The TRUTH about TRAVEL YOUTUBE | 10 Things I've LEARNT after 6 YEARS!

🇧🇬 - SOFIA, BULGARIA - I’ve been making Travel Videos for 6 years. What have I learnt about it? What are 10 things I wish I’d known before I started? It’s never been my main income, but it has been PART of my income, meaning I’ve had to make decisions and work in a certain way in order to maintain this income.
Whether you're thinking about creating travel vlogs solo or as a couple, whether your planning to be an expat in Mexico or focus on being a Digital Nomad, you have to know that Travel and Travel KZbin are two different things; hopefully this video will give you some insight into how it really works, especially if you are thinking of doing it (!) and want it to be your main income! What are the best countries to film in as a Travel KZbinr? How do you understand ad rates? Can you truly be yourself?
This is the TRUTH about Travel KZbin! (in a piss-taking and sarcastic manner as always xx BEST)
MY FULL BALKANS PLAYLIST (mainly Serbia)! -
kzbin.info/aero/PLoj_p-4xXUCvvZuu4dolVKPT_yMpM0SIs
BULGARIA PLAYLIST - kzbin.info/aero/PLoj_p-4xXUCvTAu-URK0Gd__SfOgD0EZ1
TIMESTAMPS -
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - 1 - Travel v Travel KZbin
02:22 - 2 - Strategy & Relatability
04:28 - 3 - Unconscious Plagiarism
05:51 - 4 - Solo v Sexy Couple
07:29 - 5 - Anti-Travel
09:26 - 6 - Cash Cow v Liability
11:29 - 7 - Content Consistency
12:48 - 8 - Exploit Ad Rates
14:47 - 9 - Hate v Criticism
17:43 - 10 - No one Gives a Shit about You
19:23 - Get Over It
Thank you to the following Patrons and KZbin Channel Members. Your continued support helps me produce new videos!
Cynthie Thomas, Tim Johns, Ian Ang, Maria Marquez, Dawn Davis, Louis Puente, Camila Paez, Millie Nunez, Adam Wilson, Jake & Anna, Jose Padilla & Fred Miller
➡️EQUIPMENT (from January 2022)
- DJI Osmo Pocket 2
- DJI Mavic Mini
- Wondershare Filmora 12
➡️Check out my links!
PATREON - www.patreon.com/Firstworldtra...
MAIN WEBSITE LINK - www.thetaoofdavid.com/
TAO OF DAVID INSTAGRAM - tao.of.david
BOOK AN ENGLISH LESSON - www.thetaoofdavid.com/book-en...
PURCHASE MY EBOOKS - www.thetaoofdavid.com/the-tao...
➡️AFFILIATE LINKS -
REVOLUT - revolut-for-pioneers.ngih.net...
ONWARDTICKET.COM - onwardticket.com/?a=firstworl...
AIRBNB - Get £36GBP off your first stay with Airbnb! -
www.airbnb.com/c/davido7156
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Join this channel to get access to perks:
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➡️CONTACT -
- For general enquiries or questions, you are welcome to message me on one my Instagram pages.
- For English lesson queries, please contact me via the form on my website.
- For business enquiries such as collaborations, product reviews etc please email me @ [e-mail]. Please do email me for other reasons.
#TravelKZbin #KZbin #Travel

[@davidostrowski679]

🇺🇸 *Three additional points* - 11 - Zero Experience - Filming ultimately has a detrimental effect on your overall travel experience. You may become too focused on filming and presenting, getting the right shots etc, to the point you experience nothing and remember nothing. This is my greatest regret. Put the camera down and remember you have eyes, and memory! 12 - Alter-Ego - You may not be able to be yourself on KZbin. Particularly in the travel field, toxic positivity is rife. Many countries only accept positive comments due to national and individual insecurity. If you are going to be honest, prepare for backlash. Unfortunately, this is the reality. In the long-term, maintaining a fake KZbin alter-ego is mentally destructive. Want KZbin as a primary income? Forget about your real personality. 13 - Change - over time, you will change, as we all do. Your knowledge, behaviour and so on develop, especially if you end up doing KZbin for years. People will comment on a 5 year old video as if it was filmed yesterday. Don't expect viewers to have any interest in you as a person and how you and your views have changed over time! 🇲🇽 *Tres puntos adicionales* - 11 - Experiencia cero: la filmación tiene, en última instancia, un efecto perjudicial en su experiencia de viaje en general. Puede concentrarse demasiado en filmar y presentar, obtener las tomas correctas, etc., hasta el punto de no experimentar nada ni recordar nada. Este es mi mayor pesar. ¡Baja la cámara y recuerda que tienes ojos y memoria! 12 - Alter-Ego - Es posible que no puedas ser tú mismo en KZbin. Particularmente en el campo de los viajes, la positividad tóxica abunda. Muchos países solo aceptan comentarios positivos debido a la inseguridad nacional e individual. Si vas a ser honesto, prepárate para una reacción violenta. Desafortunadamente, esta es la realidad. A largo plazo, mantener un alter ego falso de KZbin es mentalmente destructivo. ¿Quieres KZbin como principal fuente de ingresos? Olvídate de tu verdadera personalidad. 13 - Cambio - Con el tiempo, cambiarás, como todos vamos. Tu conocimiento, comportamiento y demás se desarrollan, especialmente si terminas haciendo KZbin durante años. La gente comentará un video de hace 5 años como si hubiera sido filmado ayer. ¡No espere que los espectadores tengan ningún interés en usted como persona y en cómo usted y sus puntos de vista han cambiado con el tiempo!

[@HereBeBarr]

You really hit the nail on the head on this one. Long time no speak!! I was once a “Travel Vlogger” and now I’m very much an NYC Creator. One point I’d add is: travel is your job. You must travel to keep up content. Want to stop traveling, lose the viewers. What I love about my current set up is I can find interesting things weekly here w an intl flair and still sleep in my own bed. And travel for fun! You spoke the truth here. Not a single critique from me.

[@davidostrowski679]

Hey man! Long time! Travel IS your job! Absolutely! Many don't understand that. It seems like you've found the happy medium with NYC content, I mean I doubt NYC content is ever going to go out of fashion! I'm definitely at the point where I want to travel for fun, and whatever I do next has to tie in with that! Old school travel vloggers for life!

[@mr.anderson736]

God damn, you're funny as fuck dude. I watch you most because it doesn't feel like the usual travel video formula. I've thought about doing travel videos but after watching this that's a solid 'no' for me. I think the biggest aspect is not genuinely enjoying experiences and instead living for the right shot or content. Great as always, we're going to miss you.

[@davidostrowski679]

Exactly! It's my biggest regret. Filming and not experiencing. One time I went to a city in Poland and filmed nothing and was like 'oh, this is what travel is meant to be like'

[@mr.anderson736]

@@davidostrowski679 I hope you get many more of those experiences as you take a break from filming!

[@mariacarmeng44]

Hi! I'am from Durango Mexico, I ate gorditas in Nombre de Dios with Doña Aleja a lot of times but now I live in Utah; it was so good watch your videos and bring that memories for me! Thank you so much, I appreciate how much you like Durango, Torreon , Gimez and so. I wish you the best 😊

[@davidostrowski679]

Those gorditas are still some of the best I've ever had! Viva Doña Aleja!

[@FinnDelMundoTravel]

Excellent advise with zero sugar coating!! Brilliaaaannnnntttttt!

[@davidostrowski679]

No one's got time for sugar!

[@moonreft]

Love you David, for me the Preblanic video has changed my life in ways you will never understand. I have brought this dish to so many people that has as well changed thier understanding of food. Sorry I havn't watched all your vids and I am a teacher because of you. I am starting a 2ed channel called "Food Translated" for fun.

[@jayne16]

This was lovely to read. I love how sometimes we can have such an impact in another's life in the most remarkable ways, and often the other person is never even aware of it. Good luck to you.

[@davidostrowski679]

Thanks! That dish is so good!

[@10ambeer58]

bro🤣😂🤣ur killin' me..never thought about before but i think i watch u 90% for wit and 10% travel lol

[@davidostrowski679]

Iconic!

[@10ambeer58]

@@davidostrowski679 U sir r the absolute BOSS!.. started watching u in 2019?.. U R absolute ur own thing and u don't give AF. Makes u great!!!

[@GringoNation]

Incredible video! It's true that whatever country you're covering makes a huge difference. Bad videos may take off in Pakistan while amazing videos never see the light of day in Brazil (my home country). As you said, Brazil is so saturated that I can hardly spend time in my own country if I wanna focus on filming! I also totally relate to the SOLO vs COUPLE aspect. It's just much easier to do things in 2 people. Not to mention cheaper! The algorithm is also a very complicated factor in travel KZbin. When you jump from country to country (like I have this year), KZbin doesn't consider you an authority on anything. My channel grew primarily on people interested in info about relocating to Georgia (country) and lots of them aren't necessarily interested in my travels moving forward. It was no coincidence that my channel grew the most when I spent one year in the same country. Best of luck moving forward, David!

[@davidostrowski679]

Literally everything you said man! Especially about staying in one place for a year, it's all about building a loyal audience in one country or even region. When I went to Mexico in 2018 it immediately did well but I think at the time there was less coverage than now. Videos in Mexico City or San Miguel do disastrously due to saturation as you said yet my gritty northern Mexico videos do well. And we just don't know where will do well. You're so right on the authority point, that's what it's all about. I cut a section out using gaming channels which focus on career mode in that one game... KZbin considers them an authority. With some countries I've had a 'episode 3 controversial topic', 'episode 4 epic cinematic' rule. A series then takes off from there. Not always though! Thanks for relating and throwing in your experience!

[@thejectorproject]

Of course, its best when you show your face amigo! Great tips!! And Hector and I got the best relationship once we started working together. It just works for us. I am grateful for your channel and you as a friend. You are and have been an inspiration to so many people. Keep doing your thing, whatever that thing is and ROCK IT..... as you do. x

[@davidostrowski679]

shocked! if I had to work with a partner they'd be pushed under a bus in 5 mins. HOW DO YOU DO IT HUN

[@ronnielynnholley]

Wise points ... thanks for sharing. We just travel, and eat, and drink... always taking your perspective to heart.

[@davidostrowski679]

travel, eating and drinking sounds like exactly what I'll be doing instead of filming it!

[@NickiPostsTravelStuff]

Wow I feel this. I've been traveling and living abroad for the majority of the past 20 years, but have had a KZbin travel channel for just about 1.8 months. I can already feel how it changes travel for me, and I don't love that. I start feeling like I have to do things just for the video, or that I HAVE to film even if I don't want to. It really takes me out of living in the moment. I'm trying to figure out how I can find a better balance of really being present, and also making videos. It can definitely be frustrating when I feel like I put so much effort into making quality videos, and then see terribly made couple videos in the same city/country as me do super well. Thanks for vocalizing a lot of things I feel!

[@davidostrowski679]

Yes! Everything you said! I think in the early days I was very much in the moment, but as soon as I realised how KZbin worked, I changed. This year has been #finalseasondavid ie I've gone back the non-mentally damaging persona! I can't wait to travel using my eyes and memory again!

[@ChuyChuy]

Thank you for sharing this video! I have been wanting to start a youtube travel channel for years, but never have. Recently I filmed a little bit and have been contemplating uploading it and really trying to do the whole youtube thing, however, I had questions that you answered and I really wanted to know! I was assuming that it is hard to get subscribers with a travel channel, also that if people subscribed they didn't necessarily continue watching all of your videos and this is just based on my observations about myself and how I have behaved on youtube. I am one of those Mexicans that watches videos about Mexico and came across your Orizaba video while searching for videos about Veracruz (just missing the motherland) I usually roll my eyes and hate it when people go on videos to complain ,but I completely understood where you were coming from when it came to traveling in a bad mood (happened to me in Colombia, I was miserable for some days). Mexicans just love when others embrace our music, food, country, culture etc... (just look at all the music reaction videos that feature a Mexican artist and next thing you know, it is all they are doing and have 10x the amount of views as other non-mexican reactions! lol) After watching your Veracruz Videos, I knew you would be blunt and real about this topic here! Thank you for this!

[@davidostrowski679]

Hey Chuy I swear I already replied to your comment but maybe my phone messed up! Yes you're point about your own KZbin behaviour is true! With certain channels I can come and go depending on the content, but remain subscribed. It's true with travel channels. My Mexico viewers vanish off the face of the planet when I leave Mexico, but when I return they act as if I have been resurrected because KZbin didn't notify them or recommend my videos from other countries to them. It's totally backwards to the point you start to feel obliged to stay in one country even if you don't want to be there. For me it was Mexico and Serbia, for others it's the Philippines and Thailand. Re Orizaba absolutely it wasn't about Orizaba itself and as I said at the time I'm sure it's great for many people, but quite simply I was SO TIRED and that can impact your experience so much. Yet Cordoba, I LOVED!! I wasn't exhausted in the slightest (I am like a demon from hell without enough sleep JAJA) Re blunt, I'm one of those people who doesn't understand what other way there is. I'm an Aries so that could have something to do with it lol. ZERO TACT! I hope it goes well for you if start uploading!

[@MariaMarquez-ok4hf]

Very interesting. I started watching your videos in 2019 for the Mexico content, and liked you so much that I chose to follow you around the world! And I’m just as interested in you and your life, if not more so, as I am in the destinations. I know you’ll do fantastic in whatever you do, because you’re gifted, motivated, creative, real, and extremely intelligent!

[@davidostrowski679]

Thanks hun! One day I'll come to sunny Arizona!

[@MariaMarquez-ok4hf]

@@davidostrowski679 I would love that!

[@markasdievovaikas]

Hi, David... This is an awesome video and I loved all your commentary about all of this... Fascinating in every respect! Mark in El Paso...

[@davidostrowski679]

thanks man hope you're doing well. hoping to be back in your area next year at some point! (minus KZbin of course!)

[@EllisWR]

Don't go David your the hero world needs right now to keep calling out these BS copy and paste losers. Love you mate always made us laugh 👍

[@davidostrowski679]

copy and paste! so 2018 right! What a coincidence your Thailand series goes crazy from day 1! I'll be curious to see how KZbin reacts when you leave LOL. I'm assuming you haven't set foot near goddamn Khao San Road LOL. Keep it up!

[@EllisWR]

@@davidostrowski679 Hahaha im shocked it took off David mate because were not stepping foot in pretty much anywhere where theres kids in elephant pants eating green currys lol. Will always keep it real though and travel for myself wont catch us visiting places just for the views and cool person internet points ahah

[@davidostrowski679]

elephant pants! COLLAPSED! Don't forget the drugged tigers and elephant rides!

[@sharannda7883]

I've enjoyed your travel videos wherever you took us. I learned so much about so many places I would never be able to travel to myself. Thank you for all your work. I wish you well whatever you do in the future.

[@davidostrowski679]

Thank you! I often forget that for many many viewers it's the same case as yours! Thanks for your wishes, I am beyond excited to explore new projects very soon (although I might be back, you never know!)

[@rosst1]

Good to see your video. Very info packed.

[@davidostrowski679]

thanks man glad you found it useful

[@fredericktmiller]

I predict that you'll get a filming/editing/planning partner within the next year who is a former kindergarten music teacher - Well organized video!

[@davidostrowski679]

God no! I'll probably end up pushing her out the window never mind me! lol

[@violetflame13]

I have subscribed recently and I think your sense of humour is great! Thank you for the useful tips.

[@davidostrowski679]

Thanks Violet! I hope they weren't too direct but I wish someone had made me aware of the reality 6 years ago. I could've probably done about 764 points, I put 3 extra in the pinned comment

[@violetflame13]

@@davidostrowski679 Well, if you knew everything about KZbin before starting it, it would not be fun. I did read the other points in the description, and they all make sense.

[@DejanKeepingitReal]

I enjoy your videos so much especially the Serbia vids- your such an interesting person and you remind me so much of someone I used to work with years ago, who came to be a good friend of mine. Your videos are a treasure mate! Greetings from Sydney!

[@davidostrowski679]

Thanks bre! Serbia will always be an iconic legacy character for me, it will be making a brief cameo return in my final video!

[@andy-travels2345]

hi David,, another straight forward and honest vid,, wow 6 years,, how time flies, Merry Christmas (andy stubbs)

[@davidostrowski679]

Crazy! Where are you these days?

[@andy-travels2345]

@@davidostrowski679 still travelling,, every 3 months,, going to Philippines/Cambodia Feb/Mar , and looking at Egypt in July

[@davidostrowski679]

awesome! i need to get my ass back to Asia! If I come back to KZbin, India is top of my list

[@clintonbrown8037]

I found you after looking for info on the Bahrain GP back in 2018. I'm still here now!

[@davidostrowski679]

OG! Omg that was the accidental VIP tour of the circuit! I was thinking the other day actually why the hell did I go to Bahrain lol

[@clintonbrown8037]

@@davidostrowski679 well you did and I followed! X

[@genERICexpats]

Loved the travel couples comments!! Hahah

[@davidostrowski679]

It's a shame that we are male right? No one wants to see us!

[@williamcarter361]

You are correct. There is too much emphasis on the number of subscribers a channel has. Pointless having 100,000 if only 10k watch the video.

[@davidostrowski679]

Numbers are meaningless! Unless you stay in one country and don't leave which kind of goes against the very definition of travel. 'Travelling the world' - the world = Mexico. Collecting countries? You soon realise you can't collect them because you start from zero each time unlike other genres.

[@williamcarter361]

@@davidostrowski679 Like every new country is like starting with a clean slate, at least you have a few regular nutters like me watching 😃

[@visulino]

Phillippines is another country that is proud when someone visits them.

[@davidostrowski679]

Yes. It's the ultimate country to build an audience to begin with... which won't watch when you go another country...

[@philmonty7916]

Great Video, I got onto in the japan days. What about travel cats, cats of the world, that may take off. What do you reckon chuck it all in and go film cats david?

[@sabflash]

Great and very interesting video 😊 I was wondering why some of the KZbin travelers are always amazed with their food, hotel , places they are visiting . You are one of the few saying this food or place is shit when you think it is. I will miss your videos and humor

[@davidostrowski679]

Classic. I mean I don't know how the charade can be kept up. There's only so many oscar performances you can do when much of the food I've had has been distinctly average LOL

[@mariapalacios2195]

La vida es un viaje de solitarios David. No matter what you do.!! Pero las relaciones de amistad son las que cuentan.

[@davidostrowski679]

Absolutamente. Es un tema explorado en mi video final y una gran razón por la que tengo que hacer algo más. ¡Me he convertido en un ermitaño totalmente introvertido en los últimos años y se está volviendo preocupante!

[@pedjamilosavljevic6235]

Good video ! I'm assuming it will be very helpful for aspiring travel You tubers . Though , it was very concise , considering that it relates to six years of your life (as a KZbin creator) and video making (maybe more will be revealed in your future book ?). I don't think that people (audience) don't care about you , but that depends on the type of people and mentality ( internet can be very useful and incredibly destructive). I've watched your videos (even some of lengthy , walking ones) , because I like your presentation and "character" , not because of your video making expertise (which is pretty good , in my opinion). I'll be sorry to see you go , but , everything comes to an end , like some of my favorite TV shows . I wish you plenty of luck and all the best in your future endeavors and life. If you come to Belgrade again , get in touch (if you have time) , so we can drink some coffee and annihilate some barbecue.

[@davidostrowski679]

I'll definitely be at Rudo at some point! Drop me a message on Instagram, I'm hoping to be back in Serbia next year

[@pedjamilosavljevic6235]

@@davidostrowski679 I don't use instagram , but I'll send you an e-mail (your YT e-mail) with my contacts 👍

[@janellek21]

LOL "Nick-er-ag-you-uh" 🤣

[@davidostrowski679]

My London accent made a shock return lol. That's how it's pronounced in the UK

[@janellek21]

@@davidostrowski679 LOL I know, and having spent half my life in the USA where the proper Spanish pronunciation is used, I cringe. Sort of how I cringe when Americans say "jag-war" instead of "jag you are." 😁

[@brexas1293]

Iconic. The Rick Steves of KZbin

[@davidostrowski679]

Classic!

[@brettd3206]

A simple unrelated question that came to mind. Are you familiar with the Hanseatic League? I found it interesting that all the port cities were connected in such a way. A new Hansa was established in 2018.

[@davidostrowski679]

It took me a moment but I remember reading about it when I was filming the Culiacán videos I think

[@flashback1123]

Interesting summary video! Enjoyed it! You're looking well. More relaxed. Are there any christmas markets where you're staying? Viewers might appreciate a christmas video 🦌🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🍹🎁🎀♥️☃️☃️☃️☃️☃️

[@davidostrowski679]

Guess what the last video includes :-) way ahead of you lol 🎄 I was in another country for it last weekend (upload planned for Dec 16th). There's a small one in Sofia (was briefly in the last video) Oh and definitely more relaxed without constant travel!

[@flashback1123]

@@davidostrowski679 look forward to it! 🇬🇧🎁🌲🍺🦌☃️

[@awilsonatl]

Current world record for # of syllables in the word Nicaragua (10:50)

[@davidostrowski679]

That's how any Brit pronounces it! Just like the original Honduras before I corrected myself lol

[@la_veroynomas]

I watch your video because of you the destination are great and bit like me like keep me away from expats and places that are overrun by English vs the native language. That being side you always make an effort to learn the language and that is awesome. For me being bilingual in Spanish and English.. am yet to travel to a country I didn't use either language but both being basic language from Latin (learn Latin in Sunday catholic school for 13 years of my youth, gives me the encouragement I might not struggle as much)...what was my point f ... I lost my thought. Anyways nooo don't leave lol 😆 😂 🤣

[@brilliantbutblue]

Point Number 1 THE END!!!

[@davidostrowski679]

THANK CHRIST

[@joseantoniogonzalez1683]

Come back

[@stevierayripple]

Some of us care about you David, I even want to have your Babies ...... And I'm a Man ???

[@davidostrowski679]

CLASSIC! I wouldn't want to subject offspring to this torturous existence! LOL

[@jovicadimitrijevic7346]

👍Your apartment is nice.. How much does it cost :) You know me.. hihihi.

[@davidostrowski679]

It's around $300usd per month in Ovcha Kupel, a residential area in the south west of Sofia if you don't know it. I keep calling it Ovčar Banja lol. The owner lives on the floor below and she had this place built on the roof before Covid so it's like a new extension to a typical older building. 4 metro stops to the National Palace of Culture in centar Its very affordable considering the cost of more central places around 500-600

[@jovicadimitrijevic7346]

Wow... Twice cheaper than here... The Russians rented even the biggest holes. What is life???

[@davidostrowski679]

That's exactly why Belgrade is out of my price range now! argh!

[@EnriqueMarq]

Cookie-cutter couples?!

[@davidmag808]

What i like of this guy is he goes into areas where no youtubers go to the none tourist areas ,most youtubers show off the suppose cool areas of countries but never walk into the suppose bad areas and adventure there.cowards lol.only a few youtubers go adventure into it all like this young guy or bald n bankrupt and maybe a couple more yet they are each unique not the same.Peace

[@davidostrowski679]

Cool areas are so 2017 in my mind! Going to lesser known places as forced me to become more confident with language, especially in Mexico. Thanks for the 'young' comment, I'm 41 in a few months LOL. Oh re Bald and Bankrupt, I bumped into him in a supermarket in Minsk in 2020. He was buying tinned tuna. CLASSIC