Harsh Realities

Hi Fran, your description of the conundrum you're in was raw and heartfelt and made me realise how precarious things are. So, for the first time ever, I'm putting my money where my sympathy lies and have become a patron. Wish I was in a better financial position myself so that I could give more. I'm not much use in terms of feedback on where to take your channel as I like pretty much every type of video you do though my favourites are anything to do with the amazing pedals you create (do you have any stockists in Australia?) and things with historical juice such as the dyskey project. As another way to support you I'd love to get hold of some merchandise and I found it really hard to find a link to anything current. I've left some 'wishlist' placeholders on you tee shirt outlet as I'd live a franlab tee. I noticed an older kickstarter for a fab tee bombed out completely and I was kinda stunned! t was a great design. I particularly like the one you were wearing in your latest vid - the one in gray with the 50s styling logo and what you call a football tee styling on the sleeves. Any way I could purchase it now? I really hope you are able to come through this. as I love your entrepreneurial spirit and the entertainment you give me and the ideas you spark off in my brain.

Hi! I love your videos. I usually save longer YouTube videos to a separate playlist, to enjoy when I have a bit more time. I haven't missed one of yours yet. :)

Andy Ihnatko

Well, I upped my pledge and I am not leaving. I have no answers for the tyranny of demented algorisms.

Kendra Akin

Hi Fran. I've just watch the vid. I just managed to find sufficient time. The content is great and the final effect takes my breath away! You described everything very clearly and it makes the vid very pleasant. Maybe just people postpone watching it, having not enough time at once?

Maciej Zaranek

I'm sorry to hear that. I watch your channel because of the interesting content (especially electronics and space related) and because you have a nice character ( this doesn't sound right, but I hope you get my drift). It would be a pity if channels like yours would not be viable, I really enjoy it. Best of luck, I'll keep supporting you (in a small way..)

i would certainly up my contribution for a Spiffy DSKY shirt (on a grey XL)!

Drew Clark

Any consideration to producing a shirt for a certain level of patreon supporter?

Drew Clark

My favorite content of yours is exploring old tech and having it explained. The T-shirt video while cool was way far from that, I bet a lot of people felt the same way and it was an hour long. I hope you don't get too discouraged.

YouTube is an inconsiderate and backbreaking beast with little regard for those who provide content. I'd rather you were _happy_ and _healthy_ than wiping yourself out trying to feed a mythical maw that YouTube insists you must (which, curiously, serves them more than it does you), and even if you wind up putting out videos you're happy with only once or twice a month for a while in order to avoid burnout, my patronage will continue. And for the record, I loved the DSKY T-shirt.

Ken McGlothlen

So I support you for your vintage electronics. Not making a shirt. I am finding your content less and less interesting. I am not sure how much longer I'll be a supporter if I no longer find the content interesting. Sorry.

Seriously, Veritasium's vid on virality and burn out (the first link in this comment) is illuminating. His black balls on a reservoir video could have been meh, but the right title and thumbnail are extremely important because the algorithm doesn't care about content, it cares that people click as fast as possible.

I did put a comment on the DSKY t-shirt video stating I would love to buy one but it seems to have disappeared?! I have noticed that YouTube is throwing up a lot more random high subscriber video recommendations than ever. Considering I only watch obscure electrical and vintage gear on YouTube I find it weird how it thinks I'd be interested in some edgelord child talking crap about opening a box or something.

Well, I'll jump in on the suggestion swamp. Content, even if it isnt complete or complexly edited. Your role, your strength, your uniqueness, is as an educator. Take a deep breath, and focus on educating us. Your realky great when you focus on that. Hang tough.

James Boatright

While I am tempted to make a suggestion, I think you are the best one to judge how to tinker with your model. Best of luck, and I am rooting for you to hang in there.

I just wanted to join in and say how much I love and respect what you're doing and the enthusiasm and quirkiness you bring to everything you do. I feel like at times like these it's important to see that lots of people still got your back even if it might not seem like it...

Shame Boy

For what it's worth, I didn't become a patron until after your DSKY shirt video! I've been a fan for quite a while, and decided to finally become a patron after seeing how much effort you went in for that project. Though right now I'm only at the $1 tier, but at the very least I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

I have been having problems logging into patreon.com, so I may have missed your recent videos. I really like your electronics videos.

Fran, Keep that in mind that this is not one of your typical videos about vintage electronics so its not a good gauge of your channel.

Jeff Larson

Sad times :(

I got a lot to say about this... Leving off Youtube is harsh. Don't let it burn you down (easy to say). Checkout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsa9DqmId8 where is also talks about youtuber burnout. Your channel mostly is about vintage electronics, so I assume many subscribers mostly care about that. You could try to focus on that - you pinned a comment on the T-shirt video that said exactly that. People don't like a video that took 2 weeks of hard work more than one that took 1 day to make. Try finding a project that can be finished in a shorter while - also try to keep the video shorter. An hour is a lot. But gaining more subscribers and patreons is not something that is done quickly. You will have to acknowledge that a comeback might take a while. No artist makes a hit every time. Take a look at this from BigClive about Aussie50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjSCohaFe4U and mark his words: Even if things loko dark now you will come back. Personally I watch for your enthusiasm, just like I subscribed to this guy who made a video about a hole in the ground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZeXcH4hmtY Make sure to make something that you are enthusiastic about and find the spirit to let it shine through. It is good that you have an economic buffer, but it is also a good idea to have a backup. Will you have to find a new and smaller space? You have stated that you can only afford the new space if you gain more patreons for some time, while it has gone backwards. At some point you may have to face the decision: Living on the street with all of your stuff trashed or find a place where you can select half or a third of the things. If the current space is too expensive, please down size and move before it is too late. People who cannot do that ends up much much worse than people who makes the difficult decision and gets something smaller in time. And please make a gofundme if you need it. The best of luck and love.

Simon Mikkelsen

Sorry for not commenting. I'm happy to give my small pledge but I'm not good at leaving messages. Sorry.

My financial situation changed, so I upped my pledge to you. Thanks for all you dol

Bruce Davis

I'm sorry, I am one of those that reduced their pledge and I think you deserve to know why. So I sat down and watched some of your videos and started to really think why I don't enjoy your videos anymore. This is of course just my perspective and I'm actually feeling terrible writing this but at least it is some input: You spend a little eternity with your intro. I find the sing-song at the start really cute and lovable but by the time the interesting stuff starts I found myself actually browsing my YT feed and often seeing a different video that I rather watch. This is something that I find annoying about myself, I want the other person to understand where I'm coming from but really it's just boring the heck out of the other person. Videos where you did a great job in my opinion are the "custom fastener" one and the "diy audio cartridges". I think they fit your self-proclaimed "weird little channel" much better than hour long screen printing or kit building sessions. I really love supporting smaller channels but I don't stay around just for the sake of supporting (truth be told, I probably still do, just not as much). I think you should come up with an elevator pitch for your channel - what makes it special, how could you sell it to someone in 30 seconds and stick with that when deciding what videos to produce. You are more than the DSKY Project and I hope soon there is just that tad more engagement that I need to justify to myself spending the amount that I did previously. I hope this helps at least in some way :(

Jan Ka

So about the wall of text above: enter seems to submit here (can I turn that off somewhere?) as I found out after the first paragraph; copy-pasting an enter from somewhere else *does* work. Not sure if Patreon sends a notification on edits as well; if so then sorry for spamming as I must've pressed enter accidentally a million of times.

Sprite_tm

Okay, so here is the thing. I am one of those people who did not watch the T-shirt video, and as I skipped through it, I don't think I am ever going to watch it. I'll try to explain what the issue is. I'm afraid that this T-shirt video suffers from the same things that some gamers channels have: Assuming that whatever interests you, also interests your audience. With gaming channels, this shows up when someone who used to play one certain video game (Minecraft, Fortnite, ...) gets bored and all of a sudden plays a different game. The result is that they bleed subscribers: the subscribers actually only were interested in the original game, not in the new stuff. The guy/gal running the gaming channel is surprised: the new game is also fun/interesting/cool, so why is everyone leaving? Again, the mistaken assumption they made here is that the interests of them equals the interest of their viewers. in your particular case, if I may be so bold as assuming that I'm somewhat representative of your viewer audience (and I'm not, but you probably have access to the numbers and stats to figure out who is): I think I came here during the DSKY projects heyday, and the videos that interested me the most are the ones where you take old tech, explain how it works, and build something to make it tick. While I may also be somewhat interested in other stuff you do, like doing stuff with wood, there's also stuff that, to put it a bit hyperbolic, wouldn't hold my interest if I were paid to watch it. I'm afraid making T-shirts, especially without electronics in it, falls squarely in the latter category. I may have given that video the benefit of the doubt if it were 10 minutes, but I'm not going to spend an hour of my life on that. I think everyone who watches Youtube videos enough to be a source of income for you is like this; everyone has a set of interests that your videos tickled that resulted in them subscribing to your channel. I think you'd do well to find the place where the most overlap is, and to make videos that interests the most people. Does this mean you can still do other random stuff and post it? Sure, but in my opinion, the moment you decided to make Youtube your full-time job, you accepted the responsibility to make content that enough of the people giving you money, will enjoy. Anything else has to either be a way to, as a professional Youtuber, get access to a larger audience, or it has to be a hobby thing that gets placed on a separate channel, with maybe only a 10 minute summary on the main channel to get a feel for the interest of your average watcher. If you want to have some of my advice (guaranteed money back if it turns out to be bullshit, and as this is the opinion of one rando viewer, it may very well be): I would be happy with your channel if you keep doing the things that interest me in the first place. Restart the DSKY project: while Ben got results that replicate the effect (kinda) with modern tools, that was only half of what I looked for when you started it. I'd still love to have seen your take on it, trying to be as close as possible to the original electronics and methods. Also, please dig through that archive of parts you've moved with you; there's bound to be some nifty piece of old kit in there that does stuff I don't know about. I personally also wouldn't mind if you go the Technology Connections way, but with more electronics knowledge: for instance, the ancient 'walkman'-type device video you did was nice, but I would have looooved it if you managed to reverse engineer the schematic, fix up the mechanism, and documented the thing and got it playing again. And hey, if you still don't know what you need to do to get our attention, Patreon is interactive you can just ask what types of videos we like most! Anyway, do take care. I know that being a Youtuber can be pretty hard, and I do also feel that you may be depressed... Know that the entire story I wrote above is something I wrote because I do want you to be a happy Youtuber, part of the community spreading interesting ideas and information. Do take care of yourself, please.

Sprite_tm

Fran, I just noticed you pinned a comment from someone saying it's not an interesting video. Why do that? That's not helping anyone, especially yourself.

EEVblog

A Patreon poll will be biased. Do a video with a Google survey. I did that once and had 10,000 people fill it and it had very useful results.

EEVblog

I don't think the number of comments a video gets is a good measure Fran - I have a vid with 20,000 views and only about 5 comments - disappointing viewer engagement, but still a bucket load of views (for me anyway). I agree with Dave eevblog that it may have been the 'T - shirt' in the title that put people off, as you have several other such vid titles - however, this DSKY T - shirt vid interested me as I worked in a lab researching new lcd types - so the 'stack of layers' construction is similar to your DSKY luminous screen printing - I have never done any screen printing, so I was engaged completely by it. Other folks with maybe a shorter attention span may have different view :o)

I just upped my pledge because I really like what you are doing and each of your videos is a joy. I also want to express my feeling that the world is better for having you in it, and also better for having franlab in it. Are there things we can do as enthusiastic fans to encourage you to keep at it?

Paul John Showalter

I sincerely hope there is room for a "weird little channel like FranLab". i like your project videos, especially the vintage builds. I would also be interested to see more of what goes on in FranTone, maybe the design of a new pedal?. Thanks, Keith

Keith Lambell

I also agree with njPhil that you seem to be depressed. You are not the only YouTuber who is experiencing the issues that you are having. I am seeing others who are expressing the same issues that you are having, wherebuy YouTube seems to have done something - but they don't know what - that has cost them a lot of viewers. MANY are complaining that their comments have been completely disabled and appear to be gone forever. At least one channel appears to have completely disappeared after the person went on a rant and complained about some of these things on YouTube, including issues of constantly cleaning up troll comments.

Robert S. Owen

I agree with the shorter video ideas. There's a guy that I have been watching who does really bad short videos but he has lots and lots of waters and YouTube gave him some kind of certificate for having a lot of views. The quality of what he produces is absolutely atrocious but he gets a lot of views and he brags that he has over 5,000 videos posted in just a few years, and I believe him. This month, I deleted my Patreon account for him and replaced it with one for you.

Robert S. Owen

Yeah, it is unfortunate that you need to use clickbait titles and thumbnails, but that's just how the algorithm works. Here's the link to Dirk's video for anyone who hasn't seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsa9DqmId8 You probably could've helped your views with some text in the thumbnail, like "DSKY LIVES!" or something. But honestly it's probably better to split it into two videos, one shorter intro video just covering the basic process and showing off the finished product, and the other longer one going into detail about every step.

UpLateGeek

The problem is likely that it has T-Shirt in the title, so many (most?) people just saw that word and assumed it was "just a T-Shirt" as you've done video promoting before, so they didn't even bother to click even if it was actually a cool project. They had no real way to know that unless they clicked. I know that was my initial thought, but I clicked anyway and was surprised when I saw it was a project that took you months! I'm sure a title like "The DSKY Display LIVES!" would have gotten much better views! So I would not be hasty to blame a demise in your audience or whatever here, were another easily fixable explanation exists. Derek from Veritasium just did a video saying basically he no choice now but to only do video that have "click bait" type headlines and thumbnails, so he's now actively targeting that content only. I did a short crap video on my solar system just showing a blown switch box and it gets 140k views, 5 times the views a "deep dive" into a hugely interesting FPGA and PCB layout gets. It's the click bait...

EEVblog

Trends are circular ... the thing to remember is to stick it out. It took a while for bell-bottom jeans to come back. Those with the inventory of vintage jeans made out! I'm staying, so don't YOU go away! Biggest hugs! --Leslie

Leslie Deana

Sometimes when a video is really long people don't want to commit to sitting down for an hour. I find myself doing that and adding it to my watch later list that I don't usually get around to watching.

Jeff Larson

I enjoyed the video. It sucks that more people weren't into it. I thought it was fun and informative.

I love watching your vintage tech as I grew up with a lot of that... then again, many are getting into "newer tech" and the "Make" movement... perhaps if you were to make a video on "upgrading" or "revamping" old tech with some of the newer electronics available? I know that *I* would be fascinated with such things as I have done similar for "Steampunk", prop making, and general repurposing of classic electronic nifties! I'd love to invite you out to our "lab" in the York area... Keep up with the previous offerings, but maybe think about redefining yourself a wee bit and adding some "newer" stuff into the mix to recapture and maybe gain some new viewership? I'm over half a century myself, but I still keep dabbling with new stuff and how it can play into things I know and love.

Dammit, Fran. Listen to yourself. You’re depressed! I’ve been noticing it ever since the move. But that’s what is causing the low energy and inability to embrace the future. You took a lot of time off for the move, and that had a cost to you and the channel. You will get it all back. I think short vids are a good idea because they will be easier for you right now. Do that, and feel better. The future will take care of itself. You will be ok.

nj Phil

Maybe it's just me, but when I click the https://youtu.be/FhXZuaeNhu4 link, I get a "video removed by user" message. That may account for the low viewership. Clicking the video thumbnail doesn't work either. Curiously clicking the title in the upper left of the thumbnail does work. Did anyone else have that problem?

I’d say “vintage technology” not just electronics. Fountain pens, wood working hand tools, etc, all seem to fit :-) But vintage electronics definitely feels like the core of why many subscribed, so straying far from that is a risk. Ewen

Ewen McNeill

The opposite of Ewen, Go down to 10 minute videos and I'm gone. What is it with people today that cant handle detail. tiny attention span. I Watch/listen Frans videos while codeing etc, listening till bits I want to see etc. if you want short just save your place and come back later. I would say 30 minute to an hour is fine.

Separately from that, the making of a T shirt screen print is just not as unique to most people, even if it’s of a very cool design. It feels to me like “I’ve never seen that” is a major thing that causes videos to be shared online. As is “I can totally relate to that”. Your beauty podcast had a lot if relatability for people; the DSKY T-shirt, not so much. These are basically all story telling things. Honestly some of your videos I enjoyed most were the obscure tech history ones, which is partly that it’s my thing — and partly that there’s a strong story to engage with. Ewen PS: sorry to hear of the budget woes.

Ewen McNeill

Unfortunately YouTube is a platform that has trained people to watch 5-10 minute clips, and a 1 hour documentary, especially a 1 hour documentary on an obscure topic, is just not going to do as well in that environment. Serialising it into 6 10-minute episodes might have helped. I can watch a 10-15 minute episode while having a meal and feel happy to have done so if each episode has its own arc; an hour long episode requires its own gap in my schedule. Wintergatan’s Marble Machine X videos are a classic example of this — I’ve seen *hours* of machine design/build on that project, in weekly 10 minute chunks. Ewen

Ewen McNeill

In terms of getting best bang for your buck, you can't guarantee that any specific video is going to big hit. The more videos you have, the more likely you're going to get a winner. It might be worth doing some analysis on how long each kind of video takes to produce and leaning towards content that's just simply quicker to make. I mean you can entertain me just the same talking to camera about an interesting subject you know a lot about as easily as doing a complicated build process. But the time investment to you is quite different for those two kinds of video. The one you did recently with a teardown of the tiny vacuum tube wire recorder was awesome. I just couldn't have imagined how that was even possible and was really fascinating. I liked the zaxxon mini arcade one as the way the display in it worked was surprising. I really liked the one with you just simply going through your laser disc collection because your taste in movies really aligns with what I like. I looked up all of those. I'm guessing those were at the cheaper end of videos to produce.

Agreed... I haven't yet watched the DSKY shirt video yet due to its length. I like long videos but they are not always practical for casual viewing... I have to wait until I can devote some time to watch them in one sitting.

Howard Simons

I think the tee shirt is pretty cool. Unfortunately you will sometimes hit a project/video that a lot wont be into but I'm sure your next will do better. I think your wide variety of videos probably means varying engagement. Bigger channels might have resources but they don't do Fran! as an engineer I liked seeing your layup and process but some people just want electronics. Maybe a few simpler electronics projects with the big ones in the background. Unfortunately announcing projects ahead of time puts you under a lot of pressure and other creators desperate for content ideas can steal you project. Personally I like all your videos from the vintage displays and electronics through to the organ and automatron. It would be neat to see you design and build a small piece of relay logic along the lines of used in the dsky to perhaps drive a seven segment display counting or something, eg a DSKY lite which might be a lot more affordable and manageable than the whole thing and would demonstrate the principles.

What about doing a survey on Patreon to see what people want to watch? Nimo tubes anyone?

Chuck Sembroski

Sorry to hear this. Maybe a survey of patrons, as others have suggested, would be informative. The electronics (especially music and audio related) + vintage/retro tech vids are the main reason I watch. The recent plate reverb and laser disc videos were so compelling to me - perhaps moreso than other videos and projects you've done that looked far more time consuming. Anyway love your channel and hope you can continue.

I believe you must stick to your main topic (vintage electronics, or not?), because this is what your viewers have subscibed for. Just one point of data here from me...

Wow I did not know that hitting return would send the missive. Any way , I ended up not watching all of it. Sorry.

sorry i hit send too soon. I learned about the displays from your channel , so I can appreciate the idea of honoring them, but the process of doing it was laborious.

I also found the process laborious to watch. There were too many steps, and processes.

I am a $5 patron and will go to $10 for you. I am also a video content producer and imagineer with a background in broadcast FM. I am willing to assist in any way.

Fran,

Hang in there Fran, it is summertime, lots of things competing for viewers time. Your electronic shows do it for me ( they are all interesting). I would admit to a preference for shorter shows ( 20min vs 1 hr+).

Gayln Hall

Upped to Ten dollars, I hope you can continue! Your work is excellent and very fun. Please keep up your outstanding work to show we ALL have a place in this doofy world, regardless of the color of our parachutes.

To be honest, I think the DSKY t-shirt video was too long. Yes, it is a lot of work and I understand you want to detail the project (which is good) but an hour for 1 t-shirt is I think is a bit too much. To me (but that's just personal preference) 20 minutes is about the sweet spot for technical videos. On the other hand, I wouldn't fret too much about what sticks and what doesn't; it's always a guess.

Jeroen van Oosten

I came to your channel through Big Clive . Love the content you produce and watch most of it mainly due to a lack of time. Thanks for all the effort you put into your channel

Tazz1669

Stick with it Fran. You're just 2k subscribers from the big 100k! Breaking the 100k barrier can boost the amount your channel is recommended by YouTube. We all want to see that silver 100k button on your wall! :)

(Damn was ready typing) i hope you can survive, and stay online. But overall do what is right for you!

Joop Terwijn

Fran, i was drawn to your channel more or less around your electronics endeavors. Not that I’m not interested in other content, but that’s was the “click” in your case. The creation of a logo and such printed on shirt is not my cup of tea. That was my reason not viewing the vid (until now). I have multiple channel subscriptions and do not view all. Then the sail of those t-shirts is kind of expensive for me, the shipping and some time the duty’s can be hard. Two coffe mucks of a channel where more in shipping than the mucks where Wirth. So that also something I seldom do.

Joop Terwijn

Couple thoughts, and I'm willing to put some work in to help if you would like any. 1. You're not 100% beholden to the whims of the AI. Different videos styles and content are going to please different people - the AI is just an amplifier. The hard part is finding your happy place, where it matches up with others desires. It's not always about the content, but the package/structure too (this does hit on some difficult topics from your last podcast too, but not about personal beauty this time) 2. The DSKY shirt video was good, although I will admit - I jumped through it because it was too slow for me. My biggest piece of critique: I have seen multi-layer screen printing many times before, so I had a hard time feeling like it was worth watching it through. The Glow in the dark DSKY was fun, and likely a cleansing way to close off a hard decision for you. The challenge is to review through an eye of others. Some people use editors for this, others do it for themselves. 3. It may be a good idea to do a channel survey similar to what Dave does. I can help put one together if you would like some. Get a feel for what your current subscribers like about your channel, and what they don't (this gives a different kind of view than video view stats, you can disambiguate content topics from video formats, etc) You could perform some of this work through data analysis of your current videos as well - but most of the time the unstructured content is the best stuff from these surveys. There are a lot of good topics in this overall response too. 4. If you can better sub-divide your content into different areas (short form/long form, collection vs new stuff, craft vs tech) - you can get a better metric on which combinations work better - instead of focusing on topic area or work input. Sometimes high level work input just isn't appreciated for the output though, you have to find the interesting bits of the work and highlight that instead. Finally: It's REALLY tough to do all of this, because it's so self-reflective and personal. Add in the financial pressures and you have a situation that's maddening. Reach out to people for help and assistance in figuring out options, people that will say that sucks and follow that up when you're ready with "let's try something"

Kaylee Kerin

You've just been through a very challenging time during the move and that must have had an impact on the popularity of the channel. It will probably take some time and experimentation to reestablish your "brand" online, which I completely believe in and enjoy. I also completely understand that there are economic realities that always constrain what is possible. My advice would be to focus for now on inexpensive, maybe lower tech and less labor intensive projects, (3d printing? jig making? even lab organization?) but let the ineffable Fran personality shine through. I do so hope it works out. You hold a unique place in the online universe.

Michael S Wilhelm

Hi Fran, it breaks my heart the challenges you face, but I'm glad you share them with us. I've never been a content creator but I've seen so many people who are trying to maintain a standard of quality as an independent one-person show, and try to manage the task of building an audience on a platform that doesn't care if you exist. To be honest, most of them do it part-time before quitting their day job, and don't have the overhead you do in the first place. IMHO, the model youtube follows with its content creators is probably going to have to get a wake-up call at some point. Kind of like the uber/lyft side-hussle economy. Once you become the full-time income for so many thousands of people --- you just can't say "oh, they're not really employees or contractos, so we can decide not to fund the work anymore for any reason" I know that's not really on-topic for what you're talking about. I'm just still upset about that.

Why not make more videos talking about cool items you've got in your collection, like the echo box. I find them more interesting and I'm also guessing they're easier to make.

John Arild Lolland

I neglected to mention a personal motivation for encouraging your work: I'm trying to totally change careers over the next year or so from 30 years of being a full-time engineer to becoming a high school STEM teacher. While there are lots of great videos on STEM topics, I'm also curating the most unique and interesting *people* who make those videos. I will want my students to know that STEM works well with whoever you "are". My future students must come to know you and the "FranLab" channel. Simone Giertz's "Shitty Robots" is another, as is Naomi Wu's "SexyCyborg" channel. You are so well aware of the "you" component of your videos, and I would simply encourage you to keep "you" front and center, sharing your personality, opinions, emotions and style on equal footing with the project or technology involved.

BobC

Hi fran don’t beat yourself up it might be due to a downward turn in the economic climate folks tightening the pursestrings not your video content. You’re videos are not weird they are very interesting carry on with what you’re doing and don’t try to be the same as everyone else. These other show topping folk my get big hits but there channels quickly become same old same old and and become boring. I’ve followed you for some years and your content is varied and always interesting. Do what you do. Doesn’t do to be the same as everyone else. You’re wonderful keep your chin up there’s a lot of folk out here that really care. Keep up doing YOU do it’s great content 👍🏻

Peter Burrows

The Sputnik model video got me interested in your channel. Became a Patreon more recent. Like most of the commenters above, I'm interested in your content and topic as is. Don't give much about YouTube views (haven't registered there and don't want too, so can't comment/like there). I prefer waiting for a video, rather than seeing to stressed/pushed to have a weekly one.

A few ideas come to mind: 1. Collaborations with other YouTubers. I enjoyed EEVBlog Dave's videos after you sent him the Saturn V boards, and the differences between your content and his worked very well. You have so many skills, in tech, craft, and design and history, that any project-oriented channel could benefit from your input. Personally, I think you'd have fun on any of Brady Haran's channels, especially Objectivity. 2. Make every new small-project video into two videos: One about the "product" and one (or more) about the "process". For example, I'd love a video on your FranLab NASA-font T design process (mine has shipped!), combined with videos teaching me about the design and production tools used. 3. Other online media. You've already branched into podcasting. Perhaps work with a comic artist to turn some of your wit into a web comic, or show us how you learn to do it yourself! Also consider posting your work to other sites (with links both ways), such as Instructables. 4. Cuisinart Mode. Take relatively unrelated concepts and occasionally create a silly mash-up to illuminate alternate media (and your skiils/talents with them). Perhaps take the FranLab NASA-font T design from ink-on-cloth into other media, such as 3D print, wood, metal, fabric (quilt?), LEDs, and, perhaps, aerogel (it could happen). 5. Tour Guide. I've greatly enjoyed every video you've made at and with the Franklin Institute (I'll be there later this month!). What other special places get you into such a great mood and expository mode? A minor observation: The voice-over you did for the DSKY-T video was excellent. I suspect being both the "talking head" and "narrator" in future videos would prove useful. That video was a ton of work with a great result, and I'm surprised it didn't get more views. Other commenters here have mentioned some great perspectives to consider. Derek at Veritasium recently discussed the art and science of video titles and thumbnail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsa9DqmId8).

BobC

Hi Fran, i'm from Budapest, Hungary, i'm 35 years old! I LOVE your videos and talk streams! Your DSKY t-shirt is a FRANtastic work too! I was thinking about maybe Youre themes can attract more views if You divide the whole project into smaller 10 minute long videos, and leave us to get more curious of the outcome?! But i'm lucky to have time to watch all Your longer contents also! Thanks for Your work, i will always be interested for everything that comes from You! Z.

I started watching your videos because I like the subjects that you were doing, sometimes I might learn something, and most of all you seemed to enjoy what you were doing. Only you know what is best for you and FranLab. I say do whatever you love doing and forget about the rest. Life is too short to try to please the masses.

David Blake

As the Patron amounts are dropping some I will increase my amount from $20 to $40, I hope that others that love Franlab, The content and Fran will step up and help out... It will be a tragedy for Franlab to disappear and Fran took a big step in getting the new place/Lab.... C’mon people let’s all help Fran as much as we can....

i am new to your channel. I love everything about your channel. I hope you are able to keep going.

Fran

New patron here, too. Watched a few videos over the years, then Big Clive pointed me at the channel with renewed vigor a few months ago. I loved the DSKY t-shirt video. I was intensely curious how you'd get the multiple layers to all line up without leaving registration marks on the shirt itself, or obscuring them with later layers. Thank you for teaching me something new.

Zig Zichterman

Fran, the Minifon episode was a success, as was the Plate Echo and they were in the last month (108k and 79k views respectively)... With the DSKY shirt video, it is over an hour long and I would normally watch this in chunks, perhaps others will to?

I'm a new Patron and surely can't be alone.

Do what needs to be done. I will contribute just the little thing that I can. And in my case that is meant to be for you, not for any content. The content shows who you are, who you are is the value. The content is not the value.

Erik Broeders

When I first glanced at the title and thumbnail, I assumed it was a normal t-shirt campaign until I clicked on it and saw the timestamp. If I were in your shoes, I would rename it to "Experiments in Luminescence: How to Create a Glo-in-the-Dark DSKY." I know a few YouTubers who rename their videos on a semi-regular basis for these reasons, and I really think this might boil down to false assumptions based on the title and past content you've done with t-shirts.

I've been watching YouTube for years, rather than cable and local TV. I do find that the channels that I follow seem to take a big hit when something causes their videos to be interrupted for a couple of weeks or more. It seems that the Tube wants regularity, content and timing. The actual content doesn't seem to matter, but longer is better and a good title. Please hang in there.

I would guess that most/many of the channels that produce jaw-dropping content also have full time jobs to help support them. It doesn't seem like youtube content alone could do that for a person unless they are very lucky. I'd love to pursue my dreams and interests but can't find the time to do that with a full time job myself. A person can only do so much and should probably just focus on what is most important to them, myself included, but sometimes it is difficult to narrow the interest level down.

Hang in there. You'll never get any wiser trying to analyze the numbers on a video-to-video basis. YouTube is not consistent and never will be. It's like the stock market, what works today might give you the opposite effect tomorrow. And even if you were able to predict with certainty what would stick, following the all mighty Algorithm would soon kill all creativity. Do what you love and disregard the noise

Mr. BA

Sad message. I won't drop support until you give up. I loved your earlier stuff,tutorials,blasts from the past, etc, I trust you'll find your voice again

Goodmorning Fran, I also want to say hang in there. Those of us who stick with you are here because of your unique nature and please don't get caught up in the event horizon of YouTube numbers. Just do what you love doing and put that out there, we will be here for you. I know, just an arm chair quarterback here. But try to relax into your work and have the fun I know you feel doing projects. Blinky LEDs always a plus.🤓

I don't expect jaw dropping content… but there's a lot of content everywhere and not enough time

Val Packett

The video was great. All of this must have something to do with the ever-changing YouTube policies.

Jeffrey R. Broido

How has your content changed from pre-move to post-move?

lohphat

I’ve always enjoyed the content where you have a story to tell Fran. The recent Vlog on Video Disc was excellent. So telling a story is never a problem Fran. You know how to say the words....guess that you’re a natural on that front. How about doing a feature on your vinyl Collection next? Bet there are a few great albums waiting to see another spin on the turntable?

Harry Lakhaney

I wish that I could afford more to help try to keep it going.. I watch, listen to and appreciate all your output.

Lawrence ORourke

How is the numbers compared to last year around the same time? This is spring/beginning of summer. I’d expect that people have more stuff to do/chores with gardening etc and less to spend on YouTube. Hang in there Fran :) Don’t let one video discourage you. You have an audience with a wide variety of interests because you are so versatile in your projects. Not every project will hit spot on with everyone. I loved the shirt and wish I could order one. :)