A Whole New Perspective
When I began reading the Wired article by Bob Garlfield I became slightly embarassed that I had seen every single one of those videos. I was one of the 2 million who watched the napping cat and I can't count the number of times I've seen Numa Numa. But then I realized that this it not something to be embarassed of. As the article continued and put the profits of YouTube into perspective I began to realize that it is more than a guilty pleasure it is a powerful tool both economically and for making change. The Lights, Camera, You Tube, Action article by Karine Joly furthered this point by talking about the academic success that YouTube provided assisstant professor Michael Wesch. The success of his video showed how vital YouTube can be in increasing awareness of just about anything. Another great example of using YouTube to increase awareness is also presented in the article by Karine Joly. As discussed in the article, "Duke on Camera", a great example of a college using YouTube to increase awareness of their school and to encourage new applications for admission.
So after careful consideration and a little reading from the articles this week I'm able to draw a few conclusions about YouTube. That although I use it primarily for entertainment when I'm at work or a good laugh during a study break it's real potential is limitless. As discussed in the Wired article, it grosses a huge amount of money and can reach hundreds of millions of people with very low overhead cost. It appears to be a near perfect business model. Furthermore, its applications for everything from spreading the work of aspiring muscians to informing potential applicants to a college is rather intimidating in retrospect. So the next time I log on to watch the "Evil Eye Baby" while stuck in traffic I will be forced to remember and consider the impact that YouTube is having on not only the Web 2.0 world but the real world as well. It's income potential and wide-reaching capability make my lunch time entertainment seem a little less like an embarassing vice and a lot more like one of the best resources I could find for just about anything on just about any topic.
So maybe it's time to ask yourself, What can YouTiube do for you?
Comments
You said "...it (YouTube) grosses a huge amount of money and can reach hundreds of millions of people with very low overhead cost. It appears to be a near perfect business model." You are so right. A good business model is the answer to a successful business. I have never been a big YouTube watcher, unless someone sends me a link in an email. Hmmmm..start a business that provides email? Maybe too many of those around but it is a start.
Posted by: Amber | May 1, 2008 10:34 PM
Reading all these posts makes me realize that I am completely out of it regarding YouTube. It's only been in the past week that I've gone to YouTube and actually searched for anything. I've seen a couple of the videos that were mentioned in the readings, but it was usually through an email link or on someone else's computer. I have a friend who would occasionally tell me to search for a video, I don't think I ever did.
Of course it could have been an accessibility issue also...YouTube wasn't exactly encouraged at my former workplace, and I never had a wireless connection until I got my new computer last fall. Dial up doesn't cut it with this kind of thing...I can only assume its popularity has increased as faster connections have become more common.
Posted by: MichelleJ | May 2, 2008 07:02 PM
The astronomical sale price of companies like YouTube and their potential as business models is truly astounding. But as I read articles like Garfield's, I feel distrubed by the emphasis placed on their value as new platforms for advertising. The big question on everyone's mind is how to "monetize" these fascinating projects. The objective of commercializing seems contradictory to the original intent which was simply to share digital videos. Of course, it's still remarkably easy to do that. I suppose I'm just an idealist. Advertising is a fact of life in our culture.
I haven't spent much time on YouTube either until recently and there is some really amazing stuff there. Even if we're just looking for a quick break from work, I think that's valuable too. Watching a kitten fall asleep makes daily irritations dissolve pretty fast.
Posted by: Sara | May 4, 2008 01:26 PM
That is so funny because I am also one of the 2 million viewers that have watched the napping cat! Like you I have watched YouTube for entertainment purposes in the past hadn't heard of it's ability to increase awareness as with the college example. It is truly amazing what a huge amount of money YouTube grosses and the amount of people that it reaches. It is incredible that a person can make a video with little money and reach so many people. Overall I think YouTube is a great invention with so much potential.
Posted by: Tracy J | May 4, 2008 01:35 PM
I think that in many cases the best business models and ideas are accidents. The only reason I think this is that it is generally the most creative applications that make the best businesses and it isn't until later that people realize their true potential. Just wanted to add that thought and keep the discussion going!
Posted by: Stephanie V | May 4, 2008 06:13 PM
I love that you had seen all the videos! I was laughing at myself because somehow I was one of the 85 million who had NOT! (not anymore!). For all that Youtube may be now or in the future - its purpose as an entertainment tool can't be beat. I also love to go there for a few minutes off of studying or for a good laugh, just have to be careful not to get carried away ;)
Posted by: Jessica L | May 4, 2008 10:49 PM