Boo Hoo...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 10:16AM Well my masterplan to become a YouTube partner didn't quite work out as planned.
As you may be aware, I've started up a new-fangled YouTube ScreenCastsOnline channel which is going fantastically well and I've received some great feedback. I'm posting some video comments and various miniclips in several playlists, all in glorious HD.
The plan was to try and get up to 600+ subscribers and then register my interest in becoming a YouTube partner. That brings along with it a slew of new tools and features that would allow me to post some longer videos, customise my YouTube page and allow me to select any frame for the videos to act as a thumbnail.
The guidance for the YouTube Partner acceptance is a bit vague:
Applications are reviewed for a variety of criteria, including but not limited to the size of your audience, country of residence, quality of content, and consistency with our Community Guidelines and Terms of Use.
But I'd heard that 600 - 1000 subscribers is a good benchmark.
Well, thanks to the support of my ScreenCastsOnline viewers and Twitter followers, I'd reached 700+ in just a few short weeks.
Throwing caution to the wind, I thought I'd chance my hand and apply.
The process involves and automated review of your channel, but that didn't look hopeful as it came back with a negative comment. Regardless, you can still apply so I thought I'd press on and completed the application.
A couple of days later, the judgement was passed:
Thank you for your interest in the YouTube Partner Program. Our goal is to extend invitations to as many partners as we can. Unfortunately we are unable to accept your application at this time. The current level of viewership of your account has not met our threshold for acceptance.
D'oh!
Ah well, I'll just have to continue posting content to YouTube and try and push up the views of the videos.
I'm really not too disheartened to be honest, it's early days as far as YouTube is concerned and I'll press on. The unfortunate thing is I can't re-apply for Partner status another two months so you'll just have to put up with the thumbnails of me in random poses and facial expressions for a little bit longer. You only get a choice of 3 frames from the video as a non-partner, so it's a bit hit and miss!
Reader Comments (8)
You might have named this post, "If at first you don't succeed... blog about it."
Better luck on the next go around. It's Google's mistake not to accept you as a partner. If I knew any of the Google/YouTube powers-that-be or those that be-not (Hamlet-like), I would intercede on your behalf. Sadly, I don't.
Can't you just edit the video and put a still photo in the beginning of the video? Could you then assign the still as your thumbnail? Just a guess.
Which 3 frames are they? Random ones?
I shall follow your progress with interest and may even follow in your footsteps!
Ron
I think one of the 3 frames is the mid point of the video but unless I insert a clip of me sitting still and smiling in the exact middle of the clip, it's not going to help ;-)
Not sure which position the other 2 are from.
No big deal, funny really!
Don: Maybe this will help them firm up their criteria for channel partners; it's an evolving business model, I think. I even think that writing them back and asking for clarification and a firmer guideline would be good ...
you will just have to adopt a wide eyed fixed grin for about a minute in the centre section of the video. That way you may be lucky to catch the thumbnail. You could try practising in the mirror each morning.... I am sure Mrs McAllister would be mighty bemused by it all.
Just keep reminding us every now again to play a YouTube linked video that way your viewing count will shoot up fairly quickly.
J
Keep pluggin away Don, we shall still watch and enjoy your YourTube channel and in time, you will secure partner status!