Who are you and what kind of content do you create?

My name is Matej, and I’m from Slovenija. YouTube is still a side hustle. My full-time job is as a telecommunication technician, but I also work in a video production company.

I do all the work for my YouTube channel named GRANDOS. I am a big fan of Rockstar games and their series Grand theft auto. That’s where I got the channel name from the first word Grand and added OS. First, I was planning to make only GTA videos, but I really like technology and all the game developing process, so I started to upload content like that. But the most significant boost in views and subscriptions gave me the fantastic game was from Rockstar games, Red Dead Redemption 2.

Let's go down memory lane, tell us your backstory!

I  joined YouTube on June 14, 2014.

I remember that I wanted to test how YouTube works (how many views I will get, and how much I will be paid.) The first video I uploaded was about how the next Grand theft auto six graphics could look like, and it got a million views really fast. Then I received a payment from Google and

I was hooked. At that time, I had a job that I didn't like and with a low salary. My dream was to work on something that I like and being paid, so here, I’ve seen an opportunity on YouTube.

How do you brainstorm ideas for your content and your advice in getting the creative juice flowing.

I get some of my ideas from something that I see. Other times, I dream of ideas. But then, I just do the video from my head. I don't complicate and write things down.

What are the tools and platforms you use to help with your brand?

I do all the work on my windows PC (still waiting for delivery of RTX3090 :D ) For editing, I use Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop. I have a Facebook page Grandos gaming videos, that helps me advertise my channel.

What were your fears starting out? How did you handle it?

I didn't have fears because I didn't really want to film myself, but that can change in the future.

How did you build your brand to where it is now, take us through your process.

I post videos three or four times a week, trying to be consistent.

The start was not hard because all I needed was a PC and some editing skills, which I had.

For someone who wants to get into content creation, what is your advice?

Just choose the category you are most passionate about and just make videos.

Persistence is the key to success.

How did you finally commit to X platform rather than your regular day job?

Still doing my day job, I plan to go on my own path and put everything on a new level.

Tell us your best milestones in being a content creator.

Well, I really wanted to reach that 100k milestone and get the play button award from YouTube, so I was delighted when I reached that. Now I’m at  515k and dreaming about the 1,000,000 mark. :)

What are your marketing strategies to grow your brand?

Sometimes I did pay the ads on Facebook, but the most that helped me was probably people sharing my videos.

How do you handle brand deals and sponsorships?

I don’t reach out to brands. Sometimes companies contact me and give me an offer, and then I decide upon how much work I have to do for that payment. I don't have criteria for the brands, but I carefully investigate if the brand is legit.