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Working A 9-5 Job & Uploading 3 Videos A Week As A Content Creator.
Hello I am Sam, I run the YouTube Channel Samosh. I am an English creator based in the UK. Currently YouTube is my side job that I manage around my 9/5 but my ultimate goal is to be doing YouTube full time in the near future.
I have a little help from my girlfriend when it comes to filming and editing some of my videos. However for the most part I write my own scripts, record and edit myself. While also making my own thumbnails and managing my various social media accounts. How I came up with my channel name is actually just by combining part of my last name with my first name.
My beginning was actually on a different channel. I started making videos and learning the basics of video editing. Then after a while of getting better, I moved on to Samosh a channel where I started making highlights from random games I was playing. Then I found Escape from Tarkov, a game which I quickly grew fond of and found to be exciting and fresh. This led me to soon gain some traction and helped me to form relationships with other content creators and the developers of the game.
The reason that I started creating was actually because in my 9/5 at the time I edited videos, I enjoyed helping people with creating guides on YouTube and that's what prompted me to want to create guides myself. I came up with the idea for my channel because at the time I started, there seemed to be a lack of information surrounding the game, so I started making content to stop people feeling stuck like I was at the beginning.
I have always uploaded to just YouTube and reposted the link on my social media accounts like Twitter and Discord. One idea that has always kept me going is that practice makes perfect and to never give in even through tough times. I can’t really pinpoint any creators that inspired me directly, I have learned a few things and I can safely say that the way I now edit has been inspired by some other creators. Something that really motivates me is looking at comments and seeing people sharing and reposting my videos, it makes me feel like I’ve achieved something worthwhile.
When brainstorming video ideas I usually discuss them with people I record with on Discord, then once I have something of note I will write my ideas up on Google Docs.
Sometimes when I’m stuck I’ll go for a walk or jump onto Discord and ask my community what they would want to see, which usually helps me break any creative blocks I might be experiencing. However, at times due to my 9/5 this means that I can't be as consistent as I’d like when uploading content.
When it comes to editing I mostly use software from the Adobe Creative Cloud. For video editing I use Premiere Pro and After Effects and for photo editing I use Photoshop.
As for my platform, I use YouTube for my uploads and stream occasionally on Twitch. While also maintaining a presence on my social medias Instagram, Twitter and Discord.
I honestly didn’t have many fears when I started out. This is mostly because I never thought about what people would think of me as it was never something that really bothered me. At first, when receiving negative comments I simply ignored them, but now I try to respond by twisting their comments into something positive or just counter-argue in a humorous way.
YouTube did help me grow my confidence when it comes to speaking to people, although I had felt like I had that confidence by the time I started my second channel, Samosh. One thing in particular that helps with that, is getting positive feedback. It’s not hard to get over the negative when you have people around you that you can talk to. If you do have any issues then talking to them about it can help make those issues so much easier to handle.
As I have a 9/5 it can sometimes be a little difficult to get videos out consistently. I do however try to post when I can and as much as possible to get out 3 videos a week. When starting out I didn’t really need to spend any money to help establish my brand on YouTube. Due to my work at the time I already had a PC that was powerful enough to record, play and edit on. From there I made all my own graphics and everything using my own manpower, now my income from YouTube is pretty much profit.
The hardest challenge I faced was when I needed a week's break. During this time I was unable to upload and due to YouTubes algorithms, they stopped recommending my videos by around 90%. This resulted in me having to work twice as hard for two months afterward until my videos started to get consistent views again. When I first began the channel my traction started off quick, in my first 3 Escape from Tarkov videos and about 4 months of the channel being active I had 1000 subscribers. From there it has been growing steadily at about 350 subscribers per week but from working on channels in the past I know exactly what it’s like to struggle with the grind.
My current operation is work from 8am to 6pm, then when I get home I take a little time to unwind from my day job. After that, I spend some time planning a video, from there (whether it be the same day or over the next day/s) I will record, edit and upload throughout the week. On weekends I put alot more time into videos and I try to spend time with my family and loved ones. I try not to neglect them too much for the dream. Due to the demanding nature of my schedule, I usually live on 5 hours of sleep which may not be for everyone but it works for me. As of now, I’ve been creating content for 2 years.
As I have a 9/5 it can sometimes be a little difficult to get videos out consistently. I do however try to post when I can and as much as possible to get out 3 videos a week. When starting out I didn’t really need to spend any money to help establish my brand on YouTube. Due to my work at the time I already had a PC that was powerful enough to record, play and edit on. From there I made all my own graphics and everything using my own manpower, now my income from YouTube is pretty much profit.
The hardest challenge I faced was when I needed a week's break. During this time I was unable to upload and due to YouTubes algorithms, they stopped recommending my videos by around 90%. This resulted in me having to work twice as hard for two months afterward until my videos started to get consistent views again. When I first began the channel my traction started off quick, in my first 3 Escape from Tarkov videos and about 4 months of the channel being active I had 1000 subscribers. From there it has been growing steadily at about 350 subscribers per week but from working on channels in the past I know exactly what it’s like to struggle with the grind.
My current operation is work from 8am to 6pm, then when I get home I take a little time to unwind from my day job. After that, I spend some time planning a video, from there (whether it be the same day or over the next day/s) I will record, edit and upload throughout the week. On weekends I put alot more time into videos and I try to spend time with my family and loved ones. I try not to neglect them too much for the dream. Due to the demanding nature of my schedule, I usually live on 5 hours of sleep which may not be for everyone but it works for me. As of now, I’ve been creating content for 2 years.
Never underestimate what you can do.
You are making content for your own reasons and you all have your own reasons for starting. Don’t let the bad comments get you down but learn from them and take their advice. If someone has taken the time to watch your video you should take the time to read their comments and possibly learn from them.
As I’ve mentioned something I learned the hard way was that consistency is key. Make sure you are consistent that if you decide to take a break or go on holiday that you have videos scheduled for while you are away or you will find that you will struggle to get your reach numbers back to normal.
For me, the best thing to come out of being a creator is all the new people I’ve been able to meet, making close friends as a result of my channel has been amazing. Getting my first positive comment also helped push me to keep creating.
What has come out of my YouTube channel so far has shown me that it is possible to make something out of creating. It has made me want to continue to create and hopefully, one day make a career out of my channel.
For the most part, I let things happen how they’re going to happen. I don’t put too much into marketing my channel besides posting on social media and use hashtags when I post.
One thing I have done a few times that could help in terms of marketing my channel is collaborating with other content creators. This doesn’t happen often as I only collaborate with people I’m close with.
I consider them but if they're not companies that I find reputable then I won’t deal with them. I don’t really go out of my way to reach out to brands, I mostly wait to get contacted by brands first. I don’t accept most of the deals I’m offered as I’m very selective. I like to do my research before working with any company.
Advice I’d give to new creators is do your research. Usually, if a company can’t string an email together then they are not a reputable company and if they can’t offer you a website then they are probably not reputable. When researching to see how long the company has been about, also check to see if it would violate any terms of service for any game company that you are recording for.
I have had to negotiate my pay a few times with brand deals.
Companies will always try to undervalue you so it’s important to have an agent or someone who knows your brand worth to help you negotiate.
Also don’t expect to be paid for your first sponsorship or get sponsorships instantly.
