Love the discussion. As someone who is never on the message boards - I never knew what other people did until I started posting videos on TH-cam. I’d rather watch than read. I started selling on Bricklink in 2004 and I posted my first Bricklink video in 2012 before I had any subscribers. I am pretty sure it’s the first ever video on TH-cam of picking a Bricklink order. The feedback I got helped me improve my store efficiency. Then I had the unexpected effect of getting more people into the store. I’ve done over 200 video requests of picking people’s orders (I had to stop because of the inefficiency of use of time like you mentioned). I’ve also had 100s of requests for signed things with orders. Plus even before that I had people buying from me just so they could get my address - thus the P.O. Box began. I see many repeat buyers from people I know their name from video comments. Easily over 1000 orders are a direct result of TH-cam. I wish I had a record of it on the orders - but I think it is also 100s of people that placed their first order in my store - though many I don’t think it’s directly related to TH-cam. I have a different approach to TH-cam and Bricklink than most people that do either of those. I don’t have employees and I don’t think I ever will. When I retire from my full time job I’ll most likely spend more time in the store and with TH-cam - but not to the point I’ll need help. My videos are very low effort. I wouldn’t enjoy it if I had to spend hours editing. I would like to get a great source for used parts like you have one day. I seem to attract the people that want me to pay many time the value of something. Most of the time I just ignore them. It’s funny to me because most of my haul videos involve finding deals and then somehow people think I’ll pay a lot for what they have. I say anybody starting a TH-cam channel should do it for fun first. It can help an existing business they have been it can sap joy to if you don’t have fun with it. Thanks for sharing your experience through your channel. I’ve enjoyed seeing the progress of your Bricklink store over the years now.
4:45 you could contact or poll your previous clients about how they heard about you and if they had viewed your TH-cam videos prior to placing an order.
Love the discussion. As someone who is never on the message boards - I never knew what other people did until I started posting videos on TH-cam. I’d rather watch than read.
I started selling on Bricklink in 2004 and I posted my first Bricklink video in 2012 before I had any subscribers. I am pretty sure it’s the first ever video on TH-cam of picking a Bricklink order. The feedback I got helped me improve my store efficiency. Then I had the unexpected effect of getting more people into the store. I’ve done over 200 video requests of picking people’s orders (I had to stop because of the inefficiency of use of time like you mentioned). I’ve also had 100s of requests for signed things with orders. Plus even before that I had people buying from me just so they could get my address - thus the P.O. Box began. I see many repeat buyers from people I know their name from video comments. Easily over 1000 orders are a direct result of TH-cam. I wish I had a record of it on the orders - but I think it is also 100s of people that placed their first order in my store - though many I don’t think it’s directly related to TH-cam.
I have a different approach to TH-cam and Bricklink than most people that do either of those. I don’t have employees and I don’t think I ever will. When I retire from my full time job I’ll most likely spend more time in the store and with TH-cam - but not to the point I’ll need help. My videos are very low effort. I wouldn’t enjoy it if I had to spend hours editing.
I would like to get a great source for used parts like you have one day. I seem to attract the people that want me to pay many time the value of something. Most of the time I just ignore them. It’s funny to me because most of my haul videos involve finding deals and then somehow people think I’ll pay a lot for what they have.
I say anybody starting a TH-cam channel should do it for fun first. It can help an existing business they have been it can sap joy to if you don’t have fun with it.
Thanks for sharing your experience through your channel. I’ve enjoyed seeing the progress of your Bricklink store over the years now.
I’m a hypocrite because I treat TH-cam as a message board - lol
4:45 you could contact or poll your previous clients about how they heard about you and if they had viewed your TH-cam videos prior to placing an order.
I liked after hours. It gave a less polished view and showed personality. Can't wait for the flower growing documentary.
Hahah. Thanks Mark! Maybe we'll see something like it come back in the future. Thanks for watching!
yeah youtube promotes your store in the short term but in the long term you make 1000 people start a store which creates more competition