|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Lesson #2: Give Them Something They Cannot Get Anywhere Else
Article Overview: Have you ever wanted to see a specific re-run of “I Love Lucy” or “Gumby” that you have not seen since you were a teenager? Do you want to get your hands on the very first music video Michael Jackson ever filmed? Perhaps you want to watch the entire KISS movie “Phantom of the Park?” Whatever your interests, YouTube has the videos to match.
 |
Free Download - Chad Hurley and Steve Chen Quotes By Chad Hurley Steve Chen |
Lesson #2: Give Them Something They Cannot Get Anywhere Else
Have you ever wanted to see a specific re-run of “I Love Lucy” or “Gumby” that you have not seen since you were a teenager? Do you want to get your hands on the very first music video Michael Jackson ever filmed? Perhaps you want to watch the entire KISS movie “Phantom of the Park?” Whatever your interests, YouTube has the videos to match.
One of YouTube’s significant advantages, and why it succeeded where others did not, was because it was making available to the public popular but hard-to-find video clips. In its early days, clips from “Saturday Night Live” proved to be some of the most downloaded files from its site. Because users could upload any file they wanted, some of the most obscure and forgotten video clips were now coming back to life.
Today, the company is engaged in a continuous struggle with lawsuits launched against it by those claiming copyright violations. But that was a choice that Hurley and Chen decided to take on in order to give their users what they wanted. “We operate under the law,” says Hurley. “We have from day one.” While they abide by the law in removing copyrighted files once there has been a complaint by the owner, they make no claims to censor or remove files on their own.
Hurley and Chen realized early on the value of being able to provide unique content to their users. Their first startup, a website that was meant to follow in the steps of HotOrNot.com, could never get off the ground. The site received little traffic and when Hurley and Chen acknowledged that it was not going to be the success they thought it was, they quickly changed routes.
They switched their website from focusing on singles, to a general-purpose video sharing site with YouTube. By encouraging user interaction, Hurley and Chen also allowed the online community to fulfill its own needs. Users could now let the world know what files they were looking for, and no matter how obscure, chances were that somebody else out there could upload it for you. By allowing such freedom and user control, YouTube became a wealth of video gems that many thought had been lost forever.
YouTube’s other major advantage was not just in its being able to offer popular classic clips, but in the everyday clips that the average user could upload by themselves. “What our users want to watch is themselves,” says Hurley. “They don't want to watch professionally produced content. There are so many people with cameras that have the opportunity to create their own content and so many more people with editing tools to tell their stories.”
For that reason, Hurley is fairly confident that even if all the major Hollywood producers and music artists pull their copyrighted content from the site, YouTube will nevertheless continue to have a bright future, saying, “We feel this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Entrepreneur – How Not To Have A Bad Employee?
Who Is Your Proud Family?
Selling swimming pools is the same as selling what you sell
Three Marketing Lessons from Realtors
The Gravity of Failure
Related Forum Posts
Re: Have a Security Clearance Question? But are afraid to ask?
- I think I've already addressed your topic in another forum or thread, but I think the easiest way to generate additional traffic to your web site is to provide content that is fresh, new, and insightful. Give users a reason to access your web site besides purchasing your services. Give them a reason to gain knowledge and they will come back and give you business when they can. Good luck in your campaign, and I hope everything turns out for you! One question I have is do security clearances check your family information as well (family criminal offences, etc).
Re: need advice
- I'm sure Africa needs call centers too. Give us more information on the specifics. Why are you skeptical?
Dan Kennedy Marketing Methods
- We haven't sent out the physical letter yet as the person owning the list wanted to make modifications to the letter that we knew would work well but the List owner had a point - it didn't reflect her personality so her clients would know it didn't come from her.
Lesson learned for me. We're back to the drawing board with the list owner more involved in the development of the letter and emails.
I should have known better being a Business Analyst in my day job that you never leave the end-user out.
So Evan we haven't had the opportunity to test any of it yet but it's been a fun process for me to stand back and look at.
Business plan nightmare
- Good to hear izoom! Give us an update when you have gotten through the funding process or if we can be of additional help!
Re: Traffic! How do you get it?
- Give away plenty of free valuable stuff. People will be grateful of your gift and
will stick around to see what else you have to offer.
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith, Chicago Sales Coach
Lesson #3: “Tell ‘em quick and tell ‘em often”
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
February 2012 Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter
Please Stop Calling it Coaching!
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Stress: What Causes It and How To Deal With It
Resolving A Conflict Between Two Sales Staffs
Steps For Starting A Small Business
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.