Let's talk content strategy because that's the most exciting thing ever! I've decided to stop posting my clips to TikTok and Facebook and I want to explain some of my thinking.
Before I get into it, I want let everyone know that I'm making this post public so that everyone understands why I'm making this change. For those of you who are not supporters, it's a good peek behind the curtain at one of the perks you can get if you become a supporter. Okay, now that that's out of the way, it's dive into it.
Last week, I decided to stop posting clips anywhere except YouTube where they appear as Shorts. I had been posting them everywhere else in the hopes that the clips would bring more people to the YouTube channel (or even Twitch). The reality is that that doesn't work (at least for me.) There's a reason for that.
Basically, creator media platforms like TikTok are designed to keep you there. Instagram, for example doesn't let you put links in the description. (At least, not one that's clickable.) TikTok makes is difficult to even see the description. All of that together means that there's no easy way for a viewer to click on something and jump to my channel. At best, a viewer can go into the profile and click the link there.
On top of that, the sites are designed so that users will see a video, maybe they'll like it, but they swipe on to the next video. TikTok had a "feature" when you tried to swipe out of the app, it didn't exit. Instead it took you to another video. Gotta love it.
Of course, if my clips were the funniest things ever and got zillions of views, it might be different. Maybe. The conversion rate is pretty lousy, even then. If that was the only reason to stop, I would keep spamming the clips everywhere. Let's dive into the more philosophical reason.
For years, I've been discouraging people from using creator media sites like TikTok, X, and Instagram. Aside from how they're designed to take over your life (see above), it's too easy for those sites to amplify hatred and extremism. The loudest voices get amplified and do more work to segment and already fractured society.
There has also been research that shows how frequent use of those sites can be destructive to a person's self esteem and increase anxiety. This is especially true of younger users.
It's the social effects that got me thinking about pushing my content to those sites. If I'm discouraging people from using TikTok, why am I publishing content it? This question has been bouncing around my wee little mind for while. Honestly, it's been bothering me a lot.
I spent some time talking through this with other YouTubers. The result of that discussion was it wasn't worth it to keep posting the clips outside of YouTube.
I'm still posting the clips to YouTube because the advertising actually works there. I have some reservations about Shorts but I'm with that.
In related news, I've temporarily stopped streaming to Kick. The problem there is spam. Every stream, the Kick chat is full of spam. I've taken some steps to mitigate some of the spam but I'm tired of playing whack-a-mole with spammers. I'll give it a couple of weeks or so then try it again. I have zero viewers over then so I'm not concerned about that. Heck, the follower count on Kick pretty well matches the number of accounts that I've banned.
This week, in Minecraft, I'm going to be working on the science lab. I have one more wedge of glass to finish then I want to start thinking about a bubble-vator to the AFK spot. If I do this right, it might be a good core for the entire base. We'll see how it goes.
It great having the furnace working it makes glass so much easier. There's a lot of glass in the base and I expect there to be a lot more.
In Breath of the Wild, I think I'm heading for the next divine beast. Knowing me, I'll get lost and or distracted on my way there. That's part of the fun right?
Oh! One more quick reminder before I sign off for the night. I'm going to cancel the stream for the 21st which is a week from Tuesday. I'm traveling for work and won't be around that day.
That's it for me. Have a great week and I'll see you on stream!
