Patreon is a great idea I would totally back it! Apart from that just keep up with the quality of the videos, they're the highest and most thought out I've seen about coffee in my opinion
I think the Patreon giveaway idea is great. I'm sure there'll be hundreds of us who've been wanting to support you as it is. The Giveaway shows a really nice mutual respect back to that notion. Especially since most videos on Product1 VS Product2 end up being like showroom comparisons anyway. Your Wilfa vs Encore is a great example of how it SHOULD be done.
While I enjoy your product reviews, which are always thorough and fair, there's just so many on youtube in general. Your insights into the coffee industry on the other hand are what make this channel unique. More of those vids please. But anyhow keep up the great work!
I think the Patreon idea is great. Disclaimer; I don’t support any channel on patreon or otherwise, I just don’t currently have the funds as a student to justify it. However I do think the idea of the channel being dictated in a way by product reviews to be a rather dull one. I’m here for your opinion, naturally, but as a “hobbyist at best brewer of coffee at home” I’m much more interested in everything consumer based and more technique and explanation of said technique. I subscribed to the channel back when you made the cafetière video and stuck around because you’re 100% less American and tacky than most “technique tutorial” videos out there. My suggestion, for what it’s worth, would be 3 videos per month. One takes the most effort I presume that is the product review. One can be minimal effort, similar to this video here a kind of video based discussion/thoughts video, then one video that is the creative freedom. Maybe it’s a technique video, maybe it’s a “how to brew for what the notes of the beans are described as”. Maybe it’s a vlog style when travelling to an interesting place. Etc. Apologies for the long comment. I’m very much interested in the channel and would hate to see it turn into the coffee equivalent of Zoella or UnboxTherapy or something haha.
I'm a few weeks behind, but I found your channel just recently after someone suggested your French Press video to me on Reddit. Creative creations require funds, and to truly be free to express ones creativity, we as consumers need to support those creators. I, for one, would happily support on Patreon.
I DO like your reviews! Yours and Chris’s (Baca) are the only ones I really trust for basically two reasons: 1. You are NOT a retailer. 2. Your reviews are focused on the consumer aspects. This together with your vast knowledge and experience makes them very insightful and trustworthy. For this reason I believe that product reviews should continue to be a part of this chanel. Patreon seems like a good way to make this happen. I would love to contribute. Now, on to my personal hopes for future reviews! 1) Dedicated filter/pourover grinders! As you mentioned in the livestream, it is very unclear what one should get if you want to get something better than say a Virtuoso, but cannot go all the way to an EK43. Should you even do it? Also some theory on what makes a good grinder. Are there parameters that makes some better than others? Is speed good/bad? Is flat better than conical etc. 2) The Samantha from Hiroia. I want an SP9 at home, is this the solution? Pour over is fun, but not necessarily as fun if your mornings tend to be full of other tasks... Sorry for all the text. Keep up the great work!
Yes, great idea! Product reviews are great just to know the gear for both home and professional baristas. it's really necessary to reach out for new tech and all the stuff around coffee, get hands on as many products as possible, or know what's the deal... Great channel, great videos, just great job!
Absolutely, having the raffle/giveaway of reviewed items is a great incentive for people to contribute through patreon. This is easily the highest quality coffee-related RUclips channel and I'd love to see it grow and put out more content.
I would much rather enjoy your insights re running a coffee shop or any coffee business topic related than spending money in buying equipment. Your experience in the industry is unique and any tip, no matter how obvious may sound, it makes the whole difference for people starting their own business 👍🏻
I love your how to videos, question and answer sessions, and the breakdown you did of your championship competition. I think Patreon is a solid way of gauging if people want reviews, I much rather have different methods and the work you put in to arriving at that method over product reviews. Unless a new, outstanding product comes out, I feel like there is usually a coffee community consensus on what products are the best and what the best budget option for that is. (Buy a Baratza! Cheaper? Buy an Infinity? Cheaper? Buy a Hario and spend 2 minutes grinding.)
Glad to hear you are feeling motivated! My idea would be to raffle off the product for a small price. Only issue is I'm not sure if anyone would buy a raffle for a product that you review negative.
Patreon is great idea and something I would support, if it helps keep the channel going. I would also ask if you broke the out put down to around 3-4 videos a month. Each as part of a series; product review, opinion video, tutorial etc etc. It may help with organising the channel output and also the audience is clear with what video to expect. I understand it's a coffee channel however coffee drinking is a social occasion within the 'day' as a whole so a slightly longer Q&A video where you sit with a coffee and talk about news away from 'coffee' would be cool. You can even set a tier on Patreon where questions can be filtered through. It's a hot mess of a comment, I hope you make some sense of it. Keep up the good work James.
As a consumer, all I want from a review is honesty. If the best way to do that is by patreon, then fine, go for it. Great idea too to give something back, in the form of the products you've reviewed. I'll be honest now and say that sadly I won't be a patreon (simply because I just can't afford it), but I love what you do and wish you every success.
I fully support the Patreon idea, would definitely join! Overall I wouldn't be upset about more infrequent product reviews, but it'd be a shame to see them go. I'd also love to see more vlogs from you; your style is great.
Hey James, I really appreciate your videos especially the variety you offer. I like your thougtful way of presenting. I also think that the patreon idea is great, maybe I would support.
I love the Patreon idea. Honestly, I'm happy with anything you do on this channel. Your dedication to the coffee world is second to none and as a consumer, I have always appreciated your take on things. Your Q&As are phenomenal.
Patreon is a good idea. It's a very fair way to help produce good videos. I've seen quite a lot of success from video makers using it. I'd happily be a backer!
I think the Patreon idea is a creative one. I would totally support you. The raffle idea is clever and turns this into a great idea. I will say that I watch your videos because of your credibility; and look up to you as someone of integrity. For this reason, I think it is wise of you to avoid bias from those products that are sent to you. No matter what, please keep posting about things that you think are interesting and relevant because you have always done that and is what makes me a subscriber. Lastly, thank you for all the time you spend on your videos. It helps inform me and does provide some connectivity to the coffee industry. Big fan!
Hi James. I like the idea of a patreon account. I don't know how much you can make with it, but it should help you keep your contents sponsor-free, which helps you to remain honest, as you are and always have been!
I too think more about your expertise is what I’d love to see more of. Tons of coffee reviews already exist from any number of sources. While I do enjoy your perspective on gear and products, it isn’t the many reason I’m here to check out your videos.
I love the idea, HOWEVER, I think you gotta remember international shipping on some items can be crazy high. I would recommend maybe looking into a way to account for that.
First: Thank you for making these videos! My humble opinion: I do think Patreon is an option (which I would also support) and giving away the reviewed items is a great idea. This said, my concern would be the logistics of sending those items (maybe they also get bigger over time....) around the world. I do believe there are many companies which appreciate a fair, careful and well produced review (pros/cons) of their products and would be willing to send you those items. So, I would not close this door and do both. Just made it clear at the beginning of the review.
I think it's a great idea James. I have been reviewing numerous portable coffee machines myself and I know the feeling well of not wanting to be too negative about a product that's been offered to you. There are additional ways to generate a revenue from a video other that the RUclips ads. Lets say you review a grinder like the Hario Slim, you can also add an Amazon affiliate link to the product in the description. It's not a fortune, but it does add over time.
I liked your earlier vlogs that you did whilst travelling. Some more of those would be interesting, perhaps on visits to origin or a few day in the life style ones. Be interesting to see around square mile for example.
Love the Patreon idea. Let's people really put their money where their mouth is in terms of wanting more product reviews. Personally, product reviews aren't what I come to the channel for, or really look forward to, but what I like in a product review is just what you said, a comparison of three or four of the most popular options, not just reviewing whatever came in the mail. Also, for what it's worth, it wouldn't bother me if you did have them or just fewer. Keep up the great work!
Count me in for Patreon. Have really enjoyed your review videos so far. I’d also love to see more product based “how to” videos when you find something you really like.
Hey James, thanks so much for the effort your'e putting into this channel, I really appreciate the videos and your take on things. I'd encourage you to just find a way to keep it real in regards to the product reviews. I think I'd feel less inclined to to believe your feedback about products if they were motivated by money. P.S I'd definitely support you on patreon!
Although this might be wayyyyy to much work, I'll throw the idea out there. A book of coffee devices and products would be really cool, just to capture all the novel pieces that are out there. You can make product review videos while archiving them with a page or 2 write up per item on the book. Again, lots more work. But the book is something tangible that is a lot easier to get into people's hands (than merely raffling the products) while being a good higher tier for the patreon backers. Of course, the production logistics might be more work than you're bargoning for, but if you're going to be doing a series on coffee products/equipment might be good to archive some of these items. Anyway, love to hear about more content, product reviews or not!
Patreon is a great idea. You could also consider having someone send you stuff, reviewing it and sending it back, so you aren't stuck with the dilemma of not being able to say negative things about a freebie. You could also have viewers and fans send you stuff for review and then you send the stuff back. Sure it'll cost a bit, but certainly nowhere close to what buying a new product would cost!
I would definitely pay a small subscription for something like this as I really enjoy the product reviews and like the idea of the product going back to a member of the community that helped fund it
Think getting and giving back is a great idea, but for a hardcore community nearest to you. Others are just looking for that one review of the product they are interested in now. That would be the vast majority. I think giving something like small how-to brew coffee methods at home workshops and more in-depth coffee knowledge on patreon would be more sustainable. I would back you on both, think you have a great channel. But I do expect (future-wise) a small step up in equipment, especially sound 😉 good luck! 👍
It's a tricky question and I think Patreon is a good idea. I get asked to review stuff fairly regularly and most of it isn't really in my demographic although the product is 'coffee-related'. The main brands I have worked with are people I already have an existing connection/relationship with and I know the stuff they make is generally good - but I agree with you that it's hard to be negative when someone has given you something and for the most part believe their product is good.
While I think that gear review is interesting. To be honest a better money saving tip is to make videos about the knowledge you already have. Videos around opening, managing and keeping a company open is a good place to go. Videos on how to write a book or get your idea published is a good place to go. Videos about future of coffee is good place to go. I think if I were you, I'd capitalize on the things that make you successful; knowledge and succeeding at business. I think you should standout and offer perspective from someone with tons of experience and knowledge, rather than do what everyone else is doing on youtube... a boring review :D
Personally I think the most valuable product reviews are blatantly honest takes on products you purchase for your own use, or the ones you recommend to friends, or as a consultant for use in high volume settings. Which points to... depends on the audience, price point, and utility. Patreon is great if... you don't mind the obligation. you have time to research/order/review/re-box/raffle/and ship items commensurate to the income generated monthly(?). you have a better grasp and more insight than other reviewers (competitors in the space). you don't mind pissing off manufacturers. ; ) Alternatively, maybe do individual gofundme style campaigns for whatever specific review you want to do, and create the top-tier award that pays for the item... In turn, that "donor" receives the item when you're finished. With a little remorse if you don't approve of course. Keep building your subscriber base and I have no doubt more products will find their way to your door, free of charge. And by all means, keep reviewing consumable coffee-esque products like the "clear" wtf-elixirs brewed to string quartets. Priceless.
I think Top 3 instead of Top 5 could save money. I didn't know if the 4th and 5th of the Top 5 have much difference in popularity or if the Top 3 really kinda sets apart. Hope this makes sense.
I think product reviews could help your channel, as there are many young brewers or to-be brewers that need solid guidance, over the smaller group of pros that tune in. Your explanations/tutorials are excellently worded & presented. Products? Do both. Get mates/subscribers to send them in, and companies. Don't feel bad at all, as it's about innovation and looking after the customer. If brands can't handle their bits being shown, then don't release a shoddy product to rip passionate drinkers off with. I say leave the money (patreon) thing out all together, and just make it work somehow and you'll learn what's working in terms of audience content preferences (with the higher volume of videos). If you can turn every viewer into a passionate brewer, you're onto something. Thanks mate.
Product reviews or not would like to back you as your content is great. If me backing you helps create the content then even better. If I can win some of the gear. Well hey that sounds great too.
I think Patreon is a good idea. I look forward to watching your vids as I know they will always be coffee related so would be love to see them more often. I would support you on Patreon as I think the money would go to helping the community here and the Industry in general. As a leader of our industry I value your opinion and appreciate that they are fairly unbiased, I also like your dry humour. Giving away the things you review to a Patreon is a great idea or as others have suggested maybe bid on them to fund other reviews as well. I look forward to seeing more awesome content. ✌🏼❤️☕️
- I would back your patreon (as I do other channels), especially if there were a way to use dollars to vote. - Perhaps there's a $1 level that adds up to hand grinders, a $5 level that shares more of your travel videos (that series was beautifully put together) and $10 for espresso reviews. - I would also happily enter a raffle to share a cup of coffee with you, or watch videos of you discussing things with other coffee experts - Echoing what else has been said below, the greatest value I get from your channel is your deep experience in the witty way you deliver it. Reviews of products are valuable to me insofar as they give me a chance to view things through your unique perspective, though products are not the only lens to do that - I also understand the ideas that excite you may not directly correlate with our suggestions. Additionally, as audience members we are bad at knowing ahead of time what we will enjoy. I look forward to your new videos now and I'm sure whatever you choose they'll still be enjoyable to consume in the future
I'm coming to this very late, but I don't like the patreon idea. My experience is that lots of people will say, "Yeah, I'll back that" and then they don't. So it might die before you even get off the ground. Also, if you review 5 grinders and say three of them are crap, you still have to ship those off to people who have paid to support your channel. Nobody wants the booby prize. Like a lot of people, I came to your channel because of your french press tutorial. That was an eye-opener. I'd appreciate more of that sort of thing, and even more detail. For example, many of us watching this are amateur home-brewers trying to learn more about how we brew and why things are not coming out right. If I follow the instructions in a V60 tutorial, with the right weight of coffee, right amount of water, and it comes out after 2:30 but doesn't taste right, how do I know where I have gone wrong? Everything seems to have gone right, but it tastes wrong. Bear in mind, most home-brewers have not been trained in sensory skills and while many of us know what tastes good and bad, we are often not the best at identifying why. Adjust your grind size is a normal response, but most videos give grind descriptions like medium-fine (what does that mean) or "like kosher salt" (???) We are all using wildly different equipment at home, so it is impossible to give specific instruction in these videos. But the knowledge and experience of someone like you on how we can train ourselves to get better results would be really useful and far more appealing than product reviews (although the odd one here and there is good). Happy to explain further if my comment here doesn't make sense.
I'd like to support you on Patreon, but I'm not overly familiar with the process. I would massively prefer to do a "prepaid" sort of deal because (as a college student) I never know what my funds will look like from month to month.
Although I do not support anyone on Patreon, I would support you (anyhting to get more great coffee videos from you). I think that making a Patreon is a good idea!
Your selfless way of utilsiing Patreon is commendable but I'd actually be happy to support you in order to maintain great video content - although you are happy exploring/learning now, the day may come when the channel is a chore or time spent on the channel needs funding. I am against the idea of pooling to buy products to review because unless you get a large regular income stream then there's a limit to what you can buy and review. Reviews may be delayed months after new products come out while funds build etc. Coffee 'gadgets' are generally not cheap as most of us know I'm sure. Buying 3 of the latest goose neck kettles to compare isn't something I'd like to see pooled funds used for personally (though I appreciate others would) even though they would be given away in a raffle. It's perpetuating 'consumerism of kit' and although - hands up - I'm guilty to a degree of that (how many of us have slow cookers, silicon egg poachers etc. gathering dust in the back of cupboards?) I'm more in the repair/recycle camp these days. I know people who have been put off making good coffee because the think they need to buy a £50 gooseneck kettle, a £100 temperature controlled kettle, a £60 pair of scales etc. and it's just not needed but I digress, sorry! What I would like to see in terms of reviews is you reviewing kit you already own and use or that you own but don't use because it's poor - might help others avoid it. Plus any interesting/different kit/books/products you happen to hear about from colleagues/friends (you must come across a fair bit being in the industry) then if they are kind enough to lend you something for a day to try... happy days. If not, fair enough, they kit review vids, blogs, sites are aplenty. I very much enjoy your insights and musings so that's where my 'vote' goes but yes interlaced with the occasional review of something that perhaps we're unlikely to see elsewhere and is well suited to your style, such as the clear coffee of course! Have you tried 'Nitro coffee' yet? All the best and many thanks for the great videos :)
Think it's a good idea, but would wonder how much the subscription would be? Would it be a flat rate for all, or different levels? Maybe if you contributed more you would have more chance of winning, but if you could only afford a couple of quid a month you'd still be in with a chance rather than being completely locked out?
Hey James, though I can see the advantages of financing content with Patreon, what about using the community you created on RUclips? When I'm about to test equipment or coffee, the first thing I do, is to ask my friends, if somebody already has this or that tool. Of course among friends insurance or probable damage aren't an issue, which you would have to give some thought. I could imagine, that we as your community would support you by borrowing equipment.
On a slightly separate note, I think you’d benefit from releasing videos once a week on a specific day, not as you make them. I mean this so that if you make 2 videos a week or something then you put out one video so you could have a surplus and viewers don’t feel like you’ve gone dark when you take a break in the real world because you could push the second video out when you’re busy.
Is it good idea? I don't know, you're James Hoffmann - I'm watching YOU for good ideas. ;) I think crowdfunding items for reviews is much more transparent than receiving an item from the manufacturer, ruffle is a nice touch, but you have to think about worldwide shipping, otherwise people will be cranky, I certainly would...
Hi James, I think your industry and technical insight is more useful than your product reviews, but my main thought was why do you feel that you need to generate direct and proportionate income for the reviews? I’m not being cynical when I suggest that this is a branding and marketing investment, surely expenses incurred in creating content will be recouped through greater public awareness of your publishing, appearances and of course SQM. Anyway, I always enjoy your stuff, just keep making it. Cheers, Steve Peel.
Live stream questions only for patreon backers. Hopefully you consider this idea because it will help you save a lot of time, effort and energy. No more livestreams where you feel you have to answer every question.
Hi James. I think it's a great idea. I love your videos and your honest reviews. I'd back this idea on Patreon, although I wouln't like to win any of the clear coffees that you will (hopefully) taste in the future ;)
Generating funding for the channel sounds like a good move. Perhaps product reviews should be kept to new & novel products? "5 handgrinders" this is a huge chore & what would we learn? Most of the regularly used, well known gear works, purchases are driven by budget vs ease/speed of use. Of course, there is new stuff appearing all the time with no known pedigree, anything that basically fails to function as intended would be worth knowing about.
Patreon is a great idea I would totally back it! Apart from that just keep up with the quality of the videos, they're the highest and most thought out I've seen about coffee in my opinion
I think the Patreon giveaway idea is great. I'm sure there'll be hundreds of us who've been wanting to support you as it is. The Giveaway shows a really nice mutual respect back to that notion.
Especially since most videos on Product1 VS Product2 end up being like showroom comparisons anyway. Your Wilfa vs Encore is a great example of how it SHOULD be done.
While I enjoy your product reviews, which are always thorough and fair, there's just so many on youtube in general. Your insights into the coffee industry on the other hand are what make this channel unique. More of those vids please. But anyhow keep up the great work!
This! Was thinking about writing the exact thought. Many of us just made acquisitions and aren't looking for more stuff
I think the Patreon idea is great. Disclaimer; I don’t support any channel on patreon or otherwise, I just don’t currently have the funds as a student to justify it. However I do think the idea of the channel being dictated in a way by product reviews to be a rather dull one. I’m here for your opinion, naturally, but as a “hobbyist at best brewer of coffee at home” I’m much more interested in everything consumer based and more technique and explanation of said technique. I subscribed to the channel back when you made the cafetière video and stuck around because you’re 100% less American and tacky than most “technique tutorial” videos out there. My suggestion, for what it’s worth, would be 3 videos per month. One takes the most effort I presume that is the product review. One can be minimal effort, similar to this video here a kind of video based discussion/thoughts video, then one video that is the creative freedom. Maybe it’s a technique video, maybe it’s a “how to brew for what the notes of the beans are described as”. Maybe it’s a vlog style when travelling to an interesting place. Etc.
Apologies for the long comment. I’m very much interested in the channel and would hate to see it turn into the coffee equivalent of Zoella or UnboxTherapy or something haha.
I'm a few weeks behind, but I found your channel just recently after someone suggested your French Press video to me on Reddit. Creative creations require funds, and to truly be free to express ones creativity, we as consumers need to support those creators. I, for one, would happily support on Patreon.
I DO like your reviews! Yours and Chris’s (Baca) are the only ones I really trust for basically two reasons:
1. You are NOT a retailer.
2. Your reviews are focused on the consumer aspects.
This together with your vast knowledge and experience makes them very insightful and trustworthy. For this reason I believe that product reviews should continue to be a part of this chanel. Patreon seems like a good way to make this happen. I would love to contribute.
Now, on to my personal hopes for future reviews!
1) Dedicated filter/pourover grinders! As you mentioned in the livestream, it is very unclear what one should get if you want to get something better than say a Virtuoso, but cannot go all the way to an EK43. Should you even do it? Also some theory on what makes a good grinder. Are there parameters that makes some better than others? Is speed good/bad? Is flat better than conical etc.
2) The Samantha from Hiroia. I want an SP9 at home, is this the solution? Pour over is fun, but not necessarily as fun if your mornings tend to be full of other tasks...
Sorry for all the text. Keep up the great work!
Creative idea! Raffling the products off to your supporters is a great way to say thanks and pique interest in the patreon.
J-Hoff: "This is not a big channel"
I think that’s a great idea and would support it!
Yes, great idea! Product reviews are great just to know the gear for both home and professional baristas. it's really necessary to reach out for new tech and all the stuff around coffee, get hands on as many products as possible, or know what's the deal... Great channel, great videos, just great job!
Absolutely, having the raffle/giveaway of reviewed items is a great incentive for people to contribute through patreon. This is easily the highest quality coffee-related RUclips channel and I'd love to see it grow and put out more content.
I would much rather enjoy your insights re running a coffee shop or any coffee business topic related than spending money in buying equipment. Your experience in the industry is unique and any tip, no matter how obvious may sound, it makes the whole difference for people starting their own business 👍🏻
Can’t wait for your new videos! I’ll definitely support you at patreon. Cheers!
The Patreon is absolutely a great idea. Would love to be involved in it!
Patreon is a great idea!! Thanks for making these videos, always something to look forward to watch!
I love your how to videos, question and answer sessions, and the breakdown you did of your championship competition. I think Patreon is a solid way of gauging if people want reviews, I much rather have different methods and the work you put in to arriving at that method over product reviews. Unless a new, outstanding product comes out, I feel like there is usually a coffee community consensus on what products are the best and what the best budget option for that is. (Buy a Baratza! Cheaper? Buy an Infinity? Cheaper? Buy a Hario and spend 2 minutes grinding.)
I, for one, am 100% on board with the patreon even if the money goes straight to you. Love your work and I'd love to support you
Glad to hear you are feeling motivated! My idea would be to raffle off the product for a small price. Only issue is I'm not sure if anyone would buy a raffle for a product that you review negative.
Patreon is great idea and something I would support, if it helps keep the channel going.
I would also ask if you broke the out put down to around 3-4 videos a month. Each as part of a series; product review, opinion video, tutorial etc etc. It may help with organising the channel output and also the audience is clear with what video to expect. I understand it's a coffee channel however coffee drinking is a social occasion within the 'day' as a whole so a slightly longer Q&A video where you sit with a coffee and talk about news away from 'coffee' would be cool. You can even set a tier on Patreon where questions can be filtered through.
It's a hot mess of a comment, I hope you make some sense of it. Keep up the good work James.
As a consumer, all I want from a review is honesty. If the best way to do that is by patreon, then fine, go for it. Great idea too to give something back, in the form of the products you've reviewed.
I'll be honest now and say that sadly I won't be a patreon (simply because I just can't afford it), but I love what you do and wish you every success.
Your views are incredibly refreshing and I'd love to see more content. Patreon sounds like a great idea :)
I fully support the Patreon idea, would definitely join! Overall I wouldn't be upset about more infrequent product reviews, but it'd be a shame to see them go. I'd also love to see more vlogs from you; your style is great.
Hey James, I really appreciate your videos especially the variety you offer. I like your thougtful way of presenting. I also think that the patreon idea is great, maybe I would support.
I love the Patreon idea. Honestly, I'm happy with anything you do on this channel. Your dedication to the coffee world is second to none and as a consumer, I have always appreciated your take on things. Your Q&As are phenomenal.
I'd gladly support you, I have gained so much insight and learning about coffee and the industry from your channel.
Patreon is a good idea. It's a very fair way to help produce good videos. I've seen quite a lot of success from video makers using it. I'd happily be a backer!
Patreon is a great idea and honestly, I think you might be the first person I would support on there 😃
I think the Patreon idea is a creative one. I would totally support you. The raffle idea is clever and turns this into a great idea.
I will say that I watch your videos because of your credibility; and look up to you as someone of integrity. For this reason, I think it is wise of you to avoid bias from those products that are sent to you.
No matter what, please keep posting about things that you think are interesting and relevant because you have always done that and is what makes me a subscriber.
Lastly, thank you for all the time you spend on your videos. It helps inform me and does provide some connectivity to the coffee industry.
Big fan!
Hi James.
I like the idea of a patreon account. I don't know how much you can make with it, but it should help you keep your contents sponsor-free, which helps you to remain honest, as you are and always have been!
I too think more about your expertise is what I’d love to see more of. Tons of coffee reviews already exist from any number of sources. While I do enjoy your perspective on gear and products, it isn’t the many reason I’m here to check out your videos.
I love the idea, HOWEVER, I think you gotta remember international shipping on some items can be crazy high. I would recommend maybe looking into a way to account for that.
First: Thank you for making these videos! My humble opinion: I do think Patreon is an option (which I would also support) and giving away the reviewed items is a great idea. This said, my concern would be the logistics of sending those items (maybe they also get bigger over time....) around the world. I do believe there are many companies which appreciate a fair, careful and well produced review (pros/cons) of their products and would be willing to send you those items. So, I would not close this door and do both. Just made it clear at the beginning of the review.
I think it's a great idea James. I have been reviewing numerous portable coffee machines myself and I know the feeling well of not wanting to be too negative about a product that's been offered to you. There are additional ways to generate a revenue from a video other that the RUclips ads. Lets say you review a grinder like the Hario Slim, you can also add an Amazon affiliate link to the product in the description. It's not a fortune, but it does add over time.
Agree with most in that it’s a good idea! Looking forward to helping fund one of my favourite channels!
I liked your earlier vlogs that you did whilst travelling. Some more of those would be interesting, perhaps on visits to origin or a few day in the life style ones. Be interesting to see around square mile for example.
Love the Patreon idea. Let's people really put their money where their mouth is in terms of wanting more product reviews. Personally, product reviews aren't what I come to the channel for, or really look forward to, but what I like in a product review is just what you said, a comparison of three or four of the most popular options, not just reviewing whatever came in the mail. Also, for what it's worth, it wouldn't bother me if you did have them or just fewer. Keep up the great work!
Count me in for Patreon. Have really enjoyed your review videos so far. I’d also love to see more product based “how to” videos when you find something you really like.
Hey James, thanks so much for the effort your'e putting into this channel, I really appreciate the videos and your take on things. I'd encourage you to just find a way to keep it real in regards to the product reviews. I think I'd feel less inclined to to believe your feedback about products if they were motivated by money.
P.S I'd definitely support you on patreon!
Keep up product reviews. They’re great videos and, as a budding coffee nerd, very useful.
Hello, James. You're someone I look up to and I absolutely love your work. I'll be more than happy to help you.
Mate love your videos.
Myself and I’m sure most of your following would definitely be on board to keep seeing great reviews and coffee chat.
Patreon Works for me. The quality of you channel and output is worth it and why I bought your book.
Love the content, the product reviews are a great help. Would definitely be a Patreon backer. Make this happen!
Although this might be wayyyyy to much work, I'll throw the idea out there. A book of coffee devices and products would be really cool, just to capture all the novel pieces that are out there. You can make product review videos while archiving them with a page or 2 write up per item on the book. Again, lots more work. But the book is something tangible that is a lot easier to get into people's hands (than merely raffling the products) while being a good higher tier for the patreon backers. Of course, the production logistics might be more work than you're bargoning for, but if you're going to be doing a series on coffee products/equipment might be good to archive some of these items.
Anyway, love to hear about more content, product reviews or not!
Just adding my voice to the throng already saying Patreon is a great idea!
Loving the Patreon and raffle idea.
Would definitely support it!
Patreon is a great idea. You could also consider having someone send you stuff, reviewing it and sending it back, so you aren't stuck with the dilemma of not being able to say negative things about a freebie. You could also have viewers and fans send you stuff for review and then you send the stuff back. Sure it'll cost a bit, but certainly nowhere close to what buying a new product would cost!
I would definitely pay a small subscription for something like this as I really enjoy the product reviews and like the idea of the product going back to a member of the community that helped fund it
Think getting and giving back is a great idea, but for a hardcore community nearest to you. Others are just looking for that one review of the product they are interested in now. That would be the vast majority. I think giving something like small how-to brew coffee methods at home workshops and more in-depth coffee knowledge on patreon would be more sustainable. I would back you on both, think you have a great channel. But I do expect (future-wise) a small step up in equipment, especially sound 😉 good luck! 👍
To back that up, check out Røde which has some great pro-sumer devices depending on you camera setup. #thisisnotanad 😉 #justatip
It's a tricky question and I think Patreon is a good idea. I get asked to review stuff fairly regularly and most of it isn't really in my demographic although the product is 'coffee-related'.
The main brands I have worked with are people I already have an existing connection/relationship with and I know the stuff they make is generally good - but I agree with you that it's hard to be negative when someone has given you something and for the most part believe their product is good.
While I think that gear review is interesting. To be honest a better money saving tip is to make videos about the knowledge you already have.
Videos around opening, managing and keeping a company open is a good place to go. Videos on how to write a book or get your idea published is a good place to go. Videos about future of coffee is good place to go. I think if I were you, I'd capitalize on the things that make you successful; knowledge and succeeding at business.
I think you should standout and offer perspective from someone with tons of experience and knowledge, rather than do what everyone else is doing on youtube... a boring review :D
Personally I think the most valuable product reviews are blatantly honest takes on products you purchase for your own use, or the ones you recommend to friends, or as a consultant for use in high volume settings. Which points to... depends on the audience, price point, and utility.
Patreon is great if... you don't mind the obligation. you have time to research/order/review/re-box/raffle/and ship items commensurate to the income generated monthly(?). you have a better grasp and more insight than other reviewers (competitors in the space). you don't mind pissing off manufacturers. ; )
Alternatively, maybe do individual gofundme style campaigns for whatever specific review you want to do, and create the top-tier award that pays for the item... In turn, that "donor" receives the item when you're finished. With a little remorse if you don't approve of course.
Keep building your subscriber base and I have no doubt more products will find their way to your door, free of charge. And by all means, keep reviewing consumable coffee-esque products like the "clear" wtf-elixirs brewed to string quartets. Priceless.
I'd throw in a patreon contribution for the kind of quality stuff we get on this channel!
I would certainly back you on patreon. I like the idea of giving the reviewed item away after
More clear coffee reviews 😂
Dave Lane I second this
I think Top 3 instead of Top 5 could save money. I didn't know if the 4th and 5th of the Top 5 have much difference in popularity or if the Top 3 really kinda sets apart. Hope this makes sense.
I would love to see your take on a v60 tutorial, having seen your French press tutorial, would be great (currently my preferred method of brewing).
I think product reviews could help your channel, as there are many young brewers or to-be brewers that need solid guidance, over the smaller group of pros that tune in. Your explanations/tutorials are excellently worded & presented. Products? Do both. Get mates/subscribers to send them in, and companies. Don't feel bad at all, as it's about innovation and looking after the customer. If brands can't handle their bits being shown, then don't release a shoddy product to rip passionate drinkers off with. I say leave the money (patreon) thing out all together, and just make it work somehow and you'll learn what's working in terms of audience content preferences (with the higher volume of videos). If you can turn every viewer into a passionate brewer, you're onto something. Thanks mate.
I would prefer to see more of your knowledge of the industry than reviews
make the people pay, your time is valuable and we get it for free here
Sounds like a great idea to me and happy to contribute on Patreon
Product reviews or not would like to back you as your content is great. If me backing you helps create the content then even better. If I can win some of the gear. Well hey that sounds great too.
That sounds like a great idea! 👍 Definitely don't want less product reviews
This is a great idea. Hoping you go forward with it.
I think Patreon is a good idea. I look forward to watching your vids as I know they will always be coffee related so would be love to see them more often. I would support you on Patreon as I think the money would go to helping the community here and the Industry in general. As a leader of our industry I value your opinion and appreciate that they are fairly unbiased, I also like your dry humour. Giving away the things you review to a Patreon is a great idea or as others have suggested maybe bid on them to fund other reviews as well. I look forward to seeing more awesome content. ✌🏼❤️☕️
- I would back your patreon (as I do other channels), especially if there were a way to use dollars to vote.
- Perhaps there's a $1 level that adds up to hand grinders, a $5 level that shares more of your travel videos (that series was beautifully put together) and $10 for espresso reviews.
- I would also happily enter a raffle to share a cup of coffee with you, or watch videos of you discussing things with other coffee experts
- Echoing what else has been said below, the greatest value I get from your channel is your deep experience in the witty way you deliver it. Reviews of products are valuable to me insofar as they give me a chance to view things through your unique perspective, though products are not the only lens to do that
- I also understand the ideas that excite you may not directly correlate with our suggestions. Additionally, as audience members we are bad at knowing ahead of time what we will enjoy. I look forward to your new videos now and I'm sure whatever you choose they'll still be enjoyable to consume in the future
I'm coming to this very late, but I don't like the patreon idea. My experience is that lots of people will say, "Yeah, I'll back that" and then they don't. So it might die before you even get off the ground. Also, if you review 5 grinders and say three of them are crap, you still have to ship those off to people who have paid to support your channel. Nobody wants the booby prize. Like a lot of people, I came to your channel because of your french press tutorial. That was an eye-opener. I'd appreciate more of that sort of thing, and even more detail. For example, many of us watching this are amateur home-brewers trying to learn more about how we brew and why things are not coming out right. If I follow the instructions in a V60 tutorial, with the right weight of coffee, right amount of water, and it comes out after 2:30 but doesn't taste right, how do I know where I have gone wrong? Everything seems to have gone right, but it tastes wrong. Bear in mind, most home-brewers have not been trained in sensory skills and while many of us know what tastes good and bad, we are often not the best at identifying why. Adjust your grind size is a normal response, but most videos give grind descriptions like medium-fine (what does that mean) or "like kosher salt" (???) We are all using wildly different equipment at home, so it is impossible to give specific instruction in these videos. But the knowledge and experience of someone like you on how we can train ourselves to get better results would be really useful and far more appealing than product reviews (although the odd one here and there is good). Happy to explain further if my comment here doesn't make sense.
Love the Patreon idea - I would 100% sign up
All in, have never subbed to a Patreon but I would sub for sure. Good Luck
The Patreon is a good idea and worth doing. You should try it.
I'd like to support you on Patreon, but I'm not overly familiar with the process. I would massively prefer to do a "prepaid" sort of deal because (as a college student) I never know what my funds will look like from month to month.
Thanks so much for the update. Looking forward to the upcoming videos. Less product reviews would be my recommendation
Glad the Patreon really worked out in the end!
Yeas, good idea James. I'd be up for that
Although I do not support anyone on Patreon, I would support you (anyhting to get more great coffee videos from you). I think that making a Patreon is a good idea!
Your selfless way of utilsiing Patreon is commendable but I'd actually be happy to support you in order to maintain great video content - although you are happy exploring/learning now, the day may come when the channel is a chore or time spent on the channel needs funding.
I am against the idea of pooling to buy products to review because unless you get a large regular income stream then there's a limit to what you can buy and review. Reviews may be delayed months after new products come out while funds build etc. Coffee 'gadgets' are generally not cheap as most of us know I'm sure. Buying 3 of the latest goose neck kettles to compare isn't something I'd like to see pooled funds used for personally (though I appreciate others would) even though they would be given away in a raffle. It's perpetuating 'consumerism of kit' and although - hands up - I'm guilty to a degree of that (how many of us have slow cookers, silicon egg poachers etc. gathering dust in the back of cupboards?) I'm more in the repair/recycle camp these days. I know people who have been put off making good coffee because the think they need to buy a £50 gooseneck kettle, a £100 temperature controlled kettle, a £60 pair of scales etc. and it's just not needed but I digress, sorry!
What I would like to see in terms of reviews is you reviewing kit you already own and use or that you own but don't use because it's poor - might help others avoid it. Plus any interesting/different kit/books/products you happen to hear about from colleagues/friends (you must come across a fair bit being in the industry) then if they are kind enough to lend you something for a day to try... happy days. If not, fair enough, they kit review vids, blogs, sites are aplenty.
I very much enjoy your insights and musings so that's where my 'vote' goes but yes interlaced with the occasional review of something that perhaps we're unlikely to see elsewhere and is well suited to your style, such as the clear coffee of course! Have you tried 'Nitro coffee' yet?
All the best and many thanks for the great videos :)
Do it! I love to support people who make videos
Think it's a good idea, but would wonder how much the subscription would be? Would it be a flat rate for all, or different levels? Maybe if you contributed more you would have more chance of winning, but if you could only afford a couple of quid a month you'd still be in with a chance rather than being completely locked out?
Hey James, though I can see the advantages of financing content with Patreon, what about using the community you created on RUclips? When I'm about to test equipment or coffee, the first thing I do, is to ask my friends, if somebody already has this or that tool. Of course among friends insurance or probable damage aren't an issue, which you would have to give some thought. I could imagine, that we as your community would support you by borrowing equipment.
BRILLIANT IDEA JAMES YES PLS
I’m in ... TY James
patreon is a great idea. Your contents are excellent and worthy of paid subscription.
Great idea about the Patreon.
Patron sounds great! I’d totally back it
Honest reviews are so rare these days
I think a Patreon is good, but I also think that reviews where you are comped products are fine, too.
Bit late, but I support a patreon setup. However I still would like your take on how to regarding filter coffee :).
That's a great idea! 💪
Ohhh helllll yeahhhhhh
More tutorials and techniques!!
Great idea
Hell yeah!
On a slightly separate note, I think you’d benefit from releasing videos once a week on a specific day, not as you make them. I mean this so that if you make 2 videos a week or something then you put out one video so you could have a surplus and viewers don’t feel like you’ve gone dark when you take a break in the real world because you could push the second video out when you’re busy.
Is it good idea? I don't know, you're James Hoffmann - I'm watching YOU for good ideas. ;) I think crowdfunding items for reviews is much more transparent than receiving an item from the manufacturer, ruffle is a nice touch, but you have to think about worldwide shipping, otherwise people will be cranky, I certainly would...
Hi James, I think your industry and technical insight is more useful than your product reviews, but my main thought was why do you feel that you need to generate direct and proportionate income for the reviews? I’m not being cynical when I suggest that this is a branding and marketing investment, surely expenses incurred in creating content will be recouped through greater public awareness of your publishing, appearances and of course SQM. Anyway, I always enjoy your stuff, just keep making it. Cheers, Steve Peel.
on board!
Live stream questions only for patreon backers. Hopefully you consider this idea because it will help you save a lot of time, effort and energy. No more livestreams where you feel you have to answer every question.
Hi James. I think it's a great idea. I love your videos and your honest reviews. I'd back this idea on Patreon, although I wouln't like to win any of the clear coffees that you will (hopefully) taste in the future ;)
The Patreon sounds like great idea!
Generating funding for the channel sounds like a good move. Perhaps product reviews should be kept to new & novel products? "5 handgrinders" this is a huge chore & what would we learn? Most of the regularly used, well known gear works, purchases are driven by budget vs ease/speed of use. Of course, there is new stuff appearing all the time with no known pedigree, anything that basically fails to function as intended would be worth knowing about.
Absolutely DO start a patreon. No shame about it. As long as the free content is of high standard then no issue.
I would be up for Patreon, nice idea.