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Invites and early adoption.. Adsense - makes sense?.. Know Thine Audience!.. A little late on this one.....
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Invites and early adoption
It's nice to be wanted and it seems that I'm wanted as a vlogger! I'm typing this listening to a video called 'The History of Vloggerheads'. The bald, bespectacled gentleman telling the story is, of course, Renetto. Yes, Renetto - the once self-proclaimed 'King of YouTube'! But I'm not on YouTube (well, I am on a seperate tab, but that's not the point).
Renetto invited me and now I'm vlogger #60 on Vloggerheads. That's all I'll say about it right now, partly because I only logged in for the first time tonight and I've yet to have anything significant to report. The other reason being I may well have said too much already!
So watch this space. It's exciting to be part of something I've been waiting for...well, I guess I've been waiting ever since Renetto started intimating that if YouTube wasn't going to change to prioritise vlogging then something else would need to happen. This may be it. But I don't think I'll be leaving YouTube any time soon!
Adsense - makes sense?
Isn't monetizing the holy grail of online activity? Maybe not to those addicted to online gaming, but large numbers of the blogging and vlogging community would auction their mothers if they thought it'd make them a quick buck. Since we're becoming increasingly resigned to the fact Hollywood won't come calling just because we post an online video we must take what encouragement we can for our 'art'!
To our rescue rides Adsense - at least that's how Google sells it. You can run Adsense ads on your blogs (although I'm not drawing you're attention to them!) and they are the basis of the YouTube Partner Programme.
Listen to 'senior' YouTubers play down their earning power and you'd think that mere mortals would be lucky to make a dime. I certainly didn't expect Google to contact me about my Adsense account. But they have. Naturally I'm going to discrete about the details - Google prefers it that way. I am, however, pleasantly surprised. Never again will I begrudge the few seconds it takes to monetize a videos on YouTube!
Know Thine Audience!
We're back on the 'when is free music not free music' thing again. Don't you hate it when someone promises you a gift, you get excited, then realise they have an angle? It goes sour. Push it too far and you can lose friends over it. Tonight I'm losing a 'friend'!
These days it seems the only people who want to add me on MySpace are pornstars - and I decline! So when I got an invite from an artist that had a properly contextual (these things are never truely personal) meassage attached I was interested, especially with the added carrot of free music.
I shouldn't have wasted my time downloading the 17 free tracks on offer. They all came with a spoken intro: hello this is blah, blah, blah, this song is called blah, blah, blah, brought to your by blah! I deleted all the tracks and in the interests of expressing my feelings on this issue I'm off to lose a 'friend'.
If he really was my friend he'd know that while I love free music I love it with no strings attached. Marc Andre gave away an album on the only condition that you tell people they could download it. I've mentioned it before but that is the way to do it. That's really making friends!
A little late on this one...
By now you've doubtless heard that due to a ruling in a US court YouTube must hand over an astonishing amount of data about every video ever viewed on its site to Viacom. I seen people say this is wrong for many reasons but the more I think about it the one that is most insidious is the ruling is retroactive.
Perhaps we were gullible and naive to ever treat anywhere on the web as a lawless new frontier. But people have - if we're honest I'm sure we all have to some degree. And I think web-development has benefited from that. Viacom argue they haven't - and, rightly or wrongly, a judge agrees with them.
However, I can't help feeling there's an aspect of this ruling that's like erecting fences and 'We Hang Trespassers' signs after a caravan of honest prospectors have trundled across an unmarked boundary, only to find themselves the centre of a Salem-style witch-hunt. They say 'innovate or die' but perhaps if you don't fancy either of those options you just need to a bigger gun and go hunting!
Optimising...but not cheating!
I'm taking a chance typing this because nothing is constant on YouTube. However, at the time of posting this worked. Watch the video below - I think it's amazing! When it gets to the end you should notice the first related video it recommends to you comes from the familiar face of talk74.
How did I achieve that? In part it was the usual dose of being in the right place and the right time, but mixed with a little thought it seems to have paid off handsomely. My response to 'Where The Hell Is Matt (2008)' is, or rather will be for a brief period around the 22nd - 3rd June 2008, the #1 Travel and Events video on YouTube, on the global list and in about every territory YouTube runs separate charts for!
I was fortunate is see 'Where The Hell Is Matt (2008)' within 12 hours of in being uploaded, and to have the time to make a response immediately. (Matt, the channel owner, was only accepting 'on topic' responses - which probably helped my cause!) My part was to title and tag my video identically to his. As my video is not just a response but an endorsement of his, asking viewers to name how many of the places he shows that they have visited, I don't see this as a cheat. It's about relevance. I'm telling the YouTube machine my video is extremely relevant to his. And YouTube seems to have listened to me!
This one's for you unbelievers!
There are those out there who mock makers of online video. That's your call. There is a stupid side to it. An infantile fascination with the sound of your own voice. An outlet for the wanna-be filmstar. It's understandable. But watch this video and it becomes inexcusable.
Imagine how you'd feel if you were one of the content creators he talks about. I know how I feel. So are you a believer or an unbeliever?
Partly political broadcast!
Ever since he launched WebCameron a couple of years back I've keep an interested eye on how Cameron and the Conservatives are using the media. I'm typing this while watching Cameron Direct live from Plymouth. This isn't the first of these events but it's the first I've looked at.
I could comment on how it's obvious that the Conservatives are pushing his strength as a speaker who doesn't need a script - unless these events are an extremely elaborate hoax! But I'm not a conspiracy theorist, nor yet a political commentator. So let me comment on what caught my eye.
Selfcast. I'd not seen that name before but I instantly knew what it was about. Here is a site that let you sign up and stream live with little more than a webcam. Imagine YouTube but for streaming video. There are live text comments flying in as he's talking, there's a form for emailing in questions. It also seems to archive previous streams.
I know this isn't the only site doing this but it has an instantly likable interface. I'm very tempted to try it out!
A Tale of Two Albums!
I've ranted before that free music is often not worth the hassle. Today I got my hands on two albums in different circumstances.
A bit of late night surfing tipped me off that The Sunday Times were giving away a Moby compliation in today's edition. It was to advertise his upcoming album. This was obviously a more attractive proposition than the Prisonbreak DVD in the Daily Mail, which was piled up everywhere, while The Sunday Times was nowhere to be seen. (Heaven forbid I reveal my feelings on their comparative journalistic merits!) I had to visit three shops to find my copy.
But here's the funny thing. It's not free music because I paid £2 for a paper that'll be 95% unread. And I know I would have put that much effort in if I have been online searching for a download.
However I did score The Charlatans new album for free. I saw a Sky News story about the giveaway and a quick google found the Xfm site with a beautifully simple, no-stupid-registration-just-right-click-and-save-as downloadable album! It's playing now. Yes, it gets plus points for ease of access but I prefer the Moby!
Renetto makes his move!
This is the video we've all been waiting for. Renetto has given a name to his big idea. In fact he's gone one better than that. Two big ideas and, therefore, two names. Paul Robinett has managed to cast himself a love-him-or-hate-him character but I'll say this in his defence. He has passion. Meet him in person and he is a charismatic leader, a motivator, an inspiration. Now he will no-longer be YouTube bashing - let's hope YouTube finds a suitable replacement thorn-in-the-flesh! Instead his attentions are turned to creating Web 3.0!
I write all this because, at 11 minutes long, his video is only for the dedicated. But here's the names you should be looking out for:
Thetropolis
Renetto writes: "Imagine a city alive with conversation...Alive with connection...Vibrant with voices from anywhere and everywhere...Stories you never dreamt you'd hear...Friends you never knew you'd know......Coming soon... Thetropolis.com"
Sorff
Renetto writes: "Never surf the web alone...The future of the web is Social Surfing or...What will soon be known as...Sorffing...Coming soon... Sorff.com"
Ever since Paul began agitating on YouTube I've pondered my response. Do I agree with him? Would I follow someone like him away from the home of online video? Watching today I think I might. Times change and YouTube has certainly changed. Social media is so much more joined up and will only become more so. Watch his video and you'll see it's not histrionics. He's not spitting out the dummy; he's saying let's grow up and take this to the next level. And I'm inclined to think he's onto something good!
When YouTube doesn't work...
This is not a post about the technical issues that occassionally beset the world's biggest video sharing site. I'm going to discuss why, given the vast quantity of daily traffic, it is still possible to upload videos to YouTube that get little or no views.
In the last two years I've uploaded literally hundreds of videos to YouTube. The most viewed has near-on a million views, the least viewed probably has five! This becomes an issue when you're uploading for a corporate channel, an issue that is compounded because in that instance you are usually just one cog in the wheel - and, inevitably, not the final decision maker.
Is it surprising that videos not made for YouTube often don't play well on YouTube? It shouldn't be. YouTube is a video hosting site, but it also blends mere technical functionality with social media capability and it's that aspect that drives the viral video successes.
What constitutes 'made for YouTube'? Here's a quick, non-exhaustive check list...
1: Be direct- speak to your viewer
2: Be conversational
3: Be brief - 5 minutes is ok, 3 minutes is better
4: Be topical - is anyone interested in what you're talking about?
5: Be tactical - be creative in how you tag, title and make responses
Unscientific research!
Want to know where people are hanging out online these days? Well the best way to find out is ask them!
Now, I did enough maths at school to know that it would be stupid to draw anything too conclusive from a bunch of random, un-controlled, responses but there are some trends. Have a look and consider the question: if I coud pick just three websites to convey my message to, what I want to be, a growing audience what would they be?
Oh the irony...
After yesterday's post is this hubris, a technical glitch or a simple misunderstanding?
I have not violated YouTube!
When you're a YouTube Partner you have the option to submit your videos for revenue sharing. The trade of is this: you may see some small financial return if your viewers avail themselves of the contextual advertising the mighty Google ad-engine provides, provided your content is squeaky clean.
This is a funny one because in many ways there is nothing wrong with YouTube demanding you only post videos that adhere to their terms of service. At the same time, scare stories surface all too frequently of users who have video removed which they maintain were 'clean' with no recourse. Partnership is both carrot and stick for good behaviour. By drawing the editor's attention to your work it you could be hastening its removal from the site.
YouTube likes its cloak of secrecy over all things Partner related but I'm sure I'm allowed to say have two channels covered by my Partnership agreement. One I use a lot, the other I post weekly updates about my weight and fitness activity on. A couple of nights back I decided it was time to submit these video to 'the Program'!
I'll confess it's scary braving the 'if your videos violate...' warning. You consider the prospect of your channel going dark, you check everything's properly backed-up, you hope! And about two days later you notice ads appearing next to your videos, pushing the nice banners you worked so hard on down the page. But at least you haven't violated YouTube!
(Want to know more? Zipster talks about the YouTube Partner beta. Yeah, he had a salary!)
Global warming?
I'm sure I'm not alone in being inconsistant in my adoption of new technology. While I've thrown myself whole-heartedly at YouTube I've dragged my feet with Facebook. But everything is subject to change. In the aftermath of last night's Champion's League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool I had a 'wall-to-wall' converstaion with Tom (tlg847 of YouTube Community Council fame!). This sudden, spontaneous, piece of real-time global interaction changed something.
This morning 'Matt is gradually warming to Facebook!' I've never posted a Facebook status before; funny, because I regularly change mine on MSN. With the growing interest in Twitter, and rival services, I see 'status' as being a great way to counter the curse of 'out of sight - out of mind.' It was Tom's 'status' that prompted me to start the conversation. Perhaps mine will provoke responses for those who've heard my anti-Facebook rants. So in the interests of transparency I felt I should share my belated conversion experience!
Being a good GURU!
If you're sensitive to anything that may appear to be shameless self-promotion then now might be a good time to look away! Not that I think I'm blowing my own e-trumpet; this is more a case of self-as-an-illustration!
I YouTube. A lot. As a result I made the UK YouTube Partner programme when they opened it up for applications earlier this year. (For me the perk was not the slight chance I might make money from my videos but the fact I can upload banners to my YouTube profile!) I am also a Guru! YouTube let's you select a title that you think fits your content. (Mine doesn't really qualify me from Comedian or Musician, and Guru sounded more exciting than Director!)
For the last week I've been in the 'Most Viewed (Today) - Gurus' chart. It's a global top 100. Why? Well it's not that my videos are gaining thousands of views. They're hitting 50 - 100 in the first two or three days. It's because I've posted a video every day for at least the last seven days. I'm witnessing the triumph of quantity over quality!
So that's today's lesson. Sometimes making videos is better than making a good video. It does depend on your objectives but making the 'charts' is one way to gain profile and attract new audiences. And if that appeals to you I suggest you get uploading!
Let's hear it for encouragement!
I can't remember the exact words but they were enough to make me kick my apathy and post again. So my thanks to James. If you appreciate him spurring me back into action why not drop by and let him know. For James has succeeded where Stephen Fry failed!
I watched Fry's programme about the Gutenberg press on the BBC iPlayer (what a fantastic piece of technology - the iPlayer that is!). As I was sitting there I knew I should be blogging about it, especially when one of his interviewees drew the comparison between the advent of moveable type and the dawn of the internet age. I didn't. Perhaps because I was holding an MSN conversation about the programme with a friend who was simultaneously utilising the iPlayer. (You can co-ordinate tea breaks and everything!). The iPlayer's only obvious drawback is shows expire after 7 days. But to cover that eventuality God invented YouTube! TOS violations permitting, most good TV can be found on there. I checked and, sure enough, I'm able to present you with part 1 of 6 of that fascinating documentary. Just don't tell the BBC!
Me, Vloggers and Nalts' psychoanalysis!
What's our word for today? Engage. Don't just use new media, engage through new media. Shall I keep spelling it out? OK...don't just post videos on YouTube, engage with your audience (or the community) on YouTube.
Now there's more than one way to cook and egg and there's more than one way to engage. But for today we'll focus on that great little feature on YouTube - the comments.
One of the quickest ways to see if a video is really engaging is to see how many comments it generates. The quickest way to see whether the video owner wants to engage is to see if they acknowledge their viewers comments.
Now there are constraints of time; not every YouTuber can, or wants to, dedicate hours engaging online. But there's no excuse for those who never respond to comments left on their videos.
So here's an engaging little video, with plenty of comments on comments.
And here's me saying pretty much what I've said in this blog - just incase you weren't paying attention!
Bebo SOLD - news just OUT!
Yeah, and good luck to it's new owners!
Perhaps you should hear my take on Bebo before continuing to read what will undoubtedly become a rant. I guess I'm just growing tired of seeing young people prostitute themselves with a digital camera. I'm all for posing but there is a difference between having a laugh and being provocative. Especially when I think half the profile images I see are from people who are either naive or wouldn't like the reality of living up to the image they portray.
But what about business. AOL gets Bebo for $850 million. It's a big player here in the UK - well among the kids it is. In my world Myspace is waning - and I mourn its passing - and Facebook is in the assendency. I have little love for Zukerberg's creation but it seems to be what my peers have chosen. And you can't socially network if you've got no one to connect with!
Perhaps the tweens and teens of Bebo have the purchasing power to propel profits, perhaps this is a good case of long-termism in an industry with increasing short product cycles. My observation, however, would be that the Bebo users are not here to buy, but rather to sell themselves. If Bebo are gonna generate those all-important click-thoughs they best be contacting the like of
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