I resonate with your channel a lot, you getting brands deals that align with the channel actually have me interested in seeing what those would be. I say go for it!
Spencer, I really like all the ideas you have brewing. I'd suggest doing reviews - album review, film review, products, etc. Maybe even perform a song on guitar? Cheers, Ian
That’s a good suggestion Ian! I could see occasionally showing my fav albums etc, and specifically highlighting media that aligns with my simple living, low tech aspirations. For sure I’ll share more singing too - glad you like it!
Your brand deals would be something I would actually be interested in seeing. In terms of podcasting and different content, I would be down to check those out as well. My only point of concern would be your upload schedule, as doing two uploads a week on top of a full time job sounds crazy to me (but not impossible). I've been releasing 1-4 videos a month for the past couple years as a full time college student, and I can just barely skate by on that. Then again, I'm not monetized, so it is probably a different story for you; I just don't want to see you get burnt out like many other UA-camrs. I wanna see you stick around for a while because you have some really kickass content. I will watch whatever you put out, just wanted to throw my two cents in about your schedule. Stay cool man!
Thanks for the comment Ian, I appreciate the kind words and interest in the podcast idea too. The two uploads per week has been tough lately with my schedule for sure - I’ve been slow to answer comments because I’ve been working the past 12 days in a row. This past month has been a busy stretch but I’m trying to make some room in the schedule so I can manage both without becoming burnt out, so definitely keeping mental health in mind. Mainly I batch shoot so I have a few vids in the tank for when I’m busy, and that will be something I’ll stick with in the future. Thanks again and talk soon buddy!
Taking out integrated ads on the Patreon versions of videos is really unique and I like that idea. I also am personally a fan of the option on Patreon to pay annually.
I didn’t know you could pay annually on Patreon - good to know. I think more channels should consider offering ad-free to patrons. Glad to hear you like the idea!
I like the minimalistic vibe. More VHS, dumbphone, and analogue tech content. What do you think of an answering machine with a landline using an GSM gateway (instead of a cell 2 jack) with an old voicemail? could you still be able to pick up the phone when someone is leaving a message if it is using a SIM card? hmm..
I definitely want to make more content delving into the low-tech lifestyle, and certainly more on simple living/minimalism as well! That landline idea may just work - I’d need to investigate it further but I’d like to make more videos involving the rotary phone too so maybe I’ll get into some other options as well. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it!
Thank you for sticking to the values of your chanel. its a fine line between advertising semething that is valueable for people or just supporting mass consumerism. Sometimes its a contradictuion. Its hard to make money from minimalism, because it makes people buy less. But you need to sell in order to make money. I'm sure you will find a way you feel most comfortable with.
I really enjoy your style and ethos. Tuning in to watch your excellent long form content helps me to work on my own ideas for frugality and technology usage. Cheers!
Hey Spencer, I love your channel and the ideas which you are sharing here. I've been always interested in going offline / focusing more on privacy, but laziness and the comfort of having everything by clicking a few buttons is so addictive. I would love to see more content on your philosophy of going offline, what inspires you and reviews. Also, how your daily life looks like could be interesting.
Wow, this was beyond refreshing. I am in a very very similar mindset/situation as you have expressed here. I have found on the brand side of things it’s very difficult to find a mutual relationship with the brand representation that is in alignment with my channel and the overconsumption in life so the funding of the channel has gotten very difficult. The community always comes first in my opinion so it feels so good to hear you discuss it in the same way. The interview style is also very much in alignment with my path as well. Just wanted to thank you for this, it was like a therapy session for me because these have been such big thoughts I have been gnawing on and haven’t seen anyone talk like this so I felt super in my head about it. I appreciate your transparency!
Really appreciate this comment Damon, and glad to hear you can relate! The ad/channel ethic balance is a tough line to walk, but I think keeping an open dialogue and transparency as you mentioned is the only way to go about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts buddy!
I have a bit of different view on this, maybe not really what you want to hear but I wanted to share it anyway. Part of the reason I like this channel (next to the guitar play at the end!) is that it aligns with my quest for an alternative to the current hypercapitalism/always-on/you-will-own-nothing direction which ruins everything good and genuine. I'm cutting down on a lot of things to try to live more intently, and as part of that I recently started to explore the 'smol internet', which seems a lot about long form consequence-free thought sharing without the need to profit from it. It has its downsides ofcourse, it's hard to reach audiences for example, but all the stuff there is made for the love of it. I think that spirit is commendable - if you don't care about what you get out of it, you won't care about upload schedules and won't have the pressure of dealing with advertisers. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that artists need to eat and not all art can be free, but you could also consider uploading less often, and keep it as a emotionally rewarding hobby.
I have wrestled with this idea as well - it’s definitely something that I go back and forth on. I definitely want to find a balance where I don’t compromise on the ethic of the channel whatsoever but can allow for more time to share my ideas on the platform, because I have way more ideas than time to make videos right now. I’ll keep all this in mind, I’d like to integrate a hybrid approach in how I handle the channel in the future, and as you know I’m open to suggestion. Thank you for the comment!
Whatever you decide to do, im with you the whole way. You have been a pretty huge inspiration to me. Because of your video on journaling, I've been writing every day for about a month and have almost filled out my current pocket journal. I was also thinking about getting a VCR and a bunch of tapes, and your video on that made me think, why not? You say things I've been thinking about, but I just couldn't articulate it for one reason or another. So whatever you plan to do with this channel, I'm all for it.
I’m stoked to have you on board buddy! I hope you enjoy what I’ve got coming up :) appreciate the kind words and I’m so glad you’ve found the videos valuable!
Regarding ad spots, LTT does it in a way that is good for respecting the viewer. Start off with a clear transition to the ad, and put it as a chapter for easy skipping.
I liked all the ideas you had in this video about monetizing the channel. I found it to be a nice balance of ads or supporting directly without "forcing" people (example putting content behind a paywall). I loved the idea of putting the videos into a podcast form and I've also wished more creators would do this (privacy focus channels looking at you). Anyways, keep up the great videos and looking forward to your future videos.
Yeah I really wish more creators would put the audio out - I definitely plan to do that. Glad you enjoy the balance I’m thinking - I don’t really want to put anything behind an exclusive paywall at this point and don’t have any plan to. Appreciate the feedback, thanks for the comment!
i can’t wait for the future of the channel. i dig the transparency and authenticity. i’m thinking of kickstarting my own channel because it’s been an itch i’ve had for like ten years. also. i just got a freewrite which i love, so i hope that’s the “distraction free writing device” you mentioned.
Great to hear from you Josiah! What Freewrite did you get? They’re very neat machines. And you should for sure keep at it with your channel - it’s worth the effort!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the channel so far! I want to talk much more about slow living in the future so I’m happy to hear there’s an appetite for those videos. Appreciate the comment!
I would welcome a paid option of some sort, like Patreon, but I'd also be happy to see a lot of the other options, especially some form of written content or Discord community. I hope you're able to figure out what works for you!
Hi Spencer, I would enjoy any new format of information you want to share. podcast would be very interesting indeed. I appreciate everything you are sharing.
I actually think this is a huge mistake, Spencer. There was a time in the past when UA-cam, as a platform, had an entirely different tone in its overall content. This was because the motivation of most vloggers was simply to talk whenever they had something to say. They were passionate hobbyists. Then Google invited its userbase to participate in the money-making side of things through ad revenue, and this had the effect of creating the vlogger (now the dominant kind) whose motivation was money - worst of all, relying on vlogging as their job. This change in the motivation of content creators is why UA-cam is now full of clickbait and needless spectacle and gossip. You're on the brink of making the same change. So when you start down this road, Spencer, I want you to catch yourself in the morning when you wake up and say to yourself, "I'm going to turn on the camera today because I want to earn" and you find yourself searching your mind for something new to say. The authentic vlogger is one who turns on the camera specifically because something he considers important has already leaped into the forefront of his mind. Participating in ad revenue, sponsorships, etc., causes psychological changes in how you run your channel, to its detriment.
I’m so glad you like the EZ DUZ IT! I actually wrote a joke rap song about it and that I’ve been wanting to put out for a few months so maybe I’ll finally do that. Maybe that’ll get their attention lol. Thanks for the comment buddy!
For a text blog i would recommend Telegram. Or UA-cam community page. But telegram is leaps ahead. In my country patreon is blocked, so can only support via comments and likes. Really like your lifestyle. Already implemented safe razor, floor sleeping, self haircutting. And lots of other minimal stuff. Just a pleasure to watch. You remind me Joseph Seed from Far Cry 5
Great suggestions buddy - and very impressed you’ve adopted so many new habits! I really respect the floor sleeping. I have to work on my girlfriend for that one lol!
@@spencers-adventures Can you do more minimal living videos. I have been trying that in our small home. But Hawaii is very expensive so cutting down is Ideal.
@@spencers-adventures Very cool Spencer. Will keep watching. My channel is very different as i am mixing long and short videos. I am hoping to find a niche. Not sure yet. I have been here 10 or more years.
Discord server is a great idea. I'd rejoin discord just for that. Although personally I'd prefer it be on a more private discord alternative such as Matrix
agreed, matrix is great but sadly the featureset is not nearly to the level of discords, nor the userbase and outreach, for an already public creators community then discord works fine, for something private like perhaps a moderators and admins chat then matrix fills that niche quite well. i use/used discord matrix and slack and discord just has so much going for it in terms of features its so sad its also a totally closed source system
When there is a good UA-cam video but I just want to listen to the audio I open the video in safari and then can turn off the screen but still play the audio. UA-cam to podcast hack 😉
It sounds like you're putting a lot of hours in to the channel, so it should absolutely help to pay the bills. I find Discord overwhelming. I'm more of a fan of Patreon and support a few other creators on there already. Make sure it stays fun and don't take on so much you feel a burden to put out content just to satisfy the supporters
It would be cool to hear from others like you.
I’m glad to hear that! I’m looking forward to sharing some other people’s experience & perspectives 👍
I resonate with your channel a lot, you getting brands deals that align with the channel actually have me interested in seeing what those would be. I say go for it!
Thanks very much, appreciate the feedback!
Spencer, I really like all the ideas you have brewing. I'd suggest doing reviews - album review, film review, products, etc. Maybe even perform a song on guitar? Cheers, Ian
That’s a good suggestion Ian! I could see occasionally showing my fav albums etc, and specifically highlighting media that aligns with my simple living, low tech aspirations. For sure I’ll share more singing too - glad you like it!
Your brand deals would be something I would actually be interested in seeing. In terms of podcasting and different content, I would be down to check those out as well. My only point of concern would be your upload schedule, as doing two uploads a week on top of a full time job sounds crazy to me (but not impossible). I've been releasing 1-4 videos a month for the past couple years as a full time college student, and I can just barely skate by on that. Then again, I'm not monetized, so it is probably a different story for you; I just don't want to see you get burnt out like many other UA-camrs. I wanna see you stick around for a while because you have some really kickass content. I will watch whatever you put out, just wanted to throw my two cents in about your schedule. Stay cool man!
Thanks for the comment Ian, I appreciate the kind words and interest in the podcast idea too. The two uploads per week has been tough lately with my schedule for sure - I’ve been slow to answer comments because I’ve been working the past 12 days in a row. This past month has been a busy stretch but I’m trying to make some room in the schedule so I can manage both without becoming burnt out, so definitely keeping mental health in mind. Mainly I batch shoot so I have a few vids in the tank for when I’m busy, and that will be something I’ll stick with in the future. Thanks again and talk soon buddy!
@@spencers-adventures great to hear!
Taking out integrated ads on the Patreon versions of videos is really unique and I like that idea. I also am personally a fan of the option on Patreon to pay annually.
I didn’t know you could pay annually on Patreon - good to know. I think more channels should consider offering ad-free to patrons. Glad to hear you like the idea!
I like the minimalistic vibe. More VHS, dumbphone, and analogue tech content. What do you think of an answering machine with a landline using an GSM gateway (instead of a cell 2 jack) with an old voicemail? could you still be able to pick up the phone when someone is leaving a message if it is using a SIM card? hmm..
I definitely want to make more content delving into the low-tech lifestyle, and certainly more on simple living/minimalism as well! That landline idea may just work - I’d need to investigate it further but I’d like to make more videos involving the rotary phone too so maybe I’ll get into some other options as well. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it!
I'd say sponsorships, discord, patreon etc are good ideas! I would consider supporting you also on this.
Thanks Adam, glad to hear you’re on board! Hope you’re well!
@@spencers-adventures always on board the Spencer train 😜👌 I am thanks, hope you are
Thank you for sticking to the values of your chanel. its a fine line between advertising semething that is valueable for people or just supporting mass consumerism. Sometimes its a contradictuion. Its hard to make money from minimalism, because it makes people buy less. But you need to sell in order to make money. I'm sure you will find a way you feel most comfortable with.
It definitely is a hard line to walk - easy to feel like a walking contradiction for sure! Thanks for the kind words!
I really enjoy your style and ethos. Tuning in to watch your excellent long form content helps me to work on my own ideas for frugality and technology usage. Cheers!
Thank you very much :) I have a lot more to say so stay tuned!
The dude abides😂
Hey Spencer, I love your channel and the ideas which you are sharing here. I've been always interested in going offline / focusing more on privacy, but laziness and the comfort of having everything by clicking a few buttons is so addictive. I would love to see more content on your philosophy of going offline, what inspires you and reviews. Also, how your daily life looks like could be interesting.
Wow, this was beyond refreshing. I am in a very very similar mindset/situation as you have expressed here. I have found on the brand side of things it’s very difficult to find a mutual relationship with the brand representation that is in alignment with my channel and the overconsumption in life so the funding of the channel has gotten very difficult. The community always comes first in my opinion so it feels so good to hear you discuss it in the same way. The interview style is also very much in alignment with my path as well. Just wanted to thank you for this, it was like a therapy session for me because these have been such big thoughts I have been gnawing on and haven’t seen anyone talk like this so I felt super in my head about it. I appreciate your transparency!
Really appreciate this comment Damon, and glad to hear you can relate! The ad/channel ethic balance is a tough line to walk, but I think keeping an open dialogue and transparency as you mentioned is the only way to go about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts buddy!
My feedback? That lightswitch! It's so weird, it's slowly turning into a meme
Lol I know it’s bizarre. I rent so I have no say in the strange placement!
I have a bit of different view on this, maybe not really what you want to hear but I wanted to share it anyway. Part of the reason I like this channel (next to the guitar play at the end!) is that it aligns with my quest for an alternative to the current hypercapitalism/always-on/you-will-own-nothing direction which ruins everything good and genuine.
I'm cutting down on a lot of things to try to live more intently, and as part of that I recently started to explore the 'smol internet', which seems a lot about long form consequence-free thought sharing without the need to profit from it. It has its downsides ofcourse, it's hard to reach audiences for example, but all the stuff there is made for the love of it.
I think that spirit is commendable - if you don't care about what you get out of it, you won't care about upload schedules and won't have the pressure of dealing with advertisers. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that artists need to eat and not all art can be free, but you could also consider uploading less often, and keep it as a emotionally rewarding hobby.
I have wrestled with this idea as well - it’s definitely something that I go back and forth on. I definitely want to find a balance where I don’t compromise on the ethic of the channel whatsoever but can allow for more time to share my ideas on the platform, because I have way more ideas than time to make videos right now. I’ll keep all this in mind, I’d like to integrate a hybrid approach in how I handle the channel in the future, and as you know I’m open to suggestion. Thank you for the comment!
Whatever you decide to do, im with you the whole way. You have been a pretty huge inspiration to me. Because of your video on journaling, I've been writing every day for about a month and have almost filled out my current pocket journal. I was also thinking about getting a VCR and a bunch of tapes, and your video on that made me think, why not? You say things I've been thinking about, but I just couldn't articulate it for one reason or another. So whatever you plan to do with this channel, I'm all for it.
I’m stoked to have you on board buddy! I hope you enjoy what I’ve got coming up :) appreciate the kind words and I’m so glad you’ve found the videos valuable!
Regarding ad spots, LTT does it in a way that is good for respecting the viewer. Start off with a clear transition to the ad, and put it as a chapter for easy skipping.
I’ll take a closer look at that approach - sounds like a good way to go 👍
First! Stoked to watch!
Thanks for watching! You’re a champ!
I liked all the ideas you had in this video about monetizing the channel. I found it to be a nice balance of ads or supporting directly without "forcing" people (example putting content behind a paywall).
I loved the idea of putting the videos into a podcast form and I've also wished more creators would do this (privacy focus channels looking at you).
Anyways, keep up the great videos and looking forward to your future videos.
Yeah I really wish more creators would put the audio out - I definitely plan to do that. Glad you enjoy the balance I’m thinking - I don’t really want to put anything behind an exclusive paywall at this point and don’t have any plan to. Appreciate the feedback, thanks for the comment!
i can’t wait for the future of the channel. i dig the transparency and authenticity.
i’m thinking of kickstarting my own channel because it’s been an itch i’ve had for like ten years. also. i just got a freewrite which i love, so i hope that’s the “distraction free writing device” you mentioned.
Great to hear from you Josiah! What Freewrite did you get? They’re very neat machines. And you should for sure keep at it with your channel - it’s worth the effort!
@@spencers-adventures I got the traveler as a gift from my girlfriend (what a great gift!) but, I'm eyeing the hemingway
Great ideas, I’m into slow quality living like yourself and been looking for a channel like yours.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the channel so far! I want to talk much more about slow living in the future so I’m happy to hear there’s an appetite for those videos. Appreciate the comment!
I would welcome a paid option of some sort, like Patreon, but I'd also be happy to see a lot of the other options, especially some form of written content or Discord community. I hope you're able to figure out what works for you!
Glad to hear you’re on board with the ideas! Hoping to roll out some of these new content options in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled 👍
Hi Spencer, I would enjoy any new format of information you want to share. podcast would be very interesting indeed. I appreciate everything you are sharing.
Thanks Joey! Really looking forward to getting the podcast going in the next few months 👍
I actually think this is a huge mistake, Spencer. There was a time in the past when UA-cam, as a platform, had an entirely different tone in its overall content. This was because the motivation of most vloggers was simply to talk whenever they had something to say. They were passionate hobbyists. Then Google invited its userbase to participate in the money-making side of things through ad revenue, and this had the effect of creating the vlogger (now the dominant kind) whose motivation was money - worst of all, relying on vlogging as their job. This change in the motivation of content creators is why UA-cam is now full of clickbait and needless spectacle and gossip. You're on the brink of making the same change. So when you start down this road, Spencer, I want you to catch yourself in the morning when you wake up and say to yourself, "I'm going to turn on the camera today because I want to earn" and you find yourself searching your mind for something new to say. The authentic vlogger is one who turns on the camera specifically because something he considers important has already leaped into the forefront of his mind. Participating in ad revenue, sponsorships, etc., causes psychological changes in how you run your channel, to its detriment.
awesome seeing you grow so fast
Thanks John! Would love to have you on a pod in the future 👍
Keep doing book recommendations!
I will definitely do more in the future! Glad to hear you like them!
Get those USA can opener folks to sponsor you, I bought one all the way from Australia and it's straight up a fantastic can opener 😅❤
I’m so glad you like the EZ DUZ IT! I actually wrote a joke rap song about it and that I’ve been wanting to put out for a few months so maybe I’ll finally do that. Maybe that’ll get their attention lol. Thanks for the comment buddy!
I'm open to seeing ads from brands you like. I'd really enjoy a podcast though!
Glad to hear you’re excited for the pod! Thanks for the comment :)
If you want to write a blog, consider setting up a mailing list and just post once a week or something.
Great idea!
For a text blog i would recommend Telegram.
Or UA-cam community page. But telegram is leaps ahead.
In my country patreon is blocked, so can only support via comments and likes.
Really like your lifestyle. Already implemented safe razor, floor sleeping, self haircutting. And lots of other minimal stuff.
Just a pleasure to watch.
You remind me Joseph Seed from Far Cry 5
Great suggestions buddy - and very impressed you’ve adopted so many new habits! I really respect the floor sleeping. I have to work on my girlfriend for that one lol!
i think you already know my opinions on the topic!
Appreciate you buddy!
Do you already have some UA-cam premium money ? Nice reflexion , love the podcast idea .
I do sprouting at the window sill. I look at like minded people. Use pvc to make a computer holder. Pvc for a camera rig. Live more intentional. 😊
Love that DIY ethic! That’s the way to go!
@@spencers-adventures Can you do more minimal living videos. I have been trying that in our small home. But Hawaii is very expensive so cutting down is Ideal.
For sure I can! The minimalism is something I want to delve more into myself so I’d be happy to share on that topic
@@spencers-adventures Very cool Spencer. Will keep watching. My channel is very different as i am mixing long and short videos. I am hoping to find a niche. Not sure yet. I have been here 10 or more years.
Discord server is a great idea. I'd rejoin discord just for that. Although personally I'd prefer it be on a more private discord alternative such as Matrix
agreed, matrix is great but sadly the featureset is not nearly to the level of discords, nor the userbase and outreach, for an already public creators community then discord works fine, for something private like perhaps a moderators and admins chat then matrix fills that niche quite well. i use/used discord matrix and slack and discord just has so much going for it in terms of features its so sad its also a totally closed source system
I agree with the Patreon guy.
When there is a good UA-cam video but I just want to listen to the audio I open the video in safari and then can turn off the screen but still play the audio. UA-cam to podcast hack 😉
Okay I need to try that now! Great tip!
It sounds like you're putting a lot of hours in to the channel, so it should absolutely help to pay the bills. I find Discord overwhelming. I'm more of a fan of Patreon and support a few other creators on there already. Make sure it stays fun and don't take on so much you feel a burden to put out content just to satisfy the supporters
Appreciate the comment! Definitely going to keep it fun and try to find a balance to mitigate any potential of burnout 👍
I don’t think you should drop it, maybe ease back a bit. But then show how you bring your digital detox and minimalistic ways in your daily life.
That’s a great tip!