to put multiple adverts in it, so an advert at 5 mins, 10 mins, 15mins is required wether like me you hate adding adverts or not if you want to earn some money you need to include adverts, if like me you work part time and had a hope of something extra without begging for it you need the adverts,
My next months film on the Motorcycle and Jeep are all these lengths with adverts so lets see what happens, I expect not a lot!
Away from Youtube...
I am getting either my own wee van repaired and returned or Just buying another new van - I NEED a wee van!, and I want to get back to coastal cycling, either solo after work now daylight hours get longer again or out with partner G and Murphy dog...
This blog started my youTube channel and its name is a clue to its content!, I changed my channel name from Coastkid71 to Coastrider Scotland, and I realised how much I have actually missed cycling my Fatbikes on the coast when I recently test rode the new Surly Moonlander 2.0
So next blog will be that bikes going through its paces!, I will prob just post once a month with a monthly update with films attached etc, and YES the spelling will still be awful but you will just have to live with that!
Cheers Bruce
