Welcome to this special KTL page for non tapping Youtubists to sound off on and to offer some feedback on the last eight years of the series.
The last proper film, which was about Shetland, got a record number of minutes watched and pushed the KTL Youtube hits to over three million. That was an excellent result for Google/Youtube mega corp advertising revenues but not good for KTL because the project's only source of revenue, Paypal taps from very nice old blokes, were catastrophically low.
120 taps from 9,000 views netted around $600.
The one hour film took the best part of three weeks to make - time spent sat at my computer rather than out sailing Katie L or the Duck Punt - have I mentioned before what marvelous boats duck punts are. I probably have but worth finding out about I reckon.
http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/duck-punt-films/
When I was selling DVDs people were paying 10 cents per minute watched on disk. Then, as the man from Sony said, "DVD sales appear to have fallen off a cliff". He was obviously talking about superhero films rather than sailing films made by old blokes in shit boats - but the same market pressures apply. I have not bought a DVD in years - streaming is so much easier.
Hence the move to voluntary Paypal taps. It sort of worked and the KTL Youtube space has now entered the big league with the three million hits but us Youtubists are highly resistant to paying anything for the things we watch. We feel that we have paid our way by watching the adverts that Google/Youtube force feeds us.
This last trip to Scotland cost me £250 in diesel for the car, marina fees for a month, diesel for the boat and marina fees for the overnight in Rhu plus a bit of lekkie to keep these old bones warm.
Unless those 10,000 Youtubists who watch almost every film I make decide to take action and chip in then I will be forced flog the Centaur in the spring and put the project on hold until my pension comes through - which will not arrive for another four years. I don't want to do it but I cannot afford to keep hemorrhaging cash at this rate. If you blokes do not respond then I will put the little trailer sailer on the Deben and schlep up and down the one estuary drinking cheap whisky and instant coffee while watching the birds. My weekdays will be spent making films about trucks and factories.
Good for cash flow but not that great for making films about the British Coastline. Eventually the stream of films about lovely east coast sunsets and flocks of birds will wear a bit thin even for me. The camera will start to grow cobwebs and my coffee and alcohol intake will start to rise.
Then the sailing films you will be offered by the web will be the endless string of skimpily clad young things wearing not very much and cavorting around in warm places without caring a fig about where they are as long as the boat is big enough to have air conditioning, , the water is warm, the bars are well stocked and the beaches are sandy.
During the whole time they are being filmed by their lustily lucky boyfriends.
These films are often well made,they appear almost every week and they certainly reach a large audience but, I don't know about you chaps, I am rather embarrassed to be caught watching them.
When I tell Jill that I am watching a film about sailing she does not believe me because what she sees whenever she comes into the room are girls in bikinis with the occasional boat in the background. . Most are are young enough to be my granddaughter. For all the sense of place they might as well be sailing a Styrofoam cup around a washing up bowl.
One bloke sent me an email saying that he actually learns stuff from my films and finds bits being dropped into pub conversations.
The tits and totty films, as he describes them, are like chinese meals - once consumed you can hardly remember a thing about them. Sadly making films about real places with real relevant histories takes time and effort whereas cavorting on a beach takes very little thought and not much editing time.
So chaps, here is your chance to say - "good riddance" to the witty old hack from KTL and let the project wither on the vine
or
to chip in a few dollars to keep the show on the road - to help me to keep making films about something other than bikinis, spear fishing and drinking
You can help here - every tap will get an individually crafted personalised thank you email and I look forward to hearing what you have to say
in the ever plummeting sterling if you wish
Hi Dylan l would love to buy a second vidio l have KTL4 and about two months ago l asked you to send me the vidio from the Norfolk Broads, but l think you forgot that’s why the sales dropped off ( he,he ) so maybe you could try not to forget it this time, hope you are having fun and keep up the good work .Regards barrie
Hi Dylan
Have pushed the button and thrown a few quid in the hat.
Would you consider using Patreon to aid in the funding? Seems to be effective for the bikini mob?
Pete
I hope it helps. Keep making the nice video’s!
Hans
The Netherlands
Dylan ole boy, make your terrible looking home made DVD, i’ll buy it. put your son’s girlfriend’s picture on the cover, probably sell a bunch more too.
i know the story how Google gave you the ole in and out with no lube. i hate Google for you too, but what are you going to do (shrugs shoulders).
come over the pond here and make vids maybe. i got a homebuilt 18′ Michalak sharpie i’ll loan you since you’re drawn to shit boats. : )
Gene
Dylan, I really wish I could support you……but right now I’m trying to pay down my credit cards after buying a used car which needed constant attention. I do spend about ten bucks a month on patreon supporting sailors I’ve followed for years…..In time I want to support you again……you make great videos of great britain….and some day I wish to sail where you have sailed
Just Lobbed a few quid in…and there is nothing with reminding us all that you get “nowt for free”. Plus i got it under the wife’s radar…which is just as satisfying :)
Happy sailing and be safe :)
Sorry, but not surprised, to hear the old spondoolicks are in short supply Dylan. You’ve eloquently summarised the dilemma of many creative artists, in all genres, who populate YT. Sadly the ‘entitlement’ and ‘selfie’ generations tend to dominate the audiences and IMHO are totally lacking in understanding of entertainment and educational values of the material being produced. They are insatiable in their demands and thoughtless in their criticisms as they obliviously drift through life chasing shiny objects! Worse yet, as us old farts fade away the trend will likely continue.
I’ll continue bunging you a few quid as and when and hopefully others will also step up so you can continue on this excellent project.
Fair Winds
Tapped what I can. (Don’t tell finance adviser)
Just so u know not an old bloke, 33.
Bit worried, sometimes your story jumps about abit. And that’s ok, adventure within the greatest adventure.
But it started in bembridge and (not that it’s a goal) I hoped it might end (not that it ends an end.)
Been following for about 6years. Remember paying £4 something for subscriptions.
PS swmbo say u look better when jills onboard.
I like the idea of a centur. But those I sail with say I’ll hate she’s slow and can’t point and slam to a stop in a sea.
But my g\f says she would love to explore and not beat to wind anymore and think I would like it too.
I think it’s a lucky thing to have ur best friend sail with u.
Hi Dylan l like the little video on heating your office, a couple of years ago l made three of them like the ones you can buy for my garage so l could work on my little boat but the temp, was getting down to – 18 so they didn’t work that we’ll or maybe lm getting old 67. Regards barrie
Hello there Dylan,
I must say I that my thoughts are mixed on the whole issue of You Tube. Especially when, in my opinion, some sort of duty of care is conferred onto the viewers by the contributors. I don’t know wether I like to be treated as some sort of fan or not but at the end of the day, like a many people, I do care and you have every right to make your point. It is a tricky course to follow because in the process viewers may be alienated. Today though? Today I am a fan and as such exercise my right to request a bit more humour. See you in Pwllheli.
Barry.
Went to pay in dollars US but the paypal payment page showed as pounds. ???