YouTube?

[Guest]

does anyone on here use YouTube to show their models/post how to videos? I've recently set up a page but I'm struggling to get views for my posts, just wondering if any of you guys use it and had any tips/pointers. there's some great stuff on there I can spend hours watching videos of people's models/dioramas on YouTube!

[Guest]

I have a channel, but am not too concerned with views. Its more for my relatives to see what Im up to.
I have done up a few builds on it

Some recent videos

Some great youtube channels I watch are

Andys Hobby Headquarters
Flory Models
QDC
Scalemodel aircraft
PLASMO Models
The Scale Modelling Channel

I cant give any tips on how to increase viewership as I am no expert. I do know how to make semi decent videos and video slide shows if you are intetested.

[BarryW]

I am no expert on the web but I would have thought simply posting links on forums, with a commentary on what your video is about and sharing them on Facebook as well should boost traffic.

[Guest]

Yeah most of my videos will be slide shows of my finished models/figures so that would be cool to know what programme you use?

I'll check your page out. Think I'm subscribed to most of them channels I'll have a look

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkdQlYNY-0b-ZMWX2cWeNog

[Guest]

I am no expert on the web but I would have thought simply posting links on forums, with a commentary on what your video is about and sharing them on Facebook as well should boost traffic.

Cheers Barry. To be fair my page is only a week or so old so hopefully in time it will gather pace. I'm a bit clueless when it comes to the tinternet YouTube is very confusing to me but thought I'd give it a go

[Guest]

I've had one for about 3 months one of my models (the traction avant) has had 290 views the rest 1 or 0 most 0 and that's probably 30 models to look through.

[Guest]

There's no shortcut to getting views and subscribers on YouTube (apart from the usual cheap and dodgy methods).
Great videos draws attention and an audience, and you'll never know when it happens. Being a new channel is also problematic since you're competing with the big players - who have a much higher hitscore than you, and you'll have to spend a year or two creating good content until you are noticed and climb in the ranks.
Combining YouTube releases with Twitter and Facebook e.g. can help you to draw in viewers, but it's a lot to maintain.
Metadata (the search terms) is something you have to spend some time with to get right because this will make or break the ability to find your videos. Just the title isn't going to be much help.

Yeah most of my videos will be slide shows of my finished models/figures so that would be cool to know what programme you use?

There are quite a few options out there depending on what type of control you're after. I'm using Adobe Premier and Adobe After Effects to create video/film content, but it'd be overkill for creating slideshows and simpler things. Also not cheap.
It's more important to have a good camera so your content is crisp and high resolution. Also only upload video to YouTube in minimum 1080p. It can take a really long time depending on what container (i.e. file format) and codecs you are using but most video editors have "youtube" export modes that helps with this.

You can find free music to use in your videos here. Just read the terms and conditions for each song you download.

https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music

Good luck!

[Guest]

Jens, cheers for the info my friend. Very helpful post so thank you very much. I am going to have a look into it now, when you say search terms is that when you can tag 'key words' for your video? I did this but wasn't sure what words to use to get the best results. I'm sure in time I will get more used to YouTube and get a few more viewers.

[Guest]

Yes, the "keywords" part is as important - if not more - in order for youtube to process the metadata for your content so it can match it with other videos and show them as related.
Without this it's virtually impossible to grow without people having a direct link to your videos.
The title should be short and descriptive and together with a proper thumbnail that you've made for each video things should fly! Look at popular videos for inspiration.

I've professionally worked with search engine optimisations and I know how to (ab)use the system to put someones URL in the top 10 results in Google search and since YouTube is owned by Google they are using more or less the exact same algorithm.

In metadata section list everything related to your content - even vague stuff, because it'll help you draw in the viewers.
Things like scale, modelling, model, build, armour, airplane, plane, Tamiya, airbrush, 1/35, 1/32, 1/72 etc etc is something you keep in a text file and copy & paste whenever you upload a new video so you don't have to redo the wheel every time
Too many keywords isn't good either but between 10-15 well defined keywords will help you when people search for videos and for you to show up as related/recommended.

The long description in YouTube is also part of the search but not as important as the metadata/keywords.

Also remember that when changing the metadata it'll take up to two days before you see any effect and never less than one day because it's done in batches, i.e. you can't search for what you've just entered and thinking something's wrong when you don't get the results you expect.

Good luck and remember - there's no substitute for great content. Great content creators will always get lots of subscribers and views.
People like Andy's Hobby Headquarters spend virtually zero time on making it look better than it is, just plain video. He's a good talker and makes regular videos that people find interesting and that's the whole secret. If he started to use fancy graphics and weird camera angles with dolly movements people would stop watching them... That's a good example of how to make interesting videos where the information is all there is.

A small catchy intro is a nice feature, but not overly important initially if you ask me... Better spend the time telling whatever you want to share!

[Guest]

Great advice you've been a great help thank you sir

[Guest]

I just subscribed to your channel. Help one another out, I always say.
I use Windows Movie Maker to do my videos. Very easy to use (which is good because I am a bonehead when it comes to stuff like that.) You will find as you go along it will grow exponentially. Post links on forums where it is allowed and subscribe to other channels, as they will most likely return the favor.
I don't get overly concerned with the amount of subscribers. I am currently at a little over 700 subscribers, but I would venture to say that the vast majority of them are merely passing through. There are quite a few though that comment and ask questions, or offer tips, and that is what I am after... interaction.
Just don't get discouraged. The numbers will pick up.
In the meantime, I am off to watch your videos.
Brett G.

[Guest]

I just subscribed to your channel. Help one another out, I always say.
I use Windows Movie Maker to do my videos. Very easy to use (which is good because I am a bonehead when it comes to stuff like that.) You will find as you go along it will grow exponentially. Post links on forums where it is allowed and subscribe to other channels, as they will most likely return the favor.
I don't get overly concerned with the amount of subscribers. I am currently at a little over 700 subscribers, but I would venture to say that the vast majority of them are merely passing through. There are quite a few though that comment and ask questions, or offer tips, and that is what I am after... interaction.
Just don't get discouraged. The numbers will pick up.
In the meantime, I am off to watch your videos.
Brett G.

Appreciate it mate, that's what I joined up to YouTube for, to try learn and meet more experienced model makers who are happy to offer advice and tips and so far so good. Learnt quite a lot on there already, especially for me who is mainly a figure painter I find Shane smyth's videos on there very good. And obviously on here I always get the help I neee and any questions I have are always answered for me.