Nick @ The Linux Experiment

I finally wrote a new article on my website (and I plan to do that a lot more in the future).

As the 5 year anniversary of the channel approaches, I wanted to reflect on what it means to work as a full time content creator, how it happened, the good, and the bad. Enjoy the looooooong brain dump!

https://thelinuxexp.com/working-as-a-content-creator/

Five years of TLE: what is it like to work as a content creator

In a month, The Linux Experiment will be five years old. The channel, not me. So I wanted to write a lengthy brain dump of what it feels like to make a living as someone creating content. Here we go!

Jan 30, 2023 at 8:41pmWeb
Show threadNiccolò VenerandiJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP I always love these kind of recaps :D
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 30, 2023
@niccolove They’re always fun to write!
Show threadNiccolò VenerandiJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP I was wondering, the days where you're done early and go to swim, don't you feel like you could instead do even more videos? What's the balance you pick between content production and free time, at the end?
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 30, 2023
@niccolove I do, sometimes, but I wouldn’t make more than 3 videos per week anyways, and my current rhythm allows me to deliver that, and sometimes have a few things ready in advance, so it’s an exercise in letting go and accepting that rest is as important as work!
Show threadNiccolò VenerandiJan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Another question as I re-read the article, regarding "sometimes hard to accept that you can’t do everything". I've seen at least a couple of Linux channels roughly your size commission some things externally, e.g. editing or some scripts. I've always seen that as a way to be able to cover more stuff. Is that something you do, or don't want to do?
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@niccolove I don’t want to do it :) I like doing things myself, the only thing I could see is editing, if I can find someone to hire locally. I wouldn’t do it remotely
Show threadBrage FuglsethJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Regarding the "The Linux Experiment" name, I think it still fits, just with a slightly different meaning! The desktop Linux ecosystem itself is, in many ways, a gigantic experiment. Without the artificial limitations of some gigantic, monolithic corporation, we are able to do discover new solutions and take our systems in new directions. Freedom brings innovation. You do a great job of covering the various moving parts of this experiment 😀
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 30, 2023
@bragefuglseth True, that’s a nice rationale for the name! It still feels like experimenting with new things everyday, but it’s not necessarily using Linux that’s the experiment, it’s everything linked to using that system!
Show threadomg! ubuntuJan 30, 2023

@thelinuxEXP Oh Nick, that was really insightful read! Loved it. Gives me plenty of things to think/consider. I want to do more videos but I still find it hard to muster the confidence it takes. Kiiinda worried about how some sections of the community will react to my sexuality given it's a bit more obvious when I'm on screen. Anyway, this has turned into a brain dump of my my own.

tl;dr write more often!

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 30, 2023

@omgubuntu I’m glad you liked it, coming from you, it means a lot!

It took me about 2 years to appear on camera, and probably another year to appear confident, and even now, sometimes I feel like an impostor… It’s tough, but it gets easier! What I’d say is: go for it, give it your best shot, and don’t let a few angry comments prevent you from doing it!

Show threadChristian BrookerJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @omgubuntu I enjoy watching your videos Nick. Despite not agreeing with everything you say I still find your videos insightful and entertaining. You should bring more of your sense of humour though, your jokes (even the lame ones) are very funny, but you seem to avoid it or be apologetic for them. Don't! It adds to the genuineness.
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@jedibrooker @omgubuntu I don’t avoid it, I just try to bring a balance between information and my own lame jokes 😂
Show threadomg! ubuntuJan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Thaaanks for the advice, dude – you're crushing it so I need to listen to you - you know what you're talking about! Also, I discovered Iotas through your post - great app, so thanks!
Show threadSteve CarusoJan 31, 2023

I, too, snagged Iotas under the same circumstances… 🙂 Perfect replacement for Apple Notes.

And keep up the good work, Nick. 🙂

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@Steve @omgubuntu Thanks!
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@omgubuntu It is super simple, but pretty cool!
Show thread📄 Mehdi.docJan 31, 2023
@omgubuntu @thelinuxEXP Hey Joey, it's been a while since I read you ! I would love to watch your OSS tech news video content :)
Show threadroyal Jan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP On the topic of the word "experiment": some experiments are a success.
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 30, 2023
@royal True!
Show threadMac GeekJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP
Show threadJuleJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP
Thanks for advocating for Linux in such a nice to watch and understandable way.
As you have a Mastodon account and publish videos on peertube I guess you think about the privacy implications of YouTube and twitter.
Do you have a concept in mind of how your business model could work without the revenue from YouTube ads?
I guess that's a hard one to solve...
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@JuleLe The only way I can see is user funding. Ads don’t pay much, so you don’t need as many paying viewers as you need ad-enabled views, but I can’t really see another way, apart from sponsors!
Show threadJuleJan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP
Thanks for your reply.
Show threadRui CarmoJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP nice post - and a good telling of a happy accident. You have the makings of a raconteur :)
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@rcarmo Thanks! I am also writing a book, but it’s taking a long time 😓
Show threadthesaigoneerJan 30, 2023
@thelinuxEXP nice to read your journey, Nick! And just keep going, wherever that road takes you! Brought me a positive sting of jealousy 🌞
Show threadIvan Jan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP bookmarked
Show thread  Jan 31, 2023

@thelinuxEXP It's absolute crazy to think that this whole journey started accidentally, but then again I'm old enough to know first hand that some of the best things that have happened to me also fall in the same category.

Congratulations on the anniversary, and good luck on this continued journey. (Your channel is part of my Linux experiment...)

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@firestarter451 Thanks! I’m glad it could help!
Show threadmward100Jan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Congratulations, I've been using Linux Mint for the last 6 or 7 years and still have a lot to learn. I just subscribed to your YouTube channel, your podcast and bookmarked you web site. It will be a good learning experience to go back and watch some of your old videos. Thanks and good luck in your new job.
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@mward100 Thanks! Don’t linger too long on these old videos, they’re really bad 😓
Show threadDenzil FerreiraJan 31, 2023
@thelinuxEXP awesome read 🌟 you could do a gear tour? What camera you use, desk, chair, etc?
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 31, 2023
@denzilferreira I probably will do that at some point!