Batman Bee Joins Youtube Network

Major Buzz on Hive Street

Batman Bee Signs Network Contract

Buzzilion Dollar Signing Bonuses!

Internet Famous Batman Bee

I was looking at some of the Youtube Networks.  Initially, I was ready to join one as soon as possible.  I held off, though, and I think I'll wait for a while longer.  Right now it looks like a numbers game, sort of like the first day of a big poker tournament.

Revision3, Fullscreen, Maker, RPM Network, Machinima, TGN, VidcastLLC, Curse, Polipop. The names are pretty well known by now.  There are many blogs that identify the many networks, some of the blogs even speculate which are best.  The problem is that any opinion as to the relative strengths of Youtube networks is pure speculation. Of course, any network is going to say that their network is the best and will do the most for you.

Bee Hits the Youtube Pollen Jackpot

It's like picking a pony at the horse races. How do you compare one network to another?  Which networks are going to still be around in two years?  What if you pick the wrong one?  

On the other hand, what if you pick the right one and they market your killer videos and make you internet famous?  It's tough to say what the network will do for you.  Especially if you're a small low-budget content producer (like me).  Especially if you're not located near Los Angeles (like me).

Can't get enough of that Google Stuff

If I were a gamer this would be an easy decision.  I have always thought that gaming channels were a waste because it was so hard to get commercial use rights.  If I was a small gaming channel now I'd jump on any network offer because it takes that problem off the table.  

"Go monetize your gaming channel."  That's what Google and its associated networks are saying right now.  Do it before the holiday shopping season starts.  When there are suddenly 50,000 new monitized game playing partners, I think the RPM will go down ... would that surprise anyone? It will go down in proportion to the number of new partners and their views.

Batman Bee Bets Big on the Banana Network ...           But when you have a quirky Youtube presence (like me), well ...  I'm just waiting for the market to calm down.  I can wait it out.  I have all the partner features from Youtube already.  But it would be nice to have network opportunities, gigs, support and whatever else a network could offer. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Bug Business Model Booming ...  I have always tried to make content that might have a shelf life longer than ten minutes, and I've gathered quite a quantity of content.  So, I'll worry about doing the network thing if it starts to look like I need to worry about it.

Ultimately the best Youtube advice is to make videos about things you love, so that -- whether you make money or not -- you will enjoy what you create and you will connect with people who share your interests.  That, not networks, is the point of Youtube.

Jimmyjumpnjive 2012

Does it happen to you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIDXLJLvZcY

Look at the green line in the image above ...

NOTICE: This video is pay gated, however as the video owner you are ...

Pay gated?  Pay Gated?!  What the heck is pay gated?

Google - what are you doing to my videos?  Ahahahaaaaaaaa

Actually, I am posting this because it's the first time I have seen the words "pay gated" generated in relation to my videos.  I believe that it means that I can see the video without tripping the view count or having to watch some obligatory video ad.  I think that's what it means.

Either that or you need to throw some money down on the table before you can watch this.  Could be either one.  Who knows?

Gots to get me over the pay gate.  I know that much all already.

COSMIC PANDA -- BAMBOO SHOOTS OR COSMIC JOKE?

COSMIC PANDA: COSMIC JOKE OR NEXT BIG THING?



Communicating with the Panda Mothership

Youtube has introduced a beta test site-redesign with the code name, Cosmic Panda. 
As with any beta, it's glitchy, but it shows Google and Youtube's ongoing efforts to evolve and maintain position as the premier video upload site (and advertising conduit) on the internet. 

Cosmic Panda shows great potential for improving Youtube users' experience.  Users will be treated to larger video thumbnails (at least on channel pages) and better organized content.  The beta suggests that users might also be able to control the size of the box in which a video plays, giving more options than the standard or full-screen viewing options presently available.

The upgrade shows potential for allowing creators to have improved control over the positioning of content on a creator channel.  Cosmic Panda also displays features that will allow video content creators to organize their Youtube channels to showcase featured channels, blog-style updates or uploads.

On the beta (glitchy) side:

1) I couldn't manage to do simple tasks, such as post a video response, send a message to a friend or meaningfully work with and compare the four channel templates provided in the update.
2) While a creator's avatar won't require any changes, it seems readily apparent that creators will need to spend some time tweaking their channel background images, choosing a template, and re-acquainting themselves with navigating the video site. 
3) When I tried to give feedback on the Cosmic Panda (solicited feedback, no less) I got an auto-generated reply, saying that my attempt at feedback was not recognized and that I would need to try again later.  Arg!

Anyway, I'm going to give the Cosmic Panda upgrade a B+ for now.  It's a really nice try.  All those hard-working folks at Youtube put a lot into this, it's an ambitious redesign, and it looks very promising at this point.  Cosmic Panda is not a cosmic joke.  It is the quite possibly the look and feel of the future. 

Peace and love.  Jimmy Jump

View the video "Bikini Snow Skiing" on the new Cosmic Panda interface:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGIs1-gF6a0