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Ask HN: My engineer brother build DIY stuff but he has 0 community

by seyz on 12/6/20, 5:53 PM with 13 comments

My brother is the most creative engineer I have ever met. Maybe I'm not 100% objective since he is my brother but it blows my mind every time I see him send me a project. The problem is that he absolutely does not realize that these projects are very interesting and he could build a great community around them.

As an example, he sent me a "random" video this afternoon on WhatsApp like he usually does when he has some free time during the weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAYiPEyuBkQ

I wonder if you guys agree with me that there is great potential to build a community around these projects? If so, how would you proceed? Note that he has absolutely "zero marketing skills" and I would love to help him realize how crazy it could be!

by gus_massa on 12/6/20, 6:40 PM
I agree with the other comments. He must try to see other channels and copy some of the tricks and one day find his own style. He must start to talk to the camera.
Some channels to copy^H^H^H^H look:
* ElectroBoom: https://www.youtube.com/c/Electroboom
* Cody's Lab: https://www.youtube.com/user/theCodyReeder
* Applied Science: https://www.youtube.com/c/AppliedScience
* Simone Giertz: https://www.youtube.com/c/simonegiertz
* EEVlog: https://www.youtube.com/c/EevblogDave
Some are more funny, some have more charisma, some make more difficult project, some make weird projects, some like to rant, ... They are very different, but your brother can get a few ideas.
by acid303 on 12/6/20, 6:31 PM
He doesn’t say anything in his videos. I think it would be much more engaging if he’d describe his projects in more detail, maybe tell us about some interesting challenges he encountered?
by seyz on 12/6/20, 5:56 PM
Some other projects:
- Haptic Thumbstick for racing games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LXcpFpmw_k&t=76s&ab_channel...
- Homemade MotoGP Simulator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxnQN0ZXmYk&ab_channel=3run0
by giantg2 on 12/6/20, 6:12 PM
He needs someone for marketing. Anything has the potential to have a community around it. The main factor is the quality of the marketing and showmanship.
Also, look at the number and variety of YouTube influencers. I'm sure anyone can find at least one that they think is stupid that others think is great.