Whatever you want to call them; Youtuber, Streamer, Influencer, Content Creator, etc. It’s clear that there is new wave of people that can call what they do on the internet, a job. Though that’s a term I contend with, and not in the way many might think. But I’ll get to that later.
Right now I’m certain that many reading this are aware of the many complaints that some of these content creators have made towards the mainstream platforms they use. Since I mainly watch on YouTube, these issues range from the vague enforcement of the rules, copyright abuse, and absurdly restrictive guidelines for demonetization. A fair bit of creators mostly wish there was at least more transparency between them and the company.
For the record, I agree with pretty much everything that I’ve heard about the issues on YouTube specifically. But in all honesty, it’s a bit tiresome to hear. It just that I don’t really feel like us, as creators, have done enough to give them reason to listen.
Most people that I follow on YouTube upload only to that site. What reason do they have to improve the platform in our eyes, if we use it regardless of its state. That’s seems unnecessary from their point of view given that there most definitely be costs to implement changes.
Thankfully there are some that do post their content on other websites. For people that I know of, it’s generally been BitChute. Though I’m sure that other platforms have been used. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough and I don’t know why not more do this.
I’d say there are two primary reasons that anyone that calls themselves a “content creator” should have presences on multiple sites. The first is pressure. Pressure on mostly the bigger platforms that your more than willing to jump ship if things get too bad. The more people that do that, the more likely that something like a YouTube will change their policy in benefit creators. Or die if they fail to do so. Pretty much if we want change on whatever platform we mainly use, we have to be willing to leave if things start moving in a direction that is negative for us.
The other reason is in regards to what I was talking about when people talk about this as their jobs. I personally view it as your business. My reasoning is that you’re selling a product, entertainment, to viewers. You’re not working under someone else like a job. No one would claim that they work for YouTube, unless they actually held a position at the company. So why stick with them so hard like I see so many people do despite their disdain for the policies?
If you only focus on a single platform, then the argument I hear so often is wrong. It’s not the platform that needs you, it’s you that is dependent on that platform. People need to move away from that dependency. Publish on other platforms if they want to see some changes in the way creators are treated.
I don’t care what platforms you use. Whether it’s BitChute, Dtube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, whatever. Just have one as a backup option. Maybe even your primary option if you’re starting out and working on building an audience.
Basically, what I’m saying that if you want to make a career out of this, then you need to have backup plans. Otherwise, if you get banned for whatever absurd reason, or the platform dies. You won’t end up getting screwed like so many people already have.
Image Sources:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/apps-blur-button-close-up-267350/