Soz I've been quiet on here....

[Hippo-Drones]

I must appologise for not posting more on here of recent times. It isn't because of any major drama/life events or what have you, I've just been trying to spread my interests and hobbies out a bit wider than just motorcycles, which has meant I don't have a whole lotta stuff to chip in with on here currently.
Something I have realised, is that I am no longer going to chase the camera technology until I actually need to replace my cameras... I used to buy the latest GoPro/Insta360 cameras religiously, but it is unsustainable and the cost is not worth the {lack of) reward to do so for me. That has stopped me being able to discuss with knowledge about new cameras etc. I am also a little bored with the current new bikes available, so don't have any of them to be excited about either, which is a huge frustration for me as I absolutely love motorcycles... they just aren't building bikes for me currently.
None of this has stopped me making bike content on my channel... but it has slowed my enthusiasm for shouting about new stuff be it bikes or tech.
YouTube seems to be strangling my channel at the moment too, which is a frustration I need to work on and try to fix, have any of you lovely people noticed similar? I feel like I am getting half the views, and then half the interactions etc from those views... maybe I am not putting out content people are interested in, or maybe YouTube has changed an algorithm, who knows, but I need to sort that as that is quite demoralising.
Anyhows, I just wanted to touch base and let you know the forum isn't dead... I just think we are all in that time of year where we all have less time to sit in front of a computer... I do very much enjoy all your posts, and also very much look forward to the newer members getting to the point where they can share their content with us on here... new people, take advantage of the forum being quiet and post questions, photos, holiday plans. etc and get your post count up so you can share vids... you'll also be more likely to then get your vid in the sidebar as each months motor-mouth winner!

 

[rudeboy]

I follow you on FB and see you've been playing with your RC's a lot lately... I need to dig my RC's out and get them up and running again also, although mine are 1/5th scale 2 stroke monster trucks...

I think the time of year also means folk are out and about more during the summer months doing other things with family etc whilst the good weather is here (especially in the UK) so less time watching, filming, editing etc..

With regards to youtube, can't really say much there as my channel is too small and uploads to infrequent to really notice any difference...

 

[Theodor]

I used to buy the latest GoPro/Insta360 cameras religiously, but it is unsustainable and the cost is not worth the {lack of) reward to do so for me...

Indeed. I have noticed my camera is quite outdated, I would not be able to even get a new waterproof case for it anywhere. Still, as long as it works, I am not rushing to getting a new camera.

... they just aren't building bikes for me currently.

You have built bikes yourself before. Maybe it's time to go that route again? Also a collab. opportunity with Shoogly Shed?

have any of you lovely people noticed similar? I feel like I am getting half the views, and then half the interactions

Interestingly no. I think I have gained 2-3 subscribers, this year. Interaction varies a lot, but generally it is around what I have come to expect for the video types I post.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I follow you on FB and see you've been playing with your RC's a lot lately... I need to dig my RC's out and get them up and running again also, although mine are 1/5th scale 2 stroke monster trucks...

I think the time of year also means folk are out and about more during the summer months doing other things with family etc whilst the good weather is here (especially in the UK) so less time watching, filming, editing etc..

With regards to youtube, can't really say much there as my channel is too small and uploads to infrequent to really notice any difference...

Aye, RC cars and planes have been an occupier of my time recently.... I assume you watch Kevin Talbert's channel on YouTube if you are into the big petrol powered monster truck RC stuff? I bet your trucks are a lot of fun!
We have definitely had some lovely weather... although that seems to have passed now and just rain rain rain currently.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Indeed. I have noticed my camera is quite outdated, I would not be able to even get a new waterproof case for it anywhere. Still, as long as it works, I am not rushing to getting a new camera.

You have built bikes yourself before. Maybe it's time to go that route again? Also a collab. opportunity with Shoogly Shed?

Interestingly no. I think I have gained 2-3 subscribers, this year. Interaction varies a lot, but generally it is around what I have come to expect for the video types I post.

I wish I had saved some money on cameras that I have purchased by not getting them... although I do love my Hero 10, but I could have happily avoided the Hero 6, Hero 7 and Hero 9 as they were pretty poor in my experience... which had I not got, would have seen me with £1000 more in my bank account... or knowing me... in the till at the bar!
I have built a bike yup, it cost me in modifications what the bike cost me new, and made it un-ridable in anything but perfect sunny conditions! hahaha.... I have had a lot of fun with that bike though. Once my Gixer has sold, I'll move the custom bike out of my living room and into the garage and give it a bit of a spruce up and sell it as well... had it 11 years now, which to some is not long, but it is the longest I have ever owned a vehicle, and it is basically just an ornament for me nowadays, so time for it to go to someone who will ride it.
Shoogly Shed is an awesome bloke and has a great channel, but I couldn't afford to pay someone to do custom work on a bike for me unfortunately. I do keep getting whacky ideas about doing a bike build of sorts... more tuning and suspension/brake upgrades than cosmetic, but the cost would see me with a bike no better and no cheaper than I could buy new...

 

[R-Rated]

I feel you man. I can't even give away money to attract more subs then I was already getting. I noticed that YouTube has more and more questions when monetizing. Most of my stuff is family friendly but occasionally I have to mark something as applicable.

So this tells me YouTube is struggling to attract advertisers or else they would not want to know so many details for monetization.

I hope the new folks lurking and trying do not give up hope but I do get frustrated when I see big channels grow exponentially when they are not better than the smaller ones. I recently came across a video post elsewhere on the land known for Faces. It was a group for small channels bit yet this creator had access to bikes from a manufacturer that had not made them available to public. I looked and they were a big channel after all. It was a big turnoff for me because the group was for small channels and now anyone can spam post. Oh well.

I too look forward to the small channel interaction on here and even some from medium channels as far as videos and advice.

Stuff the new tech. It is nice but back ten years ago we really had to know editing and camera alignment. Cameras these days with their viewfinders, stabilization, and making almost every sky look crystal blue - bah! HUMBUG!

 

[Moto Mengy]

I've heard several small motovloggers complaining recently about YouTube views being down lately. I'm certainly gaining subs at a much slower rate than I did a few months ago, but that could just be summertime too.

I have too many hobbies, always have. Lately I've done more riding without the cameras than with! I even missed an upload a few weeks ago because I was having fun doing other stuff and I simply didn't bother with my channel for a week, lol. I'm okay with that, Moto Mengy is a fun hobby for me and I ain't making a living on YT anytime ever.

 

[Meifesto]

YouTube seems to be strangling my channel at the moment too, which is a frustration I need to work on and try to fix, have any of you lovely people noticed similar? I feel like I am getting half the views, and then half the interactions etc from those views

Yupe, I have the same problem(s).
And mentioned it here as well.

Recent video seem to be a bit better, but then again, that is also a more clickbaity subject in general.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Hopefully motorbike content will fall back in favour with the YouTube gods soon!

 

[Skipshift]

I've been busy with other things in life as well. Interestingly I have gained 50+ subs since the first part of this year. The maintenance/repair videos seem to be getting more traction as of late. The couple of review videos are still treading water too.
I almost got around to recording a fresh video this weekend, but alas, life got in the way again . I think in the early fall things will slack off and I'll have more time to put back in to videos and shop content. We shall see!

 

[Hippo-Drones]

That is great you have seen growth on your channel