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Manfred58sc
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009
Posts: 3382
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 Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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Good episode, you captured Vegas perfectly!
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| captincanuck wrote: |
| Great video Ben, really enjoying following your adventure. What on earth were you eating in Vegas that didn't sit quite right? Some kind of hot fudge pancakes? |
Last time I eat at Denny's 
Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed the episode
| Globespotter wrote: |
I WAS surprised how much $ Patreon can generate for stuff like this.
Things that make you go hmmmm... |
We are considering making a couple of videos explaining exactly how much money we are making and also how much work that goes into creating this stuff, I believe a lot of people are not aware of what it takes to be a content creator.
I'm very interested in what people's perceptions are of what we do, it's a new prospect for everyone, ourselves included. So it would be great to hear your opinions so we can figure out how we can create videos addressing them.
all comments much appreciated.
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| Globespotter wrote: |
Fair point, and not meaning it as criticism. It's clearly a decent way to fund the trip expenses. (And may keep your Mum happy knowing you shouldn't starve on the road  ) |
I don't think you're alone with these opinions and I don't mind that people have them. I guess part of our job should be to inform people about how it works, as it is so new to everyone - but on this point we fail terribly.
For example, the patreon income doesn't pay for our trip at all - although many probably assume it does. all of that money is invested into the production. music, upgrading / replacing equipment, hiring of services etc.
We keep the $ amount on Patreon visible to the public, although we have the option not to. right now it says there are 163 people pledging $841 per episode - it fluctuates all the time. That's would be almost enough for the 2 of us to earn minimum wage for all the hours it takes to produce the content (if we were claiming a wage from it that is) ... what it doesn't say is that value is only for the first episode of the month, after that the amount falls dramatically for each subsequent episode. Plus on top of that about 50% of the vids we've produced weren't episodes of Hasta Alaska, so we don't collect the pledges for those videos at all.
Last year for example our Patreon page generated about $5500 - $4800 of which was reinvested. There were 3 full months where we were just filming and editing and didn't get episodes out to the public so we didn't make any income for 1/4 of 2016.
We often wonder if some people are on the fence with signing up to our Patreon page - but they think we already generate enough, and decide not to. Or maybe people think why bother supporting it as it's uploaded for free anyway. I'm not sure. Like I said it's new so we are still trying to figure it out.
Either way we feel incredibly blessed to have those 163 people on our team - it's taken a lot of hard work to get this far, we're hoping 2017 is a better year and that we will be able to film another series, but right now that's far from guaranteed.
- But don't worry even if I have to go and get a (traditional) job again like last year, I will still get these Hasta Alaska episodes out...eventually 
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12721
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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For the record, there are two ends of the video spectrum here: Ben and Erb. 
I know the kind of effort required to make good videos. Which is why I don't make videos. 
Robbie
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Globespotter
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Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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wcfvw69 
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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Who the heck wastes 5 seconds to watch Erb's videos or read his posts? It only took seconds the first time he posted one to know that's all I needed to know not to TRY and watch them again.. 
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7624
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| wcfvw69 wrote: |
| Who the heck wastes 5 seconds to watch Erb's videos or read his posts? It only took seconds the first time he posted one to know that's all I needed to know not to TRY and watch them again.. |
Maybe Erb is the John Waters of The Samba "How To" vid
Keep at it Erb.
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Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd  |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22449
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| HastaAlaska wrote: |
| Globespotter wrote: |
| Fair point, and not meaning it as criticism. It's clearly a decent way to fund the trip expenses. (And may keep your Mum happy knowing you shouldn't starve on the road ) |
I don't think you're alone with these opinions and I don't mind that people have them. I guess part of our job should be to inform people about how it works, as it is so new to everyone - but on this point we fail terribly.
For example, the patreon income doesn't pay for our trip at all - although many probably assume it does. all of that money is invested into the production. music, upgrading / replacing equipment, hiring of services etc.
We keep the $ amount on Patreon visible to the public, although we have the option not to. right now it says there are 163 people pledging $841 per episode - it fluctuates all the time. That's would be almost enough for the 2 of us to earn minimum wage for all the hours it takes to produce the content (if we were claiming a wage from it that is) ... what it doesn't say is that value is only for the first episode of the month, after that the amount falls dramatically for each subsequent episode. Plus on top of that about 50% of the vids we've produced weren't episodes of Hasta Alaska, so we don't collect the pledges for those videos at all.
Last year for example our Patreon page generated about $5500 - $4800 of which was reinvested. There were 3 full months where we were just filming and editing and didn't get episodes out to the public so we didn't make any income for 1/4 of 2016.
We often wonder if some people are on the fence with signing up to our Patreon page - but they think we already generate enough, and decide not to. Or maybe people think why bother supporting it as it's uploaded for free anyway. I'm not sure. Like I said it's new so we are still trying to figure it out.
Either way we feel incredibly blessed to have those 163 people on our team - it's taken a lot of hard work to get this far, we're hoping 2017 is a better year and that we will be able to film another series, but right now that's far from guaranteed.
- But don't worry even if I have to go and get a (traditional) job again like last year, I will still get these Hasta Alaska episodes out...eventually |
I too appreciate the time taken to explain where it goes. I am glad to of met you here in Seattle, seen the bus and had a beer with you. I don't think I will ever donate to your adventure. I've seen maybe two of your vids? Maybe? And I can not make the leap to pay you for posting them. I have lots of Youtube amature vids and don't ask for anything. I'm not a big fan of the go fund me projects out there. Money should be made ahead of time or on the way through jobs. I have several friends from the Czech Republic that went around the world and funded themselves with local work - this prior to any notion of go fund me. They made it in spades. Your adventure is interesting and one that many will dream about. Me, Ill make my own memories.
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| notchboy wrote: |
I too appreciate the time taken to explain where it goes. I am glad to of met you here in Seattle, seen the bus and had a beer with you. I don't think I will ever donate to your adventure. I've seen maybe two of your vids? Maybe? And I can not make the leap to pay you for posting them. I have lots of Youtube amature vids and don't ask for anything. I'm not a big fan of the go fund me projects out there. Money should be made ahead of time or on the way through jobs. I have several friends from the Czech Republic that went around the world and funded themselves with local work - this prior to any notion of go fund me. They made it in spades. Your adventure is interesting and one that many will dream about. Me, Ill make my own memories. |
No worries Jason, most of my friends and family don't watch it either
Before doing this new media thing I traveled around the world for 4 years working mostly before I left and then on volunteer and paid jobs as I moved around. I can honestly say, that is a much better way to strike a work / travel balance. I traveled a lot more, enjoyed myself more and had more funds and security. This year so far I've only had one day off
I don't think I will be doing this forever, but for now I'm enjoying the challenge.
Glad to hear you're making your own memories mate, that's definitely the right attitude - and it's actually one of the main reasons for me sharing my own adventure, to inspire people to do what you are doing.
If you ever decide to watch another Kombi Life video - this is the one you should watch
Link
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22449
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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Just watched it - yeah!
Its either the definition of Balls or Insanity? Not sure which. As a US citizen - Id of been scared shitless most the time in some of those places. Not a fun way to travel.
Good luck to you mate.
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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MorkC68
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2015
Posts: 610
Location: Nottingham, England
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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Brilliant video Ben, enjoyed watching it! You've got some balls travelling the distances you've done but certainly made some fantastic memories!
I now wanna go get our 73 kombi and head off around the UK on a road trip
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HastaAlaska
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2012
Posts: 1420
Location: Off Grid
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| MorkC68 wrote: |
Brilliant video Ben, enjoyed watching it! You've got some balls travelling the distances you've done but certainly made some fantastic memories!
I now wanna go get our 73 kombi and head off around the UK on a road trip |
That would be fun, you gusbus should do it!
I'm hoping to be able to to see the UK via kombi power in the next couple of year too.
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22641
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| asiab3 wrote: |
For the record, there are two ends of the video spectrum here: Ben and Erb.
I know the kind of effort required to make good videos. Which is why I don't make videos.
Robbie |
Neither of these are the kind of quality you get from a top 10% professional, at least what I use in the technology sector. There are tons of people who think they are good at this, ergo it isn't expensive. Ive even used graduate students at decent State Universities do thesis projects for me at about 1/5 the rate of what the pros charge. Making it out as some special skill is disingenuous.
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22449
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| asiab3 wrote: |
For the record, there are two ends of the video spectrum here: Ben and Erb.
I know the kind of effort required to make good videos. Which is why I don't make videos.
Robbie |
Neither of these are the kind of quality you get from a top 10% professional, at least what I use in the technology sector. There are tons of people who think they are good at this, ergo it isn't expensive. Ive even used graduate students at decent State Universities do thesis projects for me at about 1/5 the rate of what the pros charge. Making it out as some special skill is disingenuous. |
Its all relative isnt it? Especially since the movie camera and the production platform is now accessible to any monkey for free?
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22641
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| notchboy wrote: |
| Abscate wrote: |
| asiab3 wrote: |
For the record, there are two ends of the video spectrum here: Ben and Erb.
I know the kind of effort required to make good videos. Which is why I don't make videos.
Robbie |
Neither of these are the kind of quality you get from a top 10% professional, at least what I use in the technology sector. There are tons of people who think they are good at this, ergo it isn't expensive. Ive even used graduate students at decent State Universities do thesis projects for me at about 1/5 the rate of what the pros charge. Making it out as some special skill is disingenuous. |
Its all relative isnt it? Especially since the movie camera and the production platform is now accessible to any monkey for free? |
The hardware is a lot more accessible but you still need talent beyond the hardware, of course. Much the same way I can rebuild an engine with good tools, but that doesn't make me a talented mechanic who is in touch with a motor and its wear points, and how to restore it to like new.
"Creating content' is a red-flag on resumes for people who Dunning Kruger..
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7624
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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"Creating content' is a red-flag on resumes for people who Dunning Kruger.
Good one Abscate. And I like how you referenced the alma mater in there
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Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22449
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: Hasta Alaska – Chile to Alaska VW Travel Series |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| notchboy wrote: |
| Abscate wrote: |
| asiab3 wrote: |
For the record, there are two ends of the video spectrum here: Ben and Erb.
I know the kind of effort required to make good videos. Which is why I don't make videos.
Robbie |
Neither of these are the kind of quality you get from a top 10% professional, at least what I use in the technology sector. There are tons of people who think they are good at this, ergo it isn't expensive. Ive even used graduate students at decent State Universities do thesis projects for me at about 1/5 the rate of what the pros charge. Making it out as some special skill is disingenuous. |
Its all relative isnt it? Especially since the movie camera and the production platform is now accessible to any monkey for free? |
The hardware is a lot more accessible but you still need talent beyond the hardware, of course. Much the same way I can rebuild an engine with good tools, but that doesn't make me a talented mechanic who is in touch with a motor and its wear points, and how to restore it to like new.
"Creating content' is a red-flag on resumes for people who Dunning Kruger.. |
My point was there is so much of it, so easy to pull it off, present it, have a mass audience applaud it, the real stuff, the time, the patience, the creative talent, the professionalism get muted, big time. 
Thought that was a milk shake when you went to McDonalds, didn't you?
Thats what I meant by saying its relative
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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