Continue to coach or trying to become a content creator?

We live in a time where you can learn chess using online resources, either completely free (Lichess), or partially paid (Chess.Com, ChessTempo, etc.). These personal trainer needs still typically reside among those interested in rapid improvement. They are usually parents trying to get their child to become a state champion and earn some free scholarship.

It's a really serious crossroads for any experienced chess coach and player, because most of the income comes from coaching (not playing, no matter how good they are; unless they're in the top 100 in the world). Every day we get more and more coaches, and the need for personal coaching decreases - that's a fact.

Thus, many chess coaches are faced with the dilemma of whether to continue providing live online chess lessons or to create chess courses and get passive income to at least cover their bills.

Among passive incomes is having a YouTube channel, which means posting and working on videos without depending on a specific topic (no need to make a whole course). This seems to be more relaxed, but many try to be seen and successfull on YT and only a few succeed.

About 18 months ago I decided to upload my first video. It was scary. I worked on fixing what was wrong, bought a new camera, invested in a new computer, graphics card, memory, everything to make the process less stressful and simpler.

Having been in the chess world for about 30 years and coaching for about 20 years, I am quite sure that I have a lot to share and help other people. I feel quite comfortable discussing chess topics (it is in English, which is not my native language, but I have heard many times from my students that my English is clean and easy to digest). It is said that one should constantly work on publishing quality content for about a year or two on YouTube, and only then be recognized.

What I see as being recognized on YouTube is not just having an army of followers who would admire your art of selling air. It wouldn't satisfy me, and I really don't know how I could do it even if I wanted to.

I see the YT success as having a significant amount of viewers who appreciate your work, and are happy to see your new video. Usually, those people would leave a comment below the video, telling you that someone is watching and appreciating what you're doing. Of course, if there were only a few of those people, it wouldn't really justify the effort put into creating the video (which in my case means days and weeks of hard, boring work in front of the monitor: recording, cutting, merging, etc.).

Real satisfaction also comes from the feeling that the video was made in such a way that you couldn't do better, even if you were to try for the next few days or weeks to fix it. I'm only good when I get to that point - objectively not perfect, but the best I can do.

Lately, however, things have been getting harder and harder because I'm not getting enough support or appreciation for my work. Of course, there are a lot of great content creators out there and I know people don't have time to watch everything, only the best, and I'm certainly nowhere near them. However, if you are not seen and appreciated for the amount of work and effort you put into something, the obvious question is: should I continue?

That will be it for this blog post, but I may continue next time, as this is a topic I have been thinking about a lot, and there is much more to be said. (This is just the beginning.)

Also, I want you to know that I haven't been leaving this open for comments since the day a member trolled me, and I don't want to burden myself with such a conversation. If you want to tell me something, write me a private message or put it in the comments of the YT video below.

https://youtu.be/xx5D2xd_w9M

It's my latest video, and the format is a little different: I play with a guy about the level of my students and viewers, while analyzing moves and discussing plans for both sides. Frequently pausing the video, holding the evaluation bar and the second board (demonstration board) on a side to analyze possible ideas. I believe it's easy to see that serious effort is being put into it.

Let me know what you think.