2022 year in review: everything that happened at Jen loves Tech

At the end of 2022, Jen looks back on the year. The video was made without a script in a hotel room in London, where she was on vacation. She talks about how she got into tech, what YouTube has changed for her and what she plans for 2023.

The Pixel 7 Pro as the surprise of the year

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 have been my daily drivers since they came out. A few weeks ago, I was given the Pixel 7 Pro to test. I hadn’t expected that: I love it and can’t say which of the three devices I like best.

From my first phones to Instagram

I have always been interested in tech. My first phone was an Alcatel, and later I used BlackBerrys for a long time. The BlackBerry Key2 was the last device released under that name. It hasn’t received updates for a long time. That hurts my heart a little.

Around 2016, I set up an Instagram channel and photographed my BlackBerrys. I quickly got a lot of followers and got talking with others. It fascinates me how personal a digital connection can be. I have been writing with some people since 2016. For a long time, I didn’t show my face at first.

YouTube as a way to lose my shyness

In 2017, I came across tech channels on YouTube and watched them for hours. I wanted to do something like that too. My main job is management consultant, and I had trouble speaking in front of others for a long time. It cost me a lot of energy.

Because of Corona, I suddenly had more time, and I worked on myself. Filming and talking about tech became a kind of self-therapy for me. In August 2021, I shot my first video, an unboxing of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It wasn’t good, but you have to start out bad to get better. Since then, there has been at least one video every week.

At first, I filmed with the smartphone camera. It has no display to check whether you are sitting properly in the frame, and more than once the phone switched off in the middle of a recording. That is why I bought the Sony ZV-1. A microphone, lighting and a tripod came with it. You don’t actually need much of that. What matters is a camera, a microphone and editing software, and there are plenty of free options for that.

After less than four months, I had 1,000 subscribers and was monetized. By now there are almost 4,500. I read every single comment, including the negative ones. When I criticized the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which I had preordered, because of massive problems and stuttering, there was a shitstorm. That was a setback. My appeal: feel free to criticize and disagree, but don’t write anything you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.

The videos made me lose my fear of speaking. I edit the videos myself and see myself a lot while doing it. That helped me find myself more normal.

What the channel costs

Showing two or three devices a month is expensive. I’m still a small channel, so I’m grateful for partnerships where manufacturers lend me devices or, like with the Pixel 7 Pro, provide them. In return, I do a bit of advertising. I still lose money every month. It’s worth it to me, because I would have bought the devices even without the channel. Today I have an explanation when someone asks whether I have a new phone again: I’m a tech YouTuber. The income from YouTube AdSense is gross, it has to be taxed too, and the devices come out of it. It’s a hobby, like other people have a car, aquariums or golf equipment.

Looking ahead to 2023

The videos so far were very focused on being “professional” and on the devices, with little of me in them. In 2023, I want to put more of myself in, get more personal and stop hiding. I’m also getting married in 2023 and I’m looking forward to taking you along. Instead of thinking about the dress, I’m thinking about which smartphone I’ll use to document the day.

Verdict

For me, the year was all about trying things out and working on myself. I thank everyone who likes, subscribes to and comments on my videos. I wish you a good year 2023.