I have been a youtuber for the last 12 years. Early on I didn’t use it much as a content creator but rather I spent my time watching it.
About 5 years ago I trawled the internet for information on how to replace the cambelt on my van, a VW transporter, no information was available for my specific model, just general methods and some limited, specific, disjointed advice on forums.
So I took it upon myself to make a video. This, coupled with the renewal of a cambelt was no mean feat for me. The cambelt renewal is in itself a complicated job, it is important to be meticulous because if you mis-align any of the components you can wreck the engine. I had a whole day to do it and set off carefully, trying to document everything using photos and footage on my Casio Exilim point and shoot camera.
Previously, I had shot footage and uploaded it in an unedited form. But for this video I had so many odd clips that I had to arrange that I had to figure out editing. I downloaded Microsoft Movie Maker and set to. It took ages. I was editing on an old Dell desktop, with 60gb of total storage, possibly 256kb of ram. but it worked and I posted the video. 5 years on that video has 164000 views and has made an income of £138. Modest perhaps in global youtube terms. But for me it is an achievement. It paid for the cost of the parts to do the job.
Then there is the ongoing task of managing comments. Of course there is no obligation to do this, but it all feeds into the community spirit of the little niche of youtube in which I exist. Periodically a considered comment will come in either asking for clarification, of giving thanks.
owenardill 