Tag: YouTube

My Life Before TikTok

MY SOCIAL MEDIA JOURNEY

An Unexpected Journey

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

It’s been a long road as a content creator, beginning long before the rise of TikTok. Allow me to take you on a journey through my life before TikTok, when YouTube was my primary platform, and creativity was my guiding light.

The Early Days of Content Creation

My journey as a content creator started on YouTube, a platform that allowed me to express my creativity and share my passions with the world.

It all began with a simple idea: to create content that informs, entertains, and inspires others. With that goal in mind, I launched several YouTube channels, each linked to a unique Gmail account and dedicated to a specific theme.

It was like painting with vibrant colors on a vast canvas, each channel representing a different facet of my interests.

The Diverse World of YouTube

My channels covered various topics, from the latest tech gadgets to travel adventures, personal vlogs, and deep dives into entrepreneurship and technology.

This variety allowed me to connect with a diverse audience, each with their unique tastes and preferences.

Looking back, it’s remarkable how most of these channels continue to thrive.

They are monuments to their continued relevance and my dedication to keeping them alive.

My Gadget Channel: A Labor of Love

One channel with a special place in my heart is ‘My Gadget.’

Launched 14 years ago, it became a beacon in the tech world, offering the latest news, how-to guides, and insights for Android and iOS users.

It was an exciting time, coinciding with significant technological breakthroughs in smartphones and tablets.

As the world welcomed iPhones and Android devices, I immersed myself in this new world and shared every discovery and insight with my audience.

A Journey Beyond Reviews

My engagement with the tech community went beyond mere reviews.

I delved into the heart of these devices, exploring their capabilities and sharing my findings with a tech-hungry audience.

Jailbreaking iPhones to explore new apps became a staple on my channel, captivating my viewers and offering them a glimpse into their devices’ limitless possibilities.

Expanding Horizons

As my journey expanded, so did the scope of my content.

Travel soon wove into my narrative, allowing me to share the world’s beauty through my lens.

This added a rich, vibrant layer to my digital collection and gave my audience a window into my adventures.

The Birth of Favoriot

The birth of my startup, Favoriot, marked a new era in my life and, consequently, in my content journey.

This venture opened doors to opportunities like interviews and TV and radio appearances, enriching my content with tech talks and adding a new depth to my digital storytelling.

The Challenges of Content Creation

Juggling content creation across various platforms was a colossal task.

It demanded time, meticulous editing, and a never-ending flow of creative ideas.

Eventually, I embraced a more natural, spontaneous approach to video posting.

This approach lightened the editing burden and brought my work a genuine, relatable touch.

The Rise of TikTok

Then came TikTok, a platform that redefined how we create and consume content.

It was an unexpectedly different form of creativity.

I remember my first TikTok video, which quickly garnered attention.

The format was perfect for my spontaneous style, allowing me to share snippets of my life and insights more casually and engagingly.

Discovering the Power of TikTok

As I embraced TikTok, I discovered its power to reach a new audience.

The platform’s algorithm and user-friendly interface made it easy for my content to go viral.

I shared tech tips, travel adventures, and glimpses into my daily life, all within the constraints of a 60-second video.

The response was overwhelming, and I soon found myself with a growing following of engaged viewers.

The Shift to Spontaneity

TikTok encouraged me to be more spontaneous and authentic in my content.

I no longer had to spend hours editing videos; instead, I could capture moments as they happened and share them with my audience.

This shift brought a new level of authenticity to my content, allowing my viewers to connect with me more personally.

The Emergence of Podcasting

As the digital landscape continued to transform, so did my methods of connecting with my audience.

Podcasting emerged as the new frontier, and I set sail in this exciting direction.

With podcasts, I could delve deeper into topics, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversations with my audience.

A Digital Journey

Reflecting on this digital journey, I’m awed by the incredible transformation of technology and social media.

They’ve reshaped our ways of creating, consuming, and sharing content.

From the early days of YouTube to the dynamic world of TikTok and the emerging realm of podcasting, my journey has been a testament to learning, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of passion.

Feel free to check out my TikTok content at IoTMan2030 for more insights into my life and journey as a content creator.

Additionally, you can explore my YouTube channels for a deeper dive into tech, travel, and entrepreneurship.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

Your support and engagement mean the world to me.

Here’s to more adventures and the endless possibilities of digital content creation.

If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to check out my books and blog for more content on technology, entrepreneurship, and life as a content creator.

My Medium Followers Are 3X Lower but Earned 200X Than My TikTok.

HIGH NUMBER OF TIKTOK FOLLOWERS — MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

I learned something that I wish to share.

Photo by Franck on Unsplash

Not a member? Click here to read the full story for free.

I have tried many social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Sometimes, I get “Social media fatigue” from managing and posting on these channels.

These channels are meant to create personal or my company’s branding.

In my last story — “I Earned 200X More on Medium Than on YouTube”, I compared how writing is far more worthwhile than creating YouTube videos.

Photo by Harry Cunningham on Unsplash

When TikTok started trending, I joined the rest, trying to figure out how to make the most of this channel.

I am not into dancing or doing crazy things on TikTok. That’s not my style.

I created multiple TikTok accounts to test different niches and find out which ones I am more comfortable creating videos in.

Finally, I decided to focus only on one TikTok channel related to my passion and my Startup—the Internet of Things (IoT).

Photo by Josh Rose on Unsplash

However, I am having challenges figuring out what kind of IoT videos I should create—will these be hands-on, tips, news, or just knowledge sharing?

Below is my first video, which tries to give IoT tips. I tried in English and Malay but finally decided to deliver mainly in Malay because most of my followers are from Malaysia.

TikTok attracts a younger audience; thus, more “serious” topics did not resonate with them.

I also observed that giving topics on Final Year Projects gained popularity among youngsters or university students.

The below is the highest in terms of view:

After a few years, I gained over 6,280 followers (compared to 1,980 Medium followers) — 3X higher than Medium.

However, I need help monetizing my TikTok channel. I earned zero cents!

Compare the earnings below to the medium earnings for the last six months.

Author’s earnings for the last six months.

That’s a total of $202.42! 200 times more than TikTok!

Here’s what I learned when trying to earn money from TikTok vs Medium.

1—Find the right niche, and you will attract the right audience. However, you can’t satisfy all the audiences.
2 — It’s possible to gain followers without dancing or doing crazy things. Just give something of value.
3 — Do not spread your effort in multiple social media channels. Focus only on one channel.
4—Set your objectives and purpose for using social media—is it for fun, gaining followers, sharing knowledge, or monetizing?
5—Finally, Medium is still the best channel for a person like me to earn at least a small amount while doing it for fun and passion.

Remember to Subscribe to receive email updates on every post I publish.

Buy Me a Coffee (or two). Your support fuels my creativity, and we’ll continue this incredible adventure together! Just click here:https://buymeacoffee.com/mazlan.

I Earned 200X More on Medium Than on YouTube

6 MONTHS ON MEDIUM vs 13 MONTHS ON YOUTUBE

I learned the hard way and how you can avoid it too.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Not a member? Click here to read the full story for free.

It’s easier to make money on Medium than YouTube — Here’s why.

I have been on YouTube for the last 13 years, making videos.

Starting with pure entertainment and travel videos and moving to serious gadget reviews.

Just imagine that 13 years ago, making YouTube videos was more challenging than using smartphones today.

Editing is becoming so simple and easy to include any special effects.

Producing videos has changed, and the competition to get eyeballs is becoming more challenging.

Just take a look at some of the videos (the old ones) which was created more than ten years ago:

1 — First video, “How to reduce PDF file size using Mac OS Preview,” 13 years ago.

How to reduce PDF file size using Mac OS Preview

2 — First appeared on TV when iPad was introduced “Segmen Gizmo TV9 — iPad”

Segmen Gizmo TV9 — iPad

3 — Then, I started to create travel videos — “A Walk from from Dubai Creek to Riviera Hotel — (with Fireworks Song)”

A Walk from from Dubai Creek to Riviera Hotel — (with Fireworks Song)

4 — I also love to review the unboxing of items I purchased, such as “Review — Portable Muzetto from Waterfield Designs (for iPad and iPad Mini)”

Review — Portable Muzetto from Waterfield Designs (for iPad and iPad Mini)

5 — Later, I started to use some editing techniques and introduced a new segment on gadget review such as “[How-To] — To Improve YouTube Quality Using Sony Wireless Bluetooth Microphone ECM-AW3”

[How-To] — To Improve YouTube Quality Using Sony Wireless Bluetooth Microphone ECM-AW3

6 — Lately, I began to get more comfortable recording myself talking in front of a camera, such as giving some tips “Tip Startup #9 — Rahsia Mendapat Tontonan Video Yang Tinggi di Facebook”

Tip Startup #9 — Rahsia Mendapat Tontonan Video Yang Tinggi di Facebook

I have created over 292 YouTube videos but only got a measly 583 subscribers.

My Gadget Channel

However, to monetize my YouTube channel, I have to comply with YouTube’s policy: “Users must have watched your content for at least 4,000 hours over the past 12 months. You need at least 1,000 subscribers,” which is impossible to achieve.

Overall — I earned zero cents from YouTube (for the last 13 years!)

Compared to Medium, when I joined the Medium Partner Program and started to write stories seriously, I saw a big difference in the earnings.

6 months earnings stats (Author)

That’s a total of $202.42! 200 times more than YouTube!

Here’s what I learned when trying to earn money from Social Media.

1—Monetizing on YouTube is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and consistency.
2—Enjoy the moment! Don’t get frustrated if your YouTube channel doesn’t gain much traction. Just capture the moments of your life or share your stories.
3—Focus on your strengths and find the right platform. The Medium platform is suitable for writers who are good at writing.
4—Pivot if you can’t gain the proper traction. Don’t wait too long to see your efforts go down the drain. Please find a new platform when one doesn’t favor you.

Remember to Subscribe to receive email updates on every post I publish.

You can also follow my Medium Publications:

I have also published several eBooks, such as:

How to Overcome Social Media Fatigue

Maintaining and being active in multiple social media channels can be exhausting — Here’s how I cope with this.

I am now social media fatigued — Image created by Author

I must confess — I am a social media addict.

I have created multiple social media channels:

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Thread
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Blogs (if you consider this as social media channels, too)

For example, I have created and managed my Personal Facebook and several FB Pages and Groups (including my Startup and Association Pages).

I can’t remember, but I frequently posted and managed several YouTube channels under different names, including my Startup YouTube channel).

At the same time, I have several TikTok and Instagram accounts (personal and business).

I frequently posted on X and Threads, although I don’t see much traction on Threads compared to X.

The least active is Pinterest — probably because I have the least time to spend here.

If we consider Blogs as another social media channel, I have several, too.

Image created using SketchWow by Author

There are two main problems that I faced managing these social media channels:

  • There are too many channels — both personal and business.
  • There is too much content to create for each channel.

All of these have caused me:

  • A lot of anxiety
  • Wasting time checking and analyzing the stats
  • Headache to find new contents
  • Busy editing contents
  • Busy viewing all those channels

The time on social media sucks the time and energy from me. I have become very exhausted physically and mentally — I have become social media fatigued.

What should I do?

I decided to slow down and trim down the unnecessary social media channels and strategized the way I uploaded my content:

  • I decided to maintain only one personal and one business social media channel regardless of whether it’s FB, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
  • A lot of my content will be repurposed. The same video content will published in different channels.
  • Articles from my Blogs (mainly Medium) will be posted on X, Threads, and Facebook.
  • I have placed a simple process flow of generating content daily — especially in the early morning.
  • I have to make this an enjoyable task. Otherwise, I could have given up a long time ago.

I am still tired of managing all this content, but hopefully, one day, I can delegate my business social media channels to someone else.

I am less tired nowadays. I am grateful for that.

So, how do you manage your social media channels to ensure you stay energized?

My Life Before TikTok That Takes an Unexpected Turn

Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash

My journey as a content creator has mirrored these changes, adapting and growing with each new turn.

Before TikTok captured the zeitgeist of our times, YouTube was my canvas, a space where I painted my creative expressions.

This adventure took off with the creation of several YouTube channels, each linked to a unique Gmail account and dedicated to a distinct theme, like vibrant colors in a kaleidoscope.

These channels spanned a wide array of subjects, from the cutting-edge buzz of the latest tech gadgets to the wanderlust of travel adventures, intimate personal vlogs, and deep dives into the world of entrepreneurship and technology.

This variety in content was an exploration of my multiple interests and a bridge to connect with a diverse audience, each with their unique tastes and preferences.

Remarkably, most of these channels are still thriving, standing as monuments to their continued relevance and my dedication to keeping them alive — a stark contrast to the ephemeral nature of digital content we often saw a decade ago.

More recently, I’ve poured my heart into one personal YouTube channel while simultaneously steering the ship for other business-related media ventures, stories of which I’m eager to unfold soon.

One channel, in particular, resonates with me deeply. Launched 13 years ago, it was a labor of love from my fascination with electronic gadgets.

‘My Gadget’ became a beacon in the tech world, offering the latest news, how-to guides, and insights, particularly for Android and iOS users.

It was an exciting time, coinciding with significant technological breakthroughs in smartphones and tablets.

As the world welcomed iPhones and Android devices, I immersed myself and shared every discovery and insight with my audience.

My engagement went beyond mere reviews; I plunged into the heart of these devices. Jailbreaking iPhones to explore new apps became a staple on my channel, captivating my tech-hungry viewers.

As my journey expanded, so did the scope of my content.

Travel soon wove its way into my narrative, allowing me to share the world’s beauty through my lens, adding a rich, vibrant layer to my digital collection.

The birth of my startup, called Favoriot, marked a new era in my life and, consequently, in my content journey.

This venture opened doors to opportunities like interviews and TV appearances, enriching my content with tech talks and adding a new depth to my digital storytelling.

Juggling content creation across various platforms was a colossal task, demanding time, meticulous editing, and a never-ending flow of creative ideas.

Eventually, I embraced a more natural, spontaneous approach to video posting, lightening the editing burden and bringing a genuine, relatable touch to my work.

As the digital landscape continued to transform, so did my methods of connecting with my audience.

Podcasting emerged as the new frontier, and I set sail in this exciting direction, eager to open another chapter of connection with my audience.

I look forward to sharing this new journey, filled with unique stories and experiences, soon.

Reflecting on this digital odyssey, I’m awed by the incredible transformation of technology and social media and how they’ve reshaped our ways of creating, consuming, and sharing content.

From the early days of YouTube to the dynamic world of TikTok and the emerging realm of podcasting, my journey has been a testament to learning, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of passion.

As we welcome the New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to all. Happy reading, and a joyous New Year! I invite you to join me as we continue to navigate and share in this ever-changing world of digital content creation.

https://www.youtube.com/@MazlanAbbasMyGadget

I am also an author of several books, which you can check out here.

And also my blog here.

Year 2022 – The Death of Blogging

Yes – there’s a truth in this. That’s what they said a couple of years ago. However, there are many type of blogging such as personal journal, lifestyle, travel, health, technology and many others.

The trend for personal blogging have decline. People might no longer have interest to follow an individual daily activities, their families, trips etc. This type of content can easily followed via their social media channels such as Facebook or Instagram.

Entertainment vs Educational Blogs

However, blogs which covered specific topics that solve the reader’s problems would be the ones that have longer lifetime. The topics are more educational as compared to entertainment.

The contents for educational type of blogs can remained evergreen as people still searched the Internet for solutions.

So yes, people still read blogs. Multiple times a day, even! It just looks a little different because the content of blog posts has shifted from being writer-focused to being reader-focused. Blogs that focused on value to readers will have a higher reading rate.

This is something which I need to decide when I created Mazlan Abbas Blog – should it be personal blogging or a blog which is more educational such as the one I created at IoT World Blog.

Today, is my third day of blogging, and I will always monitor the traffic to see how the contents impact the traffic to the blog.

3-Days Stats
Demographics of Visitors

Why should you read and follow this Blog? If you want to read IoT contents, you may visit IoT World Blog, but here you will get constant updates about my journey in developing projects such as my Startup, FAVORIOT, Podcasts,, YouTube, Online marketplace and E-Books.

Sharing Platform

Along the way, I will share the ups and downs or probably some tips that we should avoid in building such projects. I hoped this will also become a platform to listen yo your ideas and thoughts too. Please leave you comments on the posts.

Are you ready to follow me on this journey?