Jim Makos
@jimmakos.bsky.social
Solo entrepreneur life on a Greek island.
They told me this thumbnail isn’t good. It pushes people away.
“With that face, you won’t get a single client.”
Since I listen to the feedback I get, I’m keeping the note that I shouldn’t look angry in my thumbnails, like I’m about to fight someone. 😅
“With that face, you won’t get a single client.”
Since I listen to the feedback I get, I’m keeping the note that I shouldn’t look angry in my thumbnails, like I’m about to fight someone. 😅
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 PM
They told me this thumbnail isn’t good. It pushes people away.
“With that face, you won’t get a single client.”
Since I listen to the feedback I get, I’m keeping the note that I shouldn’t look angry in my thumbnails, like I’m about to fight someone. 😅
“With that face, you won’t get a single client.”
Since I listen to the feedback I get, I’m keeping the note that I shouldn’t look angry in my thumbnails, like I’m about to fight someone. 😅
Okay, the algorithm has me figured out perfectly! This video popped up as a recommendation. I watched 3-4 minutes, then added it to Watch Later because:
✅ Poker
✅ Greek 🇬🇷
✅ Documentary 😍
❌ The channel is a poker room – NOT AFFILIATED
✅ Poker
✅ Greek 🇬🇷
✅ Documentary 😍
❌ The channel is a poker room – NOT AFFILIATED
February 9, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Okay, the algorithm has me figured out perfectly! This video popped up as a recommendation. I watched 3-4 minutes, then added it to Watch Later because:
✅ Poker
✅ Greek 🇬🇷
✅ Documentary 😍
❌ The channel is a poker room – NOT AFFILIATED
✅ Poker
✅ Greek 🇬🇷
✅ Documentary 😍
❌ The channel is a poker room – NOT AFFILIATED
And that’s how you tell a story that actually holds the audience.
For years I kept hearing about YouTube audience retention over 50%. I thought it was impossible, that it only applied to 4–5 minute videos at most, or that I simply didn’t have the charisma or skill to pull it off.
For years I kept hearing about YouTube audience retention over 50%. I thought it was impossible, that it only applied to 4–5 minute videos at most, or that I simply didn’t have the charisma or skill to pull it off.
February 9, 2026 at 8:39 AM
And that’s how you tell a story that actually holds the audience.
For years I kept hearing about YouTube audience retention over 50%. I thought it was impossible, that it only applied to 4–5 minute videos at most, or that I simply didn’t have the charisma or skill to pull it off.
For years I kept hearing about YouTube audience retention over 50%. I thought it was impossible, that it only applied to 4–5 minute videos at most, or that I simply didn’t have the charisma or skill to pull it off.
I've been watching a lot of well-produced documentaries lately, and "Attack on London" on Netflix was one of them.
I've almost completely stopped watching movies and have focused on documentaries. While I watch, I mainly pay attention to the interview setups, their cuts, pauses, angles, etc.
I've almost completely stopped watching movies and have focused on documentaries. While I watch, I mainly pay attention to the interview setups, their cuts, pauses, angles, etc.
February 4, 2026 at 4:44 PM
I've been watching a lot of well-produced documentaries lately, and "Attack on London" on Netflix was one of them.
I've almost completely stopped watching movies and have focused on documentaries. While I watch, I mainly pay attention to the interview setups, their cuts, pauses, angles, etc.
I've almost completely stopped watching movies and have focused on documentaries. While I watch, I mainly pay attention to the interview setups, their cuts, pauses, angles, etc.
When excitement keeps you from sleeping and you’ve already been up for 12 hours before 1 p.m.
This is not going to end well…
This is not going to end well…
February 2, 2026 at 11:28 AM
When excitement keeps you from sleeping and you’ve already been up for 12 hours before 1 p.m.
This is not going to end well…
This is not going to end well…
Why do I have to start from scratch every time I want to change the title or a thumbnail on YouTube?
It would be infinitely more convenient if I could just edit or modify the existing A/B test.
It would be infinitely more convenient if I could just edit or modify the existing A/B test.
February 1, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Why do I have to start from scratch every time I want to change the title or a thumbnail on YouTube?
It would be infinitely more convenient if I could just edit or modify the existing A/B test.
It would be infinitely more convenient if I could just edit or modify the existing A/B test.
I’d lose weight super easily, if every day was like yesterday.
Good morning and happy new month!
Good morning and happy new month!
February 1, 2026 at 6:03 AM
I’d lose weight super easily, if every day was like yesterday.
Good morning and happy new month!
Good morning and happy new month!
During my morning walk, even though it wasn’t a full moon, the moon still stole the show on Thessaloniki’s waterfront for the few lucky ones who were there before dawn.
The photos are available for download in high resolution on Flickr.
The photos are available for download in high resolution on Flickr.
January 31, 2026 at 4:34 PM
During my morning walk, even though it wasn’t a full moon, the moon still stole the show on Thessaloniki’s waterfront for the few lucky ones who were there before dawn.
The photos are available for download in high resolution on Flickr.
The photos are available for download in high resolution on Flickr.
I started the update on my Apple Watch, and literally seconds later, I kicked off the iPhone update too.
Fingers crossed they both finish properly and I don’t end up with a bricked watch or phone!
Fingers crossed they both finish properly and I don’t end up with a bricked watch or phone!
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
I started the update on my Apple Watch, and literally seconds later, I kicked off the iPhone update too.
Fingers crossed they both finish properly and I don’t end up with a bricked watch or phone!
Fingers crossed they both finish properly and I don’t end up with a bricked watch or phone!
There was an accident at the intersection near my house today, and one of the cars had CD plates.
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 PM
There was an accident at the intersection near my house today, and one of the cars had CD plates.
The sky decided to lift our mood early this morning
January 30, 2026 at 6:33 AM
The sky decided to lift our mood early this morning
The easiest video I can make is a video podcast.
But beyond the ease, with practice:
- I stopped relying on a teleprompter
- learned how to light my face better
- I’ve become more comfortable on camera (I think)
- I built a workflow that lets me shoot videos quickly
But beyond the ease, with practice:
- I stopped relying on a teleprompter
- learned how to light my face better
- I’ve become more comfortable on camera (I think)
- I built a workflow that lets me shoot videos quickly
January 29, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The easiest video I can make is a video podcast.
But beyond the ease, with practice:
- I stopped relying on a teleprompter
- learned how to light my face better
- I’ve become more comfortable on camera (I think)
- I built a workflow that lets me shoot videos quickly
But beyond the ease, with practice:
- I stopped relying on a teleprompter
- learned how to light my face better
- I’ve become more comfortable on camera (I think)
- I built a workflow that lets me shoot videos quickly
I want to upload videos every other day and stay consistent, so by the end of the year I’ll have 180 videos up!
That means it’s enough to create 2 videos every 4 days, or 4 videos every week.
That means it’s enough to create 2 videos every 4 days, or 4 videos every week.
January 29, 2026 at 10:03 AM
I want to upload videos every other day and stay consistent, so by the end of the year I’ll have 180 videos up!
That means it’s enough to create 2 videos every 4 days, or 4 videos every week.
That means it’s enough to create 2 videos every 4 days, or 4 videos every week.
I think the next big thing in AI and dictation/writing will be all about languages.
You’ll speak into your phone in your native language, and it will write it in real time in English (or any other language you want):
- zero latency
- 99% accuracy even with fast speech
You’ll speak into your phone in your native language, and it will write it in real time in English (or any other language you want):
- zero latency
- 99% accuracy even with fast speech
January 29, 2026 at 6:37 AM
I think the next big thing in AI and dictation/writing will be all about languages.
You’ll speak into your phone in your native language, and it will write it in real time in English (or any other language you want):
- zero latency
- 99% accuracy even with fast speech
You’ll speak into your phone in your native language, and it will write it in real time in English (or any other language you want):
- zero latency
- 99% accuracy even with fast speech
First impression of “writing” with Wispr Flow: really really good 😍
I especially loved:
• Automatic punctuation insertion 😲
• Automatic language switching 🤯
I especially loved:
• Automatic punctuation insertion 😲
• Automatic language switching 🤯
January 28, 2026 at 11:04 PM
First impression of “writing” with Wispr Flow: really really good 😍
I especially loved:
• Automatic punctuation insertion 😲
• Automatic language switching 🤯
I especially loved:
• Automatic punctuation insertion 😲
• Automatic language switching 🤯
These are images I never could have imagined having, to tell the stories I lived 20+ years ago in a much better way.
I use them in YouTube thumbnails and Featured images on blog posts.
Artificial intelligence does have its positives.
I use them in YouTube thumbnails and Featured images on blog posts.
Artificial intelligence does have its positives.
January 28, 2026 at 1:56 PM
These are images I never could have imagined having, to tell the stories I lived 20+ years ago in a much better way.
I use them in YouTube thumbnails and Featured images on blog posts.
Artificial intelligence does have its positives.
I use them in YouTube thumbnails and Featured images on blog posts.
Artificial intelligence does have its positives.
Maybe it's just me, but Greek AI transcription has improved a lot lately, judging by the comments on YouTube.
It can now distinguish English words properly, something the phone's dictation transcription (different app, different company) still can't do.
It can now distinguish English words properly, something the phone's dictation transcription (different app, different company) still can't do.
January 28, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Maybe it's just me, but Greek AI transcription has improved a lot lately, judging by the comments on YouTube.
It can now distinguish English words properly, something the phone's dictation transcription (different app, different company) still can't do.
It can now distinguish English words properly, something the phone's dictation transcription (different app, different company) still can't do.
The question on social media is: do you share what you’re doing RIGHT NOW or what you just did A LITTLE WHILE AGO?
For example, should I say:
- right now I’m editing a multicam video of two people talking from 2,368 km apart, or
- once I finish, share what I learned and how the experience was?
For example, should I say:
- right now I’m editing a multicam video of two people talking from 2,368 km apart, or
- once I finish, share what I learned and how the experience was?
January 28, 2026 at 8:15 AM
The question on social media is: do you share what you’re doing RIGHT NOW or what you just did A LITTLE WHILE AGO?
For example, should I say:
- right now I’m editing a multicam video of two people talking from 2,368 km apart, or
- once I finish, share what I learned and how the experience was?
For example, should I say:
- right now I’m editing a multicam video of two people talking from 2,368 km apart, or
- once I finish, share what I learned and how the experience was?
I wrote and edited 2 episodes today in just 4 hours for my Greek podcast.
I’ve now settled on two fixed angles to make the video podcast more interesting. A podcast like this is still just a talking-head video, after all.
I’ve now settled on two fixed angles to make the video podcast more interesting. A podcast like this is still just a talking-head video, after all.
January 27, 2026 at 7:03 PM
I wrote and edited 2 episodes today in just 4 hours for my Greek podcast.
I’ve now settled on two fixed angles to make the video podcast more interesting. A podcast like this is still just a talking-head video, after all.
I’ve now settled on two fixed angles to make the video podcast more interesting. A podcast like this is still just a talking-head video, after all.
I followed a LinkedIn profile today and unfollowed it within 2 minutes.
I’m not really active on LinkedIn. I just have an account for presence. You never know if it might "pay off" someday.
I’m not really active on LinkedIn. I just have an account for presence. You never know if it might "pay off" someday.
January 26, 2026 at 1:57 PM
I followed a LinkedIn profile today and unfollowed it within 2 minutes.
I’m not really active on LinkedIn. I just have an account for presence. You never know if it might "pay off" someday.
I’m not really active on LinkedIn. I just have an account for presence. You never know if it might "pay off" someday.
So what’s going to happen with the Thessaloniki Metro and the Kalamaria line?
A few days ago I was staring at the map at the Nea Elvetia station.
Until then I thought the Kalamaria line (blue) would meet the main line at 25is Martiou station and you’d have to switch there to the “red” line.
A few days ago I was staring at the map at the Nea Elvetia station.
Until then I thought the Kalamaria line (blue) would meet the main line at 25is Martiou station and you’d have to switch there to the “red” line.
January 26, 2026 at 9:56 AM
So what’s going to happen with the Thessaloniki Metro and the Kalamaria line?
A few days ago I was staring at the map at the Nea Elvetia station.
Until then I thought the Kalamaria line (blue) would meet the main line at 25is Martiou station and you’d have to switch there to the “red” line.
A few days ago I was staring at the map at the Nea Elvetia station.
Until then I thought the Kalamaria line (blue) would meet the main line at 25is Martiou station and you’d have to switch there to the “red” line.
I remembered a song my little one used to dance to when she was three, and decided to listen to it again after years. Searching on YouTube, I kept finding other songs that weren’t it, and on the fourth try, I finally found it and listened to the whole thing.
What did YouTube see? 👇
What did YouTube see? 👇
January 26, 2026 at 7:28 AM
I remembered a song my little one used to dance to when she was three, and decided to listen to it again after years. Searching on YouTube, I kept finding other songs that weren’t it, and on the fourth try, I finally found it and listened to the whole thing.
What did YouTube see? 👇
What did YouTube see? 👇
When you start recording a podcast before sunset and end up talking for 45 minutes even after it’s gone dark!
January 25, 2026 at 6:02 PM
When you start recording a podcast before sunset and end up talking for 45 minutes even after it’s gone dark!
I watched The Pez Outlaw on Netflix this week.
Another absolute banger documentary that really hooked me, mainly because of the main character’s personality, especially the mental health struggles he went through. Some of them felt (possibly worryingly) very relatable to me.
Another absolute banger documentary that really hooked me, mainly because of the main character’s personality, especially the mental health struggles he went through. Some of them felt (possibly worryingly) very relatable to me.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I watched The Pez Outlaw on Netflix this week.
Another absolute banger documentary that really hooked me, mainly because of the main character’s personality, especially the mental health struggles he went through. Some of them felt (possibly worryingly) very relatable to me.
Another absolute banger documentary that really hooked me, mainly because of the main character’s personality, especially the mental health struggles he went through. Some of them felt (possibly worryingly) very relatable to me.
The like/dislike ratio on YouTube doesn't matter much for a video's overall success.
On top of that, I read today that:
- Shorts tend to attract more dislikes
- Anything above a 90% like ratio is considered good
- Dislikes are still treated as an engagement signal by the algorithm
On top of that, I read today that:
- Shorts tend to attract more dislikes
- Anything above a 90% like ratio is considered good
- Dislikes are still treated as an engagement signal by the algorithm
January 24, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The like/dislike ratio on YouTube doesn't matter much for a video's overall success.
On top of that, I read today that:
- Shorts tend to attract more dislikes
- Anything above a 90% like ratio is considered good
- Dislikes are still treated as an engagement signal by the algorithm
On top of that, I read today that:
- Shorts tend to attract more dislikes
- Anything above a 90% like ratio is considered good
- Dislikes are still treated as an engagement signal by the algorithm