YouTube Creators Hub Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode: From Teacher To Full-Time YouTube Creator | Tom Hitchins
Host: Dusty Porter
Guest: Tom Hitchins (The Bite Review)
Date: October 10, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dusty Porter sits down with Tom Hitchins, creator of the tech-focused YouTube channel "The Bite Review." Tom discusses his journey from being a full-time teacher to a full-time content creator with over 227,000 subscribers. The conversation explores Tom's unique minimalistic aesthetic, monetization methods, strategies for standing out, overcoming growth obstacles, and his candid thoughts on sustainable creator life.
Key Topics and Insights
1. Tom's YouTube Beginnings & Motivation
- Early Inspiration:
- Tom started as a media technician without camera experience, inspired by tech YouTubers like DigitalRev TV while working in a college tech cupboard.
- “I just got started. That’s…the advice I always give to people…if you want to do something, just give it a go.”—Tom [02:09]
- Initial Years:
- First three years of creating content brought zero income.
- “For those first three years I didn’t make a penny, which a lot of people probably find shocking.”—Tom [00:00]
2. Channel Focus and Aesthetic
- Content Style:
- Describes his channel as “calm aesthetic tech videos on Apple Design and productivity”.
- Shifted from Apple focus to broader “tech lifestyle…how you use it, how to get the most out of it and more personal stuff.” [03:41]
- Tom's review style is more personal than generic reviews.
- Unique Visual Identity:
- Leans into colorful, humanizing elements (inspired by Studio Ghibli, Japanese animation), contrasting with the typically “sterile” look of tech channels.
- “I always found that a bit grating…I just knew I couldn’t compete in those areas…so I’m just going to do what I can do and bring in the stuff I love.”—Tom [13:48]
3. Going Full-Time & Creator Realities
- The Leap:
- Transitioned to full-time creator after YouTube income “suddenly got bigger than my paid teacher salary, and…exponentially so.” [04:54]
- Balanced risk with passion: “There’s never a good time to do anything. There really isn’t. So I thought, I’ll just go for it.” [05:34]
- Burnout and stress, especially after COVID, prompted a career change.
- Workload Truths:
- “I work now more than I’ve ever worked in my entire life…Being off, it just feels so wrong to me.”—Tom [06:28]
- Even while facing health issues, Tom finds ways to channel creative energy into newsletters and video planning.
4. Mindset, Passion & Longevity
- Intrinsic Motivation:
- Emphasizes doing YouTube for the love of creating, not just money or fame.
- “The honest to God simple answer is I just loved making the stuff…Simple as that.”—Tom [07:54]
- Coping with Slow Growth:
- Tom advises remixing older successful content: “I go back to what has worked and then…remix that content or remake something like that.”—[27:07]
5. Workflow & Creative Systems
- Loose Process:
- No strict system—operates on an “energy tank of creativity.”
- Prefers outlining bullet points over scripting: “I don’t write how I talk…doing bullet points and then kind of asking myself the question…” [08:56]
- Camera Presence:
- Teaching experience helped camera confidence.
- Transitioned from pure voiceovers/B-roll to appearing on camera, which “helped the channel grow a huge amount.” [11:23]
- “Definitely film yourself.” —Tom [12:59]
6. Standing Out in a Crowded Niche
- Personal Touch:
- “Lean into what makes you, you.”
- Adds favorite media (Studio Ghibli, graphic design) into videos for recognizable style.
- Advice for Creators:
- Start by showing your passions—even if unrelated (e.g., Ghibli clips in Apple videos).
- “Show what you’re passionate about…that’s the thing that resonates with that person.” [13:48]
7. YouTube Today: Is It Too Late to Start?
- Platform Accessibility:
- “There has never been an easier time to start a channel.”—Tom [17:02]
- Phones and platforms like TikTok/Instagram lower the barrier to entry.
8. Monetization Breakdown
- Income Streams:
- AdSense (covers half the mortgage—but “never been huge”).
- Amazon and direct brand affiliate links.
- Kiroku website/wallpapers (best-selling merch).
- Sponsorships via YouTube, Instagram, TikTok—where “the big one” is sponsorships.
- Earnings Range:
- “Between 5 and 8 [thousand pounds] on average” per month; occasional big months up to £30k. [21:25]
- Sponsorship Rates:
- Minimum £2,500 per YouTube video, usually starts at £3,500, depending on the brand and size of integration.
- “I don’t do view guarantees because I find it…I don’t gamble with my income.” [24:12]
9. Sponsors & Business Operations
- Sponsorship Process:
- Brands reach out to Tom (not the other way).
- Shares a branded “media pack” with channel stats/trends.
- Off-Platform Strategy:
- Website and newsletter deepen the brand and foster a “club” feeling among fans (especially through custom wallpapers).
- “If your website is just another gateway to YouTube…it’s fine. But if it’s not offering anything, no one’s gonna visit it.” [19:57]
10. AI in the Creator Workflow
- Uses ChatGPT to help with script clarity and thumbnail feedback.
- “I use ChatGPT like probably everybody else…Usually it doesn’t give me very good advice, but sometimes it gives me something solid.” [18:13]
- Hopes oversaturation with AI-generated “slop” content will drive viewers back to authentic creators.
11. Short-Form Video & Platform Trends
- Mixed Approach:
- Late adopter, but used short-form to grow Instagram rapidly.
- Puts only high-quality shorts on YouTube; TikTok/Instagram are more experimental with uploads.
- Sees longevity in YouTube vs. uncertain future for short-form, but acknowledges short-form currently “where the eyeballs are.” [30:35]
- Audience crossover between short/long-form is limited: “I think the audience is different for short form and long form. I think it always has been, I think it always will be.” [32:11]
12. Niche, Branching Out & Audience
- “Breaking out of [a niche] is really hard…But I always find a way to…[keep] that audience.” [29:01]
- Suggests gradual pivoting: “One for them, one for you…” to diversify content but retain audience trust.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Creative Motivation:
- “I love the process of making videos. Simple as that.”—Tom [07:54]
- On Standing Out:
- “Lean into what makes you, you…I just couldn’t compete in those [areas], so I’m just going to do what I can do and bring in the stuff I love.”—Tom [13:48]
- On Platform Opportunity:
- “There has never been an easier time to start a channel…The barrier to entry now is tiny.”—Tom [17:02]
- On Burnout and Well-being:
- “Being off, it just feels so wrong to me. I’ve got so many thoughts and ideas and things. So I’ll find other ways to do it…”—Tom [06:28]
- On Success:
- “Every month I get to do this, I’m so lucky…it’s Lucky mixed in with tons of hard work. Mainly hard work. Luck plays a little bit of a role.”—Tom [33:35]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|-----------| | Tom’s background/YouTube origin | 00:00–03:26| | Channel focus & style | 03:41–04:28| | Going full-time/financial leap | 04:39–06:04| | Realities of creator work & passion | 06:28–08:34| | Workflow, systems, creativity | 08:56–10:43| | Gaining camera presence | 11:23–12:59| | Importance of unique style/aesthetic | 13:48–15:34| | Is it too late to start YouTube? | 17:02–17:54| | AI in content creation | 18:13–19:33| | Off-platform presence (website/newsletter)| 19:57–21:25| | Monetization explained | 21:25–23:18| | Sponsorship process/rates | 24:12–26:48| | Coping with slow growth/retooling | 27:07–28:23| | Niche topics & branching out | 29:01–30:32| | Short-form content perspective | 30:35–33:22| | Tom's current & future goals | 33:35–35:02|
Final Thoughts
Tom Hitchins’ candid reflections provide invaluable perspective for aspiring and current YouTube creators:
- Start with passion, not with money as motivation.
- Consistency and authenticity are more important than perfection or copying others.
- Monetization is possible but highly variable—multiple income streams and brand relationships are key.
- You don't need a massive team to find satisfaction or success; staying “small but excellent” can be fulfilling.
- Stay resilient through slow periods and adapt content as needed.
Recommended Listen For: Creators looking for honest advice on building a tech/lifestyle channel, those curious about monetization, or anyone seeking inspiration from a journey fueled by passion and authenticity.