What upsets me about this is that you see other RUclipsrs who’s content is quite frankly rubbish , and they are living like millionaires, yet people like yourself and Carly , Steph and Matt and others have proper staple entertainment, educational , informative, sometimes hilarious and that’s what RUclips thinks it’s worth , I quite often sit watching through past content and enjoy it as much now as when I first watched it, and two kids later , they sit and watch with me too , and thanks to miss hubnut my wife has found fellow female motoring enthusiasts in the social club , you all deserve so much more for your work
Think of it this way: The car reviews are for everyone, especially the non-subscribers and casual viewers. The tinkering is for your core subscribers and fans. The mix of the two is what makes HubNut what it is. We all appreciate that you have to sometimes do what brings in the money, but the variety is very much appreciated. The first view of you and Miss HubNut fixing Giselle's number plate light where it broke again as you reinserted it is one of my recent highlights. The obvious frustration in your demeanour mixed with Miss HubNut's laugh was exactly the kind of thing we all love!
Precisely what I would say - you'll get a spike in watchers if you do something clickbait, but your core enthusiasts will get a lot more out of watching you screw-up an apparently simple solder-job, because we've all been there and can empathise. I also enjoy the family outings to Welsh Wales, vicariously enjoying what I wish I'd had. The numbers will come, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Remember the parable about John & Zebedee. John laboured hard to cut his house into the rock in order to make a solid foundation. Zebedee built his house on sands and it was washed away in the first storm.
Only £1,600 for a video that's received over 1 million views is shocking. RUclips is making an absolute fortune yet pays its content creators a pittance.
Very good inside into a RUclipsr. Not as easy as people think. Your video that told me it's not 'all roses' was the one at your previous house with your ex-wife and two random strangers figured where you lived and popped in for a cup of tea. I found it chilling.
Always interesting to peek behind the curtain on analytics. One thing people often overlook about RUclips is that the platform has never paid creators a flat rate. Instead, different topics, video length, audience location, age, and gender can vary video profits massively. Like you mentioned, a video going viral with a million views in Malaysia will earn you next to nothing compared to a few hundred thousand views coming from the U.S. Add to this that videos on a subject such as new tech and computers will likely earn far more than a video about an old car, as there are more companies keen to put their adverts in front of a video about the latest iPhone. I had a video about my old Suzuki Carry camper hit a million views in about a month, but most of those views came from India and the Philippines, and it earned just a few hundred pounds. On the other hand, a different video of mine reached the same number in the same time frame but pulled in around 6 grand(!), as 70% of the viewers were from the U.S. The point about watch time is also critical, and often forgotten by people who don’t create RUclips content. Views can mean almost nothing if you’re not keeping your audience engaged. High watch hours, combined with longer videos-40 minutes or more-can earn far more than a “viral” video that’s only a couple of minutes long. So when you combine it all, a tech channel (with high value to advertisers), a large American audience (meaning wealthier viewers), and a video podcast (boosting watch hours) could be set to earn huge revenue compared to most other creators on RUclips. I'll be honest, while RUclips has its issues, I personally don’t think monetisation is one of them. The 45/55% revenue split (for those who don’t know, RUclips keeps 55% of ad earnings and gives creators 45%) is one of, if not the best, in the business compared to platforms like Spotify, TikTok, and Twitch. Most importantly to me, there are no upfront costs. We pay nothing to host videos, and there are no fees for servers or domain names. From a business point of view it can be quite cheap to run a RUclips channel. This isn’t to defend RUclips, but I think viewers and casual users often misunderstand a lot about earnings and analytics (not helped by the fact that RUclips doesn’t exactly make it easy to understand!).
Personally, tinkering and fleet updates.... for me, I think your USP is the down to earth, bloke next door, things going wrong, etc... it's non-threatening and we've all been there. Have to say though my favourite video is the A50. Onwards and upwards Ian.
I got that Green goddess in my recommended one hungover Sunday, probably about five years ago and binge watched a load of your videos. I've subbed to you ever since and even though lots and lots of channels have come and gone in my subs lists you've hung around. Cars aren't really my passion, but your personable presenting style keeps me coming back. I dip in once in a while to see what you're up to. You're a bit like Truman... I've seen you go through a breakup, find a new partner, become engaged... what next? Are the cars really the stars of your channel anymore? All the best to you and yours. Lee.
One aspect of the road test videos that you don't mention, but which you must be aware of, is that they often feature cars that are unknown or at least unfamiliar to those of us who don't live in the UK or Europe. Personally, I particularly appreciate the HubNut take on these cars, especially the bits when you highlight the mundane features like wipers and turn signals. A kindred spirit. The tinkering videos often leave me with the same feelings as when I play mechanic with with my bikes, I can feel both your frustrations and your satisfactions. Again, a kindred spirit. Thank you for continuing despite the lack of million dollar revenues. Edit: hoping some day you'll test a Scammell mechanical horse, one of the most idiosyncratically British vehicles.
You & Carly are awesome I really enjoy your videos. You both make me happy. Keep up the great work. It makes my day when you have a video showing. Thank you both so much.
Variety is the spice of life. And we love the variety you provide. Thank you for being yourself. And thanks to Carly for her contribution. Especially that cackle!
Very interesting, thanks Ian. As a soon-to-be retiree who very rashly answered my partner's question "You're not sitting around all day, what are you gonna do with yourself?", who said he was going to start a car-related channel, I'm very interested in your "behind the scenes" insights. Your USP is surely you? Straightforward, enthusiastic, eclectic and just a little nerdy (as are most of us "broad church" car lovers)! Keep up the good work 😊
Having watched you and your channel grow over the years this was very interesting- partly as you have inspired me to give it a go (I’m 3 weeks into it) a great look behind the scenes of RUclips and what to expect- the advice about getting your excitement across rings true 100%
I do two main videos a week (only started about three weeks ago) bike restoration and car polishing / scratch removal ceramic coatings - if it’s got wheels and an engine I like to make them look as nice as I can
@davidowen-jones146 thanks I'll take a look: I should do more DIY, i tend to subscribe to the EAP method - Employ A Professional! I find it cuts out the bit where I mess up a job, and the ignominy of having to get someone to fix it 🙄
Keep up the good work Ian. Dont let big greedy American corps get you down. You've a fun and engaging and more importantly honest, blokey style. Loved the aprilia vid.
I love watching the videos where you have access to a scrap yard. I admire your crazy ability to not only recognise an old car from looking at an almost rotted away example of it, but also the amount of other 'stuff' you know about it is astounding. Then you share all that stuff you know with us, the Hubnut army.
I enjoy your tinkering videos but you do present excellent car reviews. First video of yours I watched was the Lada Riva, which I searched for as I learned to drive in my dad’s one in 1988/89.
This was *very* relatable. I have a small RUclips channel. I chat about legal stuff. I try to get 3 or 4 videos up per week. But some days you are just so stuck for an idea. And then at other times you get those shower thoughts and two or three ideas will leap into your head. I think the trick with RUclips is just do it because you enjoy it. Don't think about views or income. That will eventually happen organically. I'm lucky now that it. does provide a bit of regular income. But it is so hit or miss what gets views. I've done pre-planned videos that I'm very pleased with. They might get a few thousand views. Then I'l just do a spur of the moment ramble and they'll get hundreds of thousands of views.
Hi Hubnut. I'm not surprised that the car reviews are your most watched videos. The reasons I watch them didn't seem to figure into your analysis, so here goes. I'm an old car guy with too many cars, as you know. When I see something interesting advertised for sale somewhere, I get online and research that make and model to see if owning it or another like it might be practicable. Of course I look at Wikipedia, any published reviews from when that car was new, I see what Honest John has to say, and I look for any road tests on RUclips or even anyone owning and driving such a car. I particularly enjoy and appreciate your road tests, because you approach them having done good research, and because you quite comprehensively cover a car's mechanical makeup. I guess we'll never know what proportion of your viewers have the same motivation as I do! There's another point to perhaps consider, relating to the success of the Peugeot 504 video. Cars from the 1970's do seem consigned to antiquity by way of UK thinking, as they have almost all rusted away to nothing long ago. In other parts of the world however, road useable or easily restorable 1970's and 1980's cars are much more plentiful. In Australia on any given day I could look at the classifieds and see 3 or 4 roadgoing or nearly so 504's on the market, and I'm guessing that that's a lot more than you'd see in the UK. So another statistic which would be interesting to analyse would be where in the world videos on certain cars are watched. Cheers.
I value Hubnut drives and reviews for the same reason. Ian's insight, experience and his communication ability make the review more than just casual viewing, but also valuable to someone who really want to know about the experience. It's not just sterile statistics or music and silliness.
Great little insight into how much you actually earn being a RUclipsr on certain Videos and showing its not all roses. I am just creeping closer to 1100 subs but i am not in it to make money, not going to lie but when I started in 2019 I thought i could eventually give up the day Job 😂😂 Its a hobby for me but i think during Lockdown i started to take it a bit more serious. Most popular videos for me include a Fuse change on a Mini, adding the Gear selector icon on the dash display on a mini and a error message connected to the fuel cap on the family Skoda. Funnily enough the Smart Videos seem to do ok (can't figure out why) 😂😂 Here's a little Tea Top Fund contribution, hopefully catch up with you at the NEC.
Very interesting video, and I was fascinated to learn that the 3 wheel DS is the most viewed because that was the first HubNut video I watched. You’ll gather it sucked me into your universe. Personally I love the tinkering videos. Watching you and Miss HubNut struggle to do things gladdens my heart and makes me realise it isn’t just me!! Oh, and I do love Tuk.
Very interesting. Was always told it's £1 in a 1000 views. And the most important thing aside from enthusiasm, was audio quality, and being able to hear the presenter.
I subscribe to around 20 channels yours is the only one i will watch everything the others is a case of as long as it looks interesting. I think your a genuine straight forward family there's never any pretence false jeopardy or endless adverts for car vertical Holy drinks Beer52 etc etc. I think the tinkering gets less views as anyone who's not a hubnutter doesn't understand your way of doing things. Certain makes of car seem to get massive views Lancia being one but that car was awesome. Keep up the good work 👍
Never been fussed what you earn, I watch your channels because I like them, if you make a fortune, good luck to you. The content should please your viewers, what you earn is not my business. Anyway, carry on and keep us happily subscribed
Your Morris Oxford MO drive is still hands down one of my favourite go too videos. It started my love with MO’s, still working towards one. Thanks for this ❤
3:08 That was probably me. Been looking thru old vids. Went thru a proton phase. I'm going to go thru the whole NZ trip and invacar. Don't change but do what's best for you. I just love how genuine you are no presenter voice. Just your normal. Your very calming as said like having a mate in the garage. I love your trips and tours abroad and in UK. Just subscribed I thought I had. See that little memory jog you did.
Tinkering can be great but I get frustrated when content makers don't get a car fixed and driving, but then go and buy another car, which also takes ages to fix and get running. I like to get closure on projects. Just my opinion, of course.
I feel like you should do more commercial vehicle videos as I particularly enjoy them and I think everyone else does, there's something about seeing a old lorry or bus you remember seeing as a kid!
Very interesting and thanks for sharing. I honestly cannot think of a single videoi have not enjoyed to some degree, on either channel.keep up the good work Ian!
I can understand the issue. I love the "warts and all" type tinkering videos by you, Ian, and by others on RUclips. The reason why I like these videos is that my main hobby is tinkering with cars and bikes and I'm fortunate enough to have a very well equipped workshop and 55 years worth of experience. However, what this means is that I really appreciate how difficult some of the jobs can be on both old and new cars, albeit for different reasons, but also just how much more difficult it would be if I had to video it and make it coherent and interesting for viewers. I suspect that people who are not really interested in tinkering have no idea how tricky it can be to overcome all the problems and do a good job when you are also having to worry about camera angles, lighting, dialogue, sound quality etc, etc. It's difficult enough without any of that! Richard
I love the HubNotes, we get to hear about the err.. arguably sometimes mundane to some maybe but great for others like me but sharing very interesting things that are going on and that's a good thing. We get to know you better as a person and not just a YT creator. Cheers Ian.
Ian: Thanks for all the entertainment you provide! I appreciate what you do! I started watching when you were working on the Invacar. The Lancia Aprilia has to be one of the most fascinating cars, really enjoyed that video. I have recently been making more effort to comment on videos, as comments are supposed to help the RUclips algorithm.
Hi Ian, please just keep doing what you are doing. You have brought us many features and cars that most of us would never see. You have shown us a lot of museums that have been brilliant. Places that most of us would never get to see. If you wanted big numbers all you need to do is jump on the BMW band wagon and start doing content with E46 M3 in the title. They will do 100k views all day long or anything where you can stick 2JZ in the title. Love your stuff, keep being you.
I've been a member of your channel for a good few years from back in the days if I remember before you restored Ellie and I've just seen I'm not subscribed to this channel so I'm now one of your newest hubnote subscribers
From a HN fan perspective, I like all your videos, maybe I have more of a preference to road tests, but you're such a wholesome channel, that I just like watching you and Miss HN doing you! See you at the NEC! Trying to get Mr Pickering to come along as he's not exhibiting his 300ZX this year.
I've a proton iswara parked at my other house in Malaysia, at the time of your video second hand car prices there were still ridiculous, and the thought of buying one for £50 was unimaginable.....£500 was cheap
This was extremely informative, as an absolute sewer tier channel nowhere close to monetization, I make my videos for fun (the filming and editing of the videos is what I really enioy, much like preferring to spanner on a car rather than driving it) This video reaffirmed me to just keep enjoying it and if monetization comes my way eventually, it'll be a nice brucey bonus and a little beer money in the hat! In the meantime I have a small group of people who give me lovely feedback and that adds to the fun 😊 Huge respect as always for making this your (more than full time) job. People are very quick to romanticise RUclips but even at my lowly level, it's much harder than it looks! Cheers as always Ian!
Interesting insight, shows that it's not all roses. Like everything, everybody thinks that everybody else's job is easy. I'm sure some people think RUclipsrs only work 15 minutes a week. I wonder how much some viral channels earn if a million views is approx what you said. I like the tinkering videos and generally only watch the roadtests of cars that I'm interested in. I'd love to sit and watch them all but simply don't have the time.
I reckon a lot of your viewers and subscribers are captured by your mildly eccentric and thoroughly entertaining perspective and (meant in the nicest way) the occasional bit of calamity/jeapody - 'it's all gone a bit hubnut' - imagine you have access to all sorts of stats and data from the videos to inform, but I'm most drawn to things which are a bit outside your comfort zone - would love you to do an occasional hubnut review of something uncharacteristically exotic - I'm sure jayemm or another youtuber could assist! Roadtrips over a series of a few shorter vids are also very watchable too. Best of luck with everything you do but your integrity and groundedness is definately part of the appeal!
Thanks for showing income from videos, so many RUclipsrs appear to keep this as some huge secret that nobody is allowed to know, good luck with future vids.... including this one
The Lancia was one of the best videos I've seen you do, such a charming motor that many will not have seen before. 'Will it start' videos are a whole genre of their own, so if you find something buried in a Welsh farmyard somewhere, may prove a rich seam to mine.
I started watching the engine tinkering with 2CV. Just a interest in cars brought me here. I think your personality and the way you do things is what people like. That is the important part rather than the content itself.
Keep it varied and don't just try to do the money spinners, for a start I wouldn't have got into the channel if I hadn't searched for a video about a Visa Special, or 2CV maintenance tips. Appreciate the insight, hope it continues to keep you behind the wheel of much chod!
As a beginner, i always appreciate the successful 'Tubers, sharing an insight into these things. It's similar in the motorcycle niche, bike reviews always do well.
I like the 'behind the scenes' feel to this channel. Very Interesting. I was under the impression that sucessful RUclips channels earned a lot more than this. Thanks for telling it the way it really is. The amount of time and hard work which goes into filming and editing means you have to be very motivated and passionate to get anywhere.
If the tinkering is just a booke changing a fan belt, it may not do so well, but if it is a series about a bloke returning an Invacar to the road after 14 years in a field, it's going to capture thousands of new subscribers. The moment when TWC started for the first time was one of the best HubNut videos. The Chemmy engine swap was the last great tinkering series that you've done. I think a lot of the road tests have been enjoyable, but it all depends on how interesting the car is. Personally I like the quirky small cars and older cars.
I watch all your videos, I think a key factor in the view stats could be that the car review/test drives I'll watch more than once, whereas the tinkering videos (which I love) I'll watch just the once. How are the stats regarding car show/museum walk around? One of my favourites was the Citroen museum/collection. Keep up the good work and the variety of content. Absolutely love hub nut and hub notes channels ❤
It always seems to be a very difficult way to earn money. I could never get past my personal opinion that no-one would be interested in what I have to say. Please keep up the great work, still really hoping for a video on Ricardo Engineering sometime, your documentaries are first rate - the VW Porsche collaboration was superb.
I began following for the tinkering, and have been here ever since - I guess another way to think on the tinkering videos are that if you need to do that job anyway, and the video isn’t too intrusive, then that’s (even a little) income to fund the fleet that you might not otherwise have - and without the costs of travel etc that might come with a road test?
A dodgy Russian website did steal a load of content but mostly it was never put online. A few made it to AR Online such as this one (way older than it appears). www.aronline.co.uk/cars/rover/sd1/motor-sport/
I don't think I have seen any of your videos that have not engaged my interest. I actively seek out your videos, whether it's tinkering or museum visits, or pipe organs or festivals or TWC videos. It's all interesting and engaging. Just do you, Ian. It's a great channel.
Crazy how the views are all over the place. I've been a HubNutter since 2019 when you did an engine swap on Ellie before going to Croatia. Though the first video I watched was of the NSU Ro80.
Very honest and insightful. In terms of number of views, what do you consider a success? And conversely, is there any particular video you expected to to do well but didn't?
Oh plenty has failed to ignite. That's the nature of it. Then the stuff you don't expect to do well does. Almost 11 years doing this and I still don't know what is a good video!
Love your videos. And actually like the tinkering videos. Love the videos on the "normal JOE cars" cause everyone else ignores these. These are the cars that most people drove and actually much more important than a zillion dollar sport car. And love that you have taken your interest and "job" and made it available to us and somehow made it interesting. All the best with the future on a professional and personal endeavors to you and Ms Hubnut and the Hublets as well ❤
I absolutely love what you do and the verity of content you provide. I don't mean to sound wrong but I'm not one of those people concerned about how much money you earn of your videos, we all know you never earn what you deserve from RUclips, to us you are worth a lot more in every possible way. Keep up the good work,
I can relate to so much, although I'm a hobbyist YT creator, not a full-time one. My most watched video is how to fix a broken wing mirror that got 250K views (on a channel that just got to 4k subs 😆), and I video that I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears and I thought would do well was on estates and it only got 2.9K at time of writing. As I said, I don't depend on my videos for income, so I can make things I really like that no-one else likes (my economy runs come to mind) and not worry. Love your content in all its forms! Like someone else already said, keep being you because that's what keeps us hooked 👍
It's a good channel Ian. Tinkering I might watch but really it's the test drives that drew me in. It's just better than pictures and text in a magazine You drive the sort of vehicles I might aspire to own (except smart cars, very you through) Keep putting out the content
Excellent video. I've been wanting a rough idea of the potential numbers for some while, but it always seemed rude to ask anyone. I do suspect that your illustrious previous career stands you in somewhat better stead in this regards than the average. Certainly if I, as an unknown bod, started a channel I reckon I would be pleased if I got the price of a decent meal out from it, now and again. Glad to hear that you are doing ok though, because you do give a lot of older semi-retired engineering types, like me, a lot of enjoyment.
Like the car reviews, like the tinkering videos, but will it start videos are my favourites. I love that every video is you (and Miss Hubnut too) being yourselves and there is no fakery or bs. Thank you for all the videos and keep up the good work. 🙂
Yes, that electronic handbrake 'Will it or won't it' I reckon will be very popular. I could not get my head around a flick switch actually doing anything worthwhile as I am heading for a motorway concrete bridge support with the foot pedal flat on the floor LOL
Interesting stuff. Whilst it is easy to say 'the road tests are more popular' they cost money and time to produce, whereas things like tinkering videos is just filming stuff you were going to do anyway. (Same with this video that is just talking to the camera for free :D )
Ian, at the risk of being accused of "brown-nosing", you have only your own personable character to thank for your success so far. I don't even broadcast, but had my first youtube account shut down for being "nasty", but then "I drinks a lot" - (Mr Bojangles). Take a look at the thumbs up Ian. Despite what you might imagine in the depths of despair when you can't get the "thingy" to fit the other "thingy", we're with you.
Really enjoy what you do and keep it up, just a thought but a visit to "internal fire" museum might be a good video. The chap the runs it is a super guy and an excellent host and really knows his stuff and it is just a brilliant place to visit.
We appreciate you being you, and not being a shouty channel with fake jeopardy and all that silly guff. Cheers Ian!
No fake jeopardy? You must be joking surely?
Like MacMaster. I had to unsub him, he did my bleedin' head in with his tripe. I'm no Evangelist, but he kept regurgitating the same rubbish.
What upsets me about this is that you see other RUclipsrs who’s content is quite frankly rubbish , and they are living like millionaires, yet people like yourself and Carly , Steph and Matt and others have proper staple entertainment, educational , informative, sometimes hilarious and that’s what RUclips thinks it’s worth , I quite often sit watching through past content and enjoy it as much now as when I first watched it, and two kids later , they sit and watch with me too , and thanks to miss hubnut my wife has found fellow female motoring enthusiasts in the social club , you all deserve so much more for your work
Just keep being you, that’s what keeps us engaged 👍👏👍
Think of it this way:
The car reviews are for everyone, especially the non-subscribers and casual viewers.
The tinkering is for your core subscribers and fans.
The mix of the two is what makes HubNut what it is. We all appreciate that you have to sometimes do what brings in the money, but the variety is very much appreciated. The first view of you and Miss HubNut fixing Giselle's number plate light where it broke again as you reinserted it is one of my recent highlights. The obvious frustration in your demeanour mixed with Miss HubNut's laugh was exactly the kind of thing we all love!
Precisely what I would say - you'll get a spike in watchers if you do something clickbait, but your core enthusiasts will get a lot more out of watching you screw-up an apparently simple solder-job, because we've all been there and can empathise.
I also enjoy the family outings to Welsh Wales, vicariously enjoying what I wish I'd had. The numbers will come, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Remember the parable about John & Zebedee. John laboured hard to cut his house into the rock in order to make a solid foundation. Zebedee built his house on sands and it was washed away in the first storm.
Very interesting insight, thanks. Really appreciate your transparency
Only £1,600 for a video that's received over 1 million views is shocking. RUclips is making an absolute fortune yet pays its content creators a pittance.
Sounds like business as usual for big business
On the other hand, without RUclips, income would be zero. Short format pays way less.
It does depend on the country, the audience, the type of video. There are many variables deciding the payoff.
So buy enough shares to get on the board and change it.
@@iatsd Buy enough shares so that the windfall comes to you too. Much easier.
You and Ms Hubnut tinkering are brilliant, have me laughing out loud, keep it up.
Very good inside into a RUclipsr. Not as easy as people think.
Your video that told me it's not 'all roses' was the one at your previous house with your ex-wife and two random strangers figured where you lived and popped in for a cup of tea. I found it chilling.
Always interesting to peek behind the curtain on analytics. One thing people often overlook about RUclips is that the platform has never paid creators a flat rate. Instead, different topics, video length, audience location, age, and gender can vary video profits massively. Like you mentioned, a video going viral with a million views in Malaysia will earn you next to nothing compared to a few hundred thousand views coming from the U.S. Add to this that videos on a subject such as new tech and computers will likely earn far more than a video about an old car, as there are more companies keen to put their adverts in front of a video about the latest iPhone.
I had a video about my old Suzuki Carry camper hit a million views in about a month, but most of those views came from India and the Philippines, and it earned just a few hundred pounds. On the other hand, a different video of mine reached the same number in the same time frame but pulled in around 6 grand(!), as 70% of the viewers were from the U.S.
The point about watch time is also critical, and often forgotten by people who don’t create RUclips content. Views can mean almost nothing if you’re not keeping your audience engaged. High watch hours, combined with longer videos-40 minutes or more-can earn far more than a “viral” video that’s only a couple of minutes long. So when you combine it all, a tech channel (with high value to advertisers), a large American audience (meaning wealthier viewers), and a video podcast (boosting watch hours) could be set to earn huge revenue compared to most other creators on RUclips.
I'll be honest, while RUclips has its issues, I personally don’t think monetisation is one of them. The 45/55% revenue split (for those who don’t know, RUclips keeps 55% of ad earnings and gives creators 45%) is one of, if not the best, in the business compared to platforms like Spotify, TikTok, and Twitch. Most importantly to me, there are no upfront costs. We pay nothing to host videos, and there are no fees for servers or domain names. From a business point of view it can be quite cheap to run a RUclips channel.
This isn’t to defend RUclips, but I think viewers and casual users often misunderstand a lot about earnings and analytics (not helped by the fact that RUclips doesn’t exactly make it easy to understand!).
Thanks for writing all that out. I learned loads!
Congrats on the 6 grand! That's really cool.
Hmm interesting
Personally, tinkering and fleet updates.... for me, I think your USP is the down to earth, bloke next door, things going wrong, etc... it's non-threatening and we've all been there. Have to say though my favourite video is the A50. Onwards and upwards Ian.
I got that Green goddess in my recommended one hungover Sunday, probably about five years ago and binge watched a load of your videos. I've subbed to you ever since and even though lots and lots of channels have come and gone in my subs lists you've hung around.
Cars aren't really my passion, but your personable presenting style keeps me coming back. I dip in once in a while to see what you're up to. You're a bit like Truman... I've seen you go through a breakup, find a new partner, become engaged... what next? Are the cars really the stars of your channel anymore?
All the best to you and yours. Lee.
The Green Goddess video was also suggested to and thus introduced me to HubNut for the first time.
I watch them all, and do appreciate all your hard work . Thanks.
One aspect of the road test videos that you don't mention, but which you must be aware of, is that they often feature cars that are unknown or at least unfamiliar to those of us who don't live in the UK or Europe. Personally, I particularly appreciate the HubNut take on these cars, especially the bits when you highlight the mundane features like wipers and turn signals. A kindred spirit. The tinkering videos often leave me with the same feelings as when I play mechanic with with my bikes, I can feel both your frustrations and your satisfactions. Again, a kindred spirit. Thank you for continuing despite the lack of million dollar revenues.
Edit: hoping some day you'll test a Scammell mechanical horse, one of the most idiosyncratically British vehicles.
You & Carly are awesome I really enjoy your videos. You both make me happy. Keep up the great work. It makes my day when you have a video showing. Thank you both so much.
We stay because you and Ms HubNut run a really interesting and eclectic channel. Keep being exactly who you are guys!
Variety is the spice of life. And we love the variety you provide.
Thank you for being yourself. And thanks to Carly for her contribution. Especially that cackle!
Very interesting, thanks Ian. As a soon-to-be retiree who very rashly answered my partner's question "You're not sitting around all day, what are you gonna do with yourself?", who said he was going to start a car-related channel, I'm very interested in your "behind the scenes" insights.
Your USP is surely you? Straightforward, enthusiastic, eclectic and just a little nerdy (as are most of us "broad church" car lovers)! Keep up the good work 😊
Having watched you and your channel grow over the years this was very interesting- partly as you have inspired me to give it a go (I’m 3 weeks into it) a great look behind the scenes of RUclips and what to expect- the advice about getting your excitement across rings true 100%
What's your channel?
@ hi it’s “do it yourself Dave”
@ youtube.com/@davidowen-jones146?si=xd2SrxbCZ_K6y_09
I do two main videos a week (only started about three weeks ago) bike restoration and car polishing / scratch removal ceramic coatings - if it’s got wheels and an engine I like to make them look as nice as I can
@davidowen-jones146 thanks I'll take a look: I should do more DIY, i tend to subscribe to the EAP method - Employ A Professional! I find it cuts out the bit where I mess up a job, and the ignominy of having to get someone to fix it 🙄
Keep up the good work Ian. Dont let big greedy American corps get you down. You've a fun and engaging and more importantly honest, blokey style. Loved the aprilia vid.
I love watching the videos where you have access to a scrap yard. I admire your crazy ability to not only recognise an old car from looking at an almost rotted away example of it, but also the amount of other 'stuff' you know about it is astounding. Then you share all that stuff you know with us, the Hubnut army.
Thanks for the insight into the finances. Most people have a warped perspective of how much money is earned in your line of work.
Great money comes from sponsorships and having a few channels going. Good money comes from having 200k subs and 2-3 uploads a week!
I enjoy your tinkering videos but you do present excellent car reviews. First video of yours I watched was the Lada Riva, which I searched for as I learned to drive in my dad’s one in 1988/89.
This was *very* relatable. I have a small RUclips channel. I chat about legal stuff. I try to get 3 or 4 videos up per week. But some days you are just so stuck for an idea. And then at other times you get those shower thoughts and two or three ideas will leap into your head. I think the trick with RUclips is just do it because you enjoy it. Don't think about views or income. That will eventually happen organically. I'm lucky now that it. does provide a bit of regular income. But it is so hit or miss what gets views. I've done pre-planned videos that I'm very pleased with. They might get a few thousand views. Then I'l just do a spur of the moment ramble and they'll get hundreds of thousands of views.
Been watching your videos since the XJ6 collection caper. I watch it again now and then. Keep up the good work!
interesting information - i do like the tinkering vids and the will it starts, but can now see the value you get from them
Hi Hubnut. I'm not surprised that the car reviews are your most watched videos. The reasons I watch them didn't seem to figure into your analysis, so here goes. I'm an old car guy with too many cars, as you know. When I see something interesting advertised for sale somewhere, I get online and research that make and model to see if owning it or another like it might be practicable. Of course I look at Wikipedia, any published reviews from when that car was new, I see what Honest John has to say, and I look for any road tests on RUclips or even anyone owning and driving such a car. I particularly enjoy and appreciate your road tests, because you approach them having done good research, and because you quite comprehensively cover a car's mechanical makeup. I guess we'll never know what proportion of your viewers have the same motivation as I do! There's another point to perhaps consider, relating to the success of the Peugeot 504 video. Cars from the 1970's do seem consigned to antiquity by way of UK thinking, as they have almost all rusted away to nothing long ago. In other parts of the world however, road useable or easily restorable 1970's and 1980's cars are much more plentiful. In Australia on any given day I could look at the classifieds and see 3 or 4 roadgoing or nearly so 504's on the market, and I'm guessing that that's a lot more than you'd see in the UK. So another statistic which would be interesting to analyse would be where in the world videos on certain cars are watched. Cheers.
I value Hubnut drives and reviews for the same reason. Ian's insight, experience and his communication ability make the review more than just casual viewing, but also valuable to someone who really want to know about the experience.
It's not just sterile statistics or music and silliness.
Great little insight into how much you actually earn being a RUclipsr on certain Videos and showing its not all roses. I am just creeping closer to 1100 subs but i am not in it to make money, not going to lie but when I started in 2019 I thought i could eventually give up the day Job 😂😂 Its a hobby for me but i think during Lockdown i started to take it a bit more serious. Most popular videos for me include a Fuse change on a Mini, adding the Gear selector icon on the dash display on a mini and a error message connected to the fuel cap on the family Skoda.
Funnily enough the Smart Videos seem to do ok (can't figure out why) 😂😂
Here's a little Tea Top Fund contribution, hopefully catch up with you at the NEC.
Thanks Davy!
You and your Ms Hubnut are very entertaining so whatever you put out is to me watchable .
Very interesting video, and I was fascinated to learn that the 3 wheel DS is the most viewed because that was the first HubNut video I watched. You’ll gather it sucked me into your universe. Personally I love the tinkering videos. Watching you and Miss HubNut struggle to do things gladdens my heart and makes me realise it isn’t just me!! Oh, and I do love Tuk.
Very interesting. Was always told it's £1 in a 1000 views. And the most important thing aside from enthusiasm, was audio quality, and being able to hear the presenter.
I subscribe to around 20 channels yours is the only one i will watch everything the others is a case of as long as it looks interesting. I think your a genuine straight forward family there's never any pretence false jeopardy or endless adverts for car vertical Holy drinks Beer52 etc etc. I think the tinkering gets less views as anyone who's not a hubnutter doesn't understand your way of doing things. Certain makes of car seem to get massive views Lancia being one but that car was awesome. Keep up the good work 👍
I absolutely love the tinkering videos. Hope they don’t stop altogether but I would be prepared to lose them to keep your great channel.
They won't stop. I just need to regain my mojo a bit.
Never been fussed what you earn, I watch your channels because I like them, if you make a fortune, good luck to you. The content should please your viewers, what you earn is not my business. Anyway, carry on and keep us happily subscribed
Your Morris Oxford MO drive is still hands down one of my favourite go too videos. It started my love with MO’s, still working towards one. Thanks for this ❤
I enjoy the tinkering videos very much. And also your trips to the Netherlands. Carry on with the good work!
3:08 That was probably me. Been looking thru old vids. Went thru a proton phase.
I'm going to go thru the whole NZ trip and invacar.
Don't change but do what's best for you. I just love how genuine you are no presenter voice. Just your normal. Your very calming as said like having a mate in the garage. I love your trips and tours abroad and in UK.
Just subscribed I thought I had. See that little memory jog you did.
Tinkering can be great but I get frustrated when content makers don't get a car fixed and driving, but then go and buy another car, which also takes ages to fix and get running. I like to get closure on projects. Just my opinion, of course.
And a valid one. I guess we're human and have much the same trouble as other car folk. Nothing is more exciting than the new project...
I feel like you should do more commercial vehicle videos as I particularly enjoy them and I think everyone else does, there's something about seeing a old lorry or bus you remember seeing as a kid!
Very interesting and thanks for sharing. I honestly cannot think of a single videoi have not enjoyed to some degree, on either channel.keep up the good work Ian!
I can understand the issue. I love the "warts and all" type tinkering videos by you, Ian, and by others on RUclips. The reason why I like these videos is that my main hobby is tinkering with cars and bikes and I'm fortunate enough to have a very well equipped workshop and 55 years worth of experience.
However, what this means is that I really appreciate how difficult some of the jobs can be on both old and new cars, albeit for different reasons, but also just how much more difficult it would be if I had to video it and make it coherent and interesting for viewers.
I suspect that people who are not really interested in tinkering have no idea how tricky it can be to overcome all the problems and do a good job when you are also having to worry about camera angles, lighting, dialogue, sound quality etc, etc. It's difficult enough without any of that!
Richard
With me it’s quite simple: I am watching all of your videos on both channels. Always giving a thumbs up, sometimes I write a comment. This is my part…
I love the HubNotes, we get to hear about the err.. arguably sometimes mundane to some maybe but great for others like me but sharing very interesting things that are going on and that's a good thing. We get to know you better as a person and not just a YT creator. Cheers Ian.
Absolutely brilliant video ian ❤👍for me your the best there is and never boring your content is amazing brilliant
Ian: Thanks for all the entertainment you provide! I appreciate what you do!
I started watching when you were working on the Invacar. The Lancia Aprilia has to be one of the most fascinating cars, really enjoyed that video. I have recently been making more effort to comment on videos, as comments are supposed to help the RUclips algorithm.
Hi Ian, please just keep doing what you are doing. You have brought us many features and cars that most of us would never see. You have shown us a lot of museums that have been brilliant. Places that most of us would never get to see. If you wanted big numbers all you need to do is jump on the BMW band wagon and start doing content with E46 M3 in the title. They will do 100k views all day long or anything where you can stick 2JZ in the title. Love your stuff, keep being you.
I've been a member of your channel for a good few years from back in the days if I remember before you restored Ellie and I've just seen I'm not subscribed to this channel so I'm now one of your newest hubnote subscribers
Mr. Hub Nut is definitely one of the best.
From a HN fan perspective, I like all your videos, maybe I have more of a preference to road tests, but you're such a wholesome channel, that I just like watching you and Miss HN doing you!
See you at the NEC! Trying to get Mr Pickering to come along as he's not exhibiting his 300ZX this year.
I've a proton iswara parked at my other house in Malaysia, at the time of your video second hand car prices there were still ridiculous, and the thought of buying one for £50 was unimaginable.....£500 was cheap
Interesting to hear what the reality is with RUclips. I do love the tinkering ones, but all your videos are entertaining and informative. 👍
This was extremely informative, as an absolute sewer tier channel nowhere close to monetization, I make my videos for fun (the filming and editing of the videos is what I really enioy, much like preferring to spanner on a car rather than driving it)
This video reaffirmed me to just keep enjoying it and if monetization comes my way eventually, it'll be a nice brucey bonus and a little beer money in the hat!
In the meantime I have a small group of people who give me lovely feedback and that adds to the fun 😊 Huge respect as always for making this your (more than full time) job. People are very quick to romanticise RUclips but even at my lowly level, it's much harder than it looks!
Cheers as always Ian!
For fun is the very best reason. No channel makes it big without that part.
Interesting insight, shows that it's not all roses. Like everything, everybody thinks that everybody else's job is easy. I'm sure some people think RUclipsrs only work 15 minutes a week. I wonder how much some viral channels earn if a million views is approx what you said. I like the tinkering videos and generally only watch the roadtests of cars that I'm interested in. I'd love to sit and watch them all but simply don't have the time.
Please don't stop the tinkering videos, but they are all entertaining
I reckon a lot of your viewers and subscribers are captured by your mildly eccentric and thoroughly entertaining perspective and (meant in the nicest way) the occasional bit of calamity/jeapody - 'it's all gone a bit hubnut' - imagine you have access to all sorts of stats and data from the videos to inform, but I'm most drawn to things which are a bit outside your comfort zone - would love you to do an occasional hubnut review of something uncharacteristically exotic - I'm sure jayemm or another youtuber could assist! Roadtrips over a series of a few shorter vids are also very watchable too. Best of luck with everything you do but your integrity and groundedness is definately part of the appeal!
All that hard work, but I look forward to your videos. And in joy. Just order next year calendar to help you out.
Keep going young man we love your style all the way down in New Zealand
Thanks for showing income from videos, so many RUclipsrs appear to keep this as some huge secret that nobody is allowed to know, good luck with future vids.... including this one
I’m one of the tinkering lovers! Much that I can relate to usually happens.
The Lancia was one of the best videos I've seen you do, such a charming motor that many will not have seen before.
'Will it start' videos are a whole genre of their own, so if you find something buried in a Welsh farmyard somewhere, may prove a rich seam to mine.
I started watching the engine tinkering with 2CV. Just a interest in cars brought me here. I think your personality and the way you do things is what people like. That is the important part rather than the content itself.
Keep it varied and don't just try to do the money spinners, for a start I wouldn't have got into the channel if I hadn't searched for a video about a Visa Special, or 2CV maintenance tips. Appreciate the insight, hope it continues to keep you behind the wheel of much chod!
Youre one of the great youtube characters...along with Col from guitaristas
As a beginner, i always appreciate the successful 'Tubers, sharing an insight into these things.
It's similar in the motorcycle niche, bike reviews always do well.
I like the 'behind the scenes' feel to this channel. Very Interesting. I was under the impression that sucessful RUclips channels earned a lot more than this. Thanks for telling it the way it really is. The amount of time and hard work which goes into filming and editing means you have to be very motivated and passionate to get anywhere.
Subscribed again, don't know why I became unsubscribed. Great honest down to earth content, thanks a mill.
I just watched to bring you 0.003 cts! Love this content, btw!
If the tinkering is just a booke changing a fan belt, it may not do so well, but if it is a series about a bloke returning an Invacar to the road after 14 years in a field, it's going to capture thousands of new subscribers. The moment when TWC started for the first time was one of the best HubNut videos. The Chemmy engine swap was the last great tinkering series that you've done. I think a lot of the road tests have been enjoyable, but it all depends on how interesting the car is. Personally I like the quirky small cars and older cars.
I watch all your videos, I think a key factor in the view stats could be that the car review/test drives I'll watch more than once, whereas the tinkering videos (which I love) I'll watch just the once. How are the stats regarding car show/museum walk around? One of my favourites was the Citroen museum/collection. Keep up the good work and the variety of content. Absolutely love hub nut and hub notes channels ❤
More tinkering videos and definitely more collection capers videos ... always find them really interesting tempered with a bit of humour
It always seems to be a very difficult way to earn money. I could never get past my personal opinion that no-one would be interested in what I have to say. Please keep up the great work, still really hoping for a video on Ricardo Engineering sometime, your documentaries are first rate - the VW Porsche collaboration was superb.
Oh that's a good call. Read a fascinating book about Ricardo a few years ago.
I began following for the tinkering, and have been here ever since - I guess another way to think on the tinkering videos are that if you need to do that job anyway, and the video isn’t too intrusive, then that’s (even a little) income to fund the fleet that you might not otherwise have - and without the costs of travel etc that might come with a road test?
The jag collection from scotland was the first one I watched.
Same here, seen every video since that.
Do you have some of your old magazine articles somewhere on interwebs we can check?
A dodgy Russian website did steal a load of content but mostly it was never put online. A few made it to AR Online such as this one (way older than it appears). www.aronline.co.uk/cars/rover/sd1/motor-sport/
Isn't it odd. I really don't like the car reviews but absolutely love the tinkering.
I don't think I have seen any of your videos that have not engaged my interest. I actively seek out your videos, whether it's tinkering or museum visits, or pipe organs or festivals or TWC videos. It's all interesting and engaging. Just do you, Ian. It's a great channel.
this is highly interesting indeed... do a few more 1.1m videos.... best wishes mate,
Love the content. Thanks for the finance insight. Shockingly low for the amount of views and effort. Keep up the great work?
It's tough - and YT is not kind to it's creators like you - good luck and success!
Crazy how the views are all over the place.
I've been a HubNutter since 2019 when you did an engine swap on Ellie before going to Croatia. Though the first video I watched was of the NSU Ro80.
Very honest and insightful. In terms of number of views, what do you consider a success? And conversely, is there any particular video you expected to to do well but didn't?
Oh plenty has failed to ignite. That's the nature of it. Then the stuff you don't expect to do well does. Almost 11 years doing this and I still don't know what is a good video!
Love your videos.
And actually like the tinkering videos. Love the videos on the "normal JOE cars" cause everyone else ignores these. These are the cars that most people drove and actually much more important than a zillion dollar sport car. And love that you have taken your interest and "job" and made it available to us and somehow made it interesting.
All the best with the future on a professional and personal endeavors to you and Ms Hubnut and the Hublets as well ❤
I absolutely love what you do and the verity of content you provide. I don't mean to sound wrong but I'm not one of those people concerned about how much money you earn of your videos, we all know you never earn what you deserve from RUclips, to us you are worth a lot more in every possible way. Keep up the good work,
Thanks for noticing the double order.
Thank you! And no problem. We always like to check.
I can relate to so much, although I'm a hobbyist YT creator, not a full-time one. My most watched video is how to fix a broken wing mirror that got 250K views (on a channel that just got to 4k subs 😆), and I video that I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears and I thought would do well was on estates and it only got 2.9K at time of writing.
As I said, I don't depend on my videos for income, so I can make things I really like that no-one else likes (my economy runs come to mind) and not worry.
Love your content in all its forms! Like someone else already said, keep being you because that's what keeps us hooked 👍
Best of luck with future content on the channel 👍👍👍
The green Goddess video is how I found your channel. 😊
another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍
I liked Mrs Hubnut... she helped remove an engine.
Really quite interesting to see behind the curtain.
It's a good channel Ian. Tinkering I might watch but really it's the test drives that drew me in. It's just better than pictures and text in a magazine
You drive the sort of vehicles I might aspire to own (except smart cars, very you through)
Keep putting out the content
Excellent video. I've been wanting a rough idea of the potential numbers for some while, but it always seemed rude to ask anyone. I do suspect that your illustrious previous career stands you in somewhat better stead in this regards than the average. Certainly if I, as an unknown bod, started a channel I reckon I would be pleased if I got the price of a decent meal out from it, now and again. Glad to hear that you are doing ok though, because you do give a lot of older semi-retired engineering types, like me, a lot of enjoyment.
Thank you. I wasn't a car journo for very long though. Plenty of people are successful without such a background.
I always wondered how people earn living from RUclips. Thanks for sharing Ian 😊👍
Like the car reviews, like the tinkering videos, but will it start videos are my favourites. I love that every video is you (and Miss Hubnut too) being yourselves and there is no fakery or bs. Thank you for all the videos and keep up the good work. 🙂
Yes, that electronic handbrake 'Will it or won't it' I reckon will be very popular. I could not get my head around a flick switch actually doing anything worthwhile as I am heading for a motorway concrete bridge support with the foot pedal flat on the floor LOL
I loved the Berlingo exhaust video!
nice move making this vid. earned a sub
Interesting stuff. Whilst it is easy to say 'the road tests are more popular' they cost money and time to produce, whereas things like tinkering videos is just filming stuff you were going to do anyway. (Same with this video that is just talking to the camera for free :D )
Ian, at the risk of being accused of "brown-nosing", you have only your own personable character to thank for your success so far. I don't even broadcast, but had my first youtube account shut down for being "nasty", but then "I drinks a lot" - (Mr Bojangles).
Take a look at the thumbs up Ian. Despite what you might imagine in the depths of despair when you can't get the "thingy" to fit the other "thingy", we're with you.
A will it start, followed by a road test and some mild tinkering/improvement would be video perfection.
I really loved the Lancia video. It was, for me, a really interesting car that I didn't know about.
Really enjoy what you do and keep it up, just a thought but a visit to "internal fire" museum might be a good video. The chap the runs it is a super guy and an excellent host and really knows his stuff and it is just a brilliant place to visit.
We've been a few times. ruclips.net/video/8h3hNDPKJTw/видео.htmlsi=KHp7b1ueeYXsXSzl