Hey kids, it’s The Missenden Flyer here – hope you’re well
That’s the welcoming phrase you’ll get every time you start a YouTube video where The Missenden Flyer – or simply TMF – is the sender.
And quite a lot of people listen to that message. With almost 200.000 subscribers TMF is one of the most successful YouTubers when it comes to motorcycles.
His followers are located World-wide and they are all happy viewers when TMF is reviewing newest motorcycle models and various equipment. Or maybe he is reporting the best experiences from the latest tour in the UK or beyond.
The title of the YouTube channel comes from his passion for aviation and his home location in Buckinghamshire, UK. Now the channel has developed to mainly cover motorcycle related content. But the start out point in the South East remains the same.
The beautiful landscape scenery is just like viewing the locations in the crime series Midsomer Murders and several episodes have been filmed in the local area.
Idyllic villages, bending B-roads and cosy pubs are all easy to find. And as a TMF viewer you are often invited out into this fantastic landscape – through the lens of his action camera.
A professional full time YouTuber
I meet TMF on a Thursday morning. It’s 8am in the UK and both of us have steaming hot coffee in our mugs – on both sides of the North Sea.
Quickly the chat is taking us towards the fact, that The Missenden Flyer has turned into a job and is not just a spare time activity any longer. Does that mean that the original passion and the initial ‘just for fun’ approach potentially could come under pressure?
And of course, things have changed. Yes, it is important to understand and follow which videos are doing well. And the opposite. By the end of the day that’s what it is all about: The number of viewers.
But TMF keeps both feet solid on the ground. And he is not forgetting his starting point and is fully aware, that his inner enthusiasm for motorcycling can’t become a 2nd priority.
He is very honest that at a point last year things were just about to become too much. He was close to burn out as a YouTuber. Too many bike reviews, engagements and events, video editing and various administrative work simply turned his daily activities into a pressure.
He realised that he had to re-prioritise and define a level of weekly publications he could manage. So now it is 3 a week and it is a smiling TMF who confirms that is simply perfect. And the number of subscribers is still increasing.
Perseverance and motivation
There must be some quite significant factors that motivate him to keep going. One thing must be the fun part of being able to review all the new bike models. Or participate in tours and events. But what about all the following effort required to ensure that the viewers can join the experience? How fun is that?
And this is where all the subscribers are playing an important role. Because a lot of the payback comes with the following interaction with the viewers all around the World. That creates a cohesiveness that seems to be quite valuable for TMF.
He tells me that about an hour prior to our meeting he published a new video. 45 minutes later he had already answered 50 – 60 comments and that shows the interest. It’s massive.
And that is apparently pumping a lot of motivation into The Missenden Flyer’s fuel tank – even though he can’t answer all the incoming messages.
And then he is not forgetting why he started. Riding a bike or going on tour is still counting the most. It’s still all about the passion for motorcycling. Despite the full time YouTube job.
So yes: The Missenden Flyer is still a true biker.
Less motorcycle reviews and more touring
The manufactures are all queuing up to have TMF to ride all the ‘latest of the greatest’. And he could easily do nothing but that. But if you are following TMF on YouTube you’ll see that a lot of other content is finding its way to the channel.
TMF explains that the channel now has a size where he doesn’t have to aim to get more and more subscribers. A critical mass has already been reached, so to say.
That gives him a certain degree of freedom to choose between the content he finds interesting and relevant. Examples could be the monthly review of the bike news in the UK as it is published in the MCN updates. Or maybe the tips and tricks from his own garage. And from time to time also live broadcasts on Facebook.
TMF explains that the FB live events are making him quite nervous. The practicalities and technology around it can easily become a challenge, and the events in general are quite unpredictable. But he is doing them when he feels for it.
There is no doubt that the well-talking and friendly Englishman is a great performer. His way of expressing his opinions and views is very convincing and it is easy to imagine TMF standing on stage in front of a crowd and doing talks about his experiences on 2 wheels. So, couldn’t that be an option as well?
But again, it is about making prioritised choices. To gather maybe 40 – 50 people in a pub in Northern England could be both interesting and giving for both parties. But the time consumption simply can’t be justified when it comes to prioritising the limited TMF time available.
The online connection between Denmark and England this morning becomes fully ignited when TMF starts talking about motorcycle touring. Just like all of us bikers he has instinctively a list ready with destinations to visit.
The Alps, Slovenia, Norway and even Denmark can potentially expect to have a visit from The Missenden Flyer. Either as a re-visit or as a new destination. And with a spark in his eye he adds that it most likely can happen with Mrs. Flyer as pillion.
So next year the YouTube subscribers will have to be aware that the number of bike reviews will decrease and be replaced with touring videos. And it is going to be like that because TMF now takes the freedom to make his own choices.
TMF and the social media
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Missenden Flyer is of course to be found on all the relevant social media platforms because that’s where the essential exposure happens.
And before all the cool experiences can be presented to the waiting subscribers there is an intense editing job to be done. To create a YouTube video in a decent quality takes more effort than you’d think. TMF sees it as an unavoidable struggle, but he is of course now quite experienced in that profession behind a computer keyboard.
Instagram is maybe a bit easier. It doesn’t take that much effort to post a photo or two and that makes it easier to maintain the connection with the audience. And in this case mainly related to the younger fans.
Facebook and Twitter are also included in the TMF social media portfolio and he is very aware who he can reach on which platform. So even if he is playing it down a bit, you shouldn’t be in doubt.
He is a pro.
The responsible YouTuber
With close to 200.000 subscribers The Missenden Flyer is truly one of the big boys. That number of followers does not come by itself and only perseverance and quality in all uploads is making the success.
The number of viewers will never lie and no doubt that it takes a responsible person in control behind the handlebars. Of course the immediate success gives some opportunities but maybe there is another angle to it as well?
The fact that TMF provides his opinions and comments to thousands of people could potentially have an impact on decisions taken by all of us out there ‘in the real World’?
TMF takes his time to answer. And yes, you could say that some viewers could make a buying choice based on one of the bike reviews. The same could happen with equipment and maybe even with touring destinations. Some subscribers are claiming that is happening.
But TMF is convinced that most of his audience only will use his input as a guidance and for inspiration. And then it’s ok.
He is fully aware though, there is a certain degree of responsibility linked to a YouTube channel of this size. But also about the fact that his media exposure can be used positively. TMF gives this example:
Prior to the first Covid19 wave the UK life went on as nothing bad was in sight. Some followers from Italy were caught in a completely different situation and it was just a question of time before Northern Europe would experience some of the same.
TMF took up the challenge and quickly shot a video where he warned about the threat that was coming. With more than 70,000 views the video truly fulfilled its intended purpose and TMF received several comments from medics and doctors thanking him for making the video. This way the media exposure had enabled distributing an important message during critical times.
The Missenden Flyer on a Thursday morning
It was a delightful pleasure to talk to TMF and the chat confirmed he is the kind, fun and engaged person you also see in his videos.
I’m fully convinced that a lot of good future content can be expected from The Missenden Flyer. The success is to continue and I’ll hereby highly recommend his YouTube channel as it is definitely one of the best.
And who knows: Maybe you will meet TMF and his wife somewhere out on the roads next year.
If you do then don’t be in doubt: He won’t be there because of his YouTube channel. No, he will be out there because of his true passion for motorcycling.
Wielandt Moto is a Danish motorcycle blog. Here you can read – mainly Danish – posts about tours n’ trips, equipment, bike reviews and other topics related to life on 2 wheels. This post is available in both Danish and English.
Good Interview.