This past year marked another chapter in my journey as an independent content creator. It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this for 13 years now, with about half of that time full-time. The support I’ve received from viewers, whether through clicking on my videos, subscribing, or contributing directly, has been crucial. It’s a reminder of the community that makes this possible—even as the business itself remains as tough as ever. Check out my year in review video here.
This year, I uploaded 156 videos, which doesn’t include live streams. Adding those in, the number creeps up to around 170. These uploads accounted for about 36 hours of content. I’m able to output this volume thanks to my workflow where I shoot everything live to disk with minimal editing.
In terms of reach, my 2024 content generated 3.3 million views this year alone, with overall channel views at 7.6 million. Half of the total views came from older videos.
While subscriber growth hovered around the same level as last year, the larger story remains the shifting dynamics of YouTube’s algorithm. Only about 25% of my viewers are subscribers, with the majority arriving through algorithmic recommendations and search. YouTube has made subscriptions less impactful as they do not show every subscriber every video. However, I’ve tried to adapt by sharing updates across multiple platforms and through email newsletters, ensuring that dedicated followers can stay informed.
Some of the year’s standout videos included a recent one on the YouTube TV price increase and alternatives, as well as a piece on Japan’s ban of floppy disks for government use. Exploring these topical subjects has been enjoyable, and I plan to do more in the coming year. On the flip side, niche videos like the printer buying guide initially underperformed but gained traction over time through search. Other uploads, like one on the HP Sprocket photo booth, didn’t fare as well but might find an audience later.
As always, veering off-topic poses risks. For instance, a video about my first flying lesson struggled to connect broadly with viewers. Still, experimenting with new content types, whether they succeed or not, remains an important part of what I do.
Looking ahead, I’ll be heading to CES without a sponsor for the first time in nearly a decade. It’s an opportunity to explore and share discoveries without the constraints of producing sponsored content. The lack of sponsorships reflects broader challenges in the industry, where editorial independence is becoming increasingly rare. Many companies now expect pre-review conditions and paid collaborations, making unbiased reviews harder to come by.
The decline in certain product review categories also continues to reshape my focus. Laptops, once staples of the channel, aren’t drawing the same interest that they used to. However, mini PCs and retro gaming content have picked up momentum, offering new avenues to explore. To close out the year, I’ve lined up some fun retro gaming reviews, including a look at the MisterPi coming up later this week—a low-cost clone of the Mister Project—and Super Nintendo ports of classic NES games that uploaded on Christmas Day.
As we transition into 2025, I’m eager to refine the content I create while staying true to the values that have guided me from the start. Your feedback and continued support mean everything as I navigate this ever-evolving landscape. Thanks for sticking with me on this journey!
