To partner, or not to partner, that is the question.

I

ibeckman671

Member
Hi guys,

After reading a lot on this forum about partnering with "Gaming-centric networks," I haven't found really specific answers that cater to my particular issues, so I figure I'd just put a thread up.

I make machinima and video game content and although a shorttime ago my channel dipped from its former glory it's now back on track with 35k subs and 150k monetized views a month with a regular average CPM. These days, it seems imperative that you need to be partnered with a giant gaming network and I need some thoughts.

What do networks offers that I need?
1) Copyright protection: Although for 95% of my content, I have actual permission to use the gaming footage, it's been holding me back from expanding to other content opportunities, and as you know, reg YouTube partnership is pretty strict about rights issues.
2) A chance to fix videos that are unmonetized. For some reason, 3 videos of mine are rejected for monetization and it seems like YouTube support is giving me the cold shoulder answering. They refuse to give me a straight answer. Networks can offer a fix, but no guarantee (at least that's whats promised)
3) CPM: It seems like every network I talk to, it's a way different number and calculation. And it's really frustrating trying to calculate your own, hoping their CPM and their cut is more than what you're making now. It seems like no matter how you square it away, you lose, but benefit through promotion and such.
4) Promotion: Does that "really" happen? It seems fantastical to me.

Weighing those options alone (especially the third one), would you even bother with a big network? Should I cut my losses and focus on making content that I can for sure make without the need for copyright backing by a network?
 
No network promotes your channel. You have to get big on your own.

CPM is rarely fixed, it will depend on advert, advertiser, time of year and what country you are living in.

If the videos are rejected, then your network cannot monetise them. All they do is take over your adsense. The rules of what can and can't be monetised don't really change all that much.

SOME networks have the appropriate licences for copyright protection. But being in a network doesn't mean you can start using any media you like in your videos.
 
ibeckman671 said:
Hi guys,

After reading a lot on this forum about partnering with "Gaming-centric networks," I haven't found really specific answers that cater to my particular issues, so I figure I'd just put a thread up.

I make machinima and video game content and although a shorttime ago my channel dipped from its former glory it's now back on track with 35k subs and 150k monetized views a month with a regular average CPM. These days, it seems imperative that you need to be partnered with a giant gaming network and I need some thoughts.

What do networks offers that I need?
1) Copyright protection: Although for 95% of my content, I have actual permission to use the gaming footage, it's been holding me back from expanding to other content opportunities, and as you know, reg YouTube partnership is pretty strict about rights issues.
2) A chance to fix videos that are unmonetized. For some reason, 3 videos of mine are rejected for monetization and it seems like YouTube support is giving me the cold shoulder answering. They refuse to give me a straight answer. Networks can offer a fix, but no guarantee (at least that's whats promised)
3) CPM: It seems like every network I talk to, it's a way different number and calculation. And it's really frustrating trying to calculate your own, hoping their CPM and their cut is more than what you're making now. It seems like no matter how you square it away, you lose, but benefit through promotion and such.
4) Promotion: Does that "really" happen? It seems fantastical to me.

Weighing those options alone (especially the third one), would you even bother with a big network? Should I cut my losses and focus on making content that I can for sure make without the need for copyright backing by a network?
Click to expand...
If you are looking to partner I would say vultra as they are a good standing network they do gaming, sports, design etc. With a lot of rep good content and and a great all round network if you are looking to join them when you apply can you use my id and it helps me a lot thanks id: VUL_019 I am a recruiter for them nice videos by the way;) if want to talk more about it pm me on skepe, skype is ripperukhalo117 thanks.
 
If you are looking for a gaming network. I would recommend going with TGS or Curse. You have lots of subscribers so I don't think that any of these should be an issue.

When you are on about CPM. Curse would be great here, they have a flat-rate CPM of $3 and you can leave at anytime, there is no lock-in.
TGS are the gaming division of Maker Studios, I believe they can help with copyright on certain games as they have the licenses for it. As do Curse.

You will never be promoted though, that is pretty much fantasy. Same with fixing non monetizable videos, I'm afraid there is not much that can be done there.

Here is some links if you want to find more:

Curse: http://www.unionforgamers.com/
TGS: http://thegamestation.com/join-our-network/
 
Dananuh said:
If you are looking for a gaming network. I would recommend going with TGS or Curse. You have lots of subscribers so I don't think that any of these should be an issue.

When you are on about CPM. Curse would be great here, they have a flat-rate CPM of $3 and you can leave at anytime, there is no lock-in.
TGS are the gaming division of Maker Studios, I believe they can help with copyright on certain games as they have the licenses for it. As do Curse.

You will never be promoted though, that is pretty much fantasy. Same with fixing non monetizable videos, I'm afraid there is not much that can be done there.

Here is some links if you want to find more:

Curse:
TGS:
Click to expand...

You think the networks are lying to me? One guaranteed it can be fixed, the other said they would try their best. I'm not doubting you, I just want to know your thoughts.
 
A network would have to do some major persuading to make me join and I'm a brand new channel. Channel gets larger = even more persuading required. So, at this point I doubt that I will ever join a network. The only thing I hear really is that gamers "need" to join because of copyrights. In all honesty, this is for the most part more accurately stated as .. networks make it easier because you don't have to personally get permission (or simply read it .. most of it is public info that doesn't even require an email). If you're not familiar with copyright laws then the network can basically save you from needing to understand it. The other thing is access to royalty free music, which again .. that's something a person can handle on their own if they choose to.

As for guaranteed CPM amounts. I have no doubt that a network could offer this if they wanted to because their rates are so far below what I can get without them. Don't get me wrong I think it would be cool to belong to a network ... but without the benefit of massive promotions and financial perks .. I'd rather keep my money because I'm high maintenance anyway. LOL :p .. maybe a network will prove me wrong though ... who knows.
 
ibeckman671 said:
Hi guys,

After reading a lot on this forum about partnering with "Gaming-centric networks," I haven't found really specific answers that cater to my particular issues, so I figure I'd just put a thread up.

I make machinima and video game content and although a shorttime ago my channel dipped from its former glory it's now back on track with 35k subs and 150k monetized views a month with a regular average CPM. These days, it seems imperative that you need to be partnered with a giant gaming network and I need some thoughts.

What do networks offers that I need?
1) Copyright protection: Although for 95% of my content, I have actual permission to use the gaming footage, it's been holding me back from expanding to other content opportunities, and as you know, reg YouTube partnership is pretty strict about rights issues.
2) A chance to fix videos that are unmonetized. For some reason, 3 videos of mine are rejected for monetization and it seems like YouTube support is giving me the cold shoulder answering. They refuse to give me a straight answer. Networks can offer a fix, but no guarantee (at least that's whats promised)
3) CPM: It seems like every network I talk to, it's a way different number and calculation. And it's really frustrating trying to calculate your own, hoping their CPM and their cut is more than what you're making now. It seems like no matter how you square it away, you lose, but benefit through promotion and such.
4) Promotion: Does that "really" happen? It seems fantastical to me.

Weighing those options alone (especially the third one), would you even bother with a big network? Should I cut my losses and focus on making content that I can for sure make without the need for copyright backing by a network?
Click to expand...
Higher Earnings, Gaming Licenses, Protection against in-vaild clicks , A chance at sponsors and branding deals.
 
Shane said:
Higher Earnings, Gaming Licenses, Protection against in-vaild clicks , A chance at sponsors and branding deals.
Click to expand...

From what I've been seeing, they aren't higher earnings unless you are making way more views than what I presented. On this forum, people who partnered with Fullscreen (for example) and made less money. Also, either few or no actual gaming licenses of any kind are to be had by these networks; it seems that game companies look the other way or aren't targeted. And the chance at sponsors and branding deals is tiny, almost miniscule.

Protection against in-valid clicks isn't advertised by networks, but is that something that's extremely important in your eyes?
 
ibeckman671 said:
From what I've been seeing, they aren't higher earnings unless you are making way more views than what I presented. On this forum, people who partnered with Fullscreen (for example) and made less money. Also, either few or no actual gaming licenses of any kind are to be had by these networks; it seems that game companies look the other way or aren't targeted. And the chance at sponsors and branding deals is tiny, almost miniscule.

Protection against in-valid clicks isn't advertised by networks, but is that something that's extremely important in your eyes?
Click to expand...

1) My earnings with a network compared to what I got with Adsense, where 300-600% higher.
2) 2 of 3 networks I`ve been in as head of recruitment then a recruiter then a Co-CEO. have had 10-20 licenses, written and from the game publishers, but you`re right the majority don`t have them.
3) Perhaps, I recently co-started a network and I already had contacts with 3-4 companies/sponsors before-hand so I now have only a few partners and a few sponsors for them.
4) YES, This is a feature all networks have and after having a channel I had in the past banned for that, and 15% of channels get their Adsense banned for that within 4months of starting to use Adsense.
If you get your Adsense banned for that you`ll never be able to make money on that account again :|

For your size of a channel branding deals wouldn`t be hard to get, it depends what network you go with,
I tweeted at you on twitter earlier and a few mins ago about a network :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top