Goodbye #40

Episode Overview

• In this 40th episode and Season 1 finale, the hosts record from a cozy apartment setting, reflecting on their journey and discussing their plans for a short break before an upgraded Season 2.
• The conversation delves into the business of content creation, including the financial realities of platform revenue cuts on Cameo and the strategic reasons creators take breaks in January due to low ad revenue.
• The hosts explore differing philosophies on goal-setting, contrasting the idea of setting intentionally unreachable "stretch" goals with more grounded, achievable targets for personal growth.
• The episode features a lighthearted "Quiz of the Year" covering viral internet moments and concludes with a look at the hosts' differing future content strategies and their core mission for the podcast.

Key Concepts

• Podcast Season Finale: This episode marks the end of Season 1, with the hosts taking a break to build a new set for a "bigger and better" Season 2.
• Business of Content Creation: A discussion on the financial aspects of being a creator, including the significant revenue cuts taken by platforms like Apple and Cameo, and the strategic impact of the January ad revenue (CPM) drop on YouTube.
• Creator Content Strategy: An analysis of why creators take strategic breaks, often to build a backlog of high-quality content for a strong return, as well as a look at their own individual plans for future YouTube content.
• Goal-Setting Philosophies: A debate on the merits of setting intentionally unreachable "stretch" goals to push oneself versus setting more practical, achievable goals for mental health and steady progress.
• Creator Authenticity: The podcast is highlighted as a medium that allows for more creative freedom and the ability to showcase a full array of personality traits—from analytical to funny and "rotten"—compared to more niche-focused YouTube videos.
• Year-in-Review Quiz: A segment covering notable viral internet moments, including the Glasgow Willy Wonka experience ("The Unknown"), the "fully conscious baby" at the Four Seasons Orlando, and a Nikocado Avocado video.

Quotes

• At 0:42 - "This is actually the last episode of Bach and Arthur, guys... But only for this season!" - Bach performs a classic fake-out, creating a moment of tension before revealing it's the season one finale, not the end of the podcast.
• At 1:20 - "Which is going to be bigger, better, full of... full of laughs, full of memories." - Bach teases what's to come in Season 2 of the podcast.
• At 2:05 - "I was getting an overwhelming amount of comments saying 'shave'... so I was like, okay, fine, I'll do it." - Bach explains that he shaved his beard in response to numerous comments from viewers.
• At 28:30 - "we only take home like half of it... Apple take like 30% right and then Cameo take 25% or whatever." - George explaining the significant cuts that platforms take from their earnings on Cameo, making it less financially rewarding.
• At 29:35 - "They kind of just want me to be the old man and say something filthy." - George describing the explicit and character-based requests he typically receives on Cameo.
• At 31:44 - "I think it's kind of genius... I think they're going to be still going to be filming during this break period but filming big videos and stacking them up... and they come back with a bang." - George theorizing about another creator duo's strategic break, suggesting they are building up a backlog of high-quality content.
• At 32:39 - "On YouTube, I'm sure you guys have heard that January CPM sucks... that basically just means that like per view on our video, we get like half as much as we do at the end of the year." - Arthur explaining the financial reality of ad revenue dropping in January.
• At 34:02 - "Yeah, we're going on a break... It's only because yeah, this one's finishing and then season two... We've got to wait for the set to be built." - The hosts officially announcing their short break to prepare for Season 2.
• At 40:39 - "Every goal I set, I make sure I can't reach it." - George explaining his philosophy on setting unrealistic goals to ensure he is always pushing himself as hard as possible.
• At 63:35 - "Everyone has such a beautiful array of qualities." - Arthur explains his advice to a smaller creator, emphasizing that creators shouldn't feel pressured to show only one side of their personality.
• At 64:13 - "In the podcast... we can be such a nice array of all of it." - Arthur contrasts the podcast's versatility with the limitations of a single, focused YouTube video.
• At 64:27 - "Sometimes... Lucifer has to come out and I have to get rotten, seriously." - Bach jokingly referencing the podcast as a place where they can also show their more mischievous sides.
• At 71:38 - "Oh no, it's the unknown!" - The hosts laugh as they correctly guess the name of the bizarre villain from the infamous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow.
• At 76:31 - "The fully conscious baby!" - The hosts recall the viral TikTok of a baby at the Four Seasons Orlando who had an unusually aware and mature expression.
• At 89:24 - "I just want to put everything there and just go like, people can subscribe and I don't care... I love playing the horror games and I know people... comment going like 'keep these up, they're my favorite types of videos.'" - Arthur explains his philosophy of creating varied content for fans who appreciate him as a creator, not just a specific niche.
• At 95:02 - "I was like, 'oh, this conversation's going smoothly.'" - Bach jokes about the awkwardness of pointing out when a social interaction is going well, which often has the opposite effect.
• At 103:34 - "We just want to have a good time, making content that you guys love, and that's really the end goal." - Arthur summarizes their main ambition for the upcoming year.

Takeaways

• Consider setting intentionally unreachable "stretch goals" to maximize your effort and continually push your limits, rather than focusing only on easily achievable targets.
• For creators, January can be a strategic time to take a break, as ad revenue (CPM) is typically at its lowest point of the year.
• Use breaks in content creation to build a backlog of high-quality videos, allowing you to return with strong, consistent momentum.
• Embrace showing multiple facets of your personality in your content; audiences often connect more deeply with creators who demonstrate a full range of traits.
• Structure your content into seasons to create natural milestones, build anticipation for future releases, and provide opportunities to upgrade your production.
• Cultivate a personal brand that allows you to create diverse content on a single platform, attracting an audience loyal to you as a person, not just a specific niche.
• Be aware that third-party platforms for monetization, such as Cameo, often take significant revenue cuts, which should be factored into your business strategy.
• A simple change in environment, like moving from a formal studio to a relaxed home setting, can significantly alter the tone and intimacy of your content.
• While listening to audience feedback is valuable for engagement, it's crucial to balance it with your own creative vision and goals.
• Prioritize finding the intersection between the content you are passionate about making and the content your audience loves to consume.