YC
Software Engineer Turned Youtuber - Jarvis Johnson
@ Y Combinator
05/01/19
Takeaways
JJ
Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
The first video that gained traction for me was a humorous take on technical interviews in the software industry, which went viral after I posted it in a Facebook group.
JJ
Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I find that the software industry is often glorified and not enough people are discussing its downsides, which I like to highlight through humor and critique.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I got into programming through TI-BASIC on a TI-84 calculator, creating simple games during chemistry class, which sparked my interest in coding.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
After struggling with C++ in high school, I found my passion for programming at Georgia Tech, where I was supported by a great community.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
Interning at Google as a sophomore opened my eyes to the tech industry, making me realize I wanted to work in California after graduation.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I chose to intern at Yelp instead of returning to Google because I wanted to experience different company cultures and gain diverse experiences.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I believe that the tech industry can create a scarcity mindset, making people feel they might never get a job at a big company again, but there are always opportunities to try again.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I interviewed at Yelp multiple times, and even after failing an interview at Facebook, I was able to leverage that experience for future opportunities.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I transitioned from being an individual contributor to a manager because I wanted to utilize my full skill set and help others grow, inspired by a great manager I had at Yelp.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I realized that management requires trust and delegation, which are valuable skills that can benefit anyone in their career.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I learned that running a business, including a YouTube channel, involves more than just creating content; it requires management and strategic planning.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I decided to pursue YouTube full-time after realizing I needed to make a clean break from my tech job to fully invest in my creative endeavors.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
The growth of my YouTube channel made me realize the importance of seizing opportunities, as I was gaining subscribers rapidly and wanted to capitalize on that momentum.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I had a conversation with Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon, who encouraged me to pursue my YouTube career, emphasizing that I would regret not taking the opportunity.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I often find myself balancing the desire to create content I enjoy with the need to engage with my audience and meet their expectations. I take a lot from the fact that I witnessed many user and creator interviews at Patreon, which helps me understand how users relate to a product. Many people don't know what they want, but their expressed desires indicate underlying problems in user experience that need addressing.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I do a lot of outreach to ask my audience what they want to see, but I don't treat their feedback as direct requests. Instead, I use polls and social media to gauge interest, while also considering that only a small percentage of my audience engages with me there.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
Listening to my audience is important, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. I also need to rely on my metrics and maintain my vision for the content I create, rather than just following audience requests.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I learned that the effort I put into a video doesn't always correlate with its quality or how well it will be received. Sometimes, videos I spend less time on perform better than those I invest heavily in.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I believe content creators have a significant responsibility for their audiences. With great power comes the need to be mindful of the influence we have and to call out negative behavior when it occurs.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
Improv taught me a lot about team dynamics and the importance of setting up my teammates for success. It's about not being the star of the show but helping others shine, which is a valuable lesson in management.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I think TikTok will produce more traditional creators, but there's a lot of noise on that platform. I hope YouTube becomes a more supportive place for creators, where they aren't constantly battling for monetization and stability.
JJ
Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I want to see more traditional media figures transitioning to YouTube, as it can provide a platform for diverse voices and creativity, rather than just relying on established television networks.
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Jarvis Johnson
05/01/19
@ Y Combinator
I hope to see less content that feels like a product of content farms, which often dilute the quality of YouTube. It's important to maintain avenues for up-and-coming creators to thrive without being overshadowed by those with more resources.