Exclusive Video: June 2016
Added 2016-06-30 19:12:52 +0000 UTCHello +$5 patrons!
This is your exclusive video, and it is a very rambly me talking about some very important things I learned from VidCon. I ask some questions in the video about where you see the channel going and I'd LOVE your feedback! I look forward to having a conversation in the Patreon comments section.
More videos next month! Thank you all for your incredible continued support. MUCH LOVE!!
xxMKR
Comments
Hehe true. Thanks Steve!
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-10-01 15:13:46 +0000 UTCYou look like you are having fun with the art, the production, and the community in each video. That is a key part of your brand. That still allows you to explore and grow, too. As Amanda Palmer says, "take the flower." (You get to determine what that means for you, though!)
Steve
2016-10-01 14:14:46 +0000 UTCSince I mostly agree with Will Cole, this may not be as helpful but anyway. Your authenticity is your main brand. As long as it feels like you still are you, we will be fine with the videos you do. Speaking of Fine, that was their downfall. They showed they were no longer two brothers making interesting reaction videos in their apartment anymore so then they lost people like me. Tom Small, the former producer of Barley Political made a talk of this on the subject how to be successful on YouTube back in 2012. They started to make videos with higher production value and in the same time they lost viewers. He figured that the higher production value alienated the audience. So they went back to hand-puppets and simple props and the audience came back. As for brand deals. If it still feels like it is you making the video they will not hurt you. But if it begins to feel like the brand deals are driving the content, it if feels like the songs translated is chosen by SONY instead of us, then you will feel less authentic and then you will be in trouble. And then I end with a Tyrian quote"Just because I pay you for your services doesn't diminish our friendship." And our friendship is what makes me pay for your services if that makes any sense.
Stefan "MaskinJunior" Ivarsson
2016-09-23 21:06:05 +0000 UTCI fully agree. It's definitely a hard decision, and one that I don't necessarily have to even make yet! (yay!) But good to know your thoughts, Jonathan!!
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-07-03 22:20:20 +0000 UTCmmmm warmth, that will be my inspiration word for a while :D
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-07-03 22:19:38 +0000 UTCVery true. The "how" of brand deals is by far the most important thing if they are going to be integrated at all. Thanks Josiah!!
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-07-03 22:19:16 +0000 UTCThis was so helpful and so kind. You rock. Thank you for all the detail, it's very helpful in my ability to articulate to others why I make content and how they can contribute. :D xx
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-07-03 22:18:08 +0000 UTCVery well put. A lot of contracts know better than to try and own anything from a YouTube creator, but it's always something to look out for. And I agree in preferring authenticity over consistency.
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-07-03 22:17:10 +0000 UTCOh wow, there's so much to go over here. I'm going to try and keep it organized and go over in the order you went thru them in the video. Your first question to us is what is the MKR brand. I was introduced to you via the 'let it go' GTS, as I'm sure many others were as well. If you ask me 'what the MKR brand is' I'd say it's Google Translate Sings. That doesn't mean that I haven't immensely enjoyed your other works and covers, but GTS is what brought me onboard and all of the laughs I've had at the lyrics and your antics in the videos is what prompted me to become a patron. What you want your brand to be moving forward is really up to you. I would suggest that keeping GTS as your main product, especially with the quality you've been bringing to that product, would be a wise decision. As you branch out, you'll be able to gauge support for other endeavors and decide if you've found something else to become your main line. GTS is successful in my opinion because of the hilarious lyrics, your beauty and vocal talent, and the production quality of the videos/your antics such as facial expressions or use of props; if you branch out, you'd probably want to keep some of these for that 'consistency' angle and to keep subscribers tuned in. As far as brand deals, I think it's harder to say it better than Richard has. If you are offered a brand deal that doesn't get in the way of your artistic and comedic vision, it wouldn't bother me that you take it and run with it. I begrudge no-one their desire to make as much money as they can from their work. However, I'm very pleased to hear how proud you are of having our support. Frankly, I am proud to support you. When you post a video, I get to say 'I helped make that' and it makes me happy; if your channel were loaded with strategically placed branding I wouldn't feel quite the same sense of support. It wouldn't make me stop supporting you as long as you continue to make me smile and laugh in your vids, but I wouldn't be as excited about being a patron. Finally, a note on your comment that you get people to engage by giving so much value that they cannot help but engage. This is exactly what you are already doing, and this is exactly why I am a patron. I've gotten so much enjoyment out of your channel, I was driven to support you when I found out you had a Patreon. The best advice I can give you here is to continue to be genuine and strive for the best product that you can, and the engagement, and therefore patrons, will come on their own.
Will Cole
2016-07-01 18:19:12 +0000 UTCTo be honest, I prefer authenticity over consistency and definitely prefer authenticity to giving away rights in a "brand deal". I would much prefer you do something you love, rather than sign some kind of deal where somebody else makes money off your creative talent. You have so much talent and hold yourself very well that, personally, I see it as kind of "diluting" it. Unless it's something you really love, I think just concentrate on the brand being "you" rather than some other company. But as Richard Dakin said, you want to make sure you have complete control over your amazing creativity.
Stuart Stanfield
2016-07-01 08:37:27 +0000 UTCI don't agree with the emphasis on consistency over authenticity. Yes, if you're going to make this your career, you have to put a constant effort in, but there is a temptation as an entity becomes larger and more successful to sacrifice their soul to gain more success. Not that I think that's what you're doing, but I think YouTube is definitely doing that as they grow, becoming more corporate. And I think people are tired of corporate. We want authenticity, that's why YouTube has become as large as it has, and why the people creating content on YouTube have been as successful as they have been. That said, you've got to eat, and put a roof over your head, and if taking on a sponsor or something like that lets you do that and continue to make great videos, I don't see a problem with it. Just as long as it's something you feel good about. That's the best advice I can give, trust yourself. You know what you're comfortable with, and what you're not, and if you're ok with it, odds are good your fans will be too.
Jonathan
2016-07-01 06:36:02 +0000 UTCI have to admit, that there are a few specific things that come to mind, when I see your name. They include: GTS, great normal covers, Ashinaga and warmth, tons of warmth. As far as product endorsements go, as long as it was something you truly believed in, I'd be fine with it.
Pete Warchol
2016-07-01 02:30:10 +0000 UTCA light sponsorship would be totally acceptable, but only so long as you have it be something you really like (product or service) and don't dedicate an entire video to the sponsor unless it is already the sort of thing you would do. Product placement is fine, but PLEASE don't have an after-the-main-part-of-the-video-part-of-the-video over 25 seconds long dedicated just to the sponsor (it is a little unprofessional looking and very annoying). Also, only keep a sponsor for one or two videos and have sponsors only occasionally. Those are my 2¢. As for your brand, I would say from watching your stuff for a while that you find interesting and creative stuff to make content out of that most wouldn't have even thought of (i.e. GTS) but you find stuff that you have lots of skill with (singing) and actually invest yourself into your ideas giving them soul and making them better than just an average Joe would/could do it. That helps explain your brand and the edge you have. I'm not sure if I elaborated exactly on what you wanted feedback on or even answered the questions you had in the right ways but feel free to ask for any clarification or other options than what I expressed here.
Josiah Zietlow
2016-07-01 01:14:58 +0000 UTCWell said
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2016-06-30 19:33:34 +0000 UTCBrand deals are like other folks paying you to ride your wave of creativity, talent, and passion. Take the deals if they do not kill your wave. If you take the money the contracts must allow you to have full creative ownership and license. That way you retain possession of your mind, will, and emotive expressions. Keep it real. You Matter!
Richard Dakin
2016-06-30 19:28:24 +0000 UTC
