These days, when I am asked what I do, which is still a regular occurrence, I usually say that I am a YouTube creator.<\/p>\n
There are two good reasons for doing so. Firstly, it\u2019s true. Secondly, I am always amused by the reaction.<\/p>\n
The first response I get is that people ask what I make videos about, and I suggest that it is political economy.<\/p>\n
I am then asked whether anybody watches my videos, and the amusement comes when I suggest that I have more than 370,000 followers. This seems to create a slight shock reaction and an immediate request for the name of my channel.<\/p>\n
Being a chartered accountant never created such interest. Nor were people very interested in the fact that I was a professor, firstly of political economy and then of accounting.<\/p>\n
Being a YouTube creator is, however, apparently something quite different. At the age of 68, I have finally achieved social cachet.<\/p>\n
The third reaction to my suggestion, and the subsequent comments, is usually fairly predictable. People ask how I come up with a new video every day and how long it takes to record.<\/p>\n
The answer is always the same. Thinking up a new video is always a challenge. But thankfully, they do not take too long to record once I have worked out, in advance, what I intend to say.<\/p>\n
This morning\u2019s video is a long one for us, at 22 minutes. It took 30 minutes to record because I inevitably made mistakes and wanted to correct them as we recorded. It took Thomas much longer to edit it, and I spent more time checking the edit than actually recording.<\/p>\n
Why say that? That\u2019s because, at the moment, which is before six in the morning, I am reflecting on the day ahead. There is a bank holiday weekend coming our way. That means we need videos available by Friday evening that will last until Tuesday morning, or a total of five in all from where we are right now. Two are recorded, but so far unedited, at least in full. Three drafts exist, but I am not yet convinced they will be the ones recorded.<\/p>\n
With luck, I will finish writing those videos, or others, by 10 this morning, and they will all be recorded by lunchtime. Then we might just have a chance of meeting our schedule and of delivering a video every morning between now and Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Talking about being a content creator is, I admit, quite fun. Being a content creator is quite hard work. Thankfully, I enjoy it. And, I admit, the feedback really helps.<\/p>\n