Tag Archives: good videos versus popular ones

The Ultimate Challenge to Video Creators: Intimacy Versus Popularity

Yesterday I urged marketers to pursue niches instead of wildly popular videos. But if video creators pursue small niches, their videos will get fewer views, and they’ll therefore make less money via YouTube’s Partner program (which shares ad revenues based not on the appeal of the videos but the total view count). Ideally creators will find “niches” that also have large appeal- like Michael Buckley’s WhatTheBuckShow

This is a perpetual dilemma for me. I long for the days where I had a small audience and could acknowledge every comment. I knew who subscribed to me, and they tolerated a variety of my video styles. Sometimes the videos drew larger crowds, but they supported me even when the videos were barely seen or liked.

Here on WillVideoForFood, there are two sectors of participants. Those who “graze” for tips about video creation and marketing (they’re usually quiet). Then there are the WVFF “tribe members” who use the comment threads below as a lil’ community, and that’s much more rewarding. Even when you accuse me of offending Baby Jesus. Some of you happen to have a leg in each sector, and offer interesting commentary that exceeds the wisdom of my post (and you know who you are).

Intimacy is satisfying, and so is creating a video that I personally enjoy (like my “Dysfunctional Family,” which got fewer than 20K views). Sometimes I create a video I do like that becomes popular (Mall Pranks), but often my least favorite videos are viewed more. While I almost resent the fact that “Scary Maze” has 2.5 million views, it does help fill that giant void I call “the debt black hole.”

Following the heart or following the wallet? Ideally both, but sometimes it’s not practical.