By Bryan Nardelli Published the updated on 14 Jan 22 at 22:27Actu BordeauxSee my news

“If you had told me in 2016 that six years later, I will have 371,000 people following me and that I was going to make a good living, I would not have believed you”, launches Simon Puech.

It is one of the new professions that are emerging thanks to social networks: content producer on YouTube. At least, that's how it is characterized.

Since January 2016, the 25-year-old Bordelais has been making videos on the American platform from his apartment in the center of Bordeaux: “I talk about geopolitics, society, digital, future, tech. In fact, as soon as a subject interests me and I can master it, I go there. »

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In front of his computer, Simon is like in his videos: hair in shambles, dressed in a simple T-shirt, a deep voice and thoughtful turns of phrase that could suggest that we are in one of his videos.

Originally from Bordeaux, he obtained his ES baccalaureate in 2014 at Camille Julian high school before obtaining a bachelor's degree in digital commerce and obtaining his master's degree at Inseec.

Today, with his 371,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Simon does not have the job that his studies predestined for him. On the other hand, he can now live from his passion.

“I like to talk about tense subjects”

“What I prefer is working on subjects where others wouldn't necessarily go. As a result, I'm very careful about what I say and the way I turn my sentences to arm myself and so that they can't attack me," explains the videographer, who imposes a rhythm of one video every the three weeks.

Nuclear waste, 5G, reporting on the war in Ukraine, international humanitarian law, tax evasion in Malta or even the question of student precariousness with the example of the "sugar daddy" (which will be the theme of his next video) are all subjects that fascinate the young Bordelais.

The autoentrepreneur does not forbid himself any theme, as long as he masters them. “I try to bring a reflection. On the other hand, if I see that even by informing myself, I will not be able to have enough knowledge on a subject, I give up”, he specifies.

But it must be said that his YouTube channel has evolved. In the cabinet of his television, a pile of video games recalls one of his first passions. In his very first videos in 2016, it was his favorite theme. Over time, the people of Bordeaux have gradually turned to geopolitical and societal subjects.

“My channel characterizes me perfectly. I grew up and I said to myself that there are other things that interest me than video games, ”explains the influencer.

"It's a precarious job"

“Today, it's my YouTube videos that make me live. I earn between 7,000 and 15,000 euros net but it varies a lot depending on the month. »

Acknowledging how lucky he is to be able to live from his passion, Simon Puech, on the other hand, underlines the fragility of such a job: "It's very precarious in the sense that you don't know if tomorrow it will still work and you're extremely dependent on the public. »

On YouTube, the monetization of videos depends on four factors: advertisements served, donations from subscribers, the sale of merchandise and operations sponsored by brands. This last element is the one that has the greatest influence on Simon's income.

“Often, my videos deal with sensitive subjects so they are demonetized. Which means there are no ads and I don't make any money on it. In this case, my salary mainly depends on partnerships with brands (La Croix Rouge, Red Bull, Rhinoshield…)”, he specifies.

A way of life that suits him

“As long as it lasts, I take it. It's a job that I enjoy and in which I thrive. I have other project ideas but it will happen the day YouTube runs out of steam, ”says the young videographer.

A desk, two screens, a microphone and a camera, these are the materials Simon needs to work without moving from home: “The life of a YouTuber is a very solitary life. When there was confinement and everyone was working from home, I said welcome to my life. »

His apartment, which he became the owner, is both his place of residence and his place of work. A sometimes difficult situation that Simon would like to avoid.

To do this, he plans to join forces with other content creators in Bordeaux to rent premises: "It would make it possible to socialize, to have people to go and see on a daily basis and also to split a little more professional life and personal life. »

And all this, without leaving his hometown. “I love Bordeaux! In France, I see myself living nowhere else. Even if I go abroad, I know that in the end, I will come back to this city one day or another”, concludes Simon Puech, before getting back to editing his next video.

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