Making Money on YouTube

April 7, 2011 Leave a comment

Ten independent YouTube stars made over $100,000 in 2010.  That is the finding of a study done by TubeMogul.  By independent they mean YouTubers who were not part of a traditional media company or corporate campaign.  A prime example is Natalie Tran, who is reportedly the most subscribed to YouTube user in Australia and is said to bring in over $100,000 from her YouTube video postings.  An article in the New York Post reports that some YouTube partners are making over $1 million from their efforts.

How?  It varies. There are a few potential revenue avenues for YouTube entrepreneurs. These include banner ads, pre-roll and overlay ads sponsorship and merchandise sales. Some YouTubers have sponsors, but for most, revenue comes from banner ads placed near their videos.  YouTube splits its ad revenue with partners 50-50.  And although it’s an incremental process, it’s amazing how much some are generating from their banner ads.

Few are getting rich, but some have quit their day jobs and are full time YouTubers, others have hit the big time.  For videos and YouTube channels that generate a real buzz and drive traffic the rewards can be amazing.  Not only do these YouTube stars generate a following and various money streams, many establish themselves as personalities.  By passing the traditional star making machine these trailblazers have been able to create their own opportunities.   Not only are they establishing themselves via YouTube and generating various cash flow streams, many of these are crossing over from the net to more traditional media outlets establishing themselves in print, film, CDs, and TV.  Welcome to the new star making machine.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2011

 

Filed under social media, social networking, youtube Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The YouTube Star Making Machine

March 24, 2011 Leave a comment

According to a YouTube press release:

More than 13 million hours of video were uploaded during 2010.

35 hours of video are uploaded every minute.

More video is uploaded to YouTube in 60 days than the 3 major US networks created in 60 years.

YouTube reached over 700 billion playbacks in 2010.

Less than a month after its fifth birthday, YouTube has announced that it has exceeded two billion video views per day

That is a lot of video.  How does anyone break through all of those images, music talk and clatter?  The amazing thing is that many do and some ride it on to major success.  That Bieber guy for example.

Although it’s only been around since 2005, and was sold in 2007 for 1.65 billion (yeah billion with a B) to Google, YouTube is now a household name, a major player and a launching pad for new careers.  The list of those who have emerged from YouTube includes Justin Bieber, Soulja Boy, and Tay Zonday, among others.  The list is varied, from Bieber to the Bed Intruder to the double rainbows guy.  John Jacobson and his Double Dream Hands video became a huge hit thanks to YouTube.  Jacobson ended up on Ellen’s TV show teaching her staff how to do the dance on her birthday segment.  There is now a Double Dream Hands phone app and a book and DVD are on the way.

Whereas YouTube used to be the site to visit to watch goofy, crazy videos, it is now the new engine for launching talent and careers.  It is a community where viewers go to find news, sports, science, music and how-to information.  Like a social network it also allows viewers to subscribe to different channels, friends, etc.

YouTube creates stars and sensations; Auto-Tune the News’s “Bed Intruder Song” was the year’s most-watched, non-major label video on YouTube.  The site helped take it from obscurity to online sensation.

The Bieber Effect: The Beiber story is the most striking.  The sixteen year old Canadian singer shot from anonymity to superstardom in three years. At 13 he competed in, signed by Usher.  After his debut release of “My World” he topped 100 million YouTube views. The Bieber effect signaled a new phenomenon – a combination of digital/viral social media and a crossover of digital/analog/print phenomenon.  This was a true example of the new media melding with old.

Apart from videos from major labels, last year’s most popular videos were inspired by or take offs on established performers such as Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and, of course, Justin Bieber.  There was also the Old Spice guy, and we’re all still recovering from the double rainbow.  But musicians, performers and comedians aren’t the only ones to profit from YouTube.  Who are they and how do they do it?  I’ll be talking about that in my next article.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2011

 

Filed under social media, youtube Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

John Jacobson & the Double Dream Hands YouTube/ Social Media Phenomena

March 16, 2011 Leave a comment

The video has touched a chord with children and adults worldwide and John receives emails from all parts of the globe praising the song and choreography. John recently walked into a classroom in Mali, Africa, whereupon recognizing him, the children spontaneously burst into Double Dream Hands.  On January 26, 2011, John was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The episode celebrated Ellen’s birthday and as a present, her staff joined John in performing the Double Dream Hands dance.  Upcoming television appearances include a VH1 special on viral videos to air on March 20.  The video has now spawned an industry.

A Double Dream Hands iPhone application is now available for purchase at Apple’s iTunes store. Fans can upload a picture of themselves (or a picture of their friends, parents, grandparents, favourite celebrities, etc.) doing the DDH dance, wearing John’s famous yellow polo and sporting blond hair!

The popularity of Double Dream Hands has given John a broader voice and he is proud to present his new book Double Dreams: Living a Life of Glee, Harmony and, Oh Yes… Jazz Hands!, which will be available at the end of May on Amazon.com and in bookstores. The book is a collection of heart-warming stories about kids, music, and dance.

John’s family fitness DVD Double Dream Hands: Songs for Fun and Fitness will be available in May. The DVD features a 30-minute workout for the whole family. The childhood obesity epidemic in America has long been a concern of John’s and he hopes to help alleviate the problem with Double Dream Hands: Songs for Fun and Fitness.

For many years, John has been collaborating with the Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest music print publisher.  John has been a freelance music teacher, writer, composer, and choreographer for over 25 years.  He is a passionate advocate of arts education, child fitness, and community service.  John is also the founder and volunteer president of America Sings! Inc., a non-profit organization that encourages young performers to use their time and talents for community service.  Hal Leonard has published John Jacobson’s Music Express Magazine for 11 years.  The magazine, published six times a year, has over 10,000 subscribers.  It contains original songs, dance choreographies, and lesson plans for music teachers.  Double Dream Hands began as a choreography video from the Music Express magazine site.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2011

Filed under Marketing, Media, social media, Talk Shows, TV, youtube Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 129 other followers

%d bloggers like this: