David Jones: "...it doesn't matter, because I do it for fun, not profit. If
it tuns into something I can do full time to pay the bills then that would
be fantastic, but I have no illusions that will actually happen. I like to
think I'm ultimately working toward it with everything I do though."
Hey Dave:
Foremost please know I'm not aiming to be adversarial when discussing this
topic, just informative as I can through frankness. That said; your
sentiment above is a common one and somewhat contradictory. No problem
believing so, mind you, only don't be surprised when you never make a living
online full time. I hope you do, but the reality is... Hope don't float.
You're fooling yourself by thinking; "I'm ultimately working toward it."
That's not the way REAL, sustainable, money is made online or off.
David Jones: "Perhaps naively, I thought that most video bloggers blogged
about something that interests them and they are passionate about first, and
then perhaps thought about marketing later...?"
That's not naive; passion is essential to any undertaking. Just because one
views their area of vlogging (or web) interest with profit motives in mind,
does not make the endeavor less worthwhile -- only potentially more
profitable.
I absolutely LOVE what we've done with dogs; I unquestionably feel
passionately about working them; talking about them, sharing my narrow area
of canid expertise; and, would do it all for free if a Web Fairy paid the
bills. Although until the latter flutters down from on-high and does its
thing? I'm doin what works (more times than not) to generate MONEY,
sustainable bucks, and I'll do it enthusiastically.
David Jones: "What about those countless video bloggers with hundreds of
thousands or millions of regular viewers? I bet very few of them started
with any sort of plan!"
And I'd bet you're right! But if a coherent plan isn't engaged at some
point, they simply aren't making diddly to the degree they could. Planning
doesn't assure success, its no guarantee of anything, but it sure makes the
ride a whole lot easier to deal with when bumps get in the way. And the
bumps ALWAYS get in the way. Question is; does one go over or under them?
David Jones: "...I guess the differentiator is whether you go into it
thinking like a business from day one, or you just get into it for fun..."
Hmm, yeah, well. Please point me to the Internets law that says thinking on
business terms from Jump Street, cannot equate to fun. I've looked
everywhere but just can't seem to find it. ;)
Seriously, Dave, take my word for it. I'm having an absolute blast
developing TailTrex-TV, and win lose or draw; I'll continue on that hoot
well after launch! I've not only met some great people (like this list for
example), but have seen better sides of human nature in the process. So
thinking on business terms needn't be dry and dull, less exciting or
unfulfilling, but may actually ADD to the fun. It all depends on where one's
head is at, perspective being key.
David Jones: "Content is king, and a contact list really has little to with
that."
I'll yield to you as the authority of your own experience. Good luck with
that.
David Jones: "As far as I know, there are very few video bloggers who make
money
outside of Youtube, at lest in comparison."
I can see why, especially if your notions about web marketing are widespread
as seems evident. But then, one has to decide if they follow the herd or
take a different path -- particularly ones proven time and again, albeit
less traveled.
David Jones: "Anyone know of any who have started from scratch and built a
large audience without using Youtube? I'd be curious to see how."
Ok, but your presupposing I'm espousing that YouTube SHOULDN'T be utilized.
That's not what I've stated, Dave, not by a long shot. The vast difference
is; one using YT as a crutch, rather than a tool among many.
It appears to me (and I could be mistaken) you're looking at YT as some kind
of surefire conduit to success, as though it's the only game in town worth
exploiting. And if that be the case, head-on, knock yourself out. Maybe
SOMEDAY you'll be one of those with multi-million YT views? (And I sincerely
wish you will be.) As for me, MAYBE never got results; but that just might
be me, a-lil tainted by reality.
At long last, Dave, I appreciate your sentiments. But I must say that it
APPEARS (seems like) your notions about web marketing are skewed by what you
THINK is happening, not by what actually is based on solid evidence. That's
not meant as a put-down, just an observation based on your remarks.
There are plenty of legitimate Web Marketing coaches ("Gurus" if that works
better) I could recommend (through private mail), if you're of a mind to
cast aside what you THINK you know; and, truly discover what is obvious you
don't. Only YOU control that choice, Dave; only YOU control the relative
outcomes.
...I'll give you the last word.
All The Best,
Mark Villaseñor,
http://www.TailTrex.tv
Canine Adventures For Charity - sm
http://www.SOAR508.org
