Crowd funding - any experience?

[John15]

I've just heard on the news that the last remaining Vulcan bomber is financed by Crowd Funding so it works for some things.

John

 

[petermillard]

There is nothing above with which I disagree. Equivalent of 8-track! Yes, you are quite right, but it was the standard of the day, I think...

Wasn't meant in any derogatory way, and I hope it wasn't taken as such; just that as an ex-professional photographer I shot some quite nice pictures at what are now laughable resolutions, and like your videos, there's just no way to make them look better. And hence my comment on 4K; if you're going to all the trouble to raise the funds for this, having the option to shoot at a higher resolution than is currently deemed 'necessary' might be worth considering, if only for future-proofing.

I did look in to downloads a couple of years ago, but I came to the conclusion that it was more expensive than DVDs. That is because the download operator (I think I was looking at iTunes as the platform), took a 30% cut. That is considerably more than my present distribution costs. At the mo, P&P does cover, pretty much, Paypal's fees and the postage costs. On some orders I make a bit, on some I lose a bit, but on average it sort of works. Not being able to charge that and then losing 30% baulks a bit, but I do recognise that DVDs are going the way of Betamax.

Such a lot to consider. This is an all-or-nothing jobbie, isn't it?

A quick google for "digital download shopping cart" brings up all manner of off the shelf options, which may be worth investigating further e.g. this one or this one - and these are just plucked at random from quite a long list; scalable options, simple monthly pricing plans and decent length free trial...

HTH Pete

 

[YorkshireMartin]

You obviously have the knowledge and whilst youtube is crowded with people publishing content of all types, if you're confident and knowledgeable, there is money to be made.

One of the things I personally cannot abide about some of the woodworking channels are the so called reviews, where a guy basically talks about only the positives of a particular piece of equipment and maybe criticises it for being painted red instead of green. Obviously they are paid and/or given the equipment for the purpose, yet many don't declare it, so objectivity flies out of the window. So someone coming in with an independent view, whist compromising revenue opportunities somewhat, would probably do well long term.

Can I suggest you look at a youtube channel called AvE. That is a different approach which works for him. It's not woodworking related exclusively, but he teaches people, just in a different way to most.

You'd need to have a decent broadband connection, some editing software and a new high-res camera, but you know your onions by all accounts, so I'd say you'll easily make the money back. There are many ways of monetising a youtube channel and a meeting with a specialist in that area will set you back only a few hundred pounds.

DVD is a dead format I think. For example, I don't even have a DVD player anymore, so I couldn't buy your product as is. I'm sure I can't be alone in that.

If you film in 1080p you won't go far wrong. Buying a 4k camera is expensive and unnecessary in my opinion and when the time comes that people want 4k videos routinely, the tech will be much cheaper. Also, a very high end PC is required to edit 4k footage, whereas a decent spec gaming PC will edit 1080p.

Downloads are expensive because of the bandwidth. Streamed content is where its at.

Ever thought of live streaming you working in your shop whilst explaining what you're doing? Thats getting popular.

You could always team up with someone who is knowledgeable in video production, youtube etc and has all the gear, yet wants to learn woodworking. I'm sure such a person exists somewhere. An exchange of knowledge if you like.

Just my 2p. Good luck.

 

[whiskywill]

If you want a real money maker you need a channel called something like " lady in a bikini learns to work with wood"

Or "Farm Girl". She is a fit lady.

 

[kostello]

If you want a real money maker you need a channel called something like " lady in a bikini learns to work with wood"

Or "Farm Girl". She is a fit lady.

I couldn't possibly comment

Sent from my E2303 using Tapatalk

 

[Claymore]

Sounds a good idea but haven't a clue how you organise such stuff...... who are you going to get to play yourself in the movie? Brad Pitt? Depp? and more importantly your leading lady? Angelina Jolie is usually busy looking after the kids nowadays but the young actress in Poldark might go down well with your brooding looks and we'll think of a way to incorporate some action scenes....maybe cutting some 3/4" plywood but leave the safety glasses off? might need a stunt double for some scenes but you could be onto a winner.
9-)
Brian

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And this was being so constructive...
Very funny but can we keep to the point please?

TVM

 

[rafezetter]

I'm not wearing a bikini for anyone. I'm all for new experiences, but that is a lingerie too far.

That's the beauty of youtube - as far as I'm aware just clicking on the link opening the page is enough to get a "viewed" - and there are so many bogus titles like the "girl in a bikini" suggested all linked to nothing like a girl in a bikini (or so I've heard) that tha actual wearing of bikini or other lingerie isn't required

For rewards, depending on the amount you could offer a 1 to 1 tutorial - either on skype for less money - or in person for more, maybe even a weekend's worth over 2 days.

 

[shuggy]

+1 for DVDs being a dead format. Have been for some time now. Adobe stopped support for their DVD authoring tool in Premier Pro a few years ago, and it isn't available through their Creative Cloud platform.
+1 for 1080p being sufficient also. 4k whilst just available on the brand new iPhones would be expensive to record and edit properly. You need plenty of fast storage and as you say the powerful computer setup not to mention a 4k monitor.

The YouTube option sounds good to me, and you can get started with minimal overheads. Once the subscriptions count rack up, the revenue should increase and you can perhaps begin to upgrade your production gear? I believe advertising revenue is related to number of subscriptions to your channel, which is why everyone always ends with "thanks for watching, remember to subscribe". Once you've built up a fan base, you can direct them to your website and perhaps have additional premium content there.

I recently purchased Richard Maguire's Spoon Rack series via his website TheEnglishWoodworker and that has worked well and was an easy one off transaction with good quality downloadable content.

I have enjoyed your DVDs by the way.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Well I've been mulling all this and have made a fist tentative step.

It's from all the above (and more that I've received by PM) that if this is going to work I need to get involved with Facebook. God, do I really have to Tweet as well? I do hope not. But I have set up a FB page so if you would like to Like, it's www.facebook.com/workshopessentials
If anyone would like me to post anything specific up there, just let me know, as there is nothing there yet.

 

[JakeS]

Well I've ... made a fist

Do you really hate Facebook that much? ;-)

 

[BearTricks]

Another vote against 4k.

No one has the ability to play 4k video unless they've got a TV that came out very recently or a new iPhone. There are very few 4k TV channels. I almost bought a 4k TV based on the impressive displays at Currys, then I realised that I would have absolutely nothing to watch on it.

I'd also guess that the current generation of woodworkers are the type of people who'd be the last to own those gadgets. I'm surprised that more of us aren't on social media and more marketing savvy though. I accept that almost every woodworker I know of is from a generation that doesn't care for tweeting and posting photos of their food, but once they're gone it's probably social media that will be responsible for saving the hobby. And all signs at the moment point to it being a very difficult hobby and profession to keep alive.

 

[Wizard9999]

Another vote against 4k.

No one has the ability to play 4k video unless they've got a TV that came out very recently or a new iPhone. There are very few 4k TV channels. I almost bought a 4k TV based on the impressive displays at Currys, then I realised that I would have absolutely nothing to watch on it.

Late to this thread as don't think I have ever looked at this board before, just followed link from the workshop thread.

I think the initial point about 4k was future proofing and related to the comment that at least one person finds the existing content unwatchable and that it is 'unupgradeable'. So even though people may not want or be able to view 4k now, I took the point to be that in 2 or 5 or 10 years time the content will still have worth, whereas if filmed in HD it may be deemed unwatchable. Al this assumes that something filmed in 4K now can be distributed in HD so that it is marketable to the majority who have yet to get 4K capability. However, appreciate this needs to be balanced against the art of the possible in terms of funds available.

Terry.

 

[petermillard]

I think the initial point about 4k was future proofing and related to the comment that at least one person finds the existing content unwatchable and that it is 'unupgradeable'. So even though people may not want or be able to view 4k now, I took the point to be that in 2 or 5 or 10 years time the content will still have worth, whereas if filmed in HD it may be deemed unwatchable.

Yes, exactly that.

Al this assumes that something filmed in 4K now can be distributed in HD so that it is marketable to the majority who have yet to get 4K capability. However, appreciate this needs to be balanced against the art of the possible in terms of funds available.

Yes again, absolutely. You can shoot & edit in 4K and distribute in HD. You can shoot in 4K, run the raw footage through a free app then edit and distribute in HD. What you can't do is shoot in HD, then make it 4K later - just like you can't take SD and make it HD. Which is where we came in, I think.

Pete