You have built an affinity with your audience here because you are so different. I have watched so many folks talking about how to be successful on TH-cam and most of them approach it much differently than you do. Too much "You can get 1,000 subscribers in 30 days" etc. script reading. What sets you apart is you keep it real. You have the "I am just a hugely successful TH-camr and businessman who wants to see more of you succeed" vibe. Like a friend who takes you aside and says, "I see you struggling on TH-cam, and I know it is important to you that you learn and improve, so let me help and tell you a few things I have learned". Keep them coming. I have learned so much from you.
@@kevinmespiritui think the difference is also you’ve done it! and you’ve done it in a neutral niche so it’s like proven success. all these other creators only work in the creator niche
“I’m not a Pokémon!” 😹😹 That’s right! Love what you’ve done on this channel. Learning about the creator gives more depth to all you do. Keep up the fantastic chats. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
In an age of loneliness, I hope I can find a niche of a creator that cares for his audience. In turn, I hope I can empower the audience to care for themselves.
Great thoughts Kevin, very true. Creator modality is def what I find easiest to figure out. Toughest challenge with that is the realization years later when you’ve built something you don’t want to do for the rest of your life. So I think most will be long term successful from a balance between the two. I think most artists still need to focus more on learning how to cater to an audience without it loosing their soul as well. Learning how to make the money becomes such a vital long term part if you want to make stuff you believe in.
Hey Kevin, came across this channel when i started 75Hard the other day and recognized you from EG when i watched back in 2020. I like your transparent, no bs content, you have lots of value to share 🤘
interesting bc you say don’t cater to the audiences preferences (audience capture) but also you say don’t make it about you do it for them (hit the bell 100x in a 100 diff ways) so how are you defining (in actionable terms) the line? great video as always and appreciate you always making the effort to help out and give down to earth advice.
@@kevinmespirituthanks kevin! looking forward to it. i know there’s gotta be some options other than taking prescriptive advice or just doing whatever you want.
Thanks Kevin, great advice. I am a creative but I also want to do this for the rest of my life and I hope I can (I don't plan to retire)! I just need to work out how to grow (ironic.. for a gardening channel haha). I love what you are doing. I know im doing good, I have people tell me they were inspired to start a garden or try growing a new flower or do some weeding. I just want to reach more people! I'd like to move into products at some stage. (ps, im aussie.. glad you like the raised garden beds so many of us use here!!).
I notice that the language of "Creator --> Content --> Consumed" resembles the packaged food industry, especially convenience food and snack food. If so, today's Content Creators have similar value propositions and market forces as Pepsi, Nestle, or ConAgra, whose value proposition = quick + superficial satisfaction without much in the way of lasting benefits. Certainly not all video creators follow this model, but it does help explain why there is so much trend chasing and desperation to achieve mass appeal. And for any video creator who wants to offer MORE benefits than, say, potato chips and soft drinks, you can ask yourself very productive questions: "What is the lasting value of my content library? To what extent am I willing to give up immediate popularity in favor of lasting value? What can make my relationship with my fans truly healthy, nutritious, and sustaining for me and them?"
thank you for making these videos! I had been watching your gardening videos for a long time, and I have found these business videos extremely helpful. I'm a writer, but I'm starting to play around with other media - in particular long-format video. If you have time (or if anyone else reading wants to help), I have a question. How do you decide on the split of 95% audience-driven content vs 5% art for you? Some background about where I'm coming from.... I'm that artist / mystical / creative type you were talking about. I mostly just write books and teach courses that I want to exist, and thankfully, that's working - I make a sustainable living as a mystic weirdo. However, I have some things that I want to say which I would like to more people to hear. So, in 2024, I'm starting to actively court an audience on youtube (I had 480 subscribers on Jan 1 - I have 723 now). But, I don't want to stop making weird art! Rather, I thought I could just start adding some more mainstream / less challenging content (that is, more mainstream in my niche. I teach witchcraft for a living - I am never going to be on Good Morning America, lol). But, I'm struggling to find a balance between the two. So, that's my question - how to you settle into the 95% / 5% split you discussed?
I go back and forth 😂 designing garden protection because im way out, and unlike other designers I dont want small animals in my outdoor garden kitchen 😂 like no we need this ..we do 😂 ...at the same time testing and studying so thanks for the thoughts. I do garden glamping for tantra trance therapies, its very strange doing these out there topics and testing viral content...people like simple. Have lots of testing channels.. i am still finding the difference....between Clients i get from viral vs my super nichy crazy tantric stuff. Would take years if its even possible to track since i have long term clients. There should be a way to just make sure of the right niche since there is seemingly everything out there..im testing in meditation, maybe camping, and a talking through techniques channel....to name a few. This is baffling for me. I studied Ayurveda which is like all the natural therapies combined 🤯
Loads of niches, but why many channels? Now you'll never know... You are the product, providing the services to people! There will be individuals just like you, interested in more than just one bit! Why not flow them together more?
@@Fire-Queen because a lot of the things I study are censored ❤️ I afraid to even teach health anymore...new channels have blown past other channels I spent years on overnight. Just herbs alone can be risky to say they heal this and that. And who knows what restrictions things like that could face one day. A lot of health consultants have had to change things up.
@@kevinmespiritu Now yes but back then It was just bad decision making on the part of the people in charge. They decided to appease the people that liked that sort of thing,real world and all that which spawned Kardashians. I and most of the people I knew hated. They tried to come back with other stuff but it wasn't the same. Oh well.
Loving these videos - keep em coming! Also can't wait to see the photoshopped pics of you as a pokemon that your community are going to put together 🤣🐲
What you are describing sounds like “read the room” 😀. I used to train distributor reps on wood flooring for Armstrong and I learned to read the room and adjust every quarter. One time I used The Who song “who are you” music and wore a magenta wig - the message was to reinvent themselves with the customer and sales that quarter doubled. I learned to take a temperature of the market regularly and stretch to stay relevant. Regardless of the channel be it TH-cam or starting a brick mortar business some of the old practices are still good.
I think it depends on what you’re trying to get out of it. Most content can find an audience, some of my favourite videos are 50 minute videos of people just talking about their day. If you’re looking to reach as many people as possible, yeah, whole different game.
Kevin, you are killing it! Thank you for being kind enough to share the back end or your business. You have so many brilliant nuggets to share. Perhaps a business book next?? I would buy the heck out of that!
the bit that goes from 8:40 to the end is super good to hear I've been looking through the thumbnails and view counts of people doing the same thing as me... and it turns out I need to be doing something else lol I guess another way to say this is: if someone's the smallest fish in a small pond maybe it's time to grab the empty pond next door so I'll be trying to create a niche adjacent to me, based on my best video in the hopes of creating a sort of sub niche guess I gotta get good by not trying to do the same thing but worse than the other people in the niche haha thanks for the advice!
Love this Kevin. I feel like I personally started as an artist and was frustrated no one watched… I’m finally nailing down what people actually want and trying to cater my content more in that direction. Super helpful video
Always love hearing your take. One thing that struck me was the balance between giving your audience what they want but still being true to your content. If you drastically change your content or style to gather a bigger audience, that audience will then demand more and more of that type of content until you've morphed into a strange bastardization of you what you love to create.
As a creator in an educational space its tempting to remake the video that gets mass views over and over but its usually the narrow topics that only a minority of regular viewers need to have access to that end up making you an authority in your space. Those niched down videos have lower immediate mass appeal but the long term advantage of making them is that you differentiate your content from the creators that just reinvent the wheel over and over and over. I guess one point im making is that we educators should make what the audience needs to see even if they dont know it yet. Thats what i try to do and it works to grow, it improves credibility and reputation, but few things go viral. Your thoughts?
There's a channel I've been subbed to for years. Back when he first started his channel, his videos were the epitome of artistic, emotional and absolutely stunning. He gardens, illustrates, cooks ethnic cuisines, grows his own cut flowers, and on and on and the videos were pure entertainment. Out of the blue, he uploaded a really snarky video pretty much saying that if he didn't get more likes and subs he was going to quit. I was shocked because I always thought he did those videos as an expression of his own personality but I was way off! LOL He was downright pissed af that he wasn't getting more interest.
For me, it’s the success journey. All of it. Struggle, failure and success. Watching you build up your project from empty land to what it is now. It gives me hope for my own project that’s starting similarly. I like the different takes between your channels. One for the gardening, one for the homestead and this one for a guide to your success. Like you said, you offer a little something for everyone in different ways to stay relevant.
Definitely. You have to think like that for selling any product, which content is. People who try to sell things and don’t pay attention to what the public wants probably won’t do well.
Good Morning Mr Kevin.. I will admit- I feel like this old lady just stepped into Science class;because I was lost with some of the media vocabulary, lol. Boy oh boy do I have homework to do now; but I’m never too old to learn something. Have a wonderful day, see ya on the next one.
love your channel Kevin , slowly becoming a favourite creator of mine in just a span of watching the last 4 videos. Always got some meta info and unique insights on content creation. I'm genuinely interested in the fusion between content creation, storytelling, and building a brand and you seem to be the right guy with what you've accomplished 🔔✅
Great stuff Kevin! Love hearing your honest, raw thoughts without all of the noise of overly produced editing. The "content clown" videos on TH-cam that you mentioned are tiring. I agree, people want to connect with personalities on here.
im just getting into starting my own gardening TH-cam channel. One of the things I enjoy most about other Gardner accounts is just seeing the plants. I don’t care about the voice or face. As a matter of fact I prefer it not to be a part of the video. Do you not think there’s still room to differentiate yourself without showing your face? For me the differentiator comes with the plants and gardens, etc.
I would love a “what to do and where to eat” when visiting San Diego. I’m visiting in a couple of weeks with my little fam and would love to hear your opinion on what we should do. P.S. you’ve been a huge influence in being willing to try new things in the garden. Last year I grew 8 varieties of tomatoes… I blame you, but I don’t regret it 😆
I just think this channel’s content is such a compliment to your other channels. As an OG to your Epic Gardening channel. It gives such perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree with you 👍 and yes, in general the gardening shorts are bad😂. It’s like no one ever stops to think “who would watch these? (Other than die hard fans)” I’ve been working on making some better ones Thanks for sharing
The voice you use as an example of someone quote, thirstin' fo them views..., is hilarious!! I noticed your videos about YT are performing the best, and I thought you'd start releasing more of those as a result. I'm glad I'm wrong.
As always, thanks for the insight! I personally have trouble keeping my videos under 25-30 minutes. I know that the basic answer is "it depends", but is it better to fight myself and work really hard to be more succinct, or better to break the longer videos up into shorter ones? You mentioned "having some flair" and I guess that's where I get in trouble - I try to add on to "ok here's something you've seen 5 videos on; I'm going to give a deeper dive/further explanation" and I think of that as my differentiation/flair, but I suppose it could just come off as droning on 😁
It's very very difficult to answer questions like this, because there are simply too many variables to consider that I don't know. In general I would say focus on delivering as much value per minute as possible, my suspicion is that a 25-minute video could probably be slimmed down
I feel like the "creator" is going to be able to more easily make a living (assuming they market well) because the "artist" has to be what I call a "rock star" to really be successful. It's not enough to be good at what you create if you're doing it for you, you have to be exceptionally charismatic while you present yourself, or you have to be exceptionally good at what you present. And that's on top of getting that viral hit video, there is no shortage of arguably exceptional "artist" TH-camrs who have criminally small subscriber counts because the PTB algorithms that run these networks crunch the numbers and find them wanting for some reason. Sooner or later, TH-cam will determine that they cost more than the algorithm thinks they're worth, and they'll be "persuaded" to pay more for the privilege of having videos hosted here or go elsewhere. I'm not saying that the "creator" role is easy, far from it (it's still a business that favors "rock stars"), but they are more inclined to respond to audience/consumer/advertiser demand than the "artist".
it's a shame that you have to play the game, if you didn't you would understand that short form content is an absolutely discussing format. it kills your brain
Hey Kevin, I wanted to give you a heads up that I sent an email to your team at The Beet podcast (which I love btw) encouraging them to seek out Black guests as there haven't been any to this point and there are plenty of gardeners that would fit the bill. I sent a few examples. I didn't get a response so just wanted to flag that here.
@@kevinmespiritu That's great, I think I misunderstood the format. I thought the TH-cam channel was the totality of the show and I didn't see any Black guests there. My apologies for missing that the podcast has way more episodes elsewhere, I access all of my podcasts through TH-cam. I will go check those episoes out now. Thank you for the reply.
Ah no, we have literally 2,000 episodes! On the audio feed. Only did video for last couple months. Regardless always looking for diverse perspectives. @@darind4920
I for one am glad some of you (creators) are finally talking about this subject of content and content creation. Particularly gardeners because that's what I consume. So many years of comments finally addressed.
Are you trying to tell me, if I hop on Vine right now, in 2024, and start planking it will not do well? I will be the #1 ranked planker. It may only require 2 views, but I will show you. ;) Hell yeah. I want this kind of content platform wide. I don’t want a scheduled appearance with a neatly laid out script. Always love getting the free tips about business. Easily paid my acquisition cost: knowledge. Congrats on the book my friend.
Thank you, Kevin, for all the great content and advice! I have been working on starting my own channel, but I find it so intimidating. I want people to WANT to watch and to feel the time they spent watching has added value. My next steps are figuring out how to edit, and be more comfortable in front of the camera without my ADHD taking over and causing me to be scatterbrained… Thank you, again, for being genuine in who you are and what you do! You give me hope! 😊
Good stuff! This is the channel of yours I actually watch all the videos (your other stuff is great I just don't grow veggies. 😅). I definitely fall under the "mostly" faceless content... but for me it's a completely intentional choice and I accept the drawbacks it gives.
@@kevinmespiritu Thanks! For me it's actually just privacy for my kids. Small space, small house, homeschool all four of them... I don't want them featured on social media. Faceless content is how I can do content... eventually we'll move and I'll have a bit more space for it and then I know I'll switch.
Thanks, Kevin! Appreciate what you said about how those who follow all the trends get lost in the crowd. I love making cookie and cake tutorials for people, but I have found myself feeling 'forced' to do a trend even when I don't want to. Your words were a confirmation to keep doing what I want to do and stand out🙂
Great topic! I’m an indie filmmaker (on hiatus, but getting back in the saddle), so your advice really resonates with me. Lately when writing, I’ve struggled finding my footing with what sells vs what I’d like to watch/make. You’re absolutely right, distinction is key. There are tons of videos and films that largely go unrecognized or forgotten. When you mentioned distinction it made me think; a long time ago a professor (and now friend) of mine said Danny Trejo isn’t the most handsome actor by conventional beauty standards. His distinction/unique qualities give him presence. No one else looks like Danny Trejo, and that’s what makes him eye catching and memorable. Anyway, I reckon I got off on a Machete tangent 😂. The struggle is real. Thanks for putting it all out there!
Great advice Kevin! You described alot of what I needed to hear and work on thus the artistic music playing... walking thru field type✌️. I do want to connect to others in that way but also want to encourage people to try gardening if they've wanted to but feel they aren't skilled enough. I couldn't keep a houseplant alive in 2017. So goal is to maybe teach them something I've learned along the way. Lastly, Hoda and Jenna are on the Today show btw 🤭, I had to jab you with that tho lol. ❤OGG
@@kevinmespiritu it's okay. I thought it was cute (made me chuckle). Thank you for your wealth of information. I have your notifications on "all". Because I learn so much from you across all your platforms. Happy Planting. All things colorful connect others and this proves it!
You have built an affinity with your audience here because you are so different. I have watched so many folks talking about how to be successful on TH-cam and most of them approach it much differently than you do. Too much "You can get 1,000 subscribers in 30 days" etc. script reading. What sets you apart is you keep it real. You have the "I am just a hugely successful TH-camr and businessman who wants to see more of you succeed" vibe. Like a friend who takes you aside and says, "I see you struggling on TH-cam, and I know it is important to you that you learn and improve, so let me help and tell you a few things I have learned". Keep them coming. I have learned so much from you.
The difference is I don't and won't have a course to sell you
I totally agree with you, he is like an “adopt a son”. Everyone wishes he was theirs!!!❤️
@@kevinmespiritui think the difference is also you’ve done it! and you’ve done it in a neutral niche so it’s like proven success. all these other creators only work in the creator niche
“I’m not a Pokémon!” 😹😹 That’s right!
Love what you’ve done on this channel. Learning about the creator gives more depth to all you do.
Keep up the fantastic chats. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you Kevin. Keep pulling on this thread.
I can't get enough of this stuff. I love it. So analytical, insightful, and philosophical all at once.
🙏🏼
loving todays rant my man
Appreciate it boss
In an age of loneliness, I hope I can find a niche of a creator that cares for his audience. In turn, I hope I can empower the audience to care for themselves.
Great thoughts Kevin, very true. Creator modality is def what I find easiest to figure out. Toughest challenge with that is the realization years later when you’ve built something you don’t want to do for the rest of your life. So I think most will be long term successful from a balance between the two. I think most artists still need to focus more on learning how to cater to an audience without it loosing their soul as well. Learning how to make the money becomes such a vital long term part if you want to make stuff you believe in.
Completely agree
Hey Kevin, came across this channel when i started 75Hard the other day and recognized you from EG when i watched back in 2020. I like your transparent, no bs content, you have lots of value to share 🤘
Appreciate it 👍🏼
I’ve been really enjoying this channel. Please keep it coming.
Thanks, will do!
Thanks Kevin.
interesting bc you say don’t cater to the audiences preferences (audience capture) but also you say don’t make it about you do it for them (hit the bell 100x in a 100 diff ways) so how are you defining (in actionable terms) the line? great video as always and appreciate you always making the effort to help out and give down to earth advice.
This is where it all gets hard. I actually want to make a video about prescriptive advice and the flaws in it!
@@kevinmespirituthanks kevin! looking forward to it. i know there’s gotta be some options other than taking prescriptive advice or just doing whatever you want.
Very glad I found your channel :) Love these chats!
Welcome aboard!
How you compete with big brands as newbies in TH-cam@@kevinmespiritu
Thanks Kevin, great advice. I am a creative but I also want to do this for the rest of my life and I hope I can (I don't plan to retire)! I just need to work out how to grow (ironic.. for a gardening channel haha). I love what you are doing. I know im doing good, I have people tell me they were inspired to start a garden or try growing a new flower or do some weeding. I just want to reach more people! I'd like to move into products at some stage. (ps, im aussie.. glad you like the raised garden beds so many of us use here!!).
No way! Cool to meet an Aussie gardener
Appreciate the content. I’m working through the cringe era of figuring out the on camera presence and so on so appreciate the insight
Embrace the cringe
@@kevinmespiritu😂
How should I know what people want? I don't even know what I want haha 😂😭
It's a journey lol
I notice that the language of "Creator --> Content --> Consumed" resembles the packaged food industry, especially convenience food and snack food. If so, today's Content Creators have similar value propositions and market forces as Pepsi, Nestle, or ConAgra, whose value proposition = quick + superficial satisfaction without much in the way of lasting benefits. Certainly not all video creators follow this model, but it does help explain why there is so much trend chasing and desperation to achieve mass appeal. And for any video creator who wants to offer MORE benefits than, say, potato chips and soft drinks, you can ask yourself very productive questions: "What is the lasting value of my content library? To what extent am I willing to give up immediate popularity in favor of lasting value? What can make my relationship with my fans truly healthy, nutritious, and sustaining for me and them?"
The more you cater to mass, the less specific and more general you have to be, so an apt description!
❤smart fellow
thank you for making these videos! I had been watching your gardening videos for a long time, and I have found these business videos extremely helpful. I'm a writer, but I'm starting to play around with other media - in particular long-format video. If you have time (or if anyone else reading wants to help), I have a question. How do you decide on the split of 95% audience-driven content vs 5% art for you? Some background about where I'm coming from....
I'm that artist / mystical / creative type you were talking about. I mostly just write books and teach courses that I want to exist, and thankfully, that's working - I make a sustainable living as a mystic weirdo.
However, I have some things that I want to say which I would like to more people to hear. So, in 2024, I'm starting to actively court an audience on youtube (I had 480 subscribers on Jan 1 - I have 723 now). But, I don't want to stop making weird art! Rather, I thought I could just start adding some more mainstream / less challenging content (that is, more mainstream in my niche. I teach witchcraft for a living - I am never going to be on Good Morning America, lol). But, I'm struggling to find a balance between the two. So, that's my question - how to you settle into the 95% / 5% split you discussed?
Well that is MY split doesn't have to be yours! There's no real formula here unfortunately, I wish there was!
👍🏻
Fix your audio please.But the content is amazing.
Eventually I will
I go back and forth 😂 designing garden protection because im way out, and unlike other designers I dont want small animals in my outdoor garden kitchen 😂 like no we need this ..we do 😂 ...at the same time testing and studying so thanks for the thoughts. I do garden glamping for tantra trance therapies, its very strange doing these out there topics and testing viral content...people like simple. Have lots of testing channels.. i am still finding the difference....between Clients i get from viral vs my super nichy crazy tantric stuff. Would take years if its even possible to track since i have long term clients. There should be a way to just make sure of the right niche since there is seemingly everything out there..im testing in meditation, maybe camping, and a talking through techniques channel....to name a few. This is baffling for me. I studied Ayurveda which is like all the natural therapies combined 🤯
Lot of niches! Love it
Loads of niches, but why many channels? Now you'll never know... You are the product, providing the services to people! There will be individuals just like you, interested in more than just one bit! Why not flow them together more?
@@Fire-Queen because a lot of the things I study are censored ❤️ I afraid to even teach health anymore...new channels have blown past other channels I spent years on overnight. Just herbs alone can be risky to say they heal this and that. And who knows what restrictions things like that could face one day. A lot of health consultants have had to change things up.
But MTV actually did screw up! People loved the music and videos. They should have stayed with that format
TH-cam, Spotify, etc deleted that niche on TV
@@kevinmespiritu
Now yes but back then It was just bad decision making on the part of the people in charge. They decided to appease the people that liked that sort of thing,real world and all that which spawned Kardashians. I and most of the people I knew hated. They tried to come back with other stuff but it wasn't the same. Oh well.
Loving these videos - keep em coming! Also can't wait to see the photoshopped pics of you as a pokemon that your community are going to put together 🤣🐲
Can't wait for that lmao
What you are describing sounds like “read the room” 😀. I used to train distributor reps on wood flooring for Armstrong and I learned to read the room and adjust every quarter. One time I used The Who song “who are you” music and wore a magenta wig - the message was to reinvent themselves with the customer and sales that quarter doubled. I learned to take a temperature of the market regularly and stretch to stay relevant. Regardless of the channel be it TH-cam or starting a brick mortar business some of the old practices are still good.
It's funny how little classic wisdom actually changes!
Love hearing your thoughts on this channel. Had a good cackle at “thirstin’ for them views”
Enjoying you pouring energy into this channel more and sharing what you’ve learned. Especially the real talk.
I appreciate that
I think it depends on what you’re trying to get out of it. Most content can find an audience, some of my favourite videos are 50 minute videos of people just talking about their day. If you’re looking to reach as many people as possible, yeah, whole different game.
Agree
8:07 great phrase! Platform capture is like pandering to the "algorithm"
Thanks for the great content Kevin. Taking a lot of inspiration from you & Epic. Keep it up!
Glad you're enjoying!
Kevin, you are killing it! Thank you for being kind enough to share the back end or your business. You have so many brilliant nuggets to share. Perhaps a business book next?? I would buy the heck out of that!
Unlikely I will ever write that, but never say never!
the bit that goes from 8:40 to the end is super good to hear
I've been looking through the thumbnails and view counts of people doing the same thing as me... and it turns out I need to be doing something else lol
I guess another way to say this is: if someone's the smallest fish in a small pond maybe it's time to grab the empty pond next door
so I'll be trying to create a niche adjacent to me, based on my best video in the hopes of creating a sort of sub niche
guess I gotta get good by not trying to do the same thing but worse than the other people in the niche haha
thanks for the advice!
Love to hear that reflection, and good luck!
@@kevinmespiritu thanks!
Love this Kevin. I feel like I personally started as an artist and was frustrated no one watched… I’m finally nailing down what people actually want and trying to cater my content more in that direction. Super helpful video
Glad it helped boss.
Always love hearing your take. One thing that struck me was the balance between giving your audience what they want but still being true to your content. If you drastically change your content or style to gather a bigger audience, that audience will then demand more and more of that type of content until you've morphed into a strange bastardization of you what you love to create.
Yup, you become a 'content clown'
As a creator in an educational space its tempting to remake the video that gets mass views over and over but its usually the narrow topics that only a minority of regular viewers need to have access to that end up making you an authority in your space. Those niched down videos have lower immediate mass appeal but the long term advantage of making them is that you differentiate your content from the creators that just reinvent the wheel over and over and over. I guess one point im making is that we educators should make what the audience needs to see even if they dont know it yet. Thats what i try to do and it works to grow, it improves credibility and reputation, but few things go viral. Your thoughts?
I tend to agree here!
I wish someone at all my former favorite companies would hear this. *cough* *cough* BLIZZARD ENTRRTAINMENT *cough*
Such amazing growth on a new channel mate.Shows what 12 years of work shows in skillset. brill stuff
Appreciate brother
There's a channel I've been subbed to for years. Back when he first started his channel, his videos were the epitome of artistic, emotional and absolutely stunning. He gardens, illustrates, cooks ethnic cuisines, grows his own cut flowers, and on and on and the videos were pure entertainment. Out of the blue, he uploaded a really snarky video pretty much saying that if he didn't get more likes and subs he was going to quit. I was shocked because I always thought he did those videos as an expression of his own personality but I was way off! LOL He was downright pissed af that he wasn't getting more interest.
Exactly the type of person I'm talking about!!
For me, it’s the success journey. All of it. Struggle, failure and success. Watching you build up your project from empty land to what it is now. It gives me hope for my own project that’s starting similarly.
I like the different takes between your channels. One for the gardening, one for the homestead and this one for a guide to your success. Like you said, you offer a little something for everyone in different ways to stay relevant.
Glad you're enjoying!
In all Industries, Gaming The System has been the sleazy way to go and it works. Be The Snake Oil Salesman! Think of it this way, Sex Sells! Period.
I’m really enjoying this channel, good work!
Glad to hear it!
Definitely. You have to think like that for selling any product, which content is. People who try to sell things and don’t pay attention to what the public wants probably won’t do well.
I guess that's where doimg surveys to your audience come in on, I'd think that's a no brainer.
Good Morning Mr Kevin.. I will admit- I feel like this old lady just stepped into Science class;because I was lost with some of the media vocabulary, lol. Boy oh boy do I have homework to do now; but I’m never too old to learn something. Have a wonderful day, see ya on the next one.
Appreciate seeing you here!
love your channel Kevin , slowly becoming a favourite creator of mine in just a span of watching the last 4 videos. Always got some meta info and unique insights on content creation. I'm genuinely interested in the fusion between content creation, storytelling, and building a brand and you seem to be the right guy with what you've accomplished 🔔✅
Glad you're enjoying!
This was really helpful to me, thank you Kevin!
Glad it was helpful!
Great stuff Kevin! Love hearing your honest, raw thoughts without all of the noise of overly produced editing. The "content clown" videos on TH-cam that you mentioned are tiring. I agree, people want to connect with personalities on here.
I appreciate that!
im just getting into starting my own gardening TH-cam channel. One of the things I enjoy most about other Gardner accounts is just seeing the plants. I don’t care about the voice or face. As a matter of fact I prefer it not to be a part of the video. Do you not think there’s still room to differentiate yourself without showing your face? For me the differentiator comes with the plants and gardens, etc.
Try it! I doubt it tho
I would love a “what to do and where to eat” when visiting San Diego. I’m visiting in a couple of weeks with my little fam and would love to hear your opinion on what we should do. P.S. you’ve been a huge influence in being willing to try new things in the garden. Last year I grew 8 varieties of tomatoes… I blame you, but I don’t regret it 😆
I could DEF do that!
I just think this channel’s content is such a compliment to your other channels. As an OG to your Epic Gardening channel. It gives such perspective. Thanks for sharing!
So nice of you
You’re excellent. Thank you.
Totally agree with you 👍 and yes, in general the gardening shorts are bad😂. It’s like no one ever stops to think “who would watch these? (Other than die hard fans)” I’ve been working on making some better ones
Thanks for sharing
I've had my fair share of bad shorts, but when I look out there I'm like damn, they really are bad these days
Loving these, thank you!!!!
"You cannot capture me."
Dammit. I lost my Charizard and a Kespiritu would really bring the room together in my collection.
🥲
The voice you use as an example of someone quote, thirstin' fo them views..., is hilarious!! I noticed your videos about YT are performing the best, and I thought you'd start releasing more of those as a result. I'm glad I'm wrong.
I will not be controlled!
@@kevinmespiritu I'm happy to see that you have a line that will not be crossed.
Man, some hard truths & great lessons.
🤝
As always, thanks for the insight!
I personally have trouble keeping my videos under 25-30 minutes. I know that the basic answer is "it depends", but is it better to fight myself and work really hard to be more succinct, or better to break the longer videos up into shorter ones?
You mentioned "having some flair" and I guess that's where I get in trouble - I try to add on to "ok here's something you've seen 5 videos on; I'm going to give a deeper dive/further explanation" and I think of that as my differentiation/flair, but I suppose it could just come off as droning on 😁
It's very very difficult to answer questions like this, because there are simply too many variables to consider that I don't know. In general I would say focus on delivering as much value per minute as possible, my suspicion is that a 25-minute video could probably be slimmed down
@@kevinmespiritu I figured it was too broad of a question! Thanks for your response.
I feel like the "creator" is going to be able to more easily make a living (assuming they market well) because the "artist" has to be what I call a "rock star" to really be successful. It's not enough to be good at what you create if you're doing it for you, you have to be exceptionally charismatic while you present yourself, or you have to be exceptionally good at what you present. And that's on top of getting that viral hit video, there is no shortage of arguably exceptional "artist" TH-camrs who have criminally small subscriber counts because the PTB algorithms that run these networks crunch the numbers and find them wanting for some reason. Sooner or later, TH-cam will determine that they cost more than the algorithm thinks they're worth, and they'll be "persuaded" to pay more for the privilege of having videos hosted here or go elsewhere.
I'm not saying that the "creator" role is easy, far from it (it's still a business that favors "rock stars"), but they are more inclined to respond to audience/consumer/advertiser demand than the "artist".
A very astute comment
Great video Kevin
it's a shame that you have to play the game, if you didn't you would understand that short form content is an absolutely discussing format. it kills your brain
Depends on the type you are watching!
💚💚💚
Part of me feels guilty for wanting to be more on the creator side than the artist side.
Nothing wrong with this
Kevin, you are a savage. I like it.
🤝
This resonated so much. I keep starting & stopping because I haven’t found my sweet spot. I have to figure this out. Thanks, Kevin.
Hey Kevin, I wanted to give you a heads up that I sent an email to your team at The Beet podcast (which I love btw) encouraging them to seek out Black guests as there haven't been any to this point and there are plenty of gardeners that would fit the bill. I sent a few examples. I didn't get a response so just wanted to flag that here.
We've had Black guests on the show, actually!
@@kevinmespiritu That's great, I think I misunderstood the format. I thought the TH-cam channel was the totality of the show and I didn't see any Black guests there. My apologies for missing that the podcast has way more episodes elsewhere, I access all of my podcasts through TH-cam. I will go check those episoes out now. Thank you for the reply.
Ah no, we have literally 2,000 episodes! On the audio feed. Only did video for last couple months. Regardless always looking for diverse perspectives. @@darind4920
@@kevinmespirituwonderful, I have a lot of catching up to do. Thanks again for clarifying.
I for one am glad some of you (creators) are finally talking about this subject of content and content creation. Particularly gardeners because that's what I consume.
So many years of comments finally addressed.
Are you trying to tell me, if I hop on Vine right now, in 2024, and start planking it will not do well? I will be the #1 ranked planker. It may only require 2 views, but I will show you. ;)
Hell yeah. I want this kind of content platform wide. I don’t want a scheduled appearance with a neatly laid out script. Always love getting the free tips about business. Easily paid my acquisition cost: knowledge. Congrats on the book my friend.
Appreciate it! Glad you're enjoying
Thank you, Kevin, for all the great content and advice! I have been working on starting my own channel, but I find it so intimidating. I want people to WANT to watch and to feel the time they spent watching has added value.
My next steps are figuring out how to edit, and be more comfortable in front of the camera without my ADHD taking over and causing me to be scatterbrained…
Thank you, again, for being genuine in who you are and what you do! You give me hope! 😊
Sounds like you're well on the way my friend!
Good stuff! This is the channel of yours I actually watch all the videos (your other stuff is great I just don't grow veggies. 😅). I definitely fall under the "mostly" faceless content... but for me it's a completely intentional choice and I accept the drawbacks it gives.
That I can respect! If you accept then all good. Plus you seem to be growing quite well!
@@kevinmespiritu Thanks! For me it's actually just privacy for my kids. Small space, small house, homeschool all four of them... I don't want them featured on social media. Faceless content is how I can do content... eventually we'll move and I'll have a bit more space for it and then I know I'll switch.
Thanks, Kevin! Appreciate what you said about how those who follow all the trends get lost in the crowd. I love making cookie and cake tutorials for people, but I have found myself feeling 'forced' to do a trend even when I don't want to. Your words were a confirmation to keep doing what I want to do and stand out🙂
Love to hear this
Great topic! I’m an indie filmmaker (on hiatus, but getting back in the saddle), so your advice really resonates with me. Lately when writing, I’ve struggled finding my footing with what sells vs what I’d like to watch/make. You’re absolutely right, distinction is key. There are tons of videos and films that largely go unrecognized or forgotten. When you mentioned distinction it made me think; a long time ago a professor (and now friend) of mine said Danny Trejo isn’t the most handsome actor by conventional beauty standards. His distinction/unique qualities give him presence. No one else looks like Danny Trejo, and that’s what makes him eye catching and memorable. Anyway, I reckon I got off on a Machete tangent 😂. The struggle is real. Thanks for putting it all out there!
Trejo is an amazing example of this
Thank you for all of this 👍👍
Loving the vent sesh. 👌🏻
Great advice Kevin! You described alot of what I needed to hear and work on thus the artistic music playing... walking thru field type✌️. I do want to connect to others in that way but also want to encourage people to try gardening if they've wanted to but feel they aren't skilled enough. I couldn't keep a houseplant alive in 2017. So goal is to maybe teach them something I've learned along the way. Lastly, Hoda and Jenna are on the Today show btw 🤭, I had to jab you with that tho lol.
❤OGG
Hahaha you're right I forgot
@@kevinmespiritu it's okay. I thought it was cute (made me chuckle). Thank you for your wealth of information. I have your notifications on "all". Because I learn so much from you across all your platforms. Happy Planting. All things colorful connect others and this proves it!
✌🏾
That 7 paragraph caption is meant to have people read it while the video loops, increasing watch time.
I'm an elite hacker
@@kevinmespiritu😂 10:27