From Soldering to Selling: How I Made My DIY Hobby Profitable

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts and DIY buffs! It’s your go-to electronics YouTuber here, and today, I’m excited to pull back the curtain on how I’ve turned my love for soldering, wiring, and creating into more than just a hobby—it’s now a thriving side hustle that’s padding my wallet, too. So, grab your favorite beverage, and let’s dive into this electrifying journey together.

Starting off, my YouTube channel has always been my digital playground—a place where I can share my latest projects, geek out over new gadgets, and connect with like-minded folks. But let’s be real, while making videos is a blast, discovering ways to make some extra cash from it? Even better.

So, how did I kick things up a notch? Simple: I started crafting DIY project kits based on the very projects I showcased on my channel and began selling them on Etsy and WordPress. Yes, my friends, those same cool gadgets and gizmos that you’ve seen me put together can now land right on your workbench, ready for you to bring to life.

Here’s the scoop on how I made it happen: First, I got really cozy with what makes you all tick—what projects get you hyped, what tutorials you binge-watch, and what you’re itching to build. With that intel, I tailored my videos to hit that sweet spot, creating a solid base of supporters eager to bring a piece of our shared passion into their homes.

Choosing which projects to kit out was like picking my favorite friends (tough, I know). But, by focusing on the crowd-pleasers and adding my special touch, I’ve managed to create something truly unique for you guys. These kits aren’t just some random parts thrown together; they’re your next adventure in making, packaged up with all the love and care of someone who’s been right where you are.

WordPress have been game-changers for getting these kits out into the world. With a few clicks, I can share my creations far and wide, reaching DIYers across the globe. And it’s not just about listing a product; it’s about building a brand that stands for quality, creativity, and a bit of that DIY rebel spirit.

But wait, there’s more! Social media has been a powerhouse for getting the word out. By leveraging Instagram stories, Facebook posts, and even Pinterest boards, I’ve been able to create buzz around my kits and connect with even more of you awesome creators. And let’s not forget the power of a good collab—partnering up with other DIY influencers has introduced my kits to communities I never would’ve reached on my own.

Making the buying process smooth as butter and ensuring you’re thrilled with your purchase has been my top priority. After all, a happy maker is a repeat customer. And trust me, your feedback is gold—it’s what drives me to tweak, improve, and dream up the next big project.

So, there you have it—the insider’s guide to turning your YouTube channel from just a platform for sharing videos to a legit money-making venture. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your channel to the next level, remember: with passion, creativity, and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, the possibilities are endless. Let’s keep building, sharing, and inspiring each other. Catch you in the next video—until then, keep making and keep innovating!

Eric

PS Check out my Kits if you want one 🙂

Revolutionizing the Virtual Reality Experience: Introducing ScentVR

Virtual Reality (VR) has come a long way since its inception and has revolutionized the way we interact with digital environments. The experience of VR is immersive and engaging, but there’s always room for improvement. And that’s where ScentVR comes in.

ScentVR is a DIY kit that allows you to use any commercially available scents (or make your own) to enhance your VR experience. The kit includes a ScentVR device, power supply, and 6 scent reservoirs, as well as a starter pack of scents. ScentVR works with any game or simulation, and guides and suggested scents are available on the website and community forums.

With ScentVR, you can add an extra layer of realism to your VR experience. The device uses a proprietary algorithm to disperse scents at intervals and in combinations, varying the strength and overlap of the smells for maximum immersion. And the best part is, ScentVR does not require any connection to the VR system – it’s completely standalone and compatible with all VR games.

For added convenience, ScentVR can be configured and operated through a web interface, allowing you to control it from your headset, phone, PC, or tablet. The unit connects to your Wi-Fi network and receives firmware upgrades automatically, so you’ll always have access to the latest features and functionality.

ScentVR is the product of a thriving open-source electronics and 3D printing community, and is completely bootstrapped. The packaging is made from recycled materials, and the ink stamps are even 3D printed!

The launch of ScentVR marks a new era in VR technology and is set to change the way we experience virtual reality. So, get ready to take your VR experience to the next level and be sure to keep an eye out for the launch of ScentVR!

For more information, visit ScentVR.ca and join the community on our forum, GitHub repo, and Discord channel.”

New Machine Learning Group!

I finally got around to making a specific group for Machine Learning.

Since machine learning is a very niche topic I decided to Facebook group might be the easiest way. I also have all my machine learning files on GitHub.

I’ve been testing out tiny ML with edge impulse in the Arduino board and so far it’s looking promising but I won’t know till more later this week how well it works.

Join here: Machine Learning | Facebook

CHEAP TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED USB SOLDERING IRON

This USB powered temperature controlled soldering iron actually works pretty well. The TS 800 might be a better choice but this is a lot cheaper and does the job just fine. I really like the non-temperature controlled USB soldering iron’s that are much cheaper but they don’t have temperature control and this one seems to do the job just great

NEW Way To Learn Programming & Electronics?

Checking out the new maker kit from Swift IO which allows hobbyists and makers to use a powerful processor and run Swift programming language in their projects.

This is a new way to learn programming Swift language on some easy hardware. Check out the swift kit here: https://www.madmachine.io/swiftio

Gear I use in these videos➢ http://mkme.org/Gear

Board Features:

i.MX RT1052 Crossover Processor with Arm® Cortex®-M7 core @600MHz

Micro SD card slot, supporting standard and high capacity SD cards

Micro USB connector for power

On-board USB to UART for serial communication

46 GPIO on left and right edges

On-board GRB LED