Two months of YouTube growth

Welcome to the 17th edition of the Notes by Chris B Co newsletter. The template is just about out the window. Two months between posts, but I’ve been very busy in several different areas. Let me fill you in on what’s been happening.

Here's what I've prepared for you today:

• Fully Defined - up and going

• First Quad Lock product launches

• Researching next category

• Productivity Lab

Please find any of my previous editions here if you've missed them.

01 / YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Fully Defined - up and going

In my last newsletter, I introduced you to Fully Defined - a YouTube channel teaching SolidWorks for Product Designers. On March 5th, I had started recording some content and putting together ideas, but was yet to publish anything. Well here’s where we are today:

I’ve published 20 videos and obtained 30 subscribers. Those videos range from 5-minute speed-modelling attempts to hour-long beginner tutorials. I feel satisfied with the start and eager to keep improving the quality of the videos, progress to more product design related content and engage more with the viewers. The one area I haven’t made much progress with yet is getting engagement - but as I keep growing and building trust with the audience, I suspect the responses will come.

I’m also yet to really push the channel in other locations. Reddit: SolidWorks and LinkedIn will be two areas of focus. But before I start asking potential students to visit, I want to get a strong content base on the channel.

Even if the content isn’t for you, I’d love to gain your support and subscription if you get the chance.

02 / LARGE HANDLEBAR MOUNT PRO & CHROME
First Quad Lock product launches

Having my first Quad Lock products launched two weeks ago was a bit of a thrill. In my design career, I’d never before had that experience. The products I’d worked on at Quest were released long and slowly, with exclusive deals and low production runs to build up confidence in the product. No paid advertising that I ever saw! It’s a complete contrast at Quad Lock. Volumes of 10,000 plus, produced and shipped to warehouses worldwide, ready for launch and fulfilment within 48 hours of order.

I loved contributing to a Marketing team that took my product and made it look cool as hell…

I also took part in my first-ever Facebook live, hosted at Harley Heaven, to demonstrate the product and show the 3 versions. I can’t embed the post, but you can view the video here.

And the excitement doesn’t stop! My next product is being launched in another couple of weeks - the content team is currently recording and editing, working through the best way to present the product and sell it to our large audience. I’m particularly keen to see how this one comes out, given it’s something completely new rather than an extension of an existing range.

03 / RESEARCHING NEXT CATEGORY
Overlanding Expo West

After completing my first set of products, it’s straight on to the next one. With no time to waste, Quad Lock is sending me to the Overlanding Expo to research the Overland category and spend time within that community. I’m excited to take charge of my own range within Quad Lock and build out a set of solutions that serve a specific user base. This trip is an outstanding opportunity, and I’m thankful to be working at a company that invests in its people and products the way Quad Lock does.

Of course I’ve researched projects/products before - but this is another level. I do feel a sense of expectation to deliver insights from the trip - hopefully, they come thick and fast as we are on the ground and representing the team at our US Quad Lock Box. Do you have any tips for research trips like this? Please hit reply and send them to me via email. As this edition hits your inbox tomorrow morning, I’ll be heading to the airport for my flight out to Arizona.

04 / MAKING THE MOST OF MY TIME
Productivity Lab

I wanted to let you in on one more personal project I’ve progressed recently. I’ve joined Ali Adbaal’s first cohort of the Productivity Lab. If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you’ll likely come across some elements of Ali’s content that I’ve learned from and shared. A few months ago, I participated in a survey from Ali’s team. Months later, I received an invitation (and a discount) to join the new community group to increase my productivity. I thought it was a no-brainer! Imagine getting twice as much done in the hours you have.

The program has just started, and I’m already revising my goals and refining my work routines following the first couple of workshops. I’ll be making sure to write more about the program and community as time progresses. Memberships are for 12 months - I can’t wait to see where I’m at this time next year.