Trivia- who’s in this photo? And what’s their net worth? May 31, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Video Advertising, Video Sites, Web 2.0 , 7comments
Terrific Post on Engadget About Online Videos & Money Making May 31, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Blogs on Video, Video Advertising, Video Business , 2comments
I love this post from Engadget. It's about YouTube and its costs and profitability. Engadget estimates that YouTube probably pays about a million a month in broadband. Given that it has recent funding of about $8 million, it's only bought itself the summer to show that it can profit.
Engadget traces the history of sites that start with free to prove the worth, and then migrate to models that are substantiated by ads or charge visitors. Certainly the former makes more sense since I don't see us soon paying another monthly fee (beyond broadband, cell, cable TV, etc.).
Check out the Engadget article, and this brief from AdJab that calles YouTube the 5th network.
Classifying Your Own “Online Video Viewer Persona” May 31, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Search, Video Sites , 2comments
Which "Online Video Viewer Persona" best describes you? This is worthy of a poll if I could figure out how to run one on a blog:
1) Trusting and lazy: I go to YouTube and look at the most popular content. I don't want the headache of sifting through garbage and I trust the public opinion.
2) Random by design: I approach different sites in different ways- sometimes looking at the most recent, other times using tags, and other times selecting what' popular.
3) Fisher: I fish "most recent" because I take pride in finding new stuff that is undiscovered. I just did a post on Revverberation to show how to "fish the 'most recent' section of Revver efficiently).
4) Passive recipient: I wait for someone to send me an e-mail. If my friends like it I' probably will, and I don't have the time to go actively looking.
5) Clueless: You're probably not reading this blog if you're clueless. But these are the types that send you the most archain videos like they just discovered something hot.
Get Paid to Watch Videos May 30, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Uncategorized , 16comments
The online video era has entered into its second of what I'd suggest will be three phases:
Phase 1: People are thrilled to watch videos online easily and for free. YouTube owns this, and this is the prevailing model. Viral video makers are currently motivated by fame not money. But as I mentioned in a previous post, they're leaving money on the table.
Phase 2: Good content owners want to be compensated for their work- or at least share in the ad revenue. Several start-ups have entered here, and Revver has my favorite offering here. Other companies (like LiveDigital) use "points" that will eventually equate to something for people that are active on their site (mostly because they posted content that gets views, comments or ratings).
Phase 3: People get paid to watch videos. Sounds weird, doesn't it? But I see two potential models emerging. Free videos with very polite, concise ads (15 seconds every third video seems right). Alternatively, what if a site gave its viewer something for sitting through more ads? Call it "pay for eyeballs." Maybe it's not money but "points or credits" worth something. Have you noticed how most online video sites track how many videos you've viewed? That number equates to revenue for a site that sells ad space by view, click or time.
As proof that I'm not "off my rockers" for phase 3, let's look at this recent story about Virgin Mobile exchanging free talk time for participation in advertising or surveys. Terrific idea- we can be bought. Times are a changin' for interuption advertising as we move into online videos and videos on demand. Contextual ads are the first step- don't waste your money trying to sell me a car because I'm not on the market. But send me an ad for a new technology toy <$100 and I'll consider that a gift. But the New World of Advertising will likely require intermediaries to share advertising income with the target. In my day job I buy online ads, and I know I'd be willing to pay a premium to interact with people in my target audience.
Save this post. Maybe I'll be embarassed about it in 12 months. Or maybe I'll look like a friggin' futurist.
Artie Lange on Jimmy Kimmel May 30, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Killer Video, Uncategorized , 2commentsHere's a YouTube clip from the recent appearance of Artie Lange on Jimmy Kimmel live. Since I don't TiVo Kimmel, it's nice to find some clips like this. If you're shy on time, let it stream completely and rush to the clip from his new movie, Beer League. Three guys in a diner and the two fat ones berate the third for ordering a healthy breakfast. "That's the gayest order I've ever heard," he says. "If you put a construction hat on that order it could join the Village People."
It's kinda long, so wait for a good conference call to listen to it. I just finished it and I don't think anyone noticed I wasn't paying attention. Oh- check to make sure mute is on first.
What Does YouTube and 27 Have in Common? May 30, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Uncategorized, Video Business, Video Sites, Web 2.0 , add a comment
Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube, is 27. Chad Hurley, the other co-founder who worked with Chen at Paypal, now employ 27 people.
Think about that. Twenty seven people running the most popular site for online videos-one that streams 50 million videos a day to the 12.5 million visitors they get a month. For another of the me-too articles written about this overnight success, see this piece by SiliconValley.com. Or click the photo to read the CNN story.
Maybe we'll keep the 27 theme going when one of the networks purchase the site for 27 million? No- I think it's going for more than that.
How to Tell if You’re a “GoogleHead” May 30, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Killer Video, Uncategorized, Video Sites , 2commentsThere are many ways you're healthcare professional can determine if you are a GoogleHead. But one way for sure. If you're willing to spend your Memorial Day afternoon printing Google Head t-shirts and asking your family and cousins to do the cheesiest stuff possible for a GoogleHead video. Thanks to Laurie Berkner for the song and inspiration. You can buy GoogleHead at LaurieBerkner.com or TwoTomatoes.com.
Google Head Video: Warning- you'll either love it or hate it.
BBC: Make the Net Work for You May 30, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Video Sites , add a comment
In this article in tomorrow (Monday's) BBC News, you'll get a background of Revver and Adsense- two ways to make money on your websites and videos. Nothing terribly new here, but nice to know these models are gaining the attention of the mainstream press (who, as you might have noticed, are a big stuck on YouTube).
3 iFilm Amateur Video Contests May 29, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so farWhen you submit to iFilm, there are three contests running now. One for the technically deficient, one for wannabee comedians, and a third for snowboarding cool cats.
Each week, EMTs (Emergency Makeover Technicians) adopt the case of a tragic sufferer of Old School-itis, diagnose his or her specific condition and then administer the prescribed techie know-how and geeky wisdom. And, as these washed-up's get Hooked Up, you too will learn to make your wired life buzz wirelessly to life.
Are you funny? Now is your chance to prove it with Comedy Central’s Test Pilots! Submit a one-to-five-minute video to comedycentral.com, and you could win a development deal for your show to air on Comedy Central's MotherLoad. Live action, animation, sketch or hidden camera — any format is acceptable. The only prerequisite… it shouldn't suck! Test Pilots will accept submissions from May 22 through August 24, 2006. Starting July 28, watch and vote for your favorite video only on comedycentral.com!
Gillette Fusion- A Day in the Life Snowboard Video Contest:
Despite its name, the contest is for footage of more than snowboards. "We want to see your life off the slopes - crazy road trips, pranks, nightlight, or just tell us about your crazy lifestyle. You get the idea, now get in front of the camera! Judging will be based on originality, creativity, and most importantly FILM VIEWS. That means the sooner you get your video uploaded, the better chance of winning. Our judges will determine the top videos to be featured on IFILM's Adrenaline and User Video channels.
Enter & win, folks.
Best Buy Blue Shirt Prank May 29, 2006
Posted by Nalts in : Blogs on Video, Video Sites , add a comment
What a great site this is… www.ImprovEverywhere.com. These folks get together for giant pranks that cause scenes.
Check out the latest "mission" from last month… They gathered together dozens of people to enter Best Buy dressed in the store's uniform colors (khaki and blue). Here's the video highlights on Vimeo.
If you like this, you'll like this one… where they put about 60 cell phones in checked bags at a bookstore, and had another 60 people call them in sequences.
Or how about when they wore no pants on an NYC subway?