Today we have a special interzioq with the interview of our first Youtuber : Xisuma !

Xisuma is a good online friend and we met because he sometimes uses my music in his videos and that’s really cool from him. That’s why I wanted to interview him and learn a bit more about the secret world of Youtube 🙂



Hi mate! First, to introduce yourself, we’d like to know how old you are and where do you come from?

Id just like to say a massive thank you first off all for letting me use your music over the years! They have provided a warm and fuzzy soundtrack to my Minecraft adventures and I know my audience has grown to love your music too, Its a pleasure to answer your questions and I apologize for the time it took me to reply! I rarely have time to sit a think. To answer your question, my age is unknown to all as Ive chosen to keep some anonymity in this online environment, however I’ve stated many times I’m from England where we drink tea and complain about the weather!

When did you start to make Youtube videos and what kind of videos did you make at first?

I started back in 2009 making videos of myself playing guitar and using the platform as a place to put my music demos. At the time my sole ambition was to get the music in my soul out there into the world, I didn’t care about success I simply wanted to create and I did that every day for some time until a certain game started to distract me. I didn’t start Minecraft videos until September 25th the next year and a few months into that adventure I decided to remove all the old videos and make my channel solely dedicated to the game.

Right now, what kind of videos do you make?

I’m just making Minecraft videos at the moment, Ive played around with other games but it always comes back to the blocky sandbox. Its like a blank canvas, every day I get to wake up and make something new and interesting with my time, if its constructing a building, tinkering with a contraption or going on an adventure I love the process of turning that fun into entertainment for others. I do however plan on bringing guitar videos to my second channel in the near future, just working on recording guitar tone at the moment.

Today, do you make 100% of your living with Youtube?

Youtube, Twitch and Patreon is how I make my living and of course that is all very closely tied to what I do on youtube, I think its fair to say youtube is my living and I’m very thankful for the lifestyle and freedom it has provided me with. Everyday feels like an opportunity when you are your own boss.

What was the key point when you realized that you could make a living out of your videos? Was it a slow thing to realize, step by step, or did you have that in mind when you started?

When I started making Minecraft videos it was a curiosity, I saw other people doing these tutorials and felt I could make better ones and it would be a fun activity. I quickly got into the groove of making regular tutorials and became fascinated by the Minecraft community, which back then is VERY different from how it is perceived today. It was a mature, sensible and closely linked community all about sharing with one another. This was before it reached the masses and became corporate.

As I made connections and started talking to other Minecraft youtubers I was informed I wasn’t correctly monetizing my videos, I changed some settings and when from pennies to pounds a day, thats when the first thought that I could do this as a Job arose. Later that year youtube was paying me more than my less than desirable paycheck from work was, it was an opportunity I had to take and with the support of my family became one of the best decisions Ive ever made. Back then the idea of being full time youtuber was very sketchy and people didn’t believe it could last but here we are almost six years later, still going strong.

In your opinion, what are the PROs and CONs of your job?

The pros are lifestyle and community but that could be expressed in many more words. I get to live everyday on my own watch. I don’t take that for granted, I use my time to build for the future on the journey of self, taking care of myself on the way through health, diet and exercise. As for community it is very humbling to know that you’ve helped other people with your own attitude and outlook on life. In return they have helped me to develop as a person with their support and encouragement. That has undoubtedly been a massive transformation for me in me life that I could never thank them enough for. Its been truly life changing.

The cons? There are not many, too often I spend far too long at the PC and I don’t get to enjoy the great outdoors as much as Id like. Other than that I can’t think of much else.

How long does it take to create a casual video?

Well a “casual” video is one that I don’t get to make to often and It would take the least time of all. Most the videos I make are far from casual, they are large scale play which requires lots of planning, preparation and grunt work. Each video I make generally takes a full day to put together.

What is the part you like the most when you create a video?

Thats often unique to each video, sometimes its the feedback after its gone live, other times its the end when you wrap it all up but best of all its when you are caught up in the moment having a blast, hitting record and not knowing whats going to happen next.

Do you have a lot of interaction with your followers? What do you think they appreciate the most in your videos?

Because I stream, I have a very directly line of interaction with my followers. In the past I was also very active in replying to comments on youtube but due to the increasing size of my audience and youtubes changes to how the comment section works it feels less and less like a place to get the kind of interactive I love, twitter and streaming fill that gap now, however I do miss the old days of comments where the tone and community was different.

Id like to think my viewers appreciate my hard work and consistency, however In recent years where I have become far more upbeat and comfortable recording I think there is a larger group who like my attitude and enthusiasm more than anything but they would be the best to tell you as its all a matter of perspective.

Do you think it will be possible for you to make a living from Youtube all your life or do you already have some B plans?

Nothing lasts forever, nor would I want it to, when its over I will look for the next adventure. Where Ive found success here I don’t believe that it means Ill have success in whatever I do next so I’m happy to continue on this path until something else makes sense. I have not a plan B but decided to dedicate more of my time to music as I will undoubtedly pursue that passion again in the future.

Right now, if you were not a Youtuber, what kind of job would you like to do?

Probably something dull and uninteresting but the job would be a means of getting by, without youtube id be making music everyday.

Any advice for people who’d like to start their own channel?

Do it for passion, curiosity and your personal interests. Youtube is a life consuming job, it will work you like a slave and thats only a good thing if your passionate about what your creating. If you think of it as a career path thats glamorous or an easy ride you’d be mistaken. It requires a ton of passion to do this grind.

Do you have any passion/hobbies outside of making videos?

Music. Music has been my life for a long time. It consumes my imagination and gives frees my soul. I avidly play guitar daily and listen to music all day long while I make videos. I also write about what I listen too and attend lots of gigs as I’m very passionate about live music.

Any last words you’d like to add or a message to your followers?

As always Id like to thank them for their support over the years. They’ll probably never know how much this means to me, words cannot express what a wonderful and life changing experience they have given me. Its come so far and the end is not even in sight! I look forward to every day 🙂 Many thanks for your time and replies 🙂 You can follow Xisuma on Twitter and, of course, sub to his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/xisumavoid

— Interview by izioq.