Removing ads for each new video's first month, as thanks
Added 2017-02-28 17:43:04 +0000 UTCHello 3blue1brown patrons,
Several times I've mentioned just how blown away I've been by your willingness to support what I'm trying to do with this channel, and how thankful I am for that. But actions speak louder than words, so I want a better way to show you what your support means to me, doing what I can to offer you more enjoyable videos.
I work hard to craft an experience for viewers moment-by-moment from a video's start to its end. But the fact is, with monetization on YouTube, the first few seconds of that experience in many cases is actually spent watching an ad. I have no issue with advertising as a concept; done right it can be a positive for everyone. However, often those first few seconds are either a nuisance or a space of dead time that we've all become numb to.
Since that's one more moment of viewing experience I have control over, and since you're contributing to this channel directly through Patreon, I've decided to turn off those ads for the first month of a video's existence. I figure that most of you supporting are among those who watch a video in its first month, and I'm more than happy to let this be a spillover benefit for other followers coming in during that time.
By the way, the pop-up ads at the bottom of the view frame are something that I've never had on. Those ones are just too annoying.
Maybe it's worth mentioning another sense in which your contributions are translating into what I hope to be higher quality videos. Originally, when I set out to devote my full time to this, I wasn't entirely sure how things would go and my plan was to push for one video per week (meaning one published every other week given the oscillation between those published immediately and those stocked up for an "Essence of" series). But with the pressure eased up a bit, when an idea comes along that takes more time to develop, either because it needs to be a longer video to tell the full story, or because it takes more production time per minute of video, I feel much more comfortable giving it the thought and time needed. Sure, in principle creators should always strive to develop an idea fully, but if the incentive is to produce more quickly, those ideas have a tendency to get put on the back burner a little too often.
In general, know that I'm always interested in doing what I can to make watching these videos feel like time well spent, so never hesitate to reach out directly to me if you feel there's a way I can improve things for you.
Keep loving math,
-Grant
Comments
You might think so, but YouTube actually prides itself in making sure monetization does not factor into their algorithms. Consider entities like Khan Academy. As to the video you shared, you should be aware that not all YouTubers actually know what they're talking about.
3blue1brown
2017-03-13 23:07:36 +0000 UTCHm, I don't know if it's a good idea. Youtube only promotes videos that bring them ad revenue. I think you should listen to this youtuber's experience : <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNLdCXKWek" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNLdCXKWek</a>
2017-03-13 18:20:26 +0000 UTCHm, I don't know if it's a good idea. Youtube only promotes videos that bring them ad revenue. Just listen to this youtuber's experience : <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNLdCXKWe" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNLdCXKWe</a>
2017-03-13 18:19:37 +0000 UTCI think the vast majority of us prefers quality over quantity. Plus, if we're semi-cynical about it: you're getting paid per video anyway, so from our point of view we're getting a "better" deal that way ;) Personally, I think here's too much good things in the world to enjoy in one lifetime anyway, so I'd rather have less videos, but every minute spent watching be absolutely amazing, than "more but slightly diluted." I want to live without dead time. Don't feel any pressure to produce a lot.
Job van der Zwan
2017-03-01 09:05:34 +0000 UTCI think the vast majority of us prefers quality over quantity. There's too much good things in the world to enjoy in one lifetime anyway, so
Job van der Zwan
2017-03-01 09:05:33 +0000 UTCI would not say I have too much money; believe me I'll be happy to hire help as soon as I think it makes sense. I just think ensuring people have a good viewing experience is the most important thing to optimize, even if that means some opportunity cost from one direction.
3blue1brown
2017-02-28 22:22:11 +0000 UTCI think it's like anything, where you just have to do it a lot. I'm not even sure I communicate eloquently now, but I can certainly say that the way I taught and created content a few years ago definitely had room for improvement when it comes to clarity. Same goes with animating, I never really learned anything formally, but just started doing it, and building up tools to help automate what seemed repetitive.
3blue1brown
2017-02-28 22:17:48 +0000 UTCSolid feedback, sound is one of those things I never seem to get quite right. I started off with a bad mix of ignorance and apathy with respect to sound quality, but I'm giving it more attention moving forward.
3blue1brown
2017-02-28 22:15:18 +0000 UTCThe Pareto rule is a good reference here. If anything, I think the nature of the internet makes that skew much more dramatic than the traditionally referenced 80/20 split.
3blue1brown
2017-02-28 22:12:33 +0000 UTCIt's just a matter of costs-benefits. If what you get from the advertisements is comparable to a very generous Patreon, please keep the money! Getting rid of the ad is an automatic gesture, for a serious youtuber. Or, if it's a full-screen film, 5 seconds is no big deal. Remember that your success is due to the high quality of your work. So, please, take all of the time high quality needs. I'm sure you know the Pareto rule...
Guido Gambardella
2017-02-28 20:16:36 +0000 UTCI love your videos, but I feel that your voice sometimes sounds too fuzzy. Maybe investing in a high quality mic could be a way to improve the viewing experience. Also, thank you for doing these videos. You quickly rised to my favourite YouTube channel when I discovered it about a year ago, and now that you have a Patreon I felt the need to directly support you. Seriously, I seldom find such intuitive explanations of such advanced math!
2017-02-28 19:07:05 +0000 UTCIf anyone asks me what I want to do when I grow up now, I say educational YouTuber. You are an amazing creator and a great inspiration. The fact you do this shows your admirable passion for your work. How did you learn to animate in the way you do and communicate ideas so eloquently and when did you first get interested in mathematics and teaching it?
Jack
2017-02-28 18:11:30 +0000 UTCHi Grant, thank you for keeping us in the loop. Personally, I don't mind the YouTube ads at all. If you have too much money, hire an assistant to help out with the tedious work ;) Then you can focus on the beautiful intuition that is your key feature.
2017-02-28 17:55:35 +0000 UTCGrant, it is truly a pleasure to support your vision, and thank you for pursuing that vision.
Jason Paul DeMont
2017-02-28 17:48:08 +0000 UTC
