I would love to see When Your Business Path took Unexpected Turns. For instances when did you have to pivot your gardening content. Whether due to algorithm changes, market shifts, or personal growth. Another, video I would be interested in seeing is a Behind the Scenes, The Fear of Failure in Business. you could peel back the curtain and reveal vulnerable moments and times you feared a project might flop, a video might tank, or a business idea might crumble.
Would love to hear how you have dealt with the big changes or evolved as the businesses have shifted and changed over the years. Mindset, routines, how you managed things to stay true to yourself (or not if maybe that spun out some), maybe thoughts on how you would have done things differently looking back? I like the ecosystem idea, but do you see a time you could have branched out before to avoid feeling like things need to shift?
Agreed, doing coins on this channel. Then my 2nd channel I M videos, has random and facts getting faster views than my coin channel. Just started that last year and this channel for just 3 months with half views, idk what's going on out here but people still come here when they are tired of regular streaming live TV, we'll see
I'm in the camp you're talking about and the pivot over the last 6 months has been one of the best decisions of my adult life. I've been doing TH-cam fore about 10 years as well, built a team, bought an office and after covid, the income started drying up. I struggled with it for a LONG time and was kind of in denial that a change was needed. We downsized the team, and the video creation pace.. and it was the BEST move I could make. I hope your new changes are a positive step for you and the business. Thanks for articulating this, on behalf of someone who's experienced it 👍🏼
I was already burning out before COVID. COVID made it super clear I needed to scale back and lean down. BEST. DECISION. EVER. Great points made in this video!
They are quiting..... because some people are fed up, that people are pointing finger on everybody to make profit instead of finding healthy solutions that help our society and community and inspire people in healthy way. we became a society of "pointing finger on everybody" because its profitable, but it doesn´t make the society happy and productive,
we are suposed to find solution to healthy lifestyle. not pointing finger on our neighbors, on certain group of people, on old people, or on young people, on vegetarian people, on broken people on healthy people we are supposed to feel empathy and find solutions It solves nothing, it just contributes to more and more problems and less and less happiness, less and less satisfaction. I am fed up that youtube constantly sends me videos where people trow trash on each other and analyze celebrities and nonsense. We all do it at some point, but some people do it so often that they dont realize how unhappy it makes them feel.
The best move you made ? Seriously ? You did not notice that after the covid, platforms like TH-cam or TikTok teamed up with people from third world to STEAL you and bring these platform Billions and billions of $ thank to copyright infringement ? You want my opinion ? You made a really bad move, you were inside a powerful trend that was destroyed by thieve. You just had to fight back but instead you decided to abandon....
If TH-cam wants to keep creators, they need to make it more worth their time. I feel like the compensation for the work that many creators are doing is very disproportionate.
@@kevinmespiritu I just watched another long time content creator talking about this and he was saying that he could make 4 videos a month and make $XX but he could make 8 videos and make less money because of the way the algorithm sends the videos to his viewers. I also feel like TH-cam used to prioritize short form content, and now they want more long form videos.
@@Cherrys4Me8P I think that depends on the viewers. I don’t watch “shorts” personally. Like ever. If the video isn’t at least 10 minutes long then I generally don’t watch. My sweet spot for consuming seems to be videos between 25 and 35 minutes.
@@dr.westwood I agree, but apparently TH-cam doesn't put the videos in viewers' feeds the same. Like you could have 100k subscribers and make a video that is 12 minutes long and TH-cam will but it in the feed of half of your followers, but if you make a video that is 8 or 16 minutes, TH-cam will only have it show up in 10% of your subscribers feeds. (Those are just random numbers.) They have the bell icon to turn on "some" and "all" notification, and I have personally noticed that if you select "some" you get notification very haphazardly.
This really spoke to me. I had a big career in IT and I burned out and ended up retiring early. I have since got into gardening content creation as a sort of hobby and it’s slowly becoming a legit business and sometimes I can feel that pull for bigger and bigger but I remind myself what’s really important and why I started my channel to begin with. Love this new content. Keep it coming.
As an artist and workshop teacher and attendee I can corroborate this thought. People are workshopping like mad now. I think it could be because you watch all these videos and then you want to get hands on and give stuff a go. If you don’t want to make a massive investment and you want to try stuff then workshops are the way to go.
I can see burnout easily, especially when you're running business and shooting content. I am happy you're evolving to be able to have work-life balance. I'm super proud all you accomplished alone & and I can't wait to see how you GROW with your team. I found you doing houseplants and will continue to support you, your Epic store, and botanical interest. You're an inspiration to us all. Please consider bringing in TH-cam farmers as well, Andrew at the veggie boys and Farmer Dre share lots of practical advice for gardeners, too.
Thank you. Malcolm left you tube and broke my heart. He was my inspiration and at 75 I needed to see him working a garden at that level. Each of you teach in different ways and are a blessing to those of us who watch and learn and apply your knowledge. To you I owe my microgreens!
This is SO well said, Kevin! And it's really freeing to hear someone put words on those thoughts and feelings. I find it incredibly hard to handle the guilt of realizing that the content creation equation just doesn't make sense anymore while still being grateful for the opportunities YT brought to the table for me 🫠 Thank you for this video, I hope you keep doing what makes you happy, not what pleases the algorithms!
I've watched your EG channel for years & years -- before 2020 -- and it's been fun to see you grow in expertise & in how you present on camera. Creators like you who were doing what you love and getting paid for it inspired me to create my own channel, so I'll take your perspective to heart. I'm hoping to grow my team into 3 full-time and 2 freelancers in the future, and this further confirms that I want to stay lean and close. Thanks for the unscripted thoughts, Kevin! I hope 2024 brings huge changes and more happiness. 🤗
I'm only in my 3rd year doing TH-cam and now realize how much work it is to make videos. My channel is very small and growing organically. But, I do know what you're saying. I'll be 65 this year so i decided this year that I want to have more time to enjoy my own garden which I missed the past couple years. I also worked part-time at a garden center. It's a lot of work juggling everything. I think all of us creators are work-a-holics and like to stay busy, but there comes a point where it gets to be too much. Do you and enjoy life!
Same here - I started my small crafting/decorating channel two years ago while working full time. I retired in August and thought I’d have time to crank out 2 videos a week. I’m struggling just trying to film and edit content for one video a week. It’s really difficult to keep up the pace and still have time to stock a small retail space to sell my crafted/painted items.
@@karoleenascottage I know the feeling. 2 years for me too and I'm going to try and not be so formal and scripted and see how that goes. I do have a new appreciation for TH-camrs. It's a lot of work . I only do one video a week. I work part time , so that's all I can put out a week.
I'm so happy to see this video! For me, this is my first time creating a TH-cam channel, and watching the very small number of views every day is really agonizing. I finally understand that being a TH-camr is not an easy task. In the office, you can slack off, but here, every day your mind is filled with content, content, content! I will keep evolving myself to make the videos better! 🌟
Defining "enough" is important. In your career and your finances. The question is, would you keep doing what you are doing if the cameras were off? If yes, then keep it stress-free and go at your own pace.
Love this Kevin. I’m just sitting here showing my son (who wants to start a TH-cam channel). I myself was a creator (on a smaller scale) on Facebook, rose quickly, lots of stress, burned out. The worst of it hit right before the pandemic (culminating in my mother passing away) which forced me to take stock of what was really important. I’ve since ‘closed’ that online business, though I keep my renamed socials going. My original followers were mostly there for me not what I was doing as such, so they remain a welcoming audience for any shenanigans I feel like sharing. Ive been diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, which along with the pandemic encouraged me to start a garden. I’m now two years in, producing nearly 80% of our vegetables and herbs (we don’t have space for fruit on our suburban block). I’ve been following you for most of those two years. I’m really happy for you and the choices you’re making heading forward. On a much smaller scale I know what burnout can do to you, and it’s very brave and wise to take steps to protect yourself when the noise keeps telling you to push forward, build higher. Can’t wait to see what’s next ❤
You shouldnt tell your kid to give up on a TH-cam dream just because it didnt work out for YOU. Every person is different. The creator market is growing. Sure TH-cam itself needs to make changes, but cmon. Let people make their own choices .
I’ve been watching Epic Gardening for a while but just discovered your personal channel here. I have a hard time managing my small channel so I can’t imagine what it’s like for creators like you and other big names. I absolutely relate to the creative, introvert type of creator you mentioned at the end there and struggle with the business mentality of it all. I am happy that you will be taking some time for yourself and excited to see the epic gardening ecosystem evolve!
As one of the creators that blew up, I 10000000% resonate with this. It's EXACTLY what happened to me and now I'm back in office and I can't put out like I used to. I had to have a real conversation with myself about what's realistic now and I'm finding peace in scaling down.
I have absolutely no interest in gardening (I'm a crocheter and knitter and watch a lot of those type of channels), but your title intrigued me. This was well done and your honesty and intelligence are appreciated. As I watch other creators, I often wonder what it takes. Obviously it takes a lot more than what we see. Thank you!
So mental to think I’ve been on TH-cam since 2007 and deleted all my content and started the channel again in 2012. So many changes in TH-cam some good some bad. Amazing how you have to improve and adapt over the years. Great video Kevin
Really interesting perspective. What happened in 2020 seemed extremely niche dependent. Those of us doing travel / tourism content saw views absolutely collapse and it took years for them to fully return to baseline. I always thought folks who saw a surge in 2020 and assumed it was going to stay that way forever were getting ahead of themselves.
i much prefer the unscripted videos you get to know the person more an helps others to relate to what your doing , i love seeing ups and the downs as we all have them lets face it , love what you do and keep it real , people will always stay where they feel welcome and relate
I can relate to this so very much. My wife & I have had a brick & mortar business for over 10 years and to others it looks easy and successful. We also opened up years ago our online nursery and scaled both businesses along with TH-cam at the same time and we had to decide whether we wanted to scale and manage or do what we love and keep things lean. Our nursery got huge during Covid and it was a nightmare scaling it and budgeting and keeping seasonal staff and figuring out retail inventory. So we scaled it down and kept it way simpler! Very encouraging to see someone like yourself in the position you are share the genuine truth about what it all is: business and it's not for everyone. It's gotta be something you truly enjoy. Thanks for creating this channel and sharing.
It really was crazy! We navigated through it, but had to adjust & adapt and converted everything to ecommerce and online. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. I can't even imagine the amount of increase you guys had on a national/international level and what you guys had to do to keep up & the scaling. You're an incredible business man and a true inspiration. @@kevinmespiritu
Have you thought about reaching out to local gardening shows across the country? It might be a way to tap into sharing the experience of older master gardeners. For instance, there are a number of experts on the central texas gardener show. A collaboration may help expand the audience of both parties invovled. I personally would love to see guests speak about building "food forests" across the many biomes of the country. Thank you for all you do.
Oh My Goodness yes! I have been creating for 9 years now and so much has changed! The one thing that has kept me creating through some of the difficult times is a connection I’ve built with our subscribers❤
I've just watched your video on how you're changing Epic Gardening, and it really resonated with me. We started our blogs at a similar time I think (10 years ago) and like you, The Middlesized Garden has taken me places I never dreamed I'd go. I think we corresponded in those early years and you were so nice and supportive, I've always remembered you. I think I've finally taken the decision not to branch out (too far) into product, merch, podcasts and so on - it's the best way to grow the business, but, as you say, it means taking on teams. I think I'd do it if I was your age, but at mine I think I'll stick to doing what I love, which is the TH-cam and the blog, without taking on extra responsibility. But good luck with it all, you deserve every bit of that success.
@@kevinmespiritu of course Kevin. I'm a fan of you and not just your content. So if you ever decide to change it up completely or leave I'll still be a big fan :)
I have been watching Epic Gardening for a few years ... from up here in Alberta, Canada. I have lemon trees started in the windows, inspired by your videos. Thanks for that, also thanks for the honest talk and keep up the great work! Very easy to listen too!
I find the problem with people doing TH-cam now is lack of strategy. They come up with ideas and upload them and post them straight away. They may be motivated for a couple months and may upload 40 videos in that time. 40 videos could be 40 or 20 weeks instead of 2/3 months. I post consistently (and after posting something, I use a lot of Famester to make my content viral and it gets spread out literally everywhere). It's not good to post everything straight away, like post it on the same day/time every week. This also helps avoid burn out...
Tom is amazing, and I'll truly miss his content. A few weeks before his departure, he unexpectedly gave me a shoutout in his newsletter. Kevin, I've been following your work for years. You are an inspiration as well! I decided to stop pressuring myself to produce content every week and am now focusing solely on creating content that brings me joy. I've begun investing more in offline ventures and adopting a leaner lifestyle. Inspired by Matt's recent video on embracing simplicity, I appreciate his approach and mindset. Recognizing that life is short, I'm taking the time to engage in activities I'm passionate about, even if they don't need to be documented in a video. I'm leaning towards the Ali route, with plans to distribute a cookbook globally, started a homestead + glamping business, and venture into selling herbs, veggies, building things people need to sell locally and online.
This is refreshing to hear as a new content creator and fellow vegan. I have a love hate thing going with TH-cam. I’m older and trying to spend most of my time on pursuing my pilots license. This TH-cam thingy is consuming and I think i need to chill out and focus on what I’m passionate about and leave it to that. If I miss a post - so what. Thanks for giving it all perspective Will:)
Glad I found you pre covid. Planting my winter So Cal garden (zone 9B) this week. My grans can plant & harvest & learn what fresh actually tastes like! Win, win all around, almost all year 'round (too hot in July & August for any real growth so I amend soil instead of planting). Appreciate the direction you are moving in.
@@kevinmespirituIt’s partly because our society changes at such a rapid pace now. Until the Industrial Revolution, the way people lived when they were born was basically the same as when they died. Now, we have to deal with paradigm-shifting emerging technologies and scientific advancements every couple of years. Think about how different our lives are compared to that of our grandparents. That is a really recent development in human history, and I don’t think we’ve figured out how to adjust to it yet as a society.
congratulations for finding what works for you and or team! not an easy move into the unknown - and thats the beauty of it - letting bigger and better things come your way a you step toward that unknown! blessings to all! your content is always awesome! thank you for all your hard work behind the scenes and - thank you also to your team!
People don’t realize the difference between being an original YT creator and a YT creator now and they don’t realize that the BIG creators are running a business that most of them will never have the motivation or knowledge to put together. Your video is exactly correct in explaining what is happening but it’s sad because viewers are losing the original random and wild creativity that YT offered us.
They're not just leaving TH-cam, they are outgrowing TH-cam and realizing that once you have some money the entrepreneurship lane is the grown up side of business. TH-cam is a place where creators can stagnate and do fine or bust way through the ceiling and become an entrepreneur of a potential corporation(s). Depends on what advice, mentorship, team etc you build.
Don't forget the corporate part. You make a channel, build it up, and sometimes you can sell it to a corporation like Smosh did. Remember Anthony Padilla left because he hated the corporate control driving what they did and demanding a rate of return for every video produced. He was lucky enough to be able to turn his high visibility into a talk show channel. TH-cam used to be the land of amateurs, to get online and do whatever you wanted, show off, pratfalls, skits, your cat. Then Google bought it (back before renaming to Alphabet) and that was, not to entertain, but to have product that would make more money. Over time it has become a platform to draw people in and lead them to your offline projects which are steadier income streams sometimes.
"Epic Gardening Ecosystem" - Love that!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they are so spot on. I am hearing a lot about how authenticity and less over produced content is going to be more prominent on youtube, which is perfect for the gardening world :) I am a really small youtuber but have approached my journey with the "1000 True Fans" attitude. Also having an authentic "why" helps keep things in perspective. I've set a goal of 1 video per week which seems to be achievable. Just like the old tortoise and the hare fable, slow and steady wins the race.
Kevin, I’ve watched your epic gardening and homesteading channels for years and your content really helped inspire me to create my own channel. I’m so glad you started this channel-I really appreciate the knowledge from someone who has been successful at this for as long as you. I’m still learning about business, and have even thought about starting another channel talking about entrepreneurship as I learn myself, because they don’t teach you this stuff at school! My biggest struggle is overcoming the scarcity mindset, sometimes I find myself afraid of taking big risks or investing in myself to make money in the future. It’s hard trying to unlearn these things you learn growing up, when you’re not surrounded by business minds. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge here. 👍
I really do think a lot of this is mindset. I'm not saying everyone can get to certain levels of success, but when I talk to younger creators I always see mindset being an issue
I'm not a vlogger and rarely in my own videos. My channel was going well until 2020. Between shadow banning etc... it's hardly worth my time anymore. I have plenty of content ready to load but why bother other than for publishers. Often I can do that privately. My channel started out as a way to share videos of my adventures with family. Now that many are deceased that motivation is gone. I've even lost 1000s of subs. I find that strange as I rarely unsub a channel. Usually, it's only if they start getting political in either direction. Whenever some young person tells me they're starting a YT channel I tell them don't quit your day job.
Great insights. There’s been a dearth of content since Thanksgiving. And more videos like the one you did that the channel is changing or won’t be uploading as much. Digital burnout is real. And nobody seems to be addressing that
Kevin, I was so stoked to see this video pop up on my fyp. I wasnt even aware that you had started this channel! I'm a huge fan of EG, just subbed to your Epic off-grid channel, I just love what you've done by branching out. My natural inclinations started with gardening, then went on to homesteading, much like your natural progression. I've been watching you since before the pandemic, and I really get where you're coming from with this. Good luck to you, man, I'll be here for it all! ❤
Thank you so much Kevin I was literally sitting here filming an unscripted video about my 24 observations of TH-cam and My motivations. So grateful for your perspective I do this for a creative outlet not for any larger corporate goal we are staying lean. I remember in the early 2 thousands I started a company called victory gardens teaching people how to install various types of gardens at their houses in the Phoenix area. Recently I've retired after 14 years of public safety. Looking around trying to best figure out how to leverage my time so I can go fishing on the beach LOL
YT piles on ads now where there used to be none since I've never monetized my videos and usually only post copyright-free content. It seems that this started July of 2023 but since I pay for Premium, I'm not really sure. I've been tempted to quit posting a few times myself but, for me anyway, it is still the best platform to use.
I've noticed that with Tom Scott and a few other creators they're not completely retiring, but stepping back. Some stepping more behind scenes or not putting themselves in such a tight posting schedule. Which is great, for us as audiences. I'd rather see content from Tom Scott every couple of months and have a really great video to watch where you can tell that he's truly enjoying the filming of it, the quality doesn't diminish. Kevin I for one would support you if you opted to do the same when you feel that it's time.
Hey Kevin - like many others commenting here, I came across Epic Gardening right around when COVID/ the houseplant craze was popping off. In the time since, it’s been amazing to see your growth personally and professionally. Moving to the homestead and starting the Epic Homestead channel, acquiring Botanical Interests, and the explosion of growth within the Epic Ecosystem - all are huge achievements, and I think you’ve documented them in such an authentic and relatable way, that so many people feel like they’ve been there with you along for the ride. This personal channel is very much appreciated, it gives us small time creators a chance to hear a unique perspective from a successful creator in (again) a very genuine/ authentic manner. Thanks again Kevin, looking forward to more of the videos that spark that intrinsic joy, and to seeing how the Ecosystem grows in 2024.
I started a youtube channel way back in beginning days. I started it a more as a sharing and educational experience. As youtube became more commercial my stress level increased and eventually life pressures, like work, school and caregiving responsibilities caused me to give it up. It was a hobby for me, not a business. What I find real frustrating about youtube now is that the algorithm changed and when I turn my smart tv on at night to watch my favorite youtubers I have to go and search for them. They don't show up automatically in my feed anymore. There is a lot out there but not everyone has the knowledge, can speak effectively and also have the technical skills to put it all together.
I have been wondering what is up with TH-cam. Thanks for letting us casual viewers know. I just did a little journey listening to other creators talk about the changes and I am back here to comment. I love your epic gardening channel very much. Glad that you are still here even with the changes. Thank you so much for all the great work and inspiration you have shared with your viewers. And thank your team as well for me. I appreciate that you mention them in your videos and I’m sure they do too.
Glad you are expanding the EG host line up. I would implore you to not only have a wide range of hosts with different planting zone experience but that they have diverse backgrounds too. It's really important to see BIPOC in this space and you have the ability to elevate their voices.
Trends go in cycles. My major channels to watch are gardening, crochet, and RVing. If the content is informative and reasonably entertaining, I stay with it. When creators seem to be posting just because it's Tuesday, and just ramble, I watch less. I'm sure being fresh all the time is exhausting. We all have our seasons, and the pace that occurred during lockdown isn't sustainable. Don't beat yourself up, Kevin.🤗
Yep I quit this year too. Glad to hear I am not the only one. I miss many of the channels that I loved to watch and it is sad so many are leaving. I am a crazy gardener myself so love your channel. I like to hear regional gardening advice because moving from upstate NY to hot Georgia almost zero of the gardening skills were applicable here. I had to figure it out on my own. I feel like a lot of people have advice that totally flops a garden in a different climate which is not great for beginners that really don't know any better. Gardening forums are full of terrible advice from northern gardeners that would never work in the south.
I’ve been really frustrated with so many of my favorite TH-camrs posting less. Many of them post once a month or less now. It’s like they no longer appreciate the fans who got them where they were, and that sucks. As a creative person myself, I understand burnout. And I understand that TH-cam isn’t paying what they used to. But many of them are still taking money from their Patreons each month and still providing very little content. This is their job, and they’re slacking, and it’s frustrating to see.
Yeah I think it's a different conversation when there is a patreon with and established commitment to the patrons. But if you don't have a patreon and you never committed to any schedule, or even if you did, creators have every right to post as much or as little as they want
Become a full time creator or start churning out near full time output WHILE doing other things and you'll be singing another song. It's so absurd how you people can see someone prioritizing their well being and the FIRST THING that comes to your mind is, "You don't appreciate me." It goes to show what I already knew about why "fans" disgust me; you're more concerned with getting YOUR FIX than you are the wellbeing of the person producing. WHAT I WILL give credit to is the stance on Patreon because that's exactly why I personally never launched mine. I refuse to milk my audience who genuinely likes what I do for a quick buck. That's not fair to them. Everything else though? You will never get it until you're doing the thing yourself.
@@KRXOVRmedia I used to be a self-published writer. I published over 300 books and short stories in five years. I’m certain I put in just as many hours and as much work and creativity as content creators. And I did it while raising my children by myself for most of that time. So you think I don’t understand? I understand PROFOUNDLY. But it doesn’t mean I don’t understand it from the perspective of a fan, too. I’m allowed to feel disappointment or frustration just like anyone else.
My monetization went from $9k in December to $3.5k in Jan. & i cant understand why the 60% drop! Does the algorithm start fresh at the beginning of each new year?
I think your exactly right. People can get burnt out at any job that is so demanding. I was thinking about a TH-cam channel for Art and creativity. But I see that’s not what I really want to do. All the business stuff takes away from my creativity and making art. Good advice. Thanks @kevin
Same. I love gardening and have a lot to share, yet do I want to make it a JOB? 😅I think some gardeners have turned gardening into a job with all the ways to sort seeds and data.
Just subscribed. You made some great points. I also believe that SOME people have left YT because of censorship. It is a shame that people have to watch everything they say. Enjoy your epic gardening channel!
I have had to face how much of a rebel I really am. If YT says find your niche, then I say, kiss my a....I will make videos on as many topics as I want. And if one person watches each video, then I have been successful. I have watched videos from ten, fifteen years ago - both kinds, million views and less than ten views - and I have so enjoyed them. The video meant something to me, regardless of how many people viewed it prior to me. I refuse to be control by algorithms and someone else's opinion of what success is. I'm in bonus time anyway, so everything is pure profit, and I'm not talking money. I'm not quitting. As much as I have enjoyed the few videos I have watched of Tom Scott's, I can't watch them all, and there are so many videos on YT in general, I can't watch all of them even if I lived to 500, so, so what people are quitting. It's making more room for people like me. If they stay, then we still have their content. That's what is called a "win win situation".
Honest opinions, love it. Built a few other channels, not sure if we're going to stay in the main youtube space or not yet. This video really hit home. We've been with ya since you started.
Great video! Everyone “burns out” after a while- like any career- quality videos require a lot of effort and energy- hopefully many creators can say their efforts paid off
I started my first channel three months ago after retiring and am happy to just produce content on my own - no pressure to grow. I have two passions, photography and gardening. I want to create content for both on separate channels. Love your videos and have been a fan of EG. Kevin, your perspective is spot on. 🎉
Just started watching your channel as a spinoff from having your pond build from Aquascape. Your breakdown of what you have gone thru really matters going forward. Thanks for keeping it fresh and for those of us just wanting to be a fisherman and keeping it simple and lean. Thank you!
I found this video fascinating, when I think about my own journey, TH-cam and content creation impacts differently depending on generation, I think. I am absolutely blown away that I get to do this, and make a few pennies at the same time! But for me, making a living was something that you did in an office building. So this is the next act for me, and I find it pure joy. But I could see getting to a point where it feels office building like, and then now I’ve just gone full circle. It’s a fascinating prospect for sure. I’m just glad that TH-cam creates a space for this middle aged dude to be like the cool kids! thank you for this thoughtful video!
I’ve been watching your epic gardening channel for quite a few years. I didn’t know you had this channel. I’m anxious to see what you have to say since I am trying to grow channels that are related to gardening.
If you ever run out of ideas, you could always read the phone book….seriously, I have cancer, I can’t garden, though I’ve done so in the past, but your voice is very beautifully modulated, it is truly soothing. If you read books a loud, books that were soothing like a peaceful garden in morning’s light… there would be a following…
I started watching for educational, authentic gardening. I wanted to learn from those that are tried and true and were willing to show you their failures. That were also down to earth and would have a dialogue with me and my questions. I’m not an inexperienced gardener. I’ve gardened for 40 some years. Veggies, annual and perennial. I fail at something every season. I have three seasons. To share knowledge on this platform is so great. I’m zone 4b-5a. What your zone can grow is different but not on all things. You’ve taught me many knew ways to garden veggies. So thank you. 😊
I don't have a big channel (15k subs) so I'm sure TH-cam could care less if I left. That's the thing, TH-cam doesn't really care... it's all about ads. This whole ad block thing going down with TH-cam shows just how little TH-cam cares about content creators or their viewers.
It has been shear joy to watch you and your channel grow. What ever your path in life and business, knowing yourself if key. When we start younger, hungry, ambitious, it's the best time of our lives but most of the time people don't recognize that it is. Then there is the things are growing or moving too fast and its time to slow down. Or you get to the end and realize you didn't set yourself up to enjoy what time you have left..... ultimately, to your own self be true. Keep doing you Kevin, from where I am, looks like you're doing fine.
Your an inspiration, cant appeaciate uour input always not on pla ts but growing a business. I started my own business recently and you have helped. ❤❤ always
WOW🙀🙀🙀🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️I must be living under a rock🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️I haven’t noticed the channels I watch going away. I’ve been watching garden Chanel’s for years and they’re all still here.
I love watching your gardening channel, I think quality over quantity is definitely best. I've been a TH-camr for 7 years and only now has it started to grow substantially. I continued with slow growth because I loved helping people and I can see on this platform that I can help the most people possible. I don't think I'll ever quit but I can certainly see my channel adapting and changing to what is relevant to me and my audience in the changing times. I don't think I'll ever retire, I'll probably die one day mid project... Cheers J
I don't know anything about creating you tube video's but LOVE watching them and learning from them. I can imagine tough it is a lot of work and it needs some kind of passion. Hope you will keep doing this. Love watching your channels. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Love from Belgium ❤
Interesting thoughts Kevin, agree with all of this. There's absolutely no way I would want to turn a channel into a fully fledged business with staff! Wishing 2024 brings you a bit more balance.
True, only a small fraction of a fraction are financially successful on TH-cam. I am researching fruit trees and nut trees this winter for the spring so some of that would be cool if you have the space!
I want to add that I kind of love how the video quality wasn't the important part and wasn't perfect (like, I really loved the rawness of "terrible footage"). I feel like more people might just come online for conversation instead of great lighting and great gear and a scene. With that, I love the simple conversation and talking about other creators and what is happening with changes in the online world. Because it is changing! I look forward to following!
One thing I've noticed, after I have subscribe to a channel, after a few months--or even a few years, I become bored-especially van lifers and their videos. Sort of like the adage, familiarity breeds contempt.
Love your content and often reference it for inspiration on my own gardening adventures. While I enjoy new content, your massive back catalog remains a great reference that can keep people going for years. I look forward to your next evolution and wish you much success.
Love the idea of networking! And yes - recognizing we all don’t know it all… but with all of us, all can be known 🙏 My location of Idaho is different than other parts of Idaho for growing and even my neighbors have different challenges per their microclimate… and my experience and knowledge for gardening was from growing up in southern Indiana… I had started watching TH-cam to help me learn how to grow- the commentary seemed to be ‘this is how ya do it’ but it didn’t add ‘if this is your climate’… it took several frustrating and expensive years before I learned I had to tweek things to work specifically for my climate/microclimate Thanks for sharing this 🙏
Hi Kevin Espiritu. I've been a fan of your Epic Gardening channel content here on TH-cam and I'm surprised you have a list of other TH-cam channels including this one which is your personal channel. I agree with your views here, I've been an aspiring TH-camr since 2023 but stopped due to my call center work and realized right now how such high-profile TH-camrs are also at their lowest times too making content. For that, I salute TH-camrs everywhere!
I have always thought you were just lovely to watch in so many aspects. You have great knowledge but humble enough to know you do not know it all...yet. Your videos have always been full of information and direct and to the point. As much as I do not mind watching you my goal is to be in MY garden with Mother Nature not watching anyone's videos. :) . And though I am a tiny bit over 65, I have learnt MUCH from you, and I thank you! I would say follow your heart, you owe NO ONE but you and your loved ones an explanation. Grow, shrink, if it doesn't make you happy or joyful, it's your heart telling you to change it wants to purr. And there are a million yous all over the net to continue teaching another generation of clean sustenance. Cheers and you have a beautiful smile.Hope that's ok to say,it's true?! :)
Interesting insight. I think the idea that "everyone is quitting" varies by category - this happened to the "Beauty Channels" back during (and even before) Covid (because, why is anyone wearing makeup with no place to go). I also think that education channels (for homeschoolers) will continue to expand. Because the audience is expanding. I remember when monetizing hit TH-cam, and people thought it would be a get rich quick scheme. And, for awhile it was. Now, it has evolved into something else. People will still want to make vids - being a "movie star" (even a homemade one), has a very strong appeal. The nice thing about all this change ..... it seems TH-cam is here to stay. And I am very happy for that.
You Tube was great before Google bought it. It's like having a tiger mom who controls everything you see or hear and you are beat up until you go along with it.
Thanks for watching this new stuff. Let me know what you’d like to see on this channel 🤓
taking me back to my childhood with the white frizz lol
otherwise, talk about whatever you feel imo
I would love to see When Your Business Path took Unexpected Turns. For instances when did you have to pivot your gardening content. Whether due to algorithm changes, market shifts, or personal growth. Another, video I would be interested in seeing is a Behind the Scenes, The Fear of Failure in Business. you could peel back the curtain and reveal vulnerable moments and times you feared a project might flop, a video might tank, or a business idea might crumble.
Would love to hear how you have dealt with the big changes or evolved as the businesses have shifted and changed over the years. Mindset, routines, how you managed things to stay true to yourself (or not if maybe that spun out some), maybe thoughts on how you would have done things differently looking back? I like the ecosystem idea, but do you see a time you could have branched out before to avoid feeling like things need to shift?
Agreed, doing coins on this channel.
Then my 2nd channel I M videos, has random and facts getting faster views than my coin channel. Just started that last year and this channel for just 3 months with half views, idk what's going on out here but people still come here when they are tired of regular streaming live TV, we'll see
Haha yeah video quality wasn't great on this one @@BeautifulEarthJa
I'm in the camp you're talking about and the pivot over the last 6 months has been one of the best decisions of my adult life. I've been doing TH-cam fore about 10 years as well, built a team, bought an office and after covid, the income started drying up. I struggled with it for a LONG time and was kind of in denial that a change was needed. We downsized the team, and the video creation pace.. and it was the BEST move I could make. I hope your new changes are a positive step for you and the business. Thanks for articulating this, on behalf of someone who's experienced it 👍🏼
Iliketomakestuff is one of the few channels that I watch and share consistently. Thanks for sticking around even though things are drying up. 🙏
Really cool to see you in the comments here. Big fan. Can totally relate to your story, wishing you the best with the shift and direction my friend!
I was already burning out before COVID. COVID made it super clear I needed to scale back and lean down. BEST. DECISION. EVER.
Great points made in this video!
They are quiting.....
because some people are fed up, that
people are pointing finger on everybody to make profit
instead of finding healthy solutions that help our society and community and inspire people in healthy way.
we became a society of "pointing finger on everybody" because its profitable,
but it doesn´t make the society happy and productive,
we are suposed to find solution to healthy lifestyle.
not pointing finger on our neighbors, on certain group of people, on old people, or on young people, on vegetarian people, on broken people on healthy people
we are supposed to feel empathy and find solutions
It solves nothing, it just contributes to more and more problems and less and less happiness, less and less satisfaction.
I am fed up that youtube constantly sends me videos where people trow trash on each other and analyze celebrities and nonsense.
We all do it at some point, but some people do it so often that they dont realize how unhappy it makes them feel.
The best move you made ? Seriously ? You did not notice that after the covid, platforms like TH-cam or TikTok teamed up with people from third world to STEAL you and bring these platform Billions and billions of $ thank to copyright infringement ? You want my opinion ? You made a really bad move, you were inside a powerful trend that was destroyed by thieve. You just had to fight back but instead you decided to abandon....
If TH-cam wants to keep creators, they need to make it more worth their time. I feel like the compensation for the work that many creators are doing is very disproportionate.
Yes, and no, TH-cam is far away the absolute best platform on earth for creator monetization
@@kevinmespiritu I just watched another long time content creator talking about this and he was saying that he could make 4 videos a month and make $XX but he could make 8 videos and make less money because of the way the algorithm sends the videos to his viewers. I also feel like TH-cam used to prioritize short form content, and now they want more long form videos.
@@Cherrys4Me8P I think that depends on the viewers. I don’t watch “shorts” personally. Like ever. If the video isn’t at least 10 minutes long then I generally don’t watch. My sweet spot for consuming seems to be videos between 25 and 35 minutes.
@@dr.westwood I agree, but apparently TH-cam doesn't put the videos in viewers' feeds the same. Like you could have 100k subscribers and make a video that is 12 minutes long and TH-cam will but it in the feed of half of your followers, but if you make a video that is 8 or 16 minutes, TH-cam will only have it show up in 10% of your subscribers feeds. (Those are just random numbers.) They have the bell icon to turn on "some" and "all" notification, and I have personally noticed that if you select "some" you get notification very haphazardly.
its going to be more shorts content in future i gues s
This really spoke to me. I had a big career in IT and I burned out and ended up retiring early. I have since got into gardening content creation as a sort of hobby and it’s slowly becoming a legit business and sometimes I can feel that pull for bigger and bigger but I remind myself what’s really important and why I started my channel to begin with. Love this new content. Keep it coming.
Appreciate you watching, and best of luck with your channel!
I think content creator isn’t going to be as lucrative as it used to be. I think workshops and experiences are going to be the next big thing.
Could be!
As an artist and workshop teacher and attendee I can corroborate this thought. People are workshopping like mad now. I think it could be because you watch all these videos and then you want to get hands on and give stuff a go. If you don’t want to make a massive investment and you want to try stuff then workshops are the way to go.
I was going to say thats already happening ppl with brands are taking ppl off line to workshop
Can’t run a workshop without a following
I disagree
I can see burnout easily, especially when you're running business and shooting content. I am happy you're evolving to be able to have work-life balance. I'm super proud all you accomplished alone & and I can't wait to see how you GROW with your team.
I found you doing houseplants and will continue to support you, your Epic store, and botanical interest. You're an inspiration to us all.
Please consider bringing in TH-cam farmers as well, Andrew at the veggie boys and Farmer Dre share lots of practical advice for gardeners, too.
Thank you for the kind words and will def keep them in mind!
Love what you are creating my man. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here ❤
Thank you my man. Big fan of your work.
Thank you. Malcolm left you tube and broke my heart. He was my inspiration and at 75 I needed to see him working a garden at that level. Each of you teach in different ways and are a blessing to those of us who watch and learn and apply your knowledge. To you I owe my microgreens!
This is SO well said, Kevin! And it's really freeing to hear someone put words on those thoughts and feelings.
I find it incredibly hard to handle the guilt of realizing that the content creation equation just doesn't make sense anymore while still being grateful for the opportunities YT brought to the table for me 🫠
Thank you for this video, I hope you keep doing what makes you happy, not what pleases the algorithms!
Likewise, Genevieve :) been really cool to see your evolution as well
As much as I love your videos, I still love your company. And I’d like for you to have some time for the Epic Girlfriend, and a private life.
I am a Pinoy Mom.
I've watched your EG channel for years & years -- before 2020 -- and it's been fun to see you grow in expertise & in how you present on camera. Creators like you who were doing what you love and getting paid for it inspired me to create my own channel, so I'll take your perspective to heart. I'm hoping to grow my team into 3 full-time and 2 freelancers in the future, and this further confirms that I want to stay lean and close. Thanks for the unscripted thoughts, Kevin! I hope 2024 brings huge changes and more happiness. 🤗
Best of luck with it! And appreciate the kind words. I'll check your channel out
I'm only in my 3rd year doing TH-cam and now realize how much work it is to make videos. My channel is very small and growing organically. But, I do know what you're saying. I'll be 65 this year so i decided this year that I want to have more time to enjoy my own garden which I missed the past couple years. I also worked part-time at a garden center. It's a lot of work juggling everything. I think all of us creators are work-a-holics and like to stay busy, but there comes a point where it gets to be too much. Do you and enjoy life!
I agree!! Enjoying your garden is always a good priority
You're channel looks lovely, I subscribed
@@SM-yd8hq thank you so much! I hope you enjoy watching!❤️
Same here - I started my small crafting/decorating channel two years ago while working full time. I retired in August and thought I’d have time to crank out 2 videos a week. I’m struggling just trying to film and edit content for one video a week. It’s really difficult to keep up the pace and still have time to stock a small retail space to sell my crafted/painted items.
@@karoleenascottage I know the feeling. 2 years for me too and I'm going to try and not be so formal and scripted and see how that goes. I do have a new appreciation for TH-camrs. It's a lot of work . I only do one video a week. I work part time , so that's all I can put out a week.
I'm so happy to see this video! For me, this is my first time creating a TH-cam channel, and watching the very small number of views every day is really agonizing. I finally understand that being a TH-camr is not an easy task. In the office, you can slack off, but here, every day your mind is filled with content, content, content! I will keep evolving myself to make the videos better! 🌟
You got this
I'm with you!! We're in this together.
@@apvchronicles404
Defining "enough" is important. In your career and your finances. The question is, would you keep doing what you are doing if the cameras were off? If yes, then keep it stress-free and go at your own pace.
Agree, everyone has their own definition here, and I think for many it is a sliding scale based on what actually happens in their life
This is what I do. I realized, if I kept thinking about being monetized, I would be discouraged.
Love this Kevin. I’m just sitting here showing my son (who wants to start a TH-cam channel). I myself was a creator (on a smaller scale) on Facebook, rose quickly, lots of stress, burned out. The worst of it hit right before the pandemic (culminating in my mother passing away) which forced me to take stock of what was really important. I’ve since ‘closed’ that online business, though I keep my renamed socials going. My original followers were mostly there for me not what I was doing as such, so they remain a welcoming audience for any shenanigans I feel like sharing. Ive been diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, which along with the pandemic encouraged me to start a garden. I’m now two years in, producing nearly 80% of our vegetables and herbs (we don’t have space for fruit on our suburban block). I’ve been following you for most of those two years. I’m really happy for you and the choices you’re making heading forward. On a much smaller scale I know what burnout can do to you, and it’s very brave and wise to take steps to protect yourself when the noise keeps telling you to push forward, build higher. Can’t wait to see what’s next ❤
Wow, you have been through quite a bit. I’m super excited to hear. You’re growing a ton of your own produce. Tell your son hi for me!
You shouldnt tell your kid to give up on a TH-cam dream just because it didnt work out for YOU. Every person is different. The creator market is growing. Sure TH-cam itself needs to make changes, but cmon. Let people make their own choices .
I’ve been watching Epic Gardening for a while but just discovered your personal channel here. I have a hard time managing my small channel so I can’t imagine what it’s like for creators like you and other big names. I absolutely relate to the creative, introvert type of creator you mentioned at the end there and struggle with the business mentality of it all. I am happy that you will be taking some time for yourself and excited to see the epic gardening ecosystem evolve!
Thank you so much! And yes, not easy to manage a channel of any size honestly!
As one of the creators that blew up, I 10000000% resonate with this. It's EXACTLY what happened to me and now I'm back in office and I can't put out like I used to. I had to have a real conversation with myself about what's realistic now and I'm finding peace in scaling down.
Cool to hear you did that inner questioning
I have absolutely no interest in gardening (I'm a crocheter and knitter and watch a lot of those type of channels), but your title intrigued me. This was well done and your honesty and intelligence are appreciated. As I watch other creators, I often wonder what it takes. Obviously it takes a lot more than what we see. Thank you!
So mental to think I’ve been on TH-cam since 2007 and deleted all my content and started the channel again in 2012. So many changes in TH-cam some good some bad. Amazing how you have to improve and adapt over the years. Great video Kevin
Thanks mate
Really interesting perspective. What happened in 2020 seemed extremely niche dependent. Those of us doing travel / tourism content saw views absolutely collapse and it took years for them to fully return to baseline. I always thought folks who saw a surge in 2020 and assumed it was going to stay that way forever were getting ahead of themselves.
Agree - was a tough period for travel bloggers/TH-camrs
i much prefer the unscripted videos you get to know the person more an helps others to relate to what your doing , i love seeing ups and the downs as we all have them lets face it , love what you do and keep it real , people will always stay where they feel welcome and relate
I can relate to this so very much. My wife & I have had a brick & mortar business for over 10 years and to others it looks easy and successful. We also opened up years ago our online nursery and scaled both businesses along with TH-cam at the same time and we had to decide whether we wanted to scale and manage or do what we love and keep things lean. Our nursery got huge during Covid and it was a nightmare scaling it and budgeting and keeping seasonal staff and figuring out retail inventory. So we scaled it down and kept it way simpler! Very encouraging to see someone like yourself in the position you are share the genuine truth about what it all is: business and it's not for everyone. It's gotta be something you truly enjoy. Thanks for creating this channel and sharing.
I bet it was crazy during those times, I know it was even for just what I was doing in the world of content and selling product. Great analysis!
It really was crazy! We navigated through it, but had to adjust & adapt and converted everything to ecommerce and online. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. I can't even imagine the amount of increase you guys had on a national/international level and what you guys had to do to keep up & the scaling. You're an incredible business man and a true inspiration. @@kevinmespiritu
Have you thought about reaching out to local gardening shows across the country? It might be a way to tap into sharing the experience of older master gardeners. For instance, there are a number of experts on the central texas gardener show. A collaboration may help expand the audience of both parties invovled. I personally would love to see guests speak about building "food forests" across the many biomes of the country. Thank you for all you do.
I think it would be really cool, the hard part of that would be standardizing the quality of the teaching
Oh My Goodness yes! I have been creating for 9 years now and so much has changed! The one thing that has kept me creating through some of the difficult times is a connection I’ve built with our subscribers❤
Agreed!!
I've just watched your video on how you're changing Epic Gardening, and it really resonated with me. We started our blogs at a similar time I think (10 years ago) and like you, The Middlesized Garden has taken me places I never dreamed I'd go. I think we corresponded in those early years and you were so nice and supportive, I've always remembered you. I think I've finally taken the decision not to branch out (too far) into product, merch, podcasts and so on - it's the best way to grow the business, but, as you say, it means taking on teams. I think I'd do it if I was your age, but at mine I think I'll stick to doing what I love, which is the TH-cam and the blog, without taking on extra responsibility. But good luck with it all, you deserve every bit of that success.
Oh no way! I remember. that is so cool to hear. I think your logic makes a lot of sense, best of luck with everything.
Been watching the channel for years and its odd to hear you talk about something other than gardening but i love the genuineness. Keep rocking!
I appreciate that!
@@kevinmespiritu of course Kevin. I'm a fan of you and not just your content. So if you ever decide to change it up completely or leave I'll still be a big fan :)
I have been watching Epic Gardening for a few years ... from up here in Alberta, Canada. I have lemon trees started in the windows, inspired by your videos. Thanks for that, also thanks for the honest talk and keep up the great work! Very easy to listen too!
I find the problem with people doing TH-cam now is lack of strategy. They come up with ideas and upload them and post them straight away. They may be motivated for a couple months and may upload 40 videos in that time. 40 videos could be 40 or 20 weeks instead of 2/3 months. I post consistently (and after posting something, I use a lot of Famester to make my content viral and it gets spread out literally everywhere). It's not good to post everything straight away, like post it on the same day/time every week. This also helps avoid burn out...
Everyone's got their own way of making it work!
I seen this exact comment made by another person in another video. Like, word for word the same comment.
Me too 😂
@@ZelphTheWebmancercopy pasting 😂
@@ZelphTheWebmancerme too 🤔
Thank you for sharing & being real about it 🌹 Blessings to you 🕊
Tom is amazing, and I'll truly miss his content. A few weeks before his departure, he unexpectedly gave me a shoutout in his newsletter.
Kevin, I've been following your work for years. You are an inspiration as well!
I decided to stop pressuring myself to produce content every week and am now focusing solely on creating content that brings me joy. I've begun investing more in offline ventures and adopting a leaner lifestyle.
Inspired by Matt's recent video on embracing simplicity, I appreciate his approach and mindset. Recognizing that life is short, I'm taking the time to engage in activities I'm passionate about, even if they don't need to be documented in a video. I'm leaning towards the Ali route, with plans to distribute a cookbook globally, started a homestead + glamping business, and venture into selling herbs, veggies, building things people need to sell locally and online.
I think it’s a smart approach!
This is refreshing to hear as a new content creator and fellow vegan. I have a love hate thing going with TH-cam. I’m older and trying to spend most of my time on pursuing my pilots license. This TH-cam thingy is consuming and I think i need to chill out and focus on what I’m passionate about and leave it to that. If I miss a post - so what. Thanks for giving it all perspective Will:)
Glad I found you pre covid. Planting my winter So Cal garden (zone 9B) this week. My grans can plant & harvest & learn what fresh actually tastes like! Win, win all around, almost all year 'round (too hot in July & August for any real growth so I amend soil instead of planting). Appreciate the direction you are moving in.
Amazing to hear :)
Watching these youtubers comment on a long career on youtube is a good thing to keep us new youtubers humble and watching out for burnout.
The interesting thing is, this will happen again in the exact same way with a different group of creators, just wait about 10 or 15 years
@@kevinmespirituIt’s partly because our society changes at such a rapid pace now. Until the Industrial Revolution, the way people lived when they were born was basically the same as when they died.
Now, we have to deal with paradigm-shifting emerging technologies and scientific advancements every couple of years. Think about how different our lives are compared to that of our grandparents. That is a really recent development in human history, and I don’t think we’ve figured out how to adjust to it yet as a society.
congratulations for finding what works for you and or team! not an easy move into the unknown - and thats the beauty of it - letting bigger and better things come your way a you step toward that unknown! blessings to all!
your content is always awesome! thank you for all your hard work behind the scenes and - thank you also to your team!
Thank you for the kind words!
I actually really love the idea of bringing older people with lived experiences gardening on the channel.
I am rethinking too. I have three channels. Still trying to get better and stay positive.
People don’t realize the difference between being an original YT creator and a YT creator now and they don’t realize that the BIG creators are running a business that most of them will never have the motivation or knowledge to put together. Your video is exactly correct in explaining what is happening but it’s sad because viewers are losing the original random and wild creativity that YT offered us.
Couldn't agree more
mental health first and foremost. thanks for all the education over the years mate. o7
They're not just leaving TH-cam, they are outgrowing TH-cam and realizing that once you have some money the entrepreneurship lane is the grown up side of business. TH-cam is a place where creators can stagnate and do fine or bust way through the ceiling and become an entrepreneur of a potential corporation(s). Depends on what advice, mentorship, team etc you build.
Source?
Don't forget the corporate part. You make a channel, build it up, and sometimes you can sell it to a corporation like Smosh did. Remember Anthony Padilla left because he hated the corporate control driving what they did and demanding a rate of return for every video produced. He was lucky enough to be able to turn his high visibility into a talk show channel. TH-cam used to be the land of amateurs, to get online and do whatever you wanted, show off, pratfalls, skits, your cat. Then Google bought it (back before renaming to Alphabet) and that was, not to entertain, but to have product that would make more money. Over time it has become a platform to draw people in and lead them to your offline projects which are steadier income streams sometimes.
It's Not just about money, It's about getting famous And being popular all Over The World
Exactly ❤
"Epic Gardening Ecosystem" - Love that!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they are so spot on. I am hearing a lot about how authenticity and less over produced content is going to be more prominent on youtube, which is perfect for the gardening world :) I am a really small youtuber but have approached my journey with the "1000 True Fans" attitude. Also having an authentic "why" helps keep things in perspective. I've set a goal of 1 video per week which seems to be achievable. Just like the old tortoise and the hare fable, slow and steady wins the race.
Indeed! 1000 true fans is as true today as it ever was
Kevin, I’ve watched your epic gardening and homesteading channels for years and your content really helped inspire me to create my own channel. I’m so glad you started this channel-I really appreciate the knowledge from someone who has been successful at this for as long as you. I’m still learning about business, and have even thought about starting another channel talking about entrepreneurship as I learn myself, because they don’t teach you this stuff at school! My biggest struggle is overcoming the scarcity mindset, sometimes I find myself afraid of taking big risks or investing in myself to make money in the future. It’s hard trying to unlearn these things you learn growing up, when you’re not surrounded by business minds. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge here. 👍
I really do think a lot of this is mindset. I'm not saying everyone can get to certain levels of success, but when I talk to younger creators I always see mindset being an issue
I'm not a vlogger and rarely in my own videos. My channel was going well until 2020. Between shadow banning etc... it's hardly worth my time anymore. I have plenty of content ready to load but why bother other than for publishers. Often I can do that privately. My channel started out as a way to share videos of my adventures with family. Now that many are deceased that motivation is gone. I've even lost 1000s of subs. I find that strange as I rarely unsub a channel. Usually, it's only if they start getting political in either direction. Whenever some young person tells me they're starting a YT channel I tell them don't quit your day job.
Great insights. There’s been a dearth of content since Thanksgiving. And more videos like the one you did that the channel is changing or won’t be uploading as much. Digital burnout is real. And nobody seems to be addressing that
I think part of it is a two or three year hangover from lockdown consumption habits as well
@@kevinmespiritu true. As you had mentioned in the video
Kevin, I was so stoked to see this video pop up on my fyp. I wasnt even aware that you had started this channel! I'm a huge fan of EG, just subbed to your Epic off-grid channel, I just love what you've done by branching out. My natural inclinations started with gardening, then went on to homesteading, much like your natural progression. I've been watching you since before the pandemic, and I really get where you're coming from with this. Good luck to you, man, I'll be here for it all! ❤
Thank you for being here!!
Thank you so much Kevin I was literally sitting here filming an unscripted video about my 24 observations of TH-cam and My motivations. So grateful for your perspective I do this for a creative outlet not for any larger corporate goal we are staying lean. I remember in the early 2 thousands I started a company called victory gardens teaching people how to install various types of gardens at their houses in the Phoenix area. Recently I've retired after 14 years of public safety. Looking around trying to best figure out how to leverage my time so I can go fishing on the beach LOL
Hey I love this! So cool to hear you were involved in that movement
Have you ever grown vanilla? I cant find it on your channel. What a great project for the EG crew to step into. Jus thinking. Thanks mate, stay happy
YT piles on ads now where there used to be none since I've never monetized my videos and usually only post copyright-free content. It seems that this started July of 2023 but since I pay for Premium, I'm not really sure. I've been tempted to quit posting a few times myself but, for me anyway, it is still the best platform to use.
I've noticed that with Tom Scott and a few other creators they're not completely retiring, but stepping back. Some stepping more behind scenes or not putting themselves in such a tight posting schedule. Which is great, for us as audiences. I'd rather see content from Tom Scott every couple of months and have a really great video to watch where you can tell that he's truly enjoying the filming of it, the quality doesn't diminish. Kevin I for one would support you if you opted to do the same when you feel that it's time.
I couldn't even more. Something I've been thinking about as I start to develop other talents on our channels
Hey Kevin - like many others commenting here, I came across Epic Gardening right around when COVID/ the houseplant craze was popping off. In the time since, it’s been amazing to see your growth personally and professionally.
Moving to the homestead and starting the Epic Homestead channel, acquiring Botanical Interests, and the explosion of growth within the Epic Ecosystem - all are huge achievements, and I think you’ve documented them in such an authentic and relatable way, that so many people feel like they’ve been there with you along for the ride.
This personal channel is very much appreciated, it gives us small time creators a chance to hear a unique perspective from a successful creator in (again) a very genuine/ authentic manner.
Thanks again Kevin, looking forward to more of the videos that spark that intrinsic joy, and to seeing how the Ecosystem grows in 2024.
Appreciate this message Kev!
I started a youtube channel way back in beginning days. I started it a more as a sharing and educational experience. As youtube became more commercial my stress level increased and eventually life pressures, like work, school and caregiving responsibilities caused me to give it up. It was a hobby for me, not a business. What I find real frustrating about youtube now is that the algorithm changed and when I turn my smart tv on at night to watch my favorite youtubers I have to go and search for them. They don't show up automatically in my feed anymore. There is a lot out there but not everyone has the knowledge, can speak effectively and also have the technical skills to put it all together.
You can always look at your subscription feed and it'll put all the new releases in chronological order
I have been wondering what is up with TH-cam. Thanks for letting us casual viewers know. I just did a little journey listening to other creators talk about the changes and I am back here to comment. I love your epic gardening channel very much. Glad that you are still here even with the changes. Thank you so much for all the great work and inspiration you have shared with your viewers. And thank your team as well for me. I appreciate that you mention them in your videos and I’m sure they do too.
Glad you've enjoyed the channel
Glad you are expanding the EG host line up. I would implore you to not only have a wide range of hosts with different planting zone experience but that they have diverse backgrounds too. It's really important to see BIPOC in this space and you have the ability to elevate their voices.
I'm seeing this sentiment all over my feed rn, seems like there is some top-down re-vibing with everyone on the 'inside'
Trends go in cycles. My major channels to watch are gardening, crochet, and RVing. If the content is informative and reasonably entertaining, I stay with it. When creators seem to be posting just because it's Tuesday, and just ramble, I watch less. I'm sure being fresh all the time is exhausting. We all have our seasons, and the pace that occurred during lockdown isn't sustainable. Don't beat yourself up, Kevin.🤗
Definitely hard to keep it fresh sometimes, but we try to have fun with it
Yep I quit this year too. Glad to hear I am not the only one. I miss many of the channels that I loved to watch and it is sad so many are leaving. I am a crazy gardener myself so love your channel. I like to hear regional gardening advice because moving from upstate NY to hot Georgia almost zero of the gardening skills were applicable here. I had to figure it out on my own. I feel like a lot of people have advice that totally flops a garden in a different climate which is not great for beginners that really don't know any better. Gardening forums are full of terrible advice from northern gardeners that would never work in the south.
Yeah it's tough to give broad advice!
I’ve been really frustrated with so many of my favorite TH-camrs posting less. Many of them post once a month or less now. It’s like they no longer appreciate the fans who got them where they were, and that sucks. As a creative person myself, I understand burnout. And I understand that TH-cam isn’t paying what they used to. But many of them are still taking money from their Patreons each month and still providing very little content. This is their job, and they’re slacking, and it’s frustrating to see.
Yeah I think it's a different conversation when there is a patreon with and established commitment to the patrons. But if you don't have a patreon and you never committed to any schedule, or even if you did, creators have every right to post as much or as little as they want
Become a full time creator or start churning out near full time output WHILE doing other things and you'll be singing another song. It's so absurd how you people can see someone prioritizing their well being and the FIRST THING that comes to your mind is, "You don't appreciate me." It goes to show what I already knew about why "fans" disgust me; you're more concerned with getting YOUR FIX than you are the wellbeing of the person producing.
WHAT I WILL give credit to is the stance on Patreon because that's exactly why I personally never launched mine. I refuse to milk my audience who genuinely likes what I do for a quick buck. That's not fair to them. Everything else though? You will never get it until you're doing the thing yourself.
@@KRXOVRmedia I used to be a self-published writer. I published over 300 books and short stories in five years. I’m certain I put in just as many hours and as much work and creativity as content creators. And I did it while raising my children by myself for most of that time. So you think I don’t understand? I understand PROFOUNDLY. But it doesn’t mean I don’t understand it from the perspective of a fan, too. I’m allowed to feel disappointment or frustration just like anyone else.
I couldn't agree more.
Thank you for this! Good philosophy! I look forward to seeing the progression!
I miss the early days of you-tube. People made videos about their passions. It wasn't about the money or business.
My monetization went from $9k in December to $3.5k in Jan. & i cant understand why the 60% drop! Does the algorithm start fresh at the beginning of each new year?
No, it's because advertisers reset their spend in the first quarter of the year, the fourth quarter is the heaviest spend due to holiday
I think your exactly right. People can get burnt out at any job that is so demanding. I was thinking about a TH-cam channel for Art and creativity. But I see that’s not what I really want to do. All the business stuff takes away from my creativity and making art. Good advice. Thanks @kevin
Nothing wrong with creating that channel simply for the art!
Same. I love gardening and have a lot to share, yet do I want to make it a JOB? 😅I think some gardeners have turned gardening into a job with all the ways to sort seeds and data.
Just subscribed. You made some great points. I also believe that SOME people have left YT because of censorship. It is a shame that people have to watch everything they say. Enjoy your epic gardening channel!
I have had to face how much of a rebel I really am. If YT says find your niche, then I say, kiss my a....I will make videos on as many topics as I want. And if one person watches each video, then I have been successful. I have watched videos from ten, fifteen years ago - both kinds, million views and less than ten views - and I have so enjoyed them. The video meant something to me, regardless of how many people viewed it prior to me. I refuse to be control by algorithms and someone else's opinion of what success is. I'm in bonus time anyway, so everything is pure profit, and I'm not talking money. I'm not quitting. As much as I have enjoyed the few videos I have watched of Tom Scott's, I can't watch them all, and there are so many videos on YT in general, I can't watch all of them even if I lived to 500, so, so what people are quitting. It's making more room for people like me. If they stay, then we still have their content. That's what is called a "win win situation".
Excellent! Thank you for sharing this
If you ever quit can I have your channel😂🤣😂
Hahaha I'll take it into consideration
@@kevinmespiritu ok lol!
@@kevinmespiritu my other comment was glitching
Thank you for the video. Excellent perspective!
Interesting thoughts thanks Kevin
Thanks man, hey do you mind sending me your email address? I'd love to chat
Honest opinions, love it. Built a few other channels, not sure if we're going to stay in the main youtube space or not yet. This video really hit home. We've been with ya since you started.
Amazing, and honored to hear that
You are smart ❤ thanks for all you have done over the years.
Great video! Everyone “burns out” after a while- like any career- quality videos require a lot of effort and energy- hopefully many creators can say their efforts paid off
I love just hearing you talk about your experiences. I'm so glad to see you evolving your focus ❤
More to come
I started my first channel three months ago after retiring and am happy to just produce content on my own - no pressure to grow. I have two passions, photography and gardening. I want to create content for both on separate channels. Love your videos and have been a fan of EG. Kevin, your perspective is spot on. 🎉
Thank you Jackie!
Just started watching your channel as a spinoff from having your pond build from Aquascape. Your breakdown of what you have gone thru really matters going forward. Thanks for keeping it fresh and for those of us just wanting to be a fisherman and keeping it simple and lean. Thank you!
Welcome aboard!
I found this video fascinating, when I think about my own journey, TH-cam and content creation impacts differently depending on generation, I think. I am absolutely blown away that I get to do this, and make a few pennies at the same time! But for me, making a living was something that you did in an office building. So this is the next act for me, and I find it pure joy. But I could see getting to a point where it feels office building like, and then now I’ve just gone full circle. It’s a fascinating prospect for sure. I’m just glad that TH-cam creates a space for this middle aged dude to be like the cool kids! thank you for this thoughtful video!
Love this perspective
Such wisdom being shared here. Thank you so much. You’ve given me and many others a lot to think about.
You are so welcome
I’ve been watching your epic gardening channel for quite a few years. I didn’t know you had this channel. I’m anxious to see what you have to say since I am trying to grow channels that are related to gardening.
Just started dedicating more time to it - happy to have here
keep being authentic Kevin. In every direction you go or wander, that is your gift and guiding star. ty for sharing your content
If you ever run out of ideas, you could always read the phone book….seriously, I have cancer, I can’t garden, though I’ve done so in the past, but your voice is very beautifully modulated, it is truly soothing. If you read books a loud, books that were soothing like a peaceful garden in morning’s light… there would be a following…
Thank you so much for the kind words. I hope you recover.
I started watching for educational, authentic gardening. I wanted to learn from those that are tried and true and were willing to show you their failures. That were also down to earth and would have a dialogue with me and my questions. I’m not an inexperienced gardener. I’ve gardened for 40 some years. Veggies, annual and perennial. I fail at something every season. I have three seasons. To share knowledge on this platform is so great. I’m zone 4b-5a. What your zone can grow is different but not on all things. You’ve taught me many knew ways to garden veggies. So thank you. 😊
I'm so glad to hear!
This was a really helpful video, thank you! As someone preparing to jump into content creating, ypur persepctive is very much appreciated.
I don't have a big channel (15k subs) so I'm sure TH-cam could care less if I left. That's the thing, TH-cam doesn't really care... it's all about ads. This whole ad block thing going down with TH-cam shows just how little TH-cam cares about content creators or their viewers.
TH-cam cares very much about their creators, trust me
It has been shear joy to watch you and your channel grow. What ever your path in life and business, knowing yourself if key. When we start younger, hungry, ambitious, it's the best time of our lives but most of the time people don't recognize that it is. Then there is the things are growing or moving too fast and its time to slow down. Or you get to the end and realize you didn't set yourself up to enjoy what time you have left..... ultimately, to your own self be true. Keep doing you Kevin, from where I am, looks like you're doing fine.
Thank you! Yes, ebbs and flows to everything
Your an inspiration, cant appeaciate uour input always not on pla ts but growing a business. I started my own business recently and you have helped. ❤❤ always
Keep it up!
WOW🙀🙀🙀🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️I must be living under a rock🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️I haven’t noticed the channels I watch going away. I’ve been watching garden Chanel’s for years and they’re all still here.
Love this kind of content. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I love watching your gardening channel, I think quality over quantity is definitely best. I've been a TH-camr for 7 years and only now has it started to grow substantially. I continued with slow growth because I loved helping people and I can see on this platform that I can help the most people possible. I don't think I'll ever quit but I can certainly see my channel adapting and changing to what is relevant to me and my audience in the changing times. I don't think I'll ever retire, I'll probably die one day mid project... Cheers J
Love to hear this
💯% brilliant takes Kevin. Gotta be ahead of the game!
Thank you for confirming what I've been thinking to myself for a long time. Great video.
I don't know anything about creating you tube video's but LOVE watching them and learning from them. I can imagine tough it is a lot of work and it needs some kind of passion. Hope you will keep doing this. Love watching your channels. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Love from Belgium ❤
Love back to you
Interesting thoughts Kevin, agree with all of this. There's absolutely no way I would want to turn a channel into a fully fledged business with staff! Wishing 2024 brings you a bit more balance.
Appreciate it!
This was a great video... you really spoke to me. 💯🤘🤘🤘
this post is low sound sabotaged 💔very sad TH-cam covert harm
True, only a small fraction of a fraction are financially successful on TH-cam.
I am researching fruit trees and nut trees this winter for the spring so some of that would be cool if you have the space!
More of that coming on the main channel
I want to add that I kind of love how the video quality wasn't the important part and wasn't perfect (like, I really loved the rawness of "terrible footage"). I feel like more people might just come online for conversation instead of great lighting and great gear and a scene. With that, I love the simple conversation and talking about other creators and what is happening with changes in the online world. Because it is changing! I look forward to following!
One thing I've noticed, after I have subscribe to a channel, after a few months--or even a few years, I become bored-especially van lifers and their videos. Sort of like the adage, familiarity breeds contempt.
Interesting!
Love your content and often reference it for inspiration on my own gardening adventures. While I enjoy new content, your massive back catalog remains a great reference that can keep people going for years. I look forward to your next evolution and wish you much success.
Awesome, thank you!
Love the idea of networking!
And yes - recognizing we all don’t know it all… but with all of us, all can be known 🙏
My location of Idaho is different than other parts of Idaho for growing and even my neighbors have different challenges per their microclimate… and my experience and knowledge for gardening was from growing up in southern Indiana…
I had started watching TH-cam to help me learn how to grow- the commentary seemed to be ‘this is how ya do it’ but it didn’t add ‘if this is your climate’… it took several frustrating and expensive years before I learned I had to tweek things to work specifically for my climate/microclimate
Thanks for sharing this 🙏
Glad you enjoyed :)
Respect on the humility and honesty brother
Hi Kevin Espiritu. I've been a fan of your Epic Gardening channel content here on TH-cam and I'm surprised you have a list of other TH-cam channels including this one which is your personal channel. I agree with your views here, I've been an aspiring TH-camr since 2023 but stopped due to my call center work and realized right now how such high-profile TH-camrs are also at their lowest times too making content. For that, I salute TH-camrs everywhere!
Appreciate seeing you here!
I have always thought you were just lovely to watch in so many aspects.
You have great knowledge but humble enough to know you do not know it all...yet. Your videos have always been full of information and direct and to the point. As much as I do not mind watching you my goal is to be in MY garden with Mother Nature not watching anyone's videos. :) . And though I am a tiny bit over 65, I have learnt MUCH from you, and I thank you!
I would say follow your heart, you owe NO ONE but you and your loved ones an explanation. Grow, shrink, if it doesn't make you happy or joyful, it's your heart telling you to change it wants to purr. And there are a million yous all over the net to continue teaching another generation of clean sustenance. Cheers and you have a beautiful smile.Hope that's ok to say,it's true?! :)
Means a lot to hear this!
The stuff outside of the content creation is what burnt me out. I wish I had whatever it is that keeps those people going.
Interesting insight. I think the idea that "everyone is quitting" varies by category - this happened to the "Beauty Channels" back during (and even before) Covid (because, why is anyone wearing makeup with no place to go). I also think that education channels (for homeschoolers) will continue to expand. Because the audience is expanding. I remember when monetizing hit TH-cam, and people thought it would be a get rich quick scheme. And, for awhile it was. Now, it has evolved into something else. People will still want to make vids - being a "movie star" (even a homemade one), has a very strong appeal. The nice thing about all this change ..... it seems TH-cam is here to stay. And I am very happy for that.
I am too. It's definitely an interesting time in TH-cam history
Love what you have done with your channel and your business. Been watching you from the beginning and can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Thanks so much!!
You Tube was great before Google bought it. It's like having a tiger mom who controls everything you see or hear and you are beat up until you go along with it.