Seeking real stories of increased audience through partnership

Douglas MacKrell

Douglas MacKrell

The Internet's Foremost Sexpro
Hey folks,

I've been reading a lot of threads about revenue share splits, increased CPMs, lengthy terms, and a lot of solid discussion about the monetary pros and cons of joining with a network - but in my case, money is the least of my concerns.

I've been at the YouTube game for over 7 years now, and a YT partner for the last 2. Although my show is just over 2 years old now, and I've seen a small increase in views and subscribers now that I'm on a tight 4 episode a week schedule, I've hit a wall.

The majority of my views and new subscribers are coming in from a mix of viral searches and the low budget advertising I've done for the show's blog - but I'd like to grow my audience (without resorting to spammy posts or begging for sub4subs or whatever). That's why Networks like Fullscreen, RPM, and Maker seem so tempting to me. The audience building tools their sites place on the hook and dangle in the water.

Again, for me I've resigned to spending far more on producing my show (in equipment, props and costumes, and the time/labor involved in writing and producing) than I'll ever see in return. I only see about 10,000 views per month - and as those of you out there with YT partnerships know... that's barely a few cents a day. What would be worth more than it's weight in gold to me is an engaging audience that likes my stuff and comes back for more. I don't need to be the next Grace Helbig overnight, but just three or four times my current subscriber count wold make me happy (currently floating at 175).

I've read first hand that a lot of you out there are partnered with some of these networks, and that's why I'm posting this thread today. I want real stories from real producers of small channels who saw an actual boost to their subscribers and views directly because of joining with a Network.

Not an organic trickle based on your own social networking bubble or an increase of revenue, but an honest boost from at very least the Network's community.

Thanks for taking the time to read, and for posting your experience!
 
I hate to burst your bubble, but no network 'boosts' a channel.

Some networks do a growth program like Fullscreen's Gorilla campaign, and RPM have a kind of 'sub 4 sub' thing going on (which is pointless, btw) but you won't join any network and suddenly take off.
 
Frankie said:
I hate to burst your bubble, but no network 'boosts' a channel.

Some networks do a growth program like Fullscreen's Gorilla campaign, and RPM have a kind of 'sub 4 sub' thing going on (which is pointless, btw) but you won't join any network and suddenly take off.
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Thanks Frankie. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of - and why I haven't pulled the trigger on any of these yet.
 
Douglas MacKrell said:
Thanks Frankie. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of - and why I haven't pulled the trigger on any of these yet.
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Don't get me wrong, networks are very beneficial to many channels (they offer the tools you need to assist in growth and development, but do not offer the growth as a rule of thumb), but it is worth doing your research to what suits you personally as oppose to what may have suited someone else :)
 
You get access to 'shows' which is a great reason to partner. My show appears high in search results and has users subscribed to it. Also shows link to the playlist next to the video which encourages people to watch the whole playlist or the next video.

As Frankie said, no network will ever do anything to help you grow.

Until you get over 1000 subs or so your organic growth will be very poor. Until that point you have to advertise and promote loads until you get enough of a following to keep increasing using just organic growth.
 
ZaphodX said:
You get access to 'shows' which is a great reason to partner. My show appears high in search results and has users subscribed to it. Also shows link to the playlist next to the video which encourages people to watch the whole playlist or the next video.
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Thanks ZaphodX - I was wondering if the Networks promote through curation. Which Network are you affiliated with?
 
Most YouTubers don't start to partner up until they hit around 5k+ subs. Some do it for the hope that they will get a boost of audience and that is great, however like Frankie said.. it doesn't usually work that way.

I have seen a few networks that are small channel oriented and will try and help small channels grow by buying stuff for them and some other perks. I know of one right off hand that is for gaming that has told me this and several of their members have too.

For example, I was looking into GamerFuzion, which some people are positive and negative about, but after speaking to a few of their partners I like the idea. They focus on medium sized groups, but if a small channel comes a long that they see something in them.. they will buy you stuff you need. I don't hear of many channels doing that. I could be wrong though.

Keep your head up, I've been at this for a couple of months and only have 44 subs, but I'am content as I get better at this I will grow a bit.
 
SlayerXtR said:
Most YouTubers don't start to partner up until they hit around 5k+ subs. Some do it for the hope that they will get a boost of audience and that is great, however like Frankie said.. it doesn't usually work that way.

I have seen a few networks that are small channel oriented and will try and help small channels grow by buying stuff for them and some other perks. I know of one right off hand that is for gaming that has told me this and several of their members have too.

For example, I was looking into GamerFuzion, which some people are positive and negative about, but after speaking to a few of their partners I like the idea. They focus on medium sized groups, but if a small channel comes a long that they see something in them.. they will buy you stuff you need. I don't hear of many channels doing that. I could be wrong though.

Keep your head up, I've been at this for a couple of months and only have 44 subs, but I'am content as I get better at this I will grow a bit.
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Thanks SlayerXtR. Yeah, I've seen a genuine increase of views and subscribers when I rebooted my show and turned it away from a true vlog format and into the show it is today. But I'm sort of in this nebulous hard to define zone. At it's heart, my show is a satire of men's lifestyle shows like Playboy After Dark. For those who get the joke I'm like the Stephen Colbert of Hugh Hefner's, but my show also lands a lot of folks actually searching for that content specifically. So it leaves me in this weird area where the show is a bit too sexy for general comedy and not sexy enough for adult content seekers.

That's one of the reasons I'm unsure about joining a network - how are they going to label my show, and is that the best label for it?

I'll definitely keep my head up though.
 
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