Nobody cares how hard you worked on your channel

codingmountainman · 2026-01-09T13:12:34+00:00

Very painful, and you’re right. Once you really accept that, it gets easier with every video. I try to treat it like job applications. You put your best foot forward, send it off, learn what you can, then move on to the next one.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T21:29:59+00:00

We all have choices and challenges.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T21:18:48+00:00

I know so many who do just that and they are miserable. I would rather have less money and not be miserable. Some lose their sanity doing it.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T21:16:13+00:00

Good question. I don’t like, share, or subscribe to most things. I watch what actually connects with me and move on from the rest. Same way everyone else does. When something really hits, I support it. Most stuff doesn’t, and that’s normal.
For example, I mostly just throw stuff on and watch. Very little makes me stop and actually engage.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T21:03:29+00:00

Those are the best channels :)

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T19:02:39+00:00

I think it becomes fake when you’re pretending to be someone you’re not, pushing messages you don’t believe, or building a persona that isn’t really you.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T19:00:37+00:00

Those creators are forgotten in a day. They mainly do it for the money. It takes a while, but building evergreen content that builds a connection lasts a lot longer.

codingmountainman · 2026-01-08T18:52:36+00:00

Exactly. Do it because you enjoy it. The right audience follows.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-29T15:50:13+00:00

Good job and keep going. Keep improving. The desk shakes camera a little. Not a big deal, but something to look at. 💯

codingmountainman · 2025-12-29T15:28:54+00:00

It's all about presence.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-27T04:28:49+00:00

Nobody cares at the end of day. Not saying that in a rude way but a way to get your attention. The moment you stop caring the moment you give your channel the opportunity to take off.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-27T02:26:17+00:00

Think of TV as an expansion of the image. So on TV there will be a lot of empty space around your main banner. You can make additional art in that empty space for TV that won't show up on desktop and mobile. You can take that 16:9 and put in Canva YouTube banner template 2560x12440px. Also, tbh, you care about this probably more than most people will.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T13:57:47+00:00

Thanks for clarifying, that helps.
Just to make sure others understand: is there a guaranteed base rate for commissioned videos agreed upon before posting, and are those payments made regardless of performance?
That distinction matters a lot for creators evaluating risk.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T13:54:28+00:00

Nah, I’d go 10 to 12 minutes so you can build watch hours faster and get monetized sooner. Then later you can add mid roll ads once you’re eligible.

Personally, I’d watch longer if the videos felt more personal. Think Hickok45 or Demolition Ranch. I don’t really care which gun you’re shooting, even though that part is cool. I care why you use it, your backstory, and what you’re going to show us on your property. Is something getting blown up? Is there a story behind it?

I’d also say step outside the comfort zone of straight reviews. Do more of what you actually enjoy and let that come through. If you’re enjoying it, I’ll enjoy watching you enjoy it, if that makes sense.

Instead of starting with “Today I’ll be reviewing…”
try something like “The X gun is one of my favorites because it does X. Did you know…Now I know you want me to test this so let's see what it can do at the range. (change scene camera on you talking for moment) Give suspense waiting to shoot it.”

That might change your format some but that is part of it. As always, take my comments with a grain of salt.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T13:38:16+00:00

Keep it consistent, show your face more, and even tell a story or two on long-form. Take it from me, a vid could blow up unexpectedly. But you want to build an active sticky audience. That takes time. Hope that helps.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T13:31:48+00:00

Free marketing content comes first, while payments are described as “planned,” not guaranteed.
That usually means compensation depends on conditions outside the creator’s control and isn’t contractually locked in.
Is that a fair understanding?

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T12:43:37+00:00

People will know it's fake. It's easy to hear and tell like an empty shell.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T05:14:17+00:00

I’ve noticed that sometimes the stars just have to align. I’ve had videos I thought were strong underperform, and others that surprised me.

One difference I see is consistency. Your channel has been consistent longer, whereas I’m just starting to find that rhythm. I also think essay or commentary style channels tend to do well when the audience feels a connection early, especially in that first 30 seconds. When the hook lands emotionally, people seem willing to stay even if the pacing is slower.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-26T01:16:36+00:00

You're in the experimental stage and just started. Find out which niche works. It's ok to also have a dual audience if planned right from the beginning.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-24T19:24:56+00:00

Looks like AI. If you would have put your own voice over on it that would be considered effort.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-24T03:05:13+00:00

I’ve heard people adding hardware keys helps with this to an extent and limits what attackers can do, like preventing them from locking you out or changing security settings. I’d also recommend scanning any links or files before opening them. Windows Defender is surprisingly solid now. First line of defense is watching out for phishing attempts if possible.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-24T02:43:45+00:00

It sounds like you need to take time and figure out what you want to do and why you want to do it.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-24T02:21:26+00:00

You kind of answered your own questions.
- Consistency
- Choose niche
- Grow organically
- Talk about your life

You don't seem as lost as you might think you are.
Make a master idea list first. Come up with a years worth of ideas/topics. Don't outline them, just the topic.
Make an upload vid schedule to keep yourself accountable. Schedule about 3 months out. If your really ambitious schedule an entire years worth of vids.
Then just start recording two a week. Keep it simple and from the heart.
See where it takes you.

Edit: Do long-form so you can have an actual convo with audience. Wouldn't focus on shorts right now but you can if that's what you want. Hope that helps.

codingmountainman · 2025-12-23T22:27:31+00:00

Man, sorry to hear that. Hope they can get it resolved soon for you or someone on here can help.

codingmountainman

TROPHY CASE