We go for a walk around our self-sufficient acreage and I explain my thoughts behind continuing my channel and blogging. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank you for subscribing to Self Sufficient Me – your support is amazing!
Blog: http://www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on certain subjects)
Forum: http://www.selfsufficientculture.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelfSufficientMe-260782203958500/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SufficientMe
Subscribe to my channel: http://goo.gl/cpbojR
I love your channel, and although I can't support in a monthly way, I can donate on my own schedule, and would also be happy to so. Your content has helped me in so many ways, that I could never repay you for what you have shared with us already. So far, you have made very good decisions, and I know that you will continue to grow. I must say that I do love it when you make me laugh, I walk away with a real desire to see you again very soon, and feel much more positive about what I want to accomplish myself. We need to laugh at life these days, and it keeps us going, and positive. Being a "Believer" the word says that it's the good things in life that we are to dwell on, and to trust God for the rest. That is what you help me to do the most. For that, there is no question, you are my brother, your Living the "Word" blesses me, and for that I want to do the same for you. Sheila
Your wonderful personality and demeanor are what make your channel so wonderful. Having the channel be a bit diversified is no problem for me. Keep up the great work!
One serious suggestion. The reason I don't care for Patreon is, they don't work the same as Paypal, and Paypal has been around much longer. Also Patreon wants monthly support, and I can't do that. I can purchase anywhere on the internet using Paypal, and only THEY have my information, and I don't have to give it to any other website and that makes for better security. I can send you cash right into your account and it cost me nothing, and can also not cost you anything too, if done correctly. There are way too many things you have to do with Patreon for me. Paypal is known by every company in the world, I even use it to buy in England and around the world. Patreon is not anything like that. They are a good place to donate, and I have, but if your considering the numbers of people that could use a money transfer system in many more ways, Paypal is the way to go. Just my opinion, and in no way a reason not to use Patreon, they are a good company, but Paypal will give you many more options for your subscribers. Bless, Sheila
I think it would be perfectly fine to diversify your content a bit as long as you stayed true to the self-sufficiency theme for the most part. Either way, thanks for all you do
Amazing results mate and congrats on the 20k. Well deserved. We have created a patreon account and as of yet not broadcast it through the network. I have held off but have picked up one patreon. This is the way I see it, Mark. Creators work more than a full-time job managing their channels and networks. UK Here We Grow takes a team of us constantly working and there are costs like websites new equipment and newsletters, so what I decided to do was to make videos available 24 hrs before they go live on youtube as I only have the one patreon at present I still do it for him alone. But sometimes you have to fund things even so it's not coming out of your own pocket. I have read some of your comments below. What I will say to the negative ones, is run a channel yourself for a while and see what your time is worth and if you would be as dedicated with monetary pressures. Our youtube channel will always be free and I won't make special one-off videos for Patreon, this way people can choose to wait the 24 hrs and see it for nothing. But I will offer other services
Tony
Hi Everyone, I can see this video has generated some passionate comments below and I welcome that – it's good to talk open and frankly! At the same time, please respect people's opinions and please play nice 🙂 Let me "nip in the bud" the notion that I might use Patreon to "hide content" from subscribers who don't support monetarily – that will NEVER happen. I would only ever ask people to support my work via donation/paid subscription if they wanted and had the capacity to do so. I would never make it mandatory and people shouldn't feel bad if they can't because they CAN SUPPORT IN OTHER WAYS, such as liking my videos, sharing them, and commenting. Thank you all for your support and considered discussion. And thanks again for the 20K subs!!!! Cheers, Mark
Regarding Patreon, I hope you do it! I've only subscribed to a few content creators, so far, on Patreon but I would definitely subscribe to your channel. Years back when I first started I subscribed to Mother Earth News (a periodical here in the US for homesteaders). I've outgrown that publication in a lot of ways. You, and a handful of other channels, have helped provide content and an education that I couldn't get anywhere else. You've helped bridge the gap beyond Mother Earth News and provided me a more advanced education in homesteading. Is giving you $3/month (roughly the cost of a monthly magazine) worth it to me? Absolutely and without a doubt. Thanks for all the videos!
Just wanted you to know that I really appreciate what you've accomplished with your channel. I enjoy it immensely.Thanks for the content and all of your hard work and dedication.
I think you and your family made a very good choice. I love your content the way it is. Seeing into your life all the way around the world from me and having similar views with growing food etc has been a real pleasure.
I'd just like to say that I don't see having a Patreon account as asking for money. Lots of people, myself included, would be happy so send a few bucks your way to say thanks for making the videos, but there's no way we can do that at present. Other channels on YouTube upload their videos as private for a week before making them public, and give the URL to their Patreon subscribers. This way, paid subscribers get early access as a thank you, but everyone ultimately sees the same content. Might be a good way to start off the Patreon trial?
Please create a patron. I far prefer to support creators directly that way. You don't have to have incentives, though I like how some are doing exclusive hangouts, q&a sessions etc. love your work. Learning lots. Might even buy you a beer one day as we live just west of Brisbane on a similar property but far earlier on in the journey.
If you wanted to do those home dad videos you could do a video each month on that stuff. Like you could upload that stuff 12th of each month for example
How come you dont reply to certain comments on the pineapple video you just ignored my question
We love you Mark!!! Please don't leave us!!!!
Some of us are living our dream through you! You encourage us to aim higher for ourselves. Clean living is the way to go and you are showing us exactly that. Much love to you and your family Xx
All I can say is keep up the great work, Mark! The uniqueness of your channel will always keep folks watching!
Hi Mark. Glad you decided to continue the channel. I watch often though sometimes I have to catch up and have relied greatly on your opinions. Honestly I couldn't afford paying though would consider it on a as needed basis. Such as "yeek MARK why are my quail dying off!" They are not but if they were I know I would run right here seeking answers. thank you for sticking it out for us.
Hi Mark, I discovered your channel recently and love all of the content so far! So glad you've decided to continue it. I'd love to see some content of some DIY structures or anything you've built, for example your chicken/quail coops. Also, do you think being self sufficient in colder & wetter climates (UK) is possible? Thanks.
Here is my opinion. It is only my opinion. The title is self sufficient me. This indicates it's about how you are living and making a living. Put what you want about you here. If it makes sense to you to keep other aspects of you separate, then do. Most people watching you will subscribe to other channels if they are aware of them.
As to money. Do what you need to do to continue doing your videos. If people value your videos, and can afford to, they will support you. I realize some say it's asking for a handout, but this is your intellectual property. (Those who debase you for asking for help with what it costs you are the ones asking for you experience and intelligence for no compensation. A hand out , if you will)You are sharing it. YouTube is free to watch. This doesn't mean it's free for you to produce. Seems only one making any money from videos is youtube, but youtube isn't paying video producers what it costs to produce videos. I think rather than video producers of popular channels with frequent videos being financially pressured into having to ask for some reimbursement from their subscribers, YouTube should be filtering more of the income the videos generate down to the producers.
This is my opinion.
Mark, sorry I'm late to watch this vid. Lots of work have taken over my time lately.
That aside, recently I've chosen to only keep my "part time" (25h/week) job so that I have enough money to do my things but also I keep having enough time to pursue other projects or goals of mine, that has given me a great balance on how happy I am getting work done and making money out of it and the leverage of having more time for me as well.
There are many things (or jobs) that can be done remotely and perhaps you can nail one of those, for instance I'm a software developer working for a company in another country and I couldn't be happier not having to waste time fighting traffic nor sticking to shitty schedules.
So, what you need is to have time to feed your internal energy and happiness but also money needs to be fed for the cost of living.
I hate having to ask for money, so I understand your feeling there as well, but sometimes people want to help and some of us aren't brain wired to somewhat enjoy getting things given to us, but we have to take it, give patreon a try, setup the account and make it public, whoever want's to contribute, let them do so.
Remember, do whatever makes you happy (even when that's not what pays the most money) for as long as you can cope happily with it.
Regards 🙂
PS: Keep being awesome and adding humor to your vids whenever you like.
Yesterday I bought a lemon tree so I went on youtube to find videos that would help to teach me how to care for it. That is how I stumbled upon your channel. Your video was so informative I chose to visit your channel. Basically your information hooked me and I decided to subscribe. After watching this video I am glad you decided to one stick to the integrity of the channel and two continue recording. The reality is that this is your passion, your gift, and your purpose so dont give up. This service you are providing us is blessing to the viewer so create your patron page and give us the opportunity to bless you like you are blessing us.
Your content is excellent…love this channel. if you have the desire to really pursue it then best wishes and I really hope it works out. I'm raising quail now for the first time. I learned a lot of what I needed to know from you. There are people out here that you have genuinely helped and inspired so in my book you deserve the best of success with your channel.
I would pay for your content 🙂 There aren't many Aussie homesteaders/gardeners/self sufficient entrepreneurs, plus you have helped me out personally with my own garden by being able to ask your questions on self sufficient culture, or watching your videos. And speaking of which, I am now getting a grape vine to plant on the back wall of my house 🙂 So thankyou for all the hard work you do for us 🙂
Hi Mark, thanks for your videos. I've recently discovered your channel. I hope you stick with the structured content as it is pretty uniquely awesome and I use it as a learning resource. Have you thought of using a drone to take some gratuitous footage of the surrounding Aussie bush? It might spruce up the production and snare you some more subs. Just a thought. Cheers.
Ryan from the U.S. here. Recent subscriber, but I love all your content and it has helped me getting started with my own gardening. Keep up the good work!
Well done !
Hi Mark, I understand your situation and thinking, and suggest you get advertising on your channel. Google already puts those follow you forever on the internet ads, so why not get some return from your channel with advertising. You can have some control over it and there's various options. Your videos are high quality and enjoyable, so you should do well.
I highly respect and love your honesty! Mark, you are a rare wonderful human being. You have wonderful qualities that society lacks, now-a-days. You are refreshing, honest, honorable, kind, empathetic, intelligent, and you have a wonderful sense of humor! Thank you for all you do, in teaching those of us who want self sufficiency!