We Need to Talk about Developer Influencers

Let's talk about dev influencers, dev content and Coding with Lewis. In this video, I reflect upon my channel and the impact it has on dev culture.
Creators in this video:
‪@namanhkapur‬
‪@ThePrimeagen‬
‪@t3dotgg‬
0:00 Intro
0:15 Where I am Today
0:59 How My Channel Started
1:32 Improving the Channel
2:02 The Dev Influencer Moral Dilemma
3:05 Dev Influencers and Authenticity
3:28 Educational Theatre
4:53 How the Algorithm Forces you to Imitate
6:11 The Rat Race to Be FIRST
7:10 Content Creation with Software Jobs (Burnout)
8:21 Coding with Lewis and The Dev Influencer
10:20 Where I have failed
11:11 Hate Comments
12:44 The Future of Me

[@CodingWithLewis]

Monetization off! What a fantastic year it has been. I am so thankful for everyone for following my journey this year. This video is to reflect on myself and the impact that I want to achieve on the viewers who watch my videos while acknowledging the rightful critisms my channel gets as well. This comment section is a safe space to discuss :)

[@swadhin.m]

you kept monetization off ?

[@CodingWithLewis]

@@swadhin.m On this video! Just to show that I am not actually trying to make money by baiting

[@winningtech5]

Please, there's no need for that. Turn on monitization and make your money

[@swadhin.m]

@@CodingWithLewis oh thats ok but turn that up after the end of the year may be it will be good in India yt ad sence is so low I just mad 8 USD in my life via ad sence : ' )

[@conaticus]

Can totally relate to the imposter syndrome as a content creator! Having thousands of people correcting everything you say can be terrifying and discouraging. Unfortunately the provocative content is the most successful in the dev niche, and it's difficult not to take people's criticisms personally. Thank you for the great video, cannot wait to see what's next

[@typecraft_dev]

You're a nice guy and great programmer who makes FUN and WELL EDITED videos. I'm pumped you are able to do this full time now, and to be honest, surprised you weren't already full time on being a creator.. I look forward to everything you'll be doing in the future

[@namanhkapur]

you're the best! this video is so well articulated and you've managed to condense what i've been thinking and feeling for the past few months into 14 mins. so hype for where your channel will go, big things ahead 🚀

[@JasonGoodison]

Appreciate how sincere you are in your videos and excited to see what 2024 holds!

[@theRubberDuckiee]

I had this video on my to-watch for a while, and finally got to it this morning. Lewis, I love how transparent you are with the brand of your channel - infotainment - and how you’re willing to say you’re not the best software engineer but working AROUND that to still create well-researched and well-edited videos. Your love and care for the community really shows and its clear to me that because of your work and moral ethics, you’re going to be around for a long time. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to work with you closely and I really support you in all you do! Amazing video :)

[@Umacodes]

Keep creating, Lewis! You continue to inspire us all as a creator and as a developer! Don't stop!

[@teh_hexploitation]

Saw this vid pop up in my twitter feed, and after watching it, i will most certainly be coming back for more! Looking forward to seeing what you bring in 2024!

[@denitechYT]

Now this is super refreshing, love this take. You and a few others are deffo a motivation for me to start doing this in 2024 full time.

[@OogaBooga3806]

I like the changes you’re making, the story based videos are super entertaining and fun to watch. Just keep in mind that simply being on the internet guarantees you will receive some kind of hate. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. The plan you have is great, so keep up the good work.

[@CodingWithAuryn]

Thank you for your open and honest words. Very nice to hear. For me as a beginner in the youtube game, this is very much appreciated, to not end up in the same rabbit hole. But on the same hand, it is very hard to not try to play the algorithm as well :D Greetings!

[@syntaxfm]

Great video Lewis. Love the message. Keep up the good work.

[@somefishhere]

The latest videos have been great, thanks Lewis!

[@LifeLoveAndMonads]

Thank you Lewis! As yet another developer/aspiring (a little) dev-influencer I found your video extremely honest and answering so many questions/doubts, etc. that I have. Continue great work.

[@DemiTheTechie]

Great video! I've found myself in the same dilemma, and I've mentioned how some tech creators definitely take advantage of those who don't know any better. But, I also think this behaviour can put off those of us who do have useful things to share, but feel like we will get grouped with them. I guess the best way to approach it is to realise that if your intentions are aligned well, your content should be beneficial. People will always have a problem with what you do, and I've been so careful with not mentioning my previous FAANG experience unless it's related to what I'm saying. I love sharing what I've learnt as a CS student, but I'm aware that people are quite critical of dev influencers given the current climate. But that desn't mean we can't put our advice out there. Keep up the good work on your channel!

[@sentarrr]

I really enjoyed the programming storytelling vids you made like the reddit and instagram ones, defs quality infotainment

[@MuhammadMuhaddis]

Been following you somewhere from the start of your Content journey and I feel like I get a good value from your content and I always stay excited for what's coming up next. Your videos are always fun to watch and concepts are easy to digest and are well researched with a sprinkle of jokes Rooting for you and always curious about the post edit thing you do where the face expressions stop but narration keeps on going xD 🙌

[@odeyemiincreaseayobami9451]

I love you been sincere and open about what you do. I wish you the best and wait for more content 2024.

[@mickoalhwint.andrada8080]

Brother I've been watching your videos like way back 2017, and I could say that you've improved a lot in terms of content, video editing, narration, story telling.. I think some people that are bashing you are just jealous of your success, though I agree that criticisms are just part of the growth however if your dealing with trolls that are sending you threats I would consider remove and moderate hateful comments. It will foster a positive community around your work! For your real followers and subscribers we support you just ignore the trolls and keep doing what you love brother! more power!

[@thetechdad87]

I like the new content. I feel I've learned some and been entertained

[@mehdio]

Thanks for sharing this! I've been following you for a long time, as I started my journey around the same time (but not with the same results). I just moved earlier this year from staff engineer to developer relations, and the problem is exactly the same. Finding a good balance to keep your hands dirty (and to go deep on some projects) while still delivering content at an intense frequency is challenging! I do find ways to do some dogfooding internally within the company but it requires some creativity and good time management :) Looking forward to what you will be up to in 2024!

[@Sad_bumper_sticker.]

Congrats! Godspeed to Reaching Further Threshholds

[@alviahmed7388]

Great video. I have always watched your channel with a mindset of the vidoes being mostly entertainment and some educational. Both educational content and entertaining/promming lifestyle culture is important. Channels like yours are important as well to keep things entertaining. But channels like A life engineered, and Hussein Nasser are also great because they also do the work and can provide value from thier vast real-world expereince.

[@VictorVedmich]

❤❤❤ huge thanks for your videos and be so open to community!!! Maybe you can share your whole process of creating video - how you write script, make a short, edit , which tools do u use, resources for additional video .

[@SeattleDataGuy]

I feel this! Thanks for sharing

[@adibhanna]

Love your videos. You're doing a great job.

[@kitara_69]

Hi Lewis! I just want you to know that I like the way you speak to the video. It feels like we're talking in real life for me. It feels great! Hope you make more videos about programming. I wish you long and healthy life!

[@Fr_dG]

Btw, this is my first video of yours that Ive watched. And now I will have a backlog to consume while I code. Thank you!

[@The-python-guy]

Love your channel, it inspired me to make my own channel.

[@codingtranquility]

I used to be in the mindset of subbing and consuming a lot of programming videos in my free time, just like I would watch tape when I was fighting. It’s not nearly the same. It’d be like training to be a boxer, but then seeing videos that tell you “boxing is outdated, learn bjj”, then 5 months later from the same creator “boxing is the new bjj”. The best advice I can give is just code. Set up an environment with the least amount of distractions/interaction with others, and hermit your way through projects.

[@ExplodeCode]

This is extremely great video and your literally the best KZbinr I watch 🔥🔥

[@nader2560]

This feels so genuine Lewis! ❤❤❤ The videos you do are great don't mind what trolls say, you are doing great you have great personality and awesome content! Keep at it mate!!

[@octonwoomy1150]

you've definitely had a positive impact on the space, can't wait to see more :D

[@t3dotgg]

❤️

[@GreggObst]

Respect to you for the transparency. It's refreshing in these times when everyone is a slave to the mighty algorithm.

[@jspencee]

Love this reflection, Lewis! You're an awesome developer and a fantastic human! Wishing you all the best in 2024 🎉🙏🙂

[@DevLeonardo]

Hey Lewis, I agree with every single word you said! I see myself a lot in that, even if on a smaller scale. Last year I started posting videos with the goal of sharing what I was learning and this year I've been blessed enough to get awarded as GitHub Star. I constantly receive some criticism because some people say I'm not entitled enough to talk about programming on KZbin because I don't have enough experience. Speaking of deciding the topic of the videos, I'm constantly in a fight with myself it whether I should go for something that already exists but is likely getting more views or something that is more niche, with less content already available... knowing it will get zero views. It's never easy whatever you do. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad to see that even for someone who "made it" like you the problems are the same, but at least I don't feel alone or wrong. That's the path we decided to pursue, hopefully having a positive impact on people around us ❤

[@CodingWithLewis]

Congrats Leonardo! you have worked really hard and deserve it.

[@DevLeonardo]

Thank you :D

[@GratuityMedia]

Thanks for the stuff you create!

[@CodingWithLewis]

Thank YOU as well!!

[@yazanmaarouf48]

I think you should do complex projects implementations. Something that is actually unique and useful for developers. Like Prime, he talks about really fundamental stuff. An idea would be implement some architectures/research papers and do it in details.

[@Orkari]

Ignore the haters! Love your videos! I look forward to your content in 2024 and beyond!

[@Firelord1187]

I understand your point regarding coming across as perhaps an "authority on yxz programming" I have really enjoyed some of the dev stories i.e. the discord backend migration to Cassandra and also the trading bot; Find your niche and keep up the good work mate!

[@tadiwashangwa4931]

I think your videos are in a unique niche. Im my opinion your content is unique and its more about explaining the difficult no coding problems of software engineering like how instagram stores its videos

[@comosaycomosah]

this was really good bro you can tell your a solid dude through your videos even with a script

[@WheresMyEvac]

I love your videos bro! I saw a video you said about being interested in learning game development, I've been working with unreal engine for 5 years. i can give you some pointers if needed!

[@CodingWithLewis]

That would be awesome!

[@zedsec]

It's all over cybersecurity KZbin too, the same people releasing "how to get into cloud security" every single week the issue is that time and time again I see some of these channels dive more into technical content and their numbers plummet and they go back to their old "how to get into cybersecurity content" more people are more interested in what I call fast food content where people are more interested in the roadmap than the actual content. Again it all comes back to the algorithm.

[@itech40]

Wishing you the best in the future Lewis, inshaAllah!

[@lovrodvorski7180]

Not related entirely but what I hate about guides or tutorials is that no one shows common bugs or issues, they only show the narrow path to a working project, but I'd love it if someone actually went through all the possible issues and how to resolve them

[@jasondchambers]

Lewis - I've been coding for 40 years. You have a rare skill of being able to tell a story about deeply complex topics. We all have something to learn from each other regardless of where we are on our journey. Keep churning out your wonderful content and ignore the haters.

[@_inetuser]

very good video, ty

[@SpeedingFlare]

Favorite short: how to (never) exit vim Favorite vid: GTA 5 json sscanf

[@-LightSmit]

Looking forward to the Joker Coder voice. 😂 Loved it

[@tatsumii1420]

love your videos lewis, ignore the hate they are just hating and jealous of ur success

[@asagiai4965]

I like to address people who just want to learn something and later found out the person they are watching is not on par of their expectations. If you just want to learn something, then someone's job, status, etc. shouldn't be too much of your concern. Your concern should be what he/she teaches is true and provable. If your questions are about experience. That's where job and status should come in.

[@yourhydraulicpressbro]

Honestly I'm getting sick of clicking on one of these advice videos and actually getting more lost. You're favorite video so far definitely has to be the day trading bot. That's actually utilizing real code in a real world scenario. My eyes literally popped out when I read the tittle cause who else will do such a challenge. With their own money ? (See ; ) but if you've got smthing well thought of bro share it with us. E.g a video where u try applying for jobs and actually testing how the job market is. Not sm recycled web dev roadmap.

[@CodingWithLewis]

Those are the vids you will see :) I made that type of video as a way for me to build cool things again!

[@yourhydraulicpressbro]

@@CodingWithLewis I get. Everyone goes for quantity over quality while starting out. I just hope you don't get to create such content again. Cause you're not starting out ; ). Btw kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4HSaqqdj7ahm8ksi=pwitFWH6BO48eULW

[@CodingWithLewis]

I saw Melkys video and talked about it on Twitter!

[@yourhydraulicpressbro]

@@CodingWithLewis going there rn ᕙ( ͡◉ ͜ ʖ ͡◉)ᕗ

[@eddiejaoude]

Very true about coding less, but I find being involved in Open Source keeps my skill up to date (I still feel like an imposter because everyone in open source is super smart)

[@VaibhavPareek]

Hello 👋

[@dingalingboof9729]

I learn a lot of stuff from you.

[@HarryDaDevSecond]

Real talk!!

[@Fabulousviccen]

Can you please do a video for how to or what the heck is a Git or Github? I am new to this and have no clue and you had a short that explained it really well really fast. Thanks so much for providing this!

[@harsh07may]

Try looking up "Git in 100 seconds" and maybe you can watch the longer ones too by fireship to get an idea I really really recommend it.

[@blackrippin]

I prefer the story time videos. Maybe a cinematic version of the AWS whats my architecture series. understanding how big infrastructure is built is super interesting

[@cloey_b]

This sound super interesting and would be AMAZING to dive into infrastructure!

[@keithrincon]

Happy holidays man! Thanks for your videos they've been very helpful

[@rogercollins239]

At no point in my 20 year career have I ever considered software engineering difficult or time consuming. I'm constantly trying to find new and interesting things to fill my extra time. Otherwise I really appreciate this kind of candid content.

[@mirjalol49]

Tobe honest, nowadays, most of the programmers quitting their jobs and making courses selling, making youtube channels etc. i wanna be a the part of them too soon:) cos with making courses you earn a lotta money than working for projects. But you can be really rich but come on,not everyone can Mark Zuckerberg etc tough guys

[@varram3488]

Yo idfk whos telling you that your shorts suck. I just wanted to tell you that they are a breath of fresh air from the low-effort short from content that I usually see. You content is very well edited and well put together. Keep whatever you are doing :D P.S. please continue releasing vids talking about the architecture being different websites (like the discord vid you did :D)

[@shystriker]

I'd still watch Coding with Lewis

[@CodingWithLewis]

Ill still be coding!

[@DevSKGamer]

❤❤

[@GrahamPedregosa]

Very powerful

[@hisroyalbaguette6809]

i heard if you say CODING WITH LEWIS three times i get pinned CODING WITH LEWIS CODING WITH LEWIS CODING WITH LEWIS

[@ampmycontent]

Why not try shorts that have a CTA to a longer video on the same topic? The short could even be the intro, and the link could jump to the point where they get past the intro and watch each deeper section? Benefit of larger audience with shorts and then value through to the deeper stuff. BTW love all the content.

[@Fr_dG]

On the topic of newb content + algo... it's the same reason DND content is made mainly for levels 1-12. Cause most of the audience is there. So it's just how it works.

[@willisthehy]

Free code camps been at it for years just keep going

[@ryansumbele3552]

Your videos helped me to start and become a better software engineer, it's sad honestly that you want to stop dev focused videos

[@CodingWithLewis]

I am not stopping dev focused videos! It's just going to be less like the ones I did around 5-6 months ago

[@asagiai4965]

Dev influencers, you do know that there are a bunch of topics that people, especially juniors or interns, can learn. Instead of just copying and pasting regurgitated topics. For example, search a query that has been asked multiple times but most answers are either wrong, vague, incomplete, etc. Then, if you have knowledge on that, make a video for it. Example search query = how to make a react component that you can zoom in and zoom out text by a click of a button or link inside the component?

[@MooseManReal]

can you make a video about how googles search works?

[@leemclafferty5622]

I think the learners are the issue, too. If someone makes a video targeting beginners, there is just more people starting every day than there is people that stuck with it and have moved past beginners. With the nature of social media, you try to appeal to the larger audience.

[@truthprogrammer7594]

Whats up lewis

[@nikolayankov2053]

How can I stay motivated to code? Every time I try I end up in a loophole where I give up, because of disinformation.

[@CodingWithLewis]

Just keep at it! Build something you are proud of :)

[@ayushmantiwary1606]

namaste guys

[@Alexander_Liteplo]

Dude just stop listening to the haters. Also I think your goal of inspiring people to make cool projects is the PERFECT one.

[@CraigSnyman]

I honestly don't watch all your video's, but if I do watch a video than I know it'll will be a quality video. Maybe you should go back to streaming coding sessions. That way you'll be somewhat able to be more up to date, at least I think so.

[@foxedex447]

i want to support i dont have money XDDD thank you for the amazing content

[@CodingWithLewis]

I have sponsors on this channel! You are supporting me by watching :)

[@buddysteve5543]

The problem I've found in searching for educational content on programming is that everyone is teaching the definitions of SOLID principles and OOP but all their examples are far from being SOLID or even OOP! They copy and paste code that isn't a professional level code base that you would expect to find at Google or Facebook or PayPal. There needs to be way more Level 2 and Level 3 educational videos that aren't just show and tell style but actually teaching concepts and real world processes.

[@adityasunil6994]

Have u seen pirate software? really cool indie dev

[@CodingWithLewis]

Dude is the absolute 🐐

[@ashwinalagundi9271]

Hi, I am a tech enthusiast from India. I love coding and would like to contribute to your project.

[@rithvik119am6]

hi there

[@devdeclan]

500,000 subs, 2 million views, this guy making bank

[@RandomVideos-im4ue]

What type of developer are you. A web developer or what?

[@looyd]

Most of these "Programmer should do this" type of video exist just to get beginners to click and buy their coding courses I am one of those beginners that fell into this beginner course programming shit

[@rythom7522]

Hello

[@Fr_dG]

Comment number 100

[@BasedAnomaly]

Ngl, a little disappointed with this take. I personally believe you are more than qualified to speak on development as whole. Just because it is not your primary role at the moment doesn’t take away from the experience you’ve gathered throughout your professional journey. Give yourself more credit. You’ve helped us more than you realize. 😏

[@CodingWithLewis]

Really appreciate you saying this! It's mostly me trying to express how I find that the "educational theatre" type of videos slowly transition into videos that don't provide value. It starts when I stop becoming a software engineer. My videos will remain the same now! Inspiring and high quality for devs :) but mostly want to express this ongoing rhetoric online about dev influencers and the effect that sometimes they have on developers who are looking to get into the industry

[@90DaysOfDevOps]

Do you think you will ever have to go back to get a grasp of real life situations?

[@CodingWithLewis]

It's a great question!

[@90DaysOfDevOps]

@@CodingWithLewis not a trip question, I have felt it myself. Do I need to be hands on in order to deliver the best content. Your content is fire though Lewis. It’s great for everyone.

[@lol-kb8hz]

as soon as you search something about programming that doesn't involve code you pretty much see the same video 100000 times that tells you to build your webdev portfolio and learn python xD Influencer devs are hilarious and super weird they seem so fake

[@nohjrd]

I would definitely avoid the word 'influencer' if I was you. To me it has a narcissistic quality. KZbinr is fine though.

[@atlantic_love]

Most "dev influencers" are utter garbage. Fact. They don't really create anything, haven't really been employed as a coder for any real amount of time. Fact. They also talk about stupid shit that is applicable in theory, but they don't actually live up to what they're hyping, like "working out". Fact. Dev influencers need to go away.

[@Abelkrijgtalles]

This is the first comment

[@BigFattyNat]

you think you having a midlife crisis now, just wait till u realize we wouldnt have known you quit your real dev job if you hadnt had told us bc we cant tell the dif

[@Icedanon]

The reason i dont like you guys is because youve pulled way too many people into the industry with bs promises of evergreen money. Now we're all about to be screwed.

[@itzhexen0]

Throw them all in jail including this guy.

[@CodingWithLewis]

That's harsh! I will take the sentence

[@itzhexen0]

@@CodingWithLewis I wasn't joking.

[@user-ge1sq3nx1z]

You’re very weird Lewis