Hey guys, I come to you today in need of some assistance. I started a LP back in August and have been advertising my videos on another thread in the proper forums section but I am only seeing minimal growth. I understand that to grow I need lots of advertisement but every time I try to come up with a way to do so, I can’t think of anything. I am also bad at finding faults in my episodes because… well they’re what I like and I don’t get much feedback!
I guess what I’m asking out of the kindness of the community is - what do I need to do to see more growth?
EDIT! - With all of your very much appreciated input I tried shaking things up a little bit and created this episode! The only thing I have to work on I think would be the length of the video but please let me know what you guys think! Thanks
Here's a video for you guys to sample -
Hope to here back from you soon and thanks for any advice!
PS - I found one thing I'm missing, it's the " 'm " from the title. One problem solved!
Well..your quality is great...and you have more subs than me mehnn..
Uhh you can start by removing the black lines by right clicking the video in the track, go to properties, and uncheck maintain aspect ratio. Not unless you like it that way.
If people can tell you're getting bored with playing they'll stop watching, that's not something people want to see.
Also I notice you spend quite a bit of time going over and showing things that you've done off screen in the video. Perhaps you could try and just talk through it while doing other things you need to do, instead of actually showing it. Unless it's something big and important that is. It will help you get a bit more done per video, and you will have just as much to talk about.
I always enjoy what I build, but if I do sound monotone or uninterested then I should change that, let me know if that is the case.
Also, on the part about showing what I built of camera, this is probably my biggest flaw. Do you think people would rather me get less done and enjoy seeing me build? Serous question, no sarcasm involved, but I actually would get a lot less done I think. The episode I shared took me about 2 days to film but if I were to have kept me building the majority of it then it would have been like a whole another 2 episodes. I can change, and it would actually benefit me since it would be easier to release more episodes.
Well..your quality is great...and you have more subs than me mehnn..
Uhh you can start by removing the black lines by right clicking the video in the track, go to properties, and uncheck maintain aspect ratio. Not unless you like it that way.
I like the lines lol, looks like a movie to me, but if it's annoying then I can remove them.
I for one enjoy seeing the progress that you make in the building of things, not everything. If you can find some royalty free music that you can use you can use them for speed-ups where you show everything you're doing, but at a faster pace. It still lets everyone see what you're building but doesn't take a whole episode and it lets you fill gaps that you may have otherwise not been able to fill with conversation.
I'll try that in the future, but I'm still a little unsure because it would stilll be a lot of footage, maybe a montage instead?
Ok, as soon as I started watching I was captured by your voice and how good both your video and audio was... but then I saw the video was 36 minutes long!
From the time I've spent on YouTube I've noticed that new viewers are only willing to watch a maximum of 10 minutes (that's if they find you interesting) ways to prolong your retention is to start of with a REALLY random intro, maybe a scene from further on in the 10 minute episode that shows something hilarious happening.
hopefully this will help, main thing is to not go over that 10 minute mark until you've got a very strong fan base that want to watch half an hour of footage
I've heard this argument before and I agree that viewer retention is extremely low when you have longer episode but with longer videos I may get more accomplished, you know? If I were to shrink the episode length down I would have to either cut a bunch of footage or, the more likely route, drag out the number of episode dedicated towards a project. So, at the end of the day, I really do appreciate this tip and I know that you are actually correct, but I think I will keep my length just because I like showing as much as I can and a complete project at the end of an episode.
I really enjoyed this video ddamian, and you earned a sub btw . As someone already mentioned you have a good voice for commentary, and the audio/video quality is wonderful. Some people seem completely disinterested in their own videos and it's an immediate turn off. I'm happy to say that that's not the case here!
One criticism mentioned already is that the video length is definitely intimidating. I'm having similar problems as you with my own let's play videos, and I've experimented with some of the things mentioned here (montages, shorter episode times, etc). You're at over half an hour which is difficult for people to commit to, but I also understand that the videos really *have* to be that long in order for anything meaningful to be accomplished. If nothing actually happens in a let's play video, or nothing is accomplished it's just plain boring. You definitely accomplish something by the end of the video and it concludes well, but it does take a long time to get there.
A suggestion I have for you is to actually use more cuts to sort of drive the video forward. Shoot to edit. It's advice I'm finally starting to impliment in my own videos. I think we were in the spider room for 95% of the video and at some parts in the middle it begins to drag (not to knock this farm, it's pretty awesome, gotta say). People like to see progress, but they're impatient. That's where you can use video cuts to really change the pacing, and drive the episode (and lower the length potentially). You do use cuts, but sometimes there's like 5 minutes of exposition in between, and here's where it begins to drag. 5 minutes of exposition can be fine but when you're in one location working on one part of one project it can get slow and there's where your audience retention goes.
The first two episodes of my Let's Play series were just one long 20 minute take, and after rewatching them I definitely noticed that in the middle section the episodes begin to drag, and sure enough, that's when most viewers leave. That or they leave in the first 15 seconds, which are absolutely critical, since most people probably decide whether they're going to watch the episode in that timeframe. Someone had a suggestion to show like 10 seconds of different "highlight" clips from within that episode in the beginning to kind of hook the audience into watching the whole episode. Maybe put a funny clip in the beginning. People will watch the video to find the clip and learn the context. The TV show NCIS sort of does this. Before a commercial break they'll show still frames of characters making dramatic (often ridiculous) faces, from intense scenes to come after the show returns from commercial break. It's a little goofy, but it does a good job of hooking you and making you want to keep watching the show after the advertisements to find out what happens to the characters. (and brilliantly makes you watch the advertisements too!) Might be hard to impliment, but could be worth a shot.
Montage build videos are fun, and people get to see progress fast! As mentioned above good royalty free music can really drive it. Audionautix.com and incompetech.com as mentioned above are wonderful resources for completely free to use music. When used appropriately and with double time video/cuts they can really drive a build video. If you'll allow me a shameless advertisement to demonstrate the point, the two videos below demonstrate this point. These are two of my most watched videos and also have the highest audience retention.
These are just a few suggestions I had after watching this video. It's a great video, and I liked and subscribed. I'm new to Let's plays myself so I'm still learning as well.
I really enjoyed this video ddamian, and you earned a sub btw . As someone already mentioned you have a good voice for commentary, and the audio/video quality is wonderful. Some people seem completely disinterested in their own videos and it's an immediate turn off. I'm happy to say that that's not the case here!
Good! I am glad that people can recognize my enthusiasm for my builds, as I do really enjoy creating and building them.
A suggestion I have for you is to actually use more cuts to sort of drive the video forward. Shoot to edit. It's advice I'm finally starting to impliment in my own videos. I think we were in the spider room for 95% of the video and at some parts in the middle it begins to drag (not to knock this farm, it's pretty awesome, gotta say). People like to see progress, but they're impatient. That's where you can use video cuts to really change the pacing, and drive the episode (and lower the length potentially). You do use cuts, but sometimes there's like 5 minutes of exposition in between, and here's where it begins to drag. 5 minutes of exposition can be fine but when you're in one location working on one part of one project it can get slow and there's where your audience retention goes.
If I interpreted this correctly, I took too long in between clips explaining what exactly I was doing because the setting got dull? I can see this and thanks for letting me know. Also, this video was super long and I really didn't want it to be 36 minutes but that’s what it ended up being. After what everyone has said thus far, it seems I should definitely shrink the length.
Someone had a suggestion to show like 10 seconds of different "highlight" clips from within that episode in the beginning to kind of hook the audience into watching the whole episode. Maybe put a funny clip in the beginning. People will watch the video to find the clip and learn the context. The TV show NCIS sort of does this. Before a commercial break they'll show still frames of characters making dramatic (often ridiculous) faces, from intense scenes to come after the show returns from commercial break. It's a little goofy, but it does a good job of hooking you and making you want to keep watching the show after the advertisements to find out what happens to the characters. (and brilliantly makes you watch the advertisements too!) Might be hard to impliment, but could be worth a shot.
I tried this on a previous video, I think it was actually the first spider farm too lol. Yes I do need to d this as it is the hook that keeps people watching. I can tell you the reason I still watch some of the crap that's on TV today is because of things like this! And yes, they are pretty hard to implement.
Montage build videos are fun, and people get to see progress fast! As mentioned above good royalty free music can really drive it. Audionautix.com and incompetech.com as mentioned above are wonderful resources for completely free to use music. When used appropriately and with double time video/cuts they can really drive a build video.
Yes, I do need to get around to making some more montages for sure X) But this is where the driving difference between you and I lies. You have given me some great advice and as a member of the community I would like to return fire and hopefully help you as well So, my first observation of your two listed videos concerns the time lapses/montages is the videos. I'm not so sure about this, I would think the viewers would want to see it be built and then see it be used in the same video, but if you only show the building process, isn't that also a bit bland?
Anyways, that's pretty much my only gripe. I just watched your newest episode with the railway and think that's pretty clever! You have some good ideas so keep up the good work man Thanks for the advice and I hope mine will also somehow help you!
Here's a hint: I certainly wouldn't type 'MineQuaft' into the YouTube search. Maybe you should put the word 'MineCraft' in your titles.
Well, I certainly doubt that if I do add the word "Minecraft" to the title of my videos I would be anywhere near the top of the list, so I think I might as well keep them the way they are, thanks though!
With all of your very much appreciated input I tried shaking things up a little bit and created this episode! The only thing I have to work on I think would be the length of the video but please let me know what you guys think! Thanks
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I guess what I’m asking out of the kindness of the community is - what do I need to do to see more growth?
EDIT! - With all of your very much appreciated input I tried shaking things up a little bit and created this episode! The only thing I have to work on I think would be the length of the video but please let me know what you guys think! Thanks
Here's a video for you guys to sample -
Hope to here back from you soon and thanks for any advice!
PS - I found one thing I'm missing, it's the " 'm " from the title. One problem solved!
Uhh you can start by removing the black lines by right clicking the video in the track, go to properties, and uncheck maintain aspect ratio. Not unless you like it that way.
I always enjoy what I build, but if I do sound monotone or uninterested then I should change that, let me know if that is the case.
Also, on the part about showing what I built of camera, this is probably my biggest flaw. Do you think people would rather me get less done and enjoy seeing me build? Serous question, no sarcasm involved, but I actually would get a lot less done I think. The episode I shared took me about 2 days to film but if I were to have kept me building the majority of it then it would have been like a whole another 2 episodes. I can change, and it would actually benefit me since it would be easier to release more episodes.
Thanks for the advice!
I like the lines lol, looks like a movie to me, but if it's annoying then I can remove them.
Thanks for the input!
I'll try that in the future, but I'm still a little unsure because it would stilll be a lot of footage, maybe a montage instead?
Thanks, I appreciate the tip!
I've heard this argument before and I agree that viewer retention is extremely low when you have longer episode but with longer videos I may get more accomplished, you know? If I were to shrink the episode length down I would have to either cut a bunch of footage or, the more likely route, drag out the number of episode dedicated towards a project. So, at the end of the day, I really do appreciate this tip and I know that you are actually correct, but I think I will keep my length just because I like showing as much as I can and a complete project at the end of an episode.
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!
One criticism mentioned already is that the video length is definitely intimidating. I'm having similar problems as you with my own let's play videos, and I've experimented with some of the things mentioned here (montages, shorter episode times, etc). You're at over half an hour which is difficult for people to commit to, but I also understand that the videos really *have* to be that long in order for anything meaningful to be accomplished. If nothing actually happens in a let's play video, or nothing is accomplished it's just plain boring. You definitely accomplish something by the end of the video and it concludes well, but it does take a long time to get there.
A suggestion I have for you is to actually use more cuts to sort of drive the video forward. Shoot to edit. It's advice I'm finally starting to impliment in my own videos. I think we were in the spider room for 95% of the video and at some parts in the middle it begins to drag (not to knock this farm, it's pretty awesome, gotta say). People like to see progress, but they're impatient. That's where you can use video cuts to really change the pacing, and drive the episode (and lower the length potentially). You do use cuts, but sometimes there's like 5 minutes of exposition in between, and here's where it begins to drag. 5 minutes of exposition can be fine but when you're in one location working on one part of one project it can get slow and there's where your audience retention goes.
The first two episodes of my Let's Play series were just one long 20 minute take, and after rewatching them I definitely noticed that in the middle section the episodes begin to drag, and sure enough, that's when most viewers leave. That or they leave in the first 15 seconds, which are absolutely critical, since most people probably decide whether they're going to watch the episode in that timeframe. Someone had a suggestion to show like 10 seconds of different "highlight" clips from within that episode in the beginning to kind of hook the audience into watching the whole episode. Maybe put a funny clip in the beginning. People will watch the video to find the clip and learn the context. The TV show NCIS sort of does this. Before a commercial break they'll show still frames of characters making dramatic (often ridiculous) faces, from intense scenes to come after the show returns from commercial break. It's a little goofy, but it does a good job of hooking you and making you want to keep watching the show after the advertisements to find out what happens to the characters. (and brilliantly makes you watch the advertisements too!) Might be hard to impliment, but could be worth a shot.
Montage build videos are fun, and people get to see progress fast! As mentioned above good royalty free music can really drive it. Audionautix.com and incompetech.com as mentioned above are wonderful resources for completely free to use music. When used appropriately and with double time video/cuts they can really drive a build video. If you'll allow me a shameless advertisement to demonstrate the point, the two videos below demonstrate this point. These are two of my most watched videos and also have the highest audience retention.
These are just a few suggestions I had after watching this video. It's a great video, and I liked and subscribed. I'm new to Let's plays myself so I'm still learning as well.
-pugnation12
Good! I am glad that people can recognize my enthusiasm for my builds, as I do really enjoy creating and building them.
If I interpreted this correctly, I took too long in between clips explaining what exactly I was doing because the setting got dull? I can see this and thanks for letting me know. Also, this video was super long and I really didn't want it to be 36 minutes but that’s what it ended up being. After what everyone has said thus far, it seems I should definitely shrink the length.
I tried this on a previous video, I think it was actually the first spider farm too lol. Yes I do need to d this as it is the hook that keeps people watching. I can tell you the reason I still watch some of the crap that's on TV today is because of things like this! And yes, they are pretty hard to implement.
Yes, I do need to get around to making some more montages for sure X) But this is where the driving difference between you and I lies. You have given me some great advice and as a member of the community I would like to return fire and hopefully help you as well
Anyways, that's pretty much my only gripe. I just watched your newest episode with the railway and think that's pretty clever! You have some good ideas so keep up the good work man
Well, I certainly doubt that if I do add the word "Minecraft" to the title of my videos I would be anywhere near the top of the list, so I think I might as well keep them the way they are, thanks though!