Unreal's planned youtube channel

[Unreal]

I've started this thread to avoid cluttering up some others and to hopefully collect a few ideas that I can incorporate and just as importantly, things to avoid.

The background to this is that I am easily bored and I get very frustrated during the winter months when I hate the weather and the inability to do stuff. I'm not remotely interested in making any money out of the plan - it's just something to do that will hopefully provide some entertainment for fellow petrol heads. I have a reasonably diverse collection of what I consider to be affordable cars which may change over the next year or so but that wouldn't get in the way of what I want to do.

I've got some potential help with the tech lined up and I expect to have to drop a few quid on cameras . None of that concerns me but what does is building up a prior pool of content as I don't want the hassle of having to create new content against a fixed timescale. That would just be pressure I don't need. I get that the alternative is that I prep half a dozen videos that no-one watches but I can live with that. The plan at the moment is to get the first video out in March when the weather improves. Standing outside in the pouring rain and cold has zero appeal. I've also been ill so still not firing on all cylinders.

I have a few ideas I'll keep to myself for now because I'd like a different format to the usual, by which I mean "hi guys, welcome to my channel this week where we're looking at this car I've borrowed from my mate". However, the general approach I have in mind is just to go through the collection a car at a time, explaining how I acquired the car, issues I've had, money I've had to spend and of course, what each car is like to drive. There are enough of them to do at least ten episodes by which time I'd know if it was boring me and no-one was interested. There are easy complimentary episodes that could run alongside, such as the challenges involved in storing multiple old cars. I also have one or two cars that I definitely want to sell as well as one or two that need to be brought up to scratch, so the story of those could run alongside any specific features on single car. As for the cars themselves, with a couple of exceptions, they're all eighties to noughties sports cars, although I can see a 70s car being acquired this year.

So over to you guys. What suggestions can you make? You can include don't do it. I may not if it looks like being a chore but at the moment I see it as a good way to fill some time and get some energy and enthusiasm back in my life.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Unreal said:

What suggestions can you make?

Don't post a link to your channel. The moderators throw a tantrum.

[Unreal]

Koyaanisqatsi said:

Unreal said:

What suggestions can you make?

Don't post a link to your channel. The moderators throw a tantrum.

OK thanks for the tip. How does that work with things like an entire thread called 'Harry's Garage - youtube' which is full of links and references?

Edited by Unreal on Thursday 5th January 13:55

[fbc]

Unreal said:

OK thanks for the tip. How does that work with things like an entire thread called 'Harry's Garage - youtube' which is full of links and references?

Other users can post links to your videos, create threads, etc, but you can't self-promote.

[Truckosaurus]

You can start off by filming using your phone rather than splashing out on cameras only to find out you are No Good or don't enjoy it.

I think you can put links to your channel in your PH profile so people can find you.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

fbc said:

Unreal said:

OK thanks for the tip. How does that work with things like an entire thread called 'Harry's Garage - youtube' which is full of links and references?

Other users can post links to your videos, create threads, etc, but you can't self-promote.

Bit like the Catholic church. Self promoting is frowned upon, but if a priest does it for you, the Church tend to turn a blind eye.

[MesoForm]

Don't stick to a planned release schedule (one a week, etc.), just create the videos and when you're happy with them put them out. So many YouTubers have complained of no longer enjoying creating videos because they feel under pressure to put something out and lose the enjoyment they used to have.
Technically - invest in good sound.

[pcvdriver]

MesoForm said:

Don't stick to a planned release schedule (one a week, etc.), just create the videos and when you're happy with them put them out. So many YouTubers have complained of no longer enjoying creating videos because they feel under pressure to put something out and lose the enjoyment they used to have.
Technically - invest in good sound.

Good sound can be bought relatively cheaply - a pair of SHURE SM57, or SM58s (they are about as rugged as they come) and can handle being dropped occasionally - but don't make a habit of it... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-SM57-LC-SM57-LCE-Mi...

You'll also need an extarnal sound card - the M audio / focsrite make decent robust, reliable units https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=m+audio+digibox+2&amp...

A pair of wind mufflers are also essential - the ones that look like a dead cat are best - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Movo-WS-G10m-Microphone-M...

A pair of mic stands https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queiting-Tripod-Adjustabl...

[Cloudy147]

I like your plan Unreal, sounds like a fun project. I often think of doing the same, but video editing takes so much time and it would take over my life. However, I admire those who have a go and put themselves out there. Be prepared for swathes of negativity, YouTube seems to be plagued with people who will want to pull you down in the comments.

As a punter of content, I'd echo what the others say about audio. A couple of amateur channels that I've been watching recently are below. For me the key is the audio. On both of these channels its clear that there isn't yet what you'd consider a high production value as they are just starting out, BUT the audio is good enough and consistent - and for me that makes it watchable. I'm interested in the content, I can see what they are talking about, even if its a bit wobbly and I can hear what they are saying:

https://www.youtube.com/@MRMSpeedShop
https://www.youtube.com/@boosted2000

Whereas a perfect video with crap sound wouldn't be something I'd enjoy.

If you do go ahead with it, good luck and will look forward to see how you get on with it!

[Don1]

Without being funny.... Who are you? I've seen your name on other people's threads, but aside from that, not a clue. What is your USP in this very congested world? Harry has the calming voice that takes you on a journey, Hoovie is a loveable idiot, there are multiple gurning pillocks with their arms spread wide....

[Unreal]

Cloudy147 said:

I like your plan Unreal, sounds like a fun project. I often think of doing the same, but video editing takes so much time and it would take over my life. However, I admire those who have a go and put themselves out there. Be prepared for swathes of negativity, YouTube seems to be plagued with people who will want to pull you down in the comments.

As a punter of content, I'd echo what the others say about audio. A couple of amateur channels that I've been watching recently are below. For me the key is the audio. On both of these channels its clear that there isn't yet what you'd consider a high production value as they are just starting out, BUT the audio is good enough and consistent - and for me that makes it watchable. I'm interested in the content, I can see what they are talking about, even if its a bit wobbly and I can hear what they are saying:

https://www.youtube.com/@MRMSpeedShop
https://www.youtube.com/@boosted2000

Whereas a perfect video with crap sound wouldn't be something I'd enjoy.

If you do go ahead with it, good luck and will look forward to see how you get on with it!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm going to take my time getting things right and I am taking on board the comments about sound quality in particular. I have some professional assistance lined up for that. Those links were useful too - I like that that the guys are talking about unusual cars, and aren't like a lot of the rich boys talking about their very expensive cars. There's a place for everyone of course but I neither own or have any interest in reviewing modern supercars and there are plenty of people doing it anyway. Add to that my zero interest in modifying (other than sensible upgrades or modern replacements for oem) or things like wrapping or detailing.

I have some good experience of managing social media negativity so that won't bother me. It's all very predictable and you can see in the links you provided that those channel owners aren't attracting much crap. I think it's easy to see why just as I think we all know what triggers a lot of negativity.

I had a couple of productive conversations today with people who might like to be involved and so far I've only encountered enthusiasm apart from those people who are camera shy. It seems there's a big market for watching car videos so there's plenty of space for me to have a go. Calculating the downside is a big part of any decision I make and in this case the downsides are negligible. I don't need to build or protect a reputation beyond helping to make the channel watchable and the barriers are really just technical and putting in sufficient time and effort.

At the moment the general theme planned is still a sequenced unveiling of the cars, which won't be known in advance, and then in each case going through the ownership experience. In some cases, where a car is as good as I want it, the plan would be for a standalone episode but I have other cars more worthy of regular updates as I bring them up to scratch. For example, tempting as it is to start with one of the rarer ones, current thinking is to start with a car I bought last year at auction with only a cursory inspection and seeing just what I've got and what it will take to bring it up to scratch. It has sat idle since I bought it and I may have bought badly but I just don't know yet. I think quite a few people will identify with that scenario.

[Llew]

My advice - go for it and just start making some content… I’m a very occasional YouTuber, I publish literally the odd video here and there. I think I’ve got about 400+ subs and that is literally with zero effort. I’d like to do more but lack time!

My advice-

Sound is the most important factor so make sure you get the audio right - I’d recommend a Rode phone compatible condenser mic with a muff (£80)

I’d also recommend a cheap Gimbal - DJI make some good stuff which your phone can click into and sync via Bluetooth

For video editing Adobe Rush is my fav- very quick and simple.
Apple iMovie is also good (and free)

Shoot in 4K so you can crop down/zoom and still be above 1080p

Have fun and just film what you want to film!

I’ve done a couple of travel videos, a couple of how-to’s for various things (cars mainly) and some car sale videos when I’ve flipped cars in the past. The car review type vids tend to do the best. I’ve got quite a few 928 related videos on my channel and I think that’s where most of my subs come from, not that I have very many!

[donkmeister]

I'd say don't overthink it, plan too much and you'll never do it. Fail fast, as they say. The best YouTube channels (IMHO) are the ones where it's just some bloke who has decided to show how he does a thing, and talks about it enthusiastically. I dare say others on here will know all about white line defects and cavities exposing the corium for similar reasons...

Go for it, but don't underestimate how much time it takes. I started creating content for a YouTube channel and massively underestimated it... to the point that I never even uploaded my first video. I wasn't trying to do anything fancy, basically just filming myself doing my general projects (cars, DIY etc) and rambling away as I did it, I thought the time difference between "doing a thing" and "doing a thing whilst explaining what I'm doing" would be minimal, after all I've taught people in-person how to do the exact same things. But no, it's very different. I'd say that doing a simple car fix took me 3 times as long once I'd moved cameras about, waited for an idling van to drive off, realised that the camera angle now didn't show what I was actually doing, but then I had to change gloves so I didn't get oil on my GoPro...

I didn't even get onto the editing side (but can recommend Davinci Resolve - I've used it for a few small video editing projects and found it pretty easy to get on with).

[singlecoil]

If you want good audio (which of course you do) and you want convenience without cables, then these are what I have and can thoroughly recommend. You can also bring in a second speaker.

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/rode-wireless-go-ii-...

They include the furry wind excluders.

[Unreal]

donkmeister said:

I'd say don't overthink it, plan too much and you'll never do it. Fail fast, as they say. The best YouTube channels (IMHO) are the ones where it's just some bloke who has decided to show how he does a thing, and talks about it enthusiastically. I dare say others on here will know all about white line defects and cavities exposing the corium for similar reasons...

Go for it, but don't underestimate how much time it takes. I started creating content for a YouTube channel and massively underestimated it... to the point that I never even uploaded my first video. I wasn't trying to do anything fancy, basically just filming myself doing my general projects (cars, DIY etc) and rambling away as I did it, I thought the time difference between "doing a thing" and "doing a thing whilst explaining what I'm doing" would be minimal, after all I've taught people in-person how to do the exact same things. But no, it's very different. I'd say that doing a simple car fix took me 3 times as long once I'd moved cameras about, waited for an idling van to drive off, realised that the camera angle now didn't show what I was actually doing, but then I had to change gloves so I didn't get oil on my GoPro...

I didn't even get onto the editing side (but can recommend Davinci Resolve - I've used it for a few small video editing projects and found it pretty easy to get on with).

I'm not programmed to do it without significant preparation. Some are but I'm not and I'm too set in my ways to change. Your point is taken on board though. I won't over prepare. I'm not going to put pressure on myself with deadlines either.

I've had that with other personal projects where suddenly you're being held to account over something that has no great importance really. All the input is really appreciated and will be put to good use. Thank you.

[Austin_Metro]

I’d also say don’t make them too long and make them self contained. I can’t be bothered to commit for 25 to 30m and it be part 1 of x parts.

The YouTube for a living crowd (not you) seem to do this for extra views and more content.

[Chubbyross]

Go for it. For me, the best presenters are the ones who aren’t trying to be anyone else but themselves. I cannot stand the ‘look at me and my billion Pound new hypercar’ presenters where they’re desperately grinning the whole times (no names). There’s one chap in particular who makes me squirm as he’s almost copying Clarkson’s intonation note for note constantly, again no names mentioned. The best presenters are simply being humble and passionate about their subject - Harry’s Garage, the Late Brake Show and Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop being good examples.

[Unreal]

Austin_Metro said:

I’d also say don’t make them too long and make them self contained. I can’t be bothered to commit for 25 to 30m and it be part 1 of x parts.

The YouTube for a living crowd (not you) seem to do this for extra views and more content.

Yes, the plan is circa 15 mins for something that can be self contained, such as several of my cars which are in as good a condition as most would want. Several part episodes are unlikely and more probably would form a short update add on to a stand alone.

For example, this car I've bought recently which (I think) is going to need some paint, mechanical repairs and cosmetics over the coming months. I think even a drive to the MOT and what that throws up could be interesting.

Nothing is going to happen till Spring though. I hate this weather with a vengeance and would rather stay wrapped in the warm like the cars.