Note: “Reem’s Digital Experiment” is a series on www.interactiveme.com where I put digital marketing formulas to the test. For this first series, I am going to attempt to create a “successful Youtube Channel by a blogger in the Middle East”. Many of my clients have asked how to do this effectively and while I often reference popular “success stories”, they aren’t my own. This is because there are so few successful youtube channels that are broadcast from this region. So I’m going to consolidate all my “YOUTUBE SUCCESS” research and apply it. To state the obvious: this could be amazing or it could completely fail. However, I believe that this learning experience could help us all contribute to developing digital content that highlights the amazing talent that I see every day.
Since I wrote my last post, I dug deep into the Google wasteland to find the formula for “success” on Youtube. I read so many blogs that my eyes watered…I watched over 40 videos and….. I actually skimmed some e-books. Coupled with my own experience as a New Media Specialist, I figure it’s time to start laying down the groundwork for so-called internetz fame.
One of the most concise blog articles written on the topic of Youtube success was authored by Freddie Wong, of freediew fame on Youtube. I’ll use his article on facerocker.com as a starting point…and obviously stray when I please. (This is, after all, my experiment)
1. Define what “successful” means to you.
I hate borderline rhetorical questions. Of course, I tackled this one, since I refuse to wussy out after the first question.
In this case, success means i) having a channel that encourages other Middle Eastern bloggers to show their talent and create content that pushes creative boundaries; ii) being able to use the channel development experience as a case study for my career and iii) get free stuff to review….don’t pretend like you don’t like free stuff.
2. Do you want Youtube Partnership?
Finally, my law degree is put to good use. I read through all the documentation and scoped out the liability scene and some great youtubers have actually made videos on their choice to accept or decline partnership. The general misconception is that if you get YT partnership, you can quit your job and just make videos for a living. There’s a lot more to it than that. I’ll elaborate at another time.
For now, I’ll say that when (or if) I’m offered partnership…. I’ll agree to it, but I’ll disable the ads.
3. Consistent content = consistent audience.
The philosophy behind this is best articulated by Freddie, who said:
“Simply put, you cannot expect someone to become a consistent member of your audience, let alone remember you, if you are not giving them consistent content in return.”
So, I’ll need a production schedule and times when my potential viewers can expect to receive my content. Luckily, I work at a production company…..and I love free stuff.
4. Content is King.
I have to create content about things that I love. It’s actually a great life philosophy as well. I don’t want my channel to have 20,000,000 subscribers who do not care. I want my channel to be a hub for a community that is engaged and supportive. As with anything on the social web, content-centric work will most often trump viewer-centric work. Substance and longevity is what the goal is here….and this exercise helped me define that.
With this in mind, I now have the basic framework for my channel. Instead of building a new one, I’m going to bring life back into my old (never really got anywhere one).
I’m going to make a channel about Digital Marketing Trends in the Middle East. Starting with Dubai.
Next Wed/ Thurs, I’ll launch it. Again…wish me luck
All of this said, I encourage you to consider creating content that reflects you and the things you love…
Click. Click. Click…
Reem.