google/youtube are killing off the platform with their anti-democratic approach and aggressive moderating. I watch your videos on alternative platforms. Your points here are great.
I've never seen your channel before now. How ironic that it was fed to me by You Tube. I owned my own business for 20 years, so I enjoy hearing entrepreneurial information. You did an excellent job at communicating the issues facing You Tube as a whole. I wish you all the best as you move forward.
Honestly, as a comic artist myself, I've been feeling the exact same thing too. I think you've beautifully summed up what most creators have been feeling these days and I wholeheartedly appreciate your transparency on this topic. Just about every social media platform is separating us from the people who chose to follow/subscribe to us in the first place and want us to pay to expand our reach, churn out our work like content farms, and to jump through trend hoops, it's insane and not sustainable. I have mad respect for you trying to tread a more honorable path and wish you lots of success!
I agree... Ive worked in the arts for over twenty years and when social media first became popular it opened up so much networking opportunities with other creatives alongside reaching a much larger audience... It was absolutely amazing... Within the last 5 years I have watched that change dramatically to the point where im told less about new artists and more about what sneakers to buy... It is sad when they have created a system where most independent artists have become to rely on and become comfortable with right as they decide to pull the rug from under us to keep their stock portfolios rising... I wish there were some reasonable alternatives... If i didnt have somewhat of an established career at this point it would be a very disheartening world as an artist in these modern times where everything is becoming based on algorithms and less about the art... I see more and more creators seeing this money grab and hopefully somebody listens... I just wish there could be a happy medium... I know YT is a business and they need to make money but how much money do they really need? Sorry for my morning rant... But i completely agree and understand where you are coming from...
@@iamYork_ No need to apologize, your comment is also incredibly spot on! I'm someone who established a little bit of traction with my art, but not nearly enough to live on yet. It is discouraging to see how the online landscape has changed. We work as hard as we do for the CHANCE at financial stability of some kind in the future, but it's frustrating to keep going when these platforms make that harder and harder to achieve each year. I think most of us aren't looking to get rich, we just want to make enough income to keep the bills paid while we work on what we love to do and entertain the people who want to see our stuff.
@@paigecritchlow my best advice as someone who gets all of my income from creative endeavors for many years now is the hardest part about making money as an independent artists is, well unless you are wealthy enough tp pick and choose commissions, is not every project will be exciting... I find the more interesting projects usually have the lowest budgets,,, It is definitely a rough field overall but the hardest part is relying on social media to get acknowledgment when it is a broken system in favor of what brings in the most profits aka advertising... and greed to keep the stocks rising will always overpower the voice of the creative... Because I dont like to say it but a lot of people in the creative world will do almost anything in hopes to be noticed, including working for free to low money which I think is pure abuse in any realm... Overall I dont want to go off on a tangent... Just remember to be happy and follow what youre passionate about... someone will notice eventually... it is definitely more complicated to fully define in a YT comment... but just keep going and youll get there... Just remember to be the person who decides where "there" is... and not a corporation that values ads over art in every instance...
Hey Aaron, thanks for your vulnerability and sharing your experience! Your digital art videos continue to be relevant and insightful for my learning journey ✨️
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I was one of the people who was refunded money, I was really surprised. The amount of money that I was contributing wasn’t a lot because I am retired except I am also a substitute teacher. I will be checking out which route I should go to support you. I always watch your videos concerning products and it has helped me over the years on purchasing decisions. Thank you, you can’t continue doing all that you do for free, you need to have income in order to keep being creative. I think that this will be a very positive thing in the long run and possibly the short run too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Agreed, RU-vidrs should leverage their channel to send viewers to their paid conten (memberships, products, services).
I support four people on Patreon. I wish I could support a few more. For now, I do what I can, and maybe in time I can support more creators. I'm not giving up, and will follow creators to new platforms when neccesary and possible.
Taking a step back - this whole issue with algorithms and frustration results from there being so few platforms that can actually reach anyone. The corpos have all the leverage. The concentration of the internet and social media into just a few companies, each with proprietary systems that are designed to lock users into their single platform and make it extremely unpleasant or impossible to shift content to a different one (i.e., to enable easy competition through users voting with their usage), is bad for artists and audiences alike. I think the establishment of a cross-platform standard (through legislation?) for data/profile importing and exporting would go a long way toward allowing users to actually make the systems work for them, and make the internet good for users and artists again.
I just want to confirm what you are saying. I'm a RU-vid Premium member subscribing to your channel. I checked your videos and the last one I've watched was the Rebelle 6 review. Haven't had a single video from you recommended since so there are tons of videos I haven't watched. I think this is the right decision. Let's hope for a better platform for creators than RU-vid in the future. I think a larger protest from viewers and creators is needed.
The subsciption button may as well be changed to a "bookmark" button, because that's all it is nowadays. As a subscription button, it's completely useless.
For creators, I believe the essence of "content" is in the Venn diagram of what you want - your identity, wants, needs - and what your audience wants, which, when the content works, is exactly the same. It fulfills something they didn't have in their life, and you aren't operating with any contradictions in your own life. Contradictions are a really bad thing for the psyche: that leads to compensating with an addiction, finding a scapegoat to direct anger at, or developing stress-related health issues. The platforms only work when they let you find that overlap - if they're tearing you apart and trying to dictate their own goals into the content, you have to find another way. In my own work life, I've found myself directing my energy and need for that fulfillment into technology work, which overlaps with my impulse to teach, and with the arts: I want people to feel empowered to say what they want to say, and for the things they say to be directed towards finding a believable truth, not towards those compensations; it's easy to get people to say to themselves something like, "I am pure because THEY are not", or "a real man drinks a six pack a day", or other harmful ideas, and make them feel good about themselves that way - and that's often the direction that content takes when it's trying to be unchallenging and support the needs of advertisers. But stopping there has terrible implications in a political sense and "addresses" issues without solving them. This sort of thing has led me in some odd, abstract directions, which I've fortunately been able to pursue without much personal hardship. Basically going after the question of, how to arrange the technologies we have - including newer stuff like blockchains and AI - into something that coheres better than a big ads-driven platform. The tech is pushing us to ask questions about how we value information - because it's not about being physically able to copy the information, or distribute the information to a broad audience, which were the questions we had 20 or 30 years ago. It's a valuation and positioning question, of what happens when you type something into a search box and who has the power to say "this is the information you really needed" and whether users can usefully control what they see. That's what all the platforms have been failing at.
I'm a premium member and I have to actively search for channels that I'm subscribed to. I don't understand this at all, I'm already paying them and they're not showing me ads but they still insist on showing me random videos as opposed to the ones coming from people I've subscribed to.
Aaron, I appreciate you sharing your journey and the insights you gained from Creator Fest. It’s clear that the evolving landscape of content creation is a challenge for many, including yourself. The sentiment of feeling lost is all too common among creators, and the changes in algorithms indeed play a significant role in altering the visibility and reach of content. It seems you're contemplating a strategic pivot, focusing on patreon support and creating content aligned with your passion rather than catering to algorithmic demands. This is commendable and echoes the desires of many creators who wish to preserve the integrity of their craft. However, I harbor some reservations about this approach. The decline in viewership may not be solely due to algorithmic shifts. Subscribers' interests evolve over time; what was once captivating may become less relevant as life unfolds. For instance, I've subscribed to channels that were pertinent to a past phase of my life, but as my circumstances changed, so did my interests. These past subscriptions no longer resonate with me, and frankly, I appreciate not being inundated with content that no longer aligns with my current focus. In my case, my business demands my attention, and content like fly fishing, while still a passion, is not presently relevant. I don't need reminders of what I'm missing-it's counterproductive. In this light, it's beneficial for platforms like RU-vid to adapt content offerings to what I'm currently interested in rather than strictly adhering to my subscription list. It's a delicate balance, though, because while it may serve individual users like me in the short term, it could inadvertently narrow the exposure of channels to their established audience, as you've experienced. Therefore, while I understand the rationale behind your intended shift to a more patreon-focused model, I would caution against attributing the entirety of declining viewership to algorithm changes. It's important to consider that audiences may be naturally drifting as their lives and interests evolve. Engaging with your audience and continuously adapting to their changing needs can be as crucial as any strategic pivot in content delivery platforms. It might be more effective to find a middle ground, where you can honor your creative integrity while also meeting your audience where they currently are in their lives.
to be blunt.. i hate ads. but neither me nor anyone else will be a patreon to every youtube channel he or she likes and is subscribed to .. so if every youtube creator moves from ads to patreon at some point people might support 1 , 2 ,3 maybe 4 content creators. but not 40 or more.
@@aaronrutten true and ive no problem doing that. im just saying if all creators i follow would leave youtube and go behind patreon wall and i would support a handfull itwould stil mean id have lost over 95% of the channels/people i enjoy following.... and in that view id rather see a youtube like platform people pay for but then can see whatever they want. follow whomever they want and the revenue be divided amongst the channels./creators OR a platform where you can chose to watch ads to still view someone you are not supporting atm with patreon... btw i do love your channel, quite a lot. learned a lot from it too
wow its been so long since i watched a video on this channel. i saw this and i was like this guy looks familiar and then i realized i used to religiously watched you before. i was still subbed but i have not seen you in my feed for so long. its so weird that this is the video that this the video that i see.
Be aware not monetizing your channel doesn't stop ads, usually. It just gives your cut to RU-vid. I'm not sure if the rate changes, but I know of several creators that don't monetize for philosophical reasons, but ads still run on their videos.
If you are not an AdSense partner, then that is true. But since I am able to monetize, I currently have the option of not showing ads. As far as I can tell, ads are not being shown on those I've disabled them on.
So true. I'm doing daily art Videos sinc 7 Years. I will take a break after 7yeas for my channel it changed everything when cov.d Came out. And i thought it was just for my channel so but after Jessa and you...my thoughts changed...
Idea, create an extension that creates a page in your browser based on your subscriptions. It searches RU-vid without relying on RU-vid's default page. Nothing says you have to use RU-vid's home page.
It is really unfortunate that you and a lot of other creators have to go through such a discouraging struggle. It is the same in other platforms, not only RU-vid. However, it is really great to hear you take the issue by your own hands and deciding head on what the path is going to be moving forward. I wish you the best in future journey and hope you can find the fulfillment you are looking for.
As someone that has watched you for years, I can confirm, I never see your videos pop up. I had to search you out and see if you were still posting. I will click the "All" button now so I get notifications.
This is a good channel, and I only just came across it. Sorry you had such a trite experience with this platform. I think Patreon has become a neccessity for new creators.
The platform will push the envelope as much as they can until pushback and exodus then concede when they have to. In general its never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.
I got them on Amazon. Honestly, these aren't the best option but they do a bit. The best ones are quite expensive. If you are using Premiere Pro, then there is an AI room noise removal filter that works better than soundproofing a room and is probabaly more cost effective for the average person. Still, if you can afford it, properly treating your room is always the best option.
To be fair don't put all your hope in patreon. They are on the slow decline of putting profits before their mission statement. (Not to mention the gross over step in their terms and conditions include, such as getting banned for your activities on other platforms.) The more independent you can become as an artist the better/ less headaches one will experience in the long run.
I have other monetization options such as Gumroad, so I'm not relying 100% of Patreon. When people do stupid shit like rent a boat to harass migrants, that's the kind of stuff people are getting deplatformed for. I fully support that and I take no issues with Patreon's policies. If you are doing good in this world, you have nothing to fear as a creator.
@@aaronruttenThat's not really an appropriate approach to banning, however. The standard shouldn't be, "We didn't like what someone was doing so we banned them," but rather, "What they did was illegal enough for a court to order us to ban them." It doesn't matter whether you agree with the reasons or not, nor should the judgement be on a basis of the most egregious actors who are banned, but the least. I'm glad that you don't have all your eggs in one basket, Aaron, but it's wise to be as wary of Patreon as of RU-vid.
I used to watch your videos and then I never saw them again, I thought you took time off from doing video to pursue another avenue of income. Then, out of nowhere you reappeared with your last video. You are not the only Creator who has been disappeared from my subscribed list. YT is not your friend...
Hi Aaron, your comments in this video do make sense - however for the average punter like myself with somewhere between 50 to 100 You Tube subscriptions - to change this into monthly outgoings to support them all via patreon or personal subscriptions would be the equivalent of another mortgage, which I guess most people couldn’t run to. It will be a case of which 3 or 4 content creators can I reasonably afford to sub? Such are the times we live in.
Supporting 3-4 is better than 0. I think the point is there are lots of solutions. For example, your comment made me think about supporting lots of creators at once. So I made my minimum tier 99 cents which is the minimum Gumroad will let me choose. This way, people who can only afford to support 10 creators each month can still support me.
I was just thinking about you and how your videos have helped me in the past, wondering what has happened to you. Turns out, that RU-vid simply wasn't showing your videos to me. And I agree that instead I get offered shorts and videos I'm not interested in. I've been a subscriber to your channel for many years now. I do like the changes you make to your channel. The only things I assume could be difficult that RU-vid will promote your videos even less and that as revenue is a second hand income, whereas patreon requires a direct payment. I hope you will have enough people support you and enable you to keep creating content. Promote!
I believe there is still a misconception that RU-vid should be happy about creators joining the platform and using it for distribution. While I agree that it should be that way, it simply isn't anymore. RU-vid has created a void for themselves, where they are likely operating at a loss. Ad revenue doesn't provide them with the income they need to offer 8k streaming with 99.9% uptime for millions of creators and billions of users. It's essential to view this situation from both sides. On one hand, you want to earn money while sharing your passion, and on the other hand, RU-vid aims to profit by exploring new ways of utilizing your work. If you don't find success on RU-vid, you switch to other platforms, and the same applies to RU-vid-if it fails to utilize your content effectively, it seeks new avenues to generate revenue. The harsh reality is that any career can come to an abrupt end in today's fast-paced society, regardless of whether it's in traditional employment or social media. Society moves so swiftly that it's nearly impossible for us to always meet its demands. So, you've summed it up perfectly: try to adapt and do what you must to survive. But also, pursue what you want, as the algorithm can change overnight and leave you out regardless.
I discovered your channel years ago because you were one of the few creators that teach corel painter and rebbelle but your content changed also, not as many painting tutorials anymore so maybe can be youtube or maybe its because the content changed
I still teach Corel Painter and Rebelle, but now I have 2 other channel dedicated to that software. Maybe you just don't know about them yet? I have considered that moving that content has had an effect on my performance, but it's not an issue localized to me. This is something many creators are experiencing.
Well this one turned up in my list... I guess you it will be harder than ever now to make it to the Testra Driving, UFC fighting, globe trottring level of RU-vid creators... oh, maybe not, just make useless spammy clickbait videos.
