why you shouldn't join a Network

Loki Doki

Loki Doki

Gaming Nerd and SEO Guru
i have seen a few posts recently asking about joining MCN's (multi channel networks) and here is my opinion why you shouldn't.

firstly lets talk about what MCN's do, they are an organisation that works with youtube creators to expand the brand. get more views, more subs, promotions, helping with collabs etc, they then take a cut of all of your advertising revenue which can be between 20% and 80%

they will often offer use of copyright free music and tools that will help you grow. firstly there is a massive amount of copyright free music out there. just google it. and also multiple tools that help with youtube such as tube buddy

they may offer to help find people to collab with (you can just do that right here on YTTalk)

but the biggest problem with MCN's is the idea that they will personally help promote you, increase your views and sub count. have special personnel that will help you improve etc etc etc

unless you have like 100k subs and get millions of views each month then your not worth very much money at all to them, why would they spend time and money helping someone with 500 subs, to earn a few pennies, its a big net loss

the reason they spam your inbox saying how great your content is, even if you only have tens of subs, is because they want to get you on board, just in case you blow up, go viral and start making them a load of money, then they MAY pay attention to you

some MCN's will lock you in to a really long contract that you cant get out of, there are some real horror stories out there.

the only time i would ever consider a MCN was if i had 100k+ subs, and i could speak directly to someone at the MCN and get written promises about what they would do to help me grow, but even then, i am 99% sure i will never join one

just my 0.2
 
I dunno. I haven't joined one myself but I think it really depends on the network. The biggest draw, from what I can tell, is a larger cut of ad revenue.
 
I've been looking into this lately actually because I was debating on trying to join Freedom. Warning... DON'T! Not only is Freedom terrible, but networks ARE NOT worth it. You're PAYING THEM, and if they're not offering you a good deal (ex: some offer playlists, like come on, I can already make playlists and things similar) or if they don't offer you a good business transaction, why should you pay them? Think about it really. They're basically your employers, but your paying them for empty promises.
 
IsntChrisL said:
I dunno. I haven't joined one myself but I think it really depends on the network. The biggest draw, from what I can tell, is a larger cut of ad revenue.
Click to expand...
You don't get a larger cut of revenue. They take a percentage of your revenue, which means after Youtube has already took its cut. So Youtube take their 45% and then you share the remaining 55% 90/10 80/20 but most likely when you are starting out 60/40. So in essence you only get 33% of the revenue if you are signed up with, lets just say it, Freedom, who only offer a 60/40 split. That is a 22 percent drop from what you would get without being partnered. (sorry if my maths is wrong it is late)
 
Well what you said was actually true, but I think there are still some networks that really help people even if they have for example 300 subs
They won't help everybody but maybe the most :/ Idk
 
My decision to join or not is strictly financial.
If our channel makes $3k/month, and the network takes 40%, then I have to pay them $1200
So what am I getting for $1200, and what else can I use this $1200 for?
Well I can buy $1200 Adwords ads, at a CPM of 1 cent that's 120,000 views across the channel & 50%+ earned views and an additional 100-200 subs.
Or I can hire someone to do editing, custom music, after effects, etc.
Or I can invest in better equipment and toys and props.
So to join a network for us, the mcn has to offer something very substantial, spelled out in the contract. None of that "we'll promote you here and there and add you to our playlist and help you grow".
 
The only thing that would make me join MCN is the fact that they grow your channel faster, but I don't want to share my money with somebody that "help" me. Actually, I would prefer to work alone and be proud of what I done instead of getting boosted by MCN.
To be honest, it is more about money that I dont want to share with them over time.
 
I left my networks on 5th July and felt that the earnings from the beginning of July are crap. Thought that it was lowered because I left the network, but then I found many posts and complaints about very low July earnings overall YT. At least I don't have to split my earnings with MCN anymore.
 
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