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Personal YouTube
2021
Role
Self-Ran
Timeline
2020 onwards
Tools
FujiFilm XS-10
Tamron 17-70
DaVinci Resolve
Photoshop
Collaborators
SteelSeries
DROP
Glorious
KBDFans
Grovemade
The Problem
Custom Keyboards were hard to learn about
During the pandemic, I learned about the custom mechanical keyboard hobby. I had a cheap gaming keyboard and wanted to modify it to sound and feel better. Diving down the rabbit hole, I learned that info on how to build and modify keyboards was already on YouTube. But reviews on keyboard cases, keycaps, switches, and various other parts were deeply rooted in other communities and added friction for beginners like myself. Reddit, Discord, and Geekhack, were primary sources for learning but hard to use.
Solution
Engaging and Structured YouTube videos, with 1M+ Views
One of my goals was to build a custom keyboard that was affordable and didn't compromise on certain features. Part of this process heavily relied on the "switches," the actual mechanism registering keystrokes. With my Sony A6100 I was new to using at the time, 16 year-old me produced a full review for some budget switches. My first keyboard video amassed over 500K views.
I immersed myself in discord and reddit communities, learning from others and understanding pain points. I covered anything keyboard related in a digestible captivating format for the sake of not only sharing my subjective thoughts, but sharing others' takes as well. I became a reliable creator and established myself within the hobby, such that beginners and enthusiasts alike had the resources to guide their own purchases (and listen to some crispy asmr).
Production Process
Digestible, engaging, and structured YouTube videos
I started off with a Sony A6100, with no knowledge on how to film besides using the auto setting. I learned how to edit in Premiere Pro, and used my Photoshop skillset to make thumbnails. As I got more serious, I switched to a Fujifilm XS-10 and Tamron 17-70 f/2.8, with 2 small softboxes. This did the trick for me in combination with editing in DaVinci Resolve. I honed in on my craft to intentionally color grade, set up scenes, and story tell through my reviews (and listen to some crispy asmr).
Impact Online and In-Person
Becoming an established creator with hobbyist roots
My online persona was well-received, allowing me to collaborate with KBDFans, one of the original and biggest custom keyboard marketplaces. I also did collaboration videos with bigger names like SteelSeries, Glorious, DROP, and some more creative collaborators like Field Notes and Grovemade.
My heavy online presence ultimately led me to create the NorCal Keyboard Group, an online and in-person community with 700+ members. I helped organize and promote in-person meetups, for enthusiasts of all experiences to come together and nerd out over this mutual love for the game.