How I Survived a 36% Drop on YouTube (And Came Back Stronger!)

[@TheBandIsPlaying]

Thanks Brad for the honesty and vulnerability. Let’s all help Brad and his family have a Merry Christmas!

[@badbrad]

Thank you so much!!! Helps this channel out immensely.

[@LeeHayashida-dn1mj]

Thanks Brad, thoroughly enjoy your channel. Keep swingin'.

[@badbrad]

Thank you LEE!

[@mickeyhernandez1195]

Bad Brad! Keep going, Brother..

[@badbrad]

Thanks, will do!

[@rockindavebyron3960]

Happy Thanksgiving Brother, yes, never give up, but also, never give in. I can only speak from my experience, I've been on KZbin since October 2006 ( with my other channel, Dave Byron ) & since December 2017 with this channel, Rockin' Dave Byron. It's primarily about gigging, so that's why I probably have the most live streams on gigging & still my channel hasn't reached over 2000 subscribers & views aren't up, but I stay true to what I believe in, & that's helping people to show them what's really going on in the gigging world, I don't really follow trends just for the sake of views, personally, I would NEVER EVER TRUST this platform for income because I've seen it change way too many times, & I think because of that, I've experienced "shadow banding" do how can I trust if, something to consider. I do also do gear demos when I can, but live gigging is my passion. Now I am gonna make some changes to my channel, still keep it on the gigging side, but I'm also checking out other platforms as well, I'll still keep up my KZbin channel, if I'm still welcomed, I won't impose myself though. It's not quitting, it's just looking at other opportunities, that's how I have found success. Great video Brother, Keep On Rocking, Rock On & God Bless.

[@aaronknight9759]

Brad, thanks for the real talk of what it takes!

[@badbrad]

Thank you!

[@cyotesniper]

Very inspirational! Keep it up Brad. It’s only going to get better!

[@badbrad]

Thank you! Will do!

[@StarDustLtd]

Happy holidays Sir🎉 This channel Rocks! Thanks for this video it's good to hear this... I just started my channel with my original graphic art backgrounds. It's Halloween themed hopefully around next September October it should pop, we'll see how this KZbin thing really operates... Gotta keep going for sure! 🙏🏻

[@freddyb7519]

Best of luck to you! I'll give it a look!

[@badbrad]

Best of luck! That is awesome!!

[@StarDustLtd]

​@@badbrad backatcha ❤👍🏻😊

[@StarDustLtd]

@freddyb7519 Thank appreciate! 😊

[@StarDustLtd]

@@freddyb7519 sweet...

[@mschafft1358]

Dear Brad, I'm thinking this is a marathon and you need to pace yourself. Taking a break might be the shortest way to a great idea. Don't get burned out, this channel is precious and will grow for sure!

[@badbrad]

THANK YOU!

[@PaulLoughrin]

Thanks to Kiri, I'm a member for a month! Keep up the good work, Brad. It'll happen. I'm so thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[@badbrad]

Dude that is awesome!!!

[@kirinzon]

Np Paul. Hope you had a fantastic thanksgiving.

[@PaulLoughrin]

@kirinzon I did, thx Kiri! I hope u did, too.

[@DeweyJHall1]

Got my walk in this morning with you, Brad! Great video and great message. Every content creator needs to hear these things

[@badbrad]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@DeweyJHall1]

@@badbrad welcome!

[@johnpichla9557]

Subscribers are climbing fast! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

[@badbrad]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[@kirinzon]

You have a great channel. No one else really does what you do. It's a good niche music channel. Think of all the people who would watch if they knew about your channel. It's just a matter of time, you're on the cusp...

[@badbrad]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you brother.

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

Brad even getting to where you are on KZbin is an achievement. Not easy building a channel. You’re strong 💪 you’ll take it from here

[@badbrad]

Thank you!

[@cheezruff]

Man, I think your channel will keep growing, very compelling content! Your grind inspires me, thanks for what you do.

[@badbrad]

I appreciate that!

[@JayceAllanGuitar]

Great encouragement! Well said. Thanks Brad!

[@badbrad]

Thanks for watching!

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤❤❤❤❤ love to hear this!

[@SugarBear-xq3xc]

I see you have jumped on the walk and talk bandwagon. Good luck Brad!

[@badbrad]

Thank you

[@dfromcool]

Keep swinging brother!🎄🎸

[@greenman4508]

The up and down of subscribers is how you get a regular loyal audience and community. Everything is so specialized and pigeonholed these days . there’s a filtering process. A tree gets hundreds of thousands of branches over its life, by the time the wind and rain and bugs have their way ,you’re left with a smaller number of strong healthy ones that work well with it’s nature. I’ve watched many channels go from a tiny number to a big one. You’re well on your way. I can’t do lives often because of reception. The more collaborations the better. Maybe put out some groovy holiday mixes for us to play . Also haven’t heard you say anything about Trump guitars and the Gibson lawsuit. I think routinely doing multiple videos a day you risk over saturation and it starts a habit of people not clicking because they don’t have time. Just some thoughts. Gotta leave em wanting more. Loving the channel !

[@badbrad]

Thanks Green.

[@Dana-b2v7q]

Thanks!

[@badbrad]

Thank you Dana! You are the best!

[@timsmusic7349]

Wow, It’s fairly lucrative to be making up to 2K a month from getting an average of around 3k views per video. Seems like the grind is always there regardless of what anyone decides to do, at least in the early stages. The road is mostly lined with potholes except for the odd stretch here and there when it’s lined with a few roses. It’s not so bad as long as we get the chance to keep going.

[@badbrad]

It's not lucrative when you figure in the amount of hours spent.....

[@QuincyJamesMusic]

This is valuable for me as a creator as well, thanks for sharing Brad.

[@badbrad]

Glad it was helpful! Rock on bro!😎

[@lowdownfender]

We’re only as good as last gig/show. Improve certain licks riffs that have been problematic. But executed live pretty well, so the need to improve is always there for me, what you’re doing with your channel from 4K subs to present numbers. Followed you since I came across N’ville porch videos last March. Keep on rocking it. November was a 💩 ola gig month for me too, so I hear ya

[@badbrad]

Man always great to hear from ya!!!

[@FiftyNinerWinder]

Here from the land of the Buk! Man coming up with fresh content is hard stuff! Here I am barely coming up with a video a week and here YOU are uploading daily. "Don't give up, keep goin'" - amen brother!

[@badbrad]

You keep grinding as well!

[@FiftyNinerWinder]

@@badbrad Rock n' Roll!

[@badbrad]

@@FiftyNinerWinder Yes!

[@DonFonzarelli-uq9yx]

I got to hand it to you BB, you are the hardest working guy on youtube. And you answer most comments, and that is unheard of for most channels. You should do some interviews maybe. I got a perfect one Rick Beato. He is always interviewing everyone, so you should see if he would let you interview him....just a thought. Keep up the good work.

[@badbrad]

Man that might be tough to land.....I got Tom McDermott this Sunday guitarist for legend Rick James.......will air this Sunday...great interview.

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

It seems these platforms dangle a carrot and creators are forced through hoops to put out content that might not reflect the original intent of the creators. With A1 and junk journalism flooding most feeds, it’s refreshing to see that there’s a group of cats out there keeping it honest. That becomes the difference to me. Your channel, like a handful of others are like little gems- boutique channels if you will. There are a million places you can get tabs, chord charts, pedal demos etc… but not the honesty of a guy in his garage or kitchen with an iPhone camera sharing worldly wisdom, with a side of killer chops. Rock on bro

[@badbrad]

Jimmy Thanks so much~

[@flazjsg]

You never know what your niche will be. I'm sure you remember Fil with Wings of Pegasus doing analysis of live performances - he was big, but once he got that pitch analysis software and started really analyzing live performances for fakery, he really took off!

[@badbrad]

He sure did.

[@simonwhenlock]

Thanks for the inspiration, gives me some fire, I just started doing KZbin, only 3 subscribers at the moment, seems daunting, but I'll get there

[@badbrad]

You can and will!

[@slowfinger2]

Everything thing you said checks my boxes. Might make more guaranteed money in less time doing construction. Art/craft of any kind is a different animal. It's a presentation, and as such is valued at the whim of the audience. I've made countless stuff/art that would never sell for all the time put in. Couple of things we can never know. What someone is thinking. What someone wants. What will happen next. A good artist can somehow (intuit) divine the strongest current, net it, and attractively express it.

[@badbrad]

Very wisely said.

[@freddyb7519]

Brad I loved the intro man. More of that please! Cool licks and just long enough to not be boring. Excellent. That could even work as an opening theme. Really liked it! Happy Holidays my man!

[@badbrad]

Thanks! Will do!

[@jimkalfakis9893]

It’s gonna be 10k by next Friday

[@badbrad]

I hope so!

[@bradhardisty1652]

You are close to 10k. I think it does multiply. Teaming up with X5 and the comment about Uncle Larry. Maybe teaming up now and then.

[@badbrad]

It will happen bro! I appreciate you!

[@jacklbrt]

Just a thought here: some other content creators do pretty good with Top Ten lists. Maybe Top 10 Van Halen songs. Maybe Top 10 bands from the Sunset Strip days. I think you did a Top Sunset Stip venues , or something like that, recently. Anyways, just throwing something out there 😊

[@badbrad]

Solid!

[@jerryhatrick5860]

I feel it's timing Brad , becaus I enjoy every single video I never miss one.. And get something from and enjoy them all. My amount of alcohol consumption has dropped.. Spend Thanksgiving it's snowed I never left the house.. Your live came on as I came to life and started making my turkey dinner. The cars me and my guitars. Was a.njce peaceful day and ya went live it was excellent.. But ya sent me down a bukovic n Guthrie rabbit hole hahaha thank you for that. I only watch you tube from my phone I shut TV off many years ago. Im careful what goes into my brain. Public general TV is trash. Jelly of the month club.. Bua Hahahahaha

[@jerryhatrick5860]

Cats not cars lol. Vehicles ugh that's another story. Sick of working on vehicles. Never ends . Disabled yet still work somehow and somehow.Get out and play music.. Persistence and resilience wins the game keep pushing.. REO keep.pushin.

[@Assimilator702]

Your words of encouragement always lift my spirits when I'm down. Thank you Brad!

[@badbrad]

Glad to hear it

[@mrelmoresmusiclab]

Hey brother, I’m right there with you. This platform is all about the long game. I think we both know that it’s just putting in the work and grinding every day. You’re doing great so keep it up dude. Will do a sick collaboration one of these days. Happy holidays to you and the family my man.

[@badbrad]

You know it! Happy Holidays!

[@drummer360]

Hey Brad! I tuned in on this cold, West Central, PA Friday out in the sticks. I'm always listening to music and mentally playing how to play it as a former music major/drummer, but gave up years ago with the racket, drama and greed in the industry. The love of music never dies and that's the curse for me. Speaking of a bad month, I've been growing Christmas trees as a side thing at the house on the little plot and even that has declined over the decades. It's now to the point where it's not even worth growing them anymore because the market for real Christmas trees is so low. My heart was always with music, but at midlife, life is a drudgery and one has to do whatever to make some type of an income, but it gets to the point where one becomes lost and chronically depressed.

[@badbrad]

Brother I hear you! I hope you can find some peace and the joy again.

[@northernthrifter8817]

Dude your going to take off, you have the hair and the charisma and the chops, blessings from England ❤

[@badbrad]

Duuuude Thank you!

[@martyndunn6337]

Thanks for your inspiring content Brad.

[@badbrad]

I appreciate that!

[@tonyocello]

Brad, I'm a 58 year old disabled crippled up stage 4 metastatic colon cancer lifetime retired former weekend warrior guitar player and I follow your channel. Just thinking out loud these other guitar channels many of these players will take a song tear it apart and make guitar lesson videos. You are a great player. You have the skills. There are lots of songs that guitar players want to learn and lesson videos from what I've seen get tons of views. C'mon man your a great player. I mean you went to Musicians institute. That being the case I think doing some lesson videos would enhance your channel. You could tech all the classic and hard rock and metal tunes. Not only that you teach some country and jazz stuff too. Just wondering if you thought about that. Rock on Brad, Love your playing over jazz changes. Sincerely, Tony Ocello.

[@badbrad]

Thank you Tony! Best to you.

[@GoneButNotGone]

I have a very tried, tested strategy for avoiding big analytics drops and swings. Don’t have more than 22 subs, average 53 views per upload. All good. Nowhere to go but up.

[@torydutton9148]

Happy Thanksgiving. I bet you could pick up some local gigs here and there that might even turn in to more content related stuff.

[@badbrad]

That would be cool!

[@brianasbury2493]

Your hard work is evident every time you post a video or videos. I was an early subscriber and have always liked your variety of content. I will be honest I find it hard to watch every video with a full time career and family, but will double down to watch more. Thanks for sharing your story. A lot of what you are talking about with your channel could be applied to a lot of situations in anyone’s life. Keep the faith man👊

[@badbrad]

I appreciate it

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤ some of us been here since the beginning and we know we know we know what you’re capable of! I mean hey you’re Mias dad

[@badbrad]

Right on! 👍🏻

[@tjsmith3741]

Everyone and their grandmother has a KZbin channel now. If you’re depending on that as a main source of income, you’ve got a lot of competition.

[@badbrad]

I'm not scared of competition.

[@jerryhatrick5860]

I can't even remember how you crossed my radar. I just know you did and I havnt missed a video since. When I have the time I go back in time to your older stuff. I sub'd to uncle larry n Guthries channel because of you. Starting to feel I've been living under a rock. There are many channels I enjoy , drag racing, car n guitars,, but I only have so much time in life.

[@badbrad]

Thank you Jerry!

[@Dana-b2v7q]

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!!

[@BrianReplies]

This is the first video of yours the algo has shown me in about....a month. I think it likely was the election. In Week 1 my feed was filled with everything election. And honestly...that was really almost all I cared to watch, (That and Warhammer stuff). Then the second week was all about watching liberals in shock. I watched SO many "liberal breakdown" videos until I could watch them anymore. Now those are gone. The algo figured out that I'm out of that zone. Now it's been half "How is the transition going to happen" and half....all the other stuff I've been interested in over the years. For about 2 weeks. So I think that people's behaviors have been essentially unpredictable to the algo this month. Once people settle in and return to normal patterns it's likely that normal watch patters will resume. Unfortunately, I doubt that that will be until next year. I turned on "Holiday Music" for Thanksgiving dinners and the pre-thanksgiving cooking. Now holiday music is dominating my feed. Every 2nd or 3rd video. Some are videos I have watched before...some are the ones I have never watched. All of it I have no interest in. But it's still figuring that out. Now take that effect times all the other people who put on holiday music or holiday anything and you have millions of people who's feeds are chock full of stuff they are not currently interested in. I think this will continue until January.

[@badbrad]

I hear ya it is tricky....

[@DanielJesseLife]

I respect the grind man. Keep going! I dig your channel.

[@badbrad]

Thanks! Will do!

[@ronlee2606]

Great advice Brad. I really like your positive attitude. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Good luck reaching your monthly goal!

[@badbrad]

Best to you. I appreciate it!

[@duanepetersonakaroadkill7161]

Brad, like to watch a video from you everyday as a daily routine, Oct 28 thru this mon I lost my computer. Long story. So I'm sure those views were lost. Keep it up. Have faith.

[@badbrad]

will do! Thanks man.

[@YouCanCallMeDon]

I think you should make a video once a week, or at most twice a week. I think people can overdose on daily videos. What happens is if a viewer burns out, they stop watching for a few days, then KZbin stops recommending altogether... that is where it hurts your total views.

[@badbrad]

If I make less videos...I get less views......it's simple math....

[@martyhafermann938]

Keep punching, Appollo...I mean Bad Brad

[@badbrad]

There is no tomorrow....there is no tomorrow.

[@scottdunn9087]

Keep it up Brad!

[@badbrad]

Thanks! Will do!

[@scottdunn9087]

Your news breakdowns are good

[@badbrad]

Thank you!

[@pattonroad6305]

I’m composing an email now regarding an idea for content; It could be a bust, but then again, it could a game changer…or at least worth a shot. Be on the lookout for an email from pattonroad…and Happy Thanksgiving!🦃

[@badbrad]

Just sent a reply.....thanks for that!

[@RoseCityMusicClub]

🎉 good morning Brad

[@badbrad]

Morning!

[@richthomastones]

I wonder what Beato is bringing in every month

[@badbrad]

I can only imagine but it's probably pretty good.

[@tomeasley3538]

Ive got a lot of respect for anyone that can make a buck in some form of creation, people don't realize how difficult it is.

[@badbrad]

Thank you!

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

Btw, you blend right into the Tampa vibe- like Joey Ramone on the beach

[@badbrad]

he he

[@wjewell63]

Just across the bay in Riverview man...👍

[@badbrad]

Nice 👍

[@CHillTennisEntertainment]

Hi Brad, You might want to consider selling off of your channel, to offset your slow months on KZbin. That way you're not as dependent on views and impressions.

[@badbrad]

Not sure what you mean by that

[@acepalacio8223]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@badbrad]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@TheFeelButton]

Political races are a big source of traffic as is Christmas. There is always a decrease in both volume and value of traffic after each season ends. Cheers Brad!

[@badbrad]

ahhhh probably so.

[@ericwarrington6650]

It's a rat race brother and you know that better than most. I can tell. One day you're the dog and the next day your the hydrant brother. All we can do is keep swinging 🙏♥️🤘

[@badbrad]

Love that Lyric DLR!

[@ericwarrington6650]

​@@badbradI just passed your video along to my 18 year old son. He's a tiktok creator with 270k subs. He's a gamer and has his days as you can imagine..takes his lumps.. kids are vicious..lol..great message for him from someone other than me..cuz he's heard that many times from Dad..lol..ty Brad

[@scottdunn9087]

What about a video about your songwriting process?

[@badbrad]

great idea...

[@luckysevens.AltRock8]

Give us an update on Jake E Lee

[@jerryhatrick5860]

I like bare bones down home raw. The way I like my music. But I'm not everyone. Im different than the masses. Never went with the fads always was the odd guy out.

[@badbrad]

I hear ya!

[@dananthony6258]

I subscribed cause you remind me of myself. Just please don’t ever put Satan metal and I’m a fan for life.

[@badbrad]

I never play that stuff...

[@duanepetersonakaroadkill7161]

Maybe get a part time job for the fun of it. Humble yourself.

[@badbrad]

I am humble bro.

[@LicksoftheLegend]

My problem is getting those watch hours. I have nearly 3k in subs and yet the watch hours are still not happening. I just keep grinding and one day I’ll get the channel monetized. It really has given me other opportunities though I get some gear from subs and I’ve picked up a few guitar students around the world via Skype. People like you make me realize just keep grinding and one day I’ll get there.

[@badbrad]

Yes indeed! It's not easy....Keep grinding!

[@Dana-b2v7q]

OMG your wig looks so real!!🙀🩷💜💙🤍🩶🖤💯💯.thanks being REAL!!

[@badbrad]

No problem 😊

[@Dana-b2v7q]

Thanks!

[@badbrad]

Dana Thanks so much brother!

[@Dana-b2v7q]

Think I get a membership end of December and keep donating for the cause!!

[@badbrad]

@@Dana-b2v7q Thanks so much for helping out. You do so much. It is much appreciated!

[@mickeyhernandez1195]

Thanks!

[@badbrad]

Mickey Thanks so much!!!!

[@mickeyhernandez1195]

@ You’re welcome, Man. Thank you for the great content.

[@maynstay9715]

Thanks!

[@badbrad]

Thank you so much!!