If you have been following my YouTube progress up ’til now you may wonder why I decided to put together this compilation of all the videos I have made and why I decided not to add an audio track.
Firstly, a Facebook friend was bemoaning the fact that YouTube was not available in his country and so could not watch many of the Calligraphy videos posted on group pages. This then, began as my small way of compensating him for that lack and was published just in time for his Birthday. Cheers Shahed!
So, you may well ask, why did I not add music?
It is a long story, but briefly it is all about the way, even when logged into YouTube, I was unable to gain access to edit my videos and playlists until after days of haranguing the help department, when suddenly I found I was, as I thought, back in control. A bit like knocking on the door again and again and then, with no explanation, finding yourself on the other side.
While all this was going on I had the idea that as I had used YouTube audio swap, which I am sure, we were told at the time was copyright free, they had placed advertisements on all my works. I am sure that very little revenue would be earned by my measly efforts but I thought, why should YouTube take all the proceeds from the millions of “Audio Swapped” videos out there and what can be done to change things?
Have you tried to “monetise” your Video? First of all you need to make sure you are registered on the Adsense programme, a minefield of all your old YouTube user names, Google accounts and passwords, and then work out how to actually tick the right boxes, or should I say, find the right boxes to tick in the first place. When you first see the magic question, Monetise?, you think you have cracked it. Then having said yes please. You are told in no uncertain terms in a big red box, “Oh no you don’t. Your video does not fit the accepted criteria. Go and find out why!”.
Have you tried to remove the “Audio Swapped” music from your YouTube videos? So far, on my two least viewed videos only, I have had an option to “remove music track, Beta” Beta it is. After numerous attempts, although the text stated audio removed or words to that extent, no change.
Then it was a trip to YT’s “Video Editor”. Having copied the two lowliest of my offerings, with muted audio, Bingo! They now have the coveted $ sign. I am rubbing my hands with glee, I do a similar operation with a further two videos, publish, monetise………. UH, OH!….. Then more or less, words to the effect of, “If you keep doing this, your video might be suspended or blocked or removed, so go away and behave yourself.”
So, I am left with the dilemma. Do I remove all my videos from YouTube, losing all the stats and analytics, the goodwill and the links that have been built over the last four years or so, or do I leave them as they are and publish the whole series again, perhaps with no music, or with tracks that have been specially written by a friend of mine who would be prepared to sign over the rights of his works to me on the understanding that he/she would share the earnings? Or, do I just say, as I’m sure most YouTube users do. To hell with it. Let Uncle Google have his pound of flesh.
So far, according to “Analytics”, my videos have had 14,o57 views between them. Total earnings, zilch! After just 8 views this new silent video has earned 3 cents in revenue for me, and YT are still getting their cut.
UPDATE 5th March ’13
YouTube support have asked for feedback. I ticked the multiple choice boxes and added :- My initial query about access to edit videos has been addressed.
Now I am finding it impossible to remove the audio tracks. I have tried Remove a Song – Beta on the two videos where this is available to no avail. I wish to have the option to remove all audio from all my videos. Many thanks.
UPDATE
You might be interested to hear I have now uploaded my videos to Vimeo.
https://vimeo.com/billgrant/videos
UPDATE 5th October ’13. My videos have now reached 20700 views and advertising still controlled by YouTube.
Keep watching Calligradoodles and keep watching this space.
Cheers.
BILL'S SPACE 