Hope this helps someone out there

My man! Appreciate you sharing this bro 👊🏾

Enormously helpful video man, thanks so much ❤❤ you’ve been an inspiration for years and certainly continue to be :)

I found that what helped me the most, was focusing on simply putting out more content. That way, you get a bigger pool of videos that can succeed. If you have 4 videos out in a week and 3 fail, but 1 is a success, you at least have that. But if you focus on 1 major production and that fails, it will seriously demotivate you. Then taking that and analysing why that 1 video succeed and why the others failed and trying to focus on making more content that does well. Tech is quite boring now and the majority of the audience just wants to see something new, that they can also relate to.

I connect with this on a deep level. Having quit my job and throwing everything I have into this KZfaq journey to find my views fluctuating a ton, not to mention the difficulty of handling the business side of things has definitely taken a toll on my mental health. Thanks for sharing ❤

Most creators never get vulnerable like this man, thanks for sharing and inspiring others to push through it and find the joy of creating regardless of the numbers. You’ve got such a big heart man and that’s what’s gonna last and be remembered!

Struggling is such a crucial part of our lives… it makes me stronger, there’s no doubt about it; but it’s always extremely difficult to experience

Loved this video! Definitely needed and appreciated to know you're not alone with the highs and lows of this space.

thank you for opening up and sharing the struggles of being a creative - people forget that we’re all human too, it’s difficult at times knowing that what you make might fall short and not meet expectations from others. I’ve learned how important it is to make things you love, take things slow - quiet the noise in your mind, focus on gratitude and positivity and understand that it’s all part of the creative journey 🤟

Thank you for your openness. Means a lot. This makes a difference.

1. It’s really refreshing to hear someone in your position talk about this stuff. 2. That pink Telecaster is absolutely stunning.

man this was relatable. But Jon, you've got legend status... regardless of "the numbers," you are such a KZfaq legend and a big reason I started my channel. Just keep innovating and changing and it will be exciting for you and reactivate your audience!! Either way, I'll be there watching.

I don't think people nesecerally fall out of love with you guys, there's just so much great new content out there and a limited supply of time

This was super refreshing and completely relatable, thanks for keeping it straight up as you always do!

As someone who got rejected by a girl, I delt with severe depression after that happened to me after chasing her for the past 2 years and putting all my love into her. The only way I got through it was by just working on myself and keep on improving myself

Thanks so much for this discussion. I know I feel it. 👍

I just hit 100k, a goal I was eying from the start. KZfaq for about 7 years (2 years full time now), 1000 videos and man it’s all true. The highs and lows. Never had the worry that it’ll all crumble when I was doing a 9-5 haha. Thanks for this, a good reminder 🙏🏼

Appreciate you speaking and Judner speaking about this topic. Many of us struggle with this so I truly appreciate it.

Thanks for being awesome, @Jonathan!

It is exhausting. I decided to take a step back and simplify and it’s helped me a ton. Thanks for the discussion.

I really appreciated the look at the more human side of a tech KZfaqr, would be interested in more glimpses like this

As far as Tech KZfaq is concerned, I think everyone needs to remember that MKBHD became the success that he is, by making videos in his college dorm room. Pretty much the same set for every video, no 8K cameras or fancy studio. Every video doesn’t need to be a cinematic masterpiece, its the content that counts.

I very much appreciate you and your average consumer's content. As well as any other tech channel that cover things I'm into. The thing with views from me is that I tend to only go searching to see what your channels are up to when it comes to new tech coming out that I'm interested in. If I have things I'm all set with sticking with, my venture into tech channel news goes down. I imagine your channels may see this too? When new tech is coming out, you likely see a boost in views, I assume.

super relatable. feels good to know so many other creators relate 🙏🏼

I hear you.. it's the case everywhere. It's harder for some when they're depending on this to take care of a family.. all we can do is our best. It is what it is. Much love. PS we once met at the long gone Note 7 event in New York. Great times. ✌🏼

This was an amazing video Jonathan, thanks for sharing. The creator struggle is real, including the obsession with views and metrics by creators, celebrating the unhealthy grind, and not being able to focus on other passions because you have built a channel in one niche. I face this struggle now as I still love tech, but I have a new passion in mechanical watches that most of my tech audience does not appreciate. Appreciate your honesty and shedding some light on this issue that I think a lot of the audience has no idea about. Keep up the great work!

Everyone struggles at work - time management, balancing work and home, competition against colleagues for new opportunities, just keeping your job is hard in a lot cases. I don’t know why KZfaq creators feel the need to make so much content on the concept of work being hard and requiring a commitment …

The amount of positive masculinity in this is so endearing. Thank you for sharing this ❤

Such a timely video for me personally. Thank you for putting it out there.

Thanks for sharing man ❤️ I feel the same way most days. Looking for other ways to inspire myself creatively outside of youtube has been a huge help lately. Being a youtuber is an incredible job to have, but sometimes you just need to set some time aside to create for yourself. Not everything needs to be shared online.

Just one person's opinion... I think your project "Jonathan and Friends" is incredibly creative. Not only do I subscribe to you here but also to the "Jonathan & Friends" artist channel on Spotify. I truly believe your work with musicians (and the tech being used to create) is your unique offering and it's the strongest reason I watch your great content. Thank you :)

Love to see a video like this! ive been posting drum covers for almost a year now with little to no growth but I know I gotta keep at it because its a grind and more than anything I love music

Hey brother I know everything about struggling I lost my 12 year old son in 2016 to suicide and I struggle everyday but you know what people like you help me make it through my day I appreciate you and wish you the very best each day. Thank you for your positivity

This video is amazing, it means a lot hearing this from you guys that I’ve looked up to for so long 💙

You sir, are a friend everyone would love to have. Stay healthy sir!

Jonathan you have to understand something's, HATE is the the killer, you got to keep on going trusting deeply; that you doing right. Demystifying mistakes is just part of the challenges that we are facing right now; you on thee top it will rain harder on you. I will like to sit down and talk to you about this! wish yo the best and thanks for bringing joy to the community.

Thanks for this video. I do miss your tech videos but do what makes you happy. ❤

I love your content and your integrity.

Loved this. Also loved Jud's perspective as well 🙏🏿

This is such a real video. I struggle with this on my channel. Sometimes I work really hard on coming up with ideas for a video, film it, and feel good about it, then get 15 views on it. I have a smaller channel (only 3k+ subscribers), so I feel like if I get 1,000 views on a video, then that's good for me. But those, 15-35 views videos make me feel like quitting.

The most important thing is just enjoy what you love doing, once you focus on the numbers it will just bring you down..

I really enjoyed hearing this conversation, and you sharing your thoughts on the matters of being a creator, especially with tech. The part that really resonated with me was the comment you made about people wanting us to be negative in regards to product reviews or things like that. It's a frustrating thing to fight with sometimes, and the thing I've been trying to ground myself with as I have been struggling with keeping up with content, and being a one man team, is exactly what you said, looking back on how much I've accomplished and how far I've come. It helps give me a more positive outlook on what is next.

I feel seen 👀 But seriously, this video really helps. I'm about to re-invent my channel again with something I've been working on for a couple months. I hope it works out. It's not exactly what I want to do, but circumstances dictate that I have to work on this before the other thing (channel). I've always appreciated our conversations and you've been a huge support for me, Jon. 🙏 Thank you. Appreciate the awesome convo between you and Jud. He's one of my favourites.

Is not creators. Everybody struggles. We have to be compassionate towards every single being. Fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, dogs, cats, horses. We have to learn to love life, and every single form of it. Have a good day everyone. Cheers from Colombia, and get well Jonathan.

I bet people thought you were crazy to make a tech channel back in the day. It’s the same people saying you’re crazy for following a music career. Do what you like creatively, nothing is supposed to be same forever. As you’ve grown over the years with this tech channel…. So have your viewers. Many of us are older now, are still subscribed but don’t watch tech reviews as much anymore; however we still like watching you, Jon. Personally I’d love to see videos on your music work - I know nothing about it but I’d love to see a deconstruction, behind the scenes, interviews, while keeping your cinematography style :)

First, I loved the Dolby Atmos set up video. It really had me thinking about how I could build my own without losing my 2.1 gear that I worked so hard to have. Second, it’s really nice to see another side of being a ‘KZfaqr’. How many videos are out there giving advice to people wanting to start a channel? And they all say something along the lines of make videos about something you love… I imagine once you go full time, and especially when you start hiring people, that mentality goes out the window! Finally, thank you. What you and Judner were talking about resonated with my own creative journey. I have started and stopped so many times. I’ve invested so much time and money into my own dream, only to let that inner voice hold me back. I guess it’s true, you are your own worst critic. I can’t imagine what happens once you have a comment section tearing apart your work too! I hate that without even trying, I let the idea of what people might say stop me from even starting.

after seeing this video, I appreciate the process even more. thank you.

This was SUPER inspirational to hear! I have been struggling to “put out great videos” especially after some setbacks I have had. I am learning to just put my head down and work! The numbers can get to you as well, it’s almost inevitable! 🤷🏽‍♂️ I think the key is to know the PURPOSE behind WHY one is on KZfaq and once that is figured out, then it should be the driver that pushes us! Thanks again for posting this video! I needed this! 🙏🏽 😊

Thank you for this video Jonathan & Jud! This put's things into perspective. As a small creator, all of my spare time goes into my channel and sometimes it tough to deal with the burnout. This definitely hits home with me. Well done guys! Much love!

I try to ignore the algorithms and just keep putting out content. People will like it, love it or hate it, just gotta keep good content coming.

I can totally relate with everything you are saying man, specially the mental tax is insane, plus the algorithm screwing you is the worst

Thanks dude I needed this, I’ve felt like I was alone in this when a video fails after all the time I’ve put in to it and it just drags you down but yet I can film and edit a video in a few hours and it blows up, definitely need that balance

This is timely for me. Thank you for sharing this man. This is helpful and it speaks a lot to us. Learning not to take the joy out of creating something.

I started making videos on KZfaq in 2015 inspired from you “team crispy” guys and totally loved having fun in the process of making videos & talking about tech. Fast forward to 2022, my YPP got cancelled & Adsense account got disabled as I don’t meet the requirements of the YT algorithm anymore 🤷🏻‍♂️ Have recorded a lot of videos in last few years but never felt like uploading just because the fun part of doing it was somehow missing! Anyways spent last couple or years in building myself a career in coding / dev job which has actually now become my fun thing 😁 So all these struggles, totally relatable 🙌🏼

our channel was growing and looking good and then suddenly, it stopped! It is really hard to not focus on views going down and subs dropping. But we are trying to just keep improving and turning the corner sometime! This video helped give me perspective while going through these struggles! thanks for this video!

I felt this one for real

As long as your happy that’s the best thing to do .good luck on your journey 👍👍

Y'all dunno how much I needed this video lol. Especially when I think about how you guys have millions of subs but go through the same thing as me. Thank you for this, motivated me to keep it going!

Without the struggles there's no room for growth, Without growth how can you be a better person in life and not having a good life is not a life at all. I remember in NY The Note 8 event at the Park Avenue Armory I met you outside and was excited about it like I just met a celebrity even took a pic with you. That's how much your content has meant too me learning and having the excitement while taking in this knowledge you share with us. It's very much appreciated i always look forward to what's next. THANK YOU!

Jonathan, I'm a composer and artist but challenged by all of the TECH out there these days. YOU have always been "the" person I have always gone to to make any tech decision. But, much bigger than that...your character and honesty and humanity just glow like Andromeda...yep, I'm in to astronomy! You're loved and admired by so many, many people......looking forward to your next videos!!!

Thanks for this guys.

Such a good conversation! Shout-out to you and Judner for having this discussion! Probably one we should have more often!

You rock! I honestly appreciate your candid videos and I’m always eager to see whatever content you put out. Specially  related (not that it really matters).

Yes I feel y’all on putting out material that y’all “have to” and I sometimes never think about how y’all have to keep posting to be able to be able to make a living all while we as casual viewers would like to think you guys are living the dream but the dream costs. Even tho our own day in and day out our work cost us some understandability in our lives but we want you to know we look foward to you guys to take us out of our Mandan lives and you should know we love and always support you guys. a source of entertainment and education.

Thank you so much for this video Jon, at least i know i'm not the only one, sometime it's tough

2:30 "Some people glamorize the grind"...hmmmm the name Casey fkn Neistat comes to mind.... that dude glamorizes the grind and glamorizes that cesspool NYC like its the best thing ever. No its not!! It almost cost him his marriage and probably so much more. The grind culture is bullshit no matter which way you look at it. It needs to be done...but in a controlled and disciplined manner.

Perfect timing Jonathan - I'm just about to post my own video on burnout. I can't thank you enough for throwing your important voice into this conversation :) much love.

Needed this, thank you

I’m going through this and have since I started in 2010. I’m finally gaining my some momentum and all I’m focused on is getting to know my audience by trying different things. I just want to create and I want people to watch. The only metric I measure myself against is Watch time. Are they watching the whole video? Are they consuming all that I’m producing or are they leaving left overs. That keeps the peace for me and grateful for each view. When I have 10k or 20k will I feel different? Idk but right now I’m doing what I can to not give up on this journey.

A big hug for you brotha! Thanks for sharing your story of strength.

Benn watching you for a long time it feels like. Thanks for being real. Always

Big thanks for this video! I hope you're doing better on your side! You're such a good dude and deserve the best and wellness!

As a full Time Photographer/videographer......Mental heath is super important.....you need to have that balance or the work will overwhelm you.....and not often you have a client that understands that.

You're both such an inspiration and amazing people from what I can see. I may not have the time to watch every video of yours but I def would if I could. Keep up the hard work your real fans are always here cheering you on 🙌🏼

Thank you Jonathan! Keep up the amazing work and spreading good messages to the KZfaq community.

The only thing that is constant is change.

I work with a kids channel that has 37 million subscribers. You’re right, the analytics can be a confidence destroyer especially when KZfaq doesn’t push your content after posting because the algorithm thinks what you made is not good even though I poured hours and days into production value etc. it does get exhausting as a creator because we can’t indulge in when a video doesn’t do well, we HAVE to keep going on to the next piece of content to keep growing, research to do better, learn what not to do again, etc. being a content creator definitely has struggle that viewers do not see. Totally get it! Keep grinding tho, you’ve came a long way!

As a new KZfaqr I definitely thought this was a dream job, but after getting monetized and seeing the analytics it takes a toll when you see the dip .

I just made it to 41k and i cant be more happy. I know sometimes its tough when i see less than 100 views and then some hit 1k views. At the end of the day for me is that I enjoy the content no matter what happens. Maybe one day ill make it big or not.

I’m not a KZfaqr. I’ve never been even remotely popular. I relate none of my life with you. But somehow I feel connected to you always. Yes I’ve been following you for a while and would love more tech videos from you, but I honestly respect your honesty, sincerity and you being so down to earth. Keep up the good work man.

I can't imagine "my dear creators" what you go through making videos to educate and entertain us. 🙏🏼 Thanks Jonathan for this important video

Everything in this video is spot on.

Appreciate you sharing the honesty and the friendship between the two of you.

True to yourself first and foremost because thats who you are day in-day out; everything else in just noise. 🙏

Maaaaan yesss 👏🏽

Dude, you're just amazing in multiple ways. "Peace be the journey"

Yes I agree with Judner and you. Even though I'm not a content creator, but I do photo gigs like Events like family reunions, parties, Prom send offs etc. The to become a better you is so great and you will have those people who will love your work, but you will have people to hate on you BIG TYME!!!! So the struggle is definitely real!!!! Great video guys 👌🏽👍🏽

Thanks for the video Jonathan and Jud, sometimes it's tough to get through what we conceive as failure even if it's not total failure at all.

For me the hardest part is that you’re committing to something that can take a decade to build, and it might not be the thing you end up loving.

For some reason the thumbnail being the first frame of the video really through me off. I loved it

Great video Jonathan. I'm not a continent creator just a fan. Thanks again for being a voice of reason on KZfaq. The platform needs more people like you.

It's totally fine to do what makes us happy. As Audio stuff in your case, you can still work on whenever you feel like to. Remember if you are not happy creating or working on something, no matter how hard you try it'll not work. So relax yourself, take a short break from audio, then go for a second attempt with a fresh mindset, it'll definitely work better. As for tech, I really miss your videos, like how crisp you make them appear. It's good to see that you've pushed a few videos recently. Just keep things like that, and keep smiling. You really look good with clean shave and the smile you carry. God bless you

more power to you man! mental performance of the creator takes precedence over analytics! and also 100k people if were in the same room with anyone that person would be scared shitless, 100,000 people is a LOT!

Heavily feeling this right now, made a fitness account that started doing really good getting more views than subs then out of nowhere the last 3 vids tanked, Jud talking about “do people not like my videos anymore” is exactly what I’m feeling like after the weird change in views

I love this man! Thank You for making this... Great video and thanks for always inspiring us smaller creators to create!

Nice to see you back Jon. #teamcrispy 🔥

Great video, ur average consumer is such an amazing guy. It’s for me, a job I couldn’t do… the swings are too wild .

Im your fans since 2013 ❤️ dont give up bro!!

Numbers can stress you in various ways in life. Thats, why what i do, is avoid looking at them whenever is possible. Just do the work as best as you can, you will be happier that way

Thanks a lot jonathan for covering such a simple but important topic.