Starting a gun related Youtube channel - What is wrong with me?

[AZ_Five56]

I reluctantly decided to start a youtube channel around firearms. I say that I'm doing this reluctantly because I have a video production company, and I definitely consider myself to be a behind the scenes kind of person. I'm not excited about being on camera yet, but hopefully that will get easier as time goes on.

With the direction that it's heading, the content will be surrounding gun reviews, gun culture in general, hunting, and probably a little bit of firearm news. Based on the level of production of some of my existing video work, one company has already sent me a product for free for me to give an honest review of, so I'm off to the races with this project.

I'm not to the point of begging yet, but I could really use some help if anyone else wants to get involved. Whether that's helping to source good shooting spots do shoot videos, or if anyone wants to feature a gun, whether brand spanking new or retro. I would probably be the one narrating all of the videos, but I wouldn't be doing all of the shooting if anyone else was wanted to be on camera at the range.

Shooting these kinds of videos at shooting ranges doesn't really work well. Especially if I want to set up camera equipment on the range looking back at the shooter or if I want to incorporate a drone. Most of this will probably need to happen on public land when fire restrictions aren't in place, or on someone's private range if I can gain access to such a place.

One of the reasons I started down this path is because of the lack of quality in gun videos. Sure, there's a wealth of knowledge out there with all the existing firearm content, but the quality on most of it is garbage. I want these videos to look good and not have trashy hard to hear audio. Not only that, I want them to be engaging and informative. I know what I want to see in gun related video content, but please let me know what you guys want to see more of. I'm curious to know all of your perspectives, and it would really help me out.

I want to give a big shoutout to badazmfr for implanting this idea in my head. You're a real trouble maker, you know that? :lol:

 

[XJThrottle]

You forgot the link to your channel.

 

[AZ_Five56]

You forgot the link to your channel.

It doesn't even exist yet. This is just getting ramped up.

I'm still deciding the channel name, and that will largely be determined by domain name and social media availability.

 

[knockonit]

you'll do fine,

 

[Old Jeff H]

I admire your desire and willingness to do this, but I worry about how long gun related YouTube channels are going to last. They seem all to willing to shut down anything that the cancel culture doesn't like, and if any of this gun control legislation passes I can see them shutting down people pretty quick.

Having said that, I've really been enjoying learning about guns that I know nothing about. There's a guy that does a weekly video in which he briefly gives the skinny on about 8 different guns or so. I find that very enjoyable.

 

[AZ_Five56]

you'll do fine,

I appreciate the encouragement! I think it will go well. Let me know if you want to feature anything from your collection before the great purge this year.

 

[AZ_Five56]

I worry about how long gun related YouTube channels are going to last.

That's on my radar. I say I'm starting a Youtube channel, but it will probably be paralleled on Bitchute, Odysee, and Rumble. I'll be trying to get people to subscribe on my website when I get that setup so I can keep in contact regardless of what the Google overlords decide. Plus, I'm hoping to have some merch and stuff there, but that's secondary.

 

[hairygreek]

Good luck. Theres a lot of content to cover like new products, ballistics thru various stuff, competition, history, durability trials, etc. And there are "famous" gun personalities in AZ if you need some to visit your channel.

 

[AZ_Five56]

And there are "famous" gun personalities in AZ if you need some to visit your channel.

Absolutely! I want to do some short films focusing on different industry professionals. I would love to do a shoot with Jim Fuller for one. Let me know if there are any specific people you'd like to hear from.

Realistically, I think my brand would need to get some traction before I can approach some people and brands. I think it really needs to be mutually beneficial, and I can't offer any benefit to them until I can get some regular traffic. That's something to build toward for sure.

 

[Pro2a]

I share some of the same fears of the youtube gun future.
This is probably a given, but I hate videos over 10 mins or so.
We all have lives, and less time these days.
Nothing is worse for me than watching a guy fondling a gun at the kitchen table and blabbering about it for 15 minutes of nothing. Take it a part, tell me about the features, and for god's sake stay on topic.
tnoutdoors9 does fantastic ammo reviews, and packs all the info in a 6-10 min video. I have made self defense ammo choices based on his reviews.
just my humble two cents....

 

[Joe_Blacke]

I share some of the same fears of the youtube gun future.
This is probably a given, but I hate videos over 10 mins or so.
We all have lives, and less time these days.
Nothing is worse for me than watching a guy fondling a gun at the kitchen table and blabbering about it for 15 minutes of nothing. Take it a part, tell me about the features, and for god's sake stay on topic.
tnoutdoors9 does fantastic ammo reviews, and packs all the info in a 6-10 min video. I have made self defense ammo choices based on his reviews.
just my humble two cents....

Preach it brother!

I had to unsubscribe from a few of my favorite channels because they got to the point of quantity over quality. There is no reason to make a 25 minute video when you only have 8 minutes worth of content. Way too much noise, not enough signal.

 

[AZ_Five56]

I share some of the same fears of the youtube gun future.
This is probably a given, but I hate videos over 10 mins or so.
We all have lives, and less time these days.
Nothing is worse for me than watching a guy fondling a gun at the kitchen table and blabbering about it for 15 minutes of nothing. Take it a part, tell me about the features, and for god's sake stay on topic.
tnoutdoors9 does fantastic ammo reviews, and packs all the info in a 6-10 min video. I have made self defense ammo choices based on his reviews.
just my humble two cents....

Preach it brother!

I had to unsubscribe from a few of my favorite channels because they got to the point of quantity over quality. There is no reason to make a 25 minute video when you only have 8 minutes worth of content. Way too much noise, not enough signal.

Thanks for the input guys! I could see the potential of a rare longer video, but I'm aiming for shorter. That's one of my biggest complaints as well.

Most of the gun videos I watch have someone talking to the camera the ENTIRE video, and it kills the energy. For this first review I'm shooting, I'm going to talk about it AFTER the fact, and the vast majority of the video will be the audio of me talking covered by b-roll of the actual stuff you want to see. That should keep it much more visually engaging.

 

[Artful]

having put up video on YouTube it's tougher to get an audience than I thought
[media]https://youtu.be/I-knJmz6HE0[/media]
but yeah I made some boring stuff on request
[media]https://youtu.be/L2NMzOaOFuI[/media]

 

[Artful]

What kind of help do you need to make your video's?

 

[AZ_Five56]

What kind of help do you need to make your video's?

I've got everything I need to start making videos, and I have a few lined up at the moment. The biggest thing I could use is leads on places to shoot once the fire restrictions kick in. My biggest concern is getting started, and not being able to continue churning videos out because of shooting restrictions. Regular video posting seems to be one of the most important parts of gaining subscribers.

Thanks for posting some of your videos. I just subscribed to your channel.

 

[Artful]

Yeah, regular output is important - I see where Ian of Forgotten Weapons has over a month ahead of spooled output at this point. As far as fire restrictions and shooting that only applies to public lands - so the way around that is to find private land that is willing to let you shoot (with proper fire fighting preparedness). There is at least one private range in Maricopa I know of - where do you live?

 

[AZ_Five56]

Yeah, I figured it would have to be on someone's private range under those circumstances. I'm up in North Phoenix, but I'd be willing to drive halfway across the state if that's what I have to do. It's like they say, beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Artful]

I have a friend with property up by Ashfork but it takes a 4x4 to get in and out.
The Maricopa range might be a better choice. Let me get you some contact info.

 

[AZ_Five56]

I have a friend with property up by Ashfork but it takes a 4x4 to get in and out.
The Maricopa range might be a better choice. Let me get you some contact info.

I really appreciate it! You can PM or email me.

 

[oldslurrydog1]

Too bad they don't do the group shoots or OC dinners any more. Could haven been some good info about some real people that carry/have firearms.