• MetaStatistical@lemmy.zip
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    1 month ago

    Many creators that I follow reached a level of professionalism that comes with significant costs. You need expensive cameras, microphones, lights, high-end computers, drones, personnel costs for cutters and people that help with research. They have travel costs, sometimes rent for offices etc. All that just to produce the content.

    Not everybody needs that. You can still produce good content without spending thousands of dollars on all of that. In fact, swinging the level of professionalism too far can alienate an audience. It’s all about manufacturing authenticity.

    On top, there are significant costs for hosting. I mean YouTube is hosted on multiple data centers rather than a bunch of servers or even home computers. Already Lemmy, which is mostly text and pictures, is a decent financial burden to instance owners. Not to mention the time for moderation and administration. And even here, in a place full of hardcore FOSS supporters, it’s not like admins are drowned in donations.

    I agree. PeerTube is neat, but I don’t think it’s there yet. Even with peer-to-peer options, it doesn’t really work when there are more video posters than viewers.

    If YouTube ads and product placements are the only source of income for content creators, then the only alternative would be that consumers directly pay for the content and the platform.

    You mean Patreon? YouTube ads are no way to make a living, so Patreon has taken over as the revenue source for most creators. Eventually, they want more money and start taking product offers, trying to sell you G-Fuel or whatever disreputable product lands in their inbox.

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      All agreed. Some of my favorite content is very plain. Hickok45 has a couple of channels and zero frills. He just shoots guns and discusses the in and outs. He’s like your cool grandad. LOL, his new channel is just short videos of him sitting down and discussing various topics that are on his mind.

      Paul Harrel (RIP) was more formal in his presentations, but much the same as to costs. Paul videos are a masterclass on how to present a subject without bias. He would tell you what he’s going to tell you, tell you, tell you what he told you, and at the end invite you to form your own opinion. You get spoiled watching his single-take shots and start finding other YouTubers, with their constant edits, annoying.

      Peter Santenello looks to only spend money on gas and lodging while he cruises America with a selfie stick. Peter is highly recommended! You meet people you would never have met IRL and learn what life is like for them. He’s nearly without bias and asks tough questions at times. Only video I saw where he got a bit emotional was his trip to Kensington in Philly. He’s been to some hellaciously poor places in America but Kensington appalled him.