this is the most informative and honest video on how ads and affiliates work I've seen. Thank You. I havent done extensive research, but most of what I have seen is vague and offer no clues on what creators get for their efforts.
Disappointingly low return on investment is what we (mostly) get for our efforts, Backyard Elmer! Luckily, I'm not in it for the money (as a substitute for a full time job) just to cover my costs (and perhaps buy Benny some decent cat food). That's why even RUclips suggest alternative revenue streams (eg sponsorship, affiliates and merchandise such as coffee cups or T-shirts).
@@RalphBacon She and I have had the discussion but it always ends up as Micro Python vs Circuit Pyrhon and, almost invariably, Node.js enters in somewhere...
These feline coders 🐱 always just do it their own way and be damned! Tell me about it... Benny just read this comment and started muttering about Node-RED and MQTT - is there no end to it all?
Ralph, I like your videos. The reason I don't watch them until the end is that you append the 'please subscribe' piece of footage at the end. The things you ask for in that footage (subscribe/like...), I have already done, so I always stop your videos at the start of that footage. I am sure that if you omitted that footage, you'll get more people watching until the end.
Well, Eddy, what I say is that I hope the viewer found it interesting and here are two further videos that you may find interesting too (usually the most recent and one picked by Google, once again 'targeted' at the viewer, so probably of no interest whatsoever). Only THEN do I say if you want to subscribe click on my beautiful face etc etc. Perhaps I should use Benny's picture there? That all said, that's not the bit you have to watch, not ever! Only up until I say "Thanks for watching, see you in the next video". In fact, not even then, you can bail a minute or five before the end if I'm just waffling about subscribing and liking it! I'm pretty sure RUclips would consider that completely watched, and they would suggest it to other (non-subscriber) viewers. But these are all optional. Watch the bits you want, comment and 'like' if you think it warrants a 👍
I watch your videos all the time. They have been really helpful to me and I find myself often coming back when I am working on something you have have made a video about. Keep up the great work and remember that while only a few may comment on your videos, the majority stays in the dark. But your content helps us all become better builders. 😀
Thanks for your support, Christian, it's heartwarming to know I'm actually helping people like you. (I'll tell you a secret: sometimes I watch my own videos to refresh my memory on how I did something!) Thanks for posting, appreciated!
Thanks Ralph! I like the speed 1.25 trick, always leaning something new. Sorry for not always watching to the end, wasn't aware of how it impacts on your channel. I am glad you are not using patron. Please keep up the great work
Hmm, it seems the jury is split on Patreon, Gordon. A bit like the UK Brexit vote, so I'm used to it! But I'm not using Patreon now and don't want to use in the future but, as James Bond knows, never say never. PS *Why* are you glad I'm not using Patreon?
@@RalphBacon I don't like there terms and conditions, the option for paying pre post or monthly or up front is a permanent decision (not good for students), they have increased the percentage they take 3% to 10%. Also the supporters with deeper pockets will pay for "early access" and exclusive content. those who are less fortunate have to wait or will never see it, even tho they are probably bigger fans who benefit more. The idea of it is great just the implementation is not. However you decide to fund your channel I will always support it because you have taught me so much. Thanks
Thanks Ralph for being so honest and transparent about who earns what from where. Don't worry, your videos are always so interesting, I always watch them to the bitter end. I concur with Backyard Elmer's comments : ("this is the most informative and honest video on how ads and affiliates work I've seen. Thank You. I havent done extensive research, but most of what I have seen is vague and offer no clues on what creators get for their efforts.") entirely. Please keep up the fantastically informative videos.
Glad you found it informative, Kevin. I wonder if you found it surprising how little I earn from this channel. The media reports RUclips high earners $1m+ whereas the reality, for tens of thousands of us, is that we could not make this a full time job no matter what we did! I'll keep up the videos though, because I just love sharing this passion. Great to hear from you, thanks for posting.
And I appreciate that you watched it, Bruce, and remember, no-one is forcing anyone to do anything here, it's all optional. But, if you _did_ want to support the channel you now know some ways to do it. Win Win! Thanks for posting, great to hear from you.
I do really enjoy your Arduino projects. I’m surfing around your projects and trying to find something to build myself. What I’d love to see is a Nano project that displays the time from a GPS receiver. A LED array that only takes the time from GPS receiver or module and corrects for your time zone and just simply displays the time. I understand it might be a simple project, but the coding would be very interesting. And I understand that the GPS is incredibly accurate with regard to time. Anyway, thank you so much for the excellent videos!! And the tip for speeding up the playback is VERY much appreciated!!
It would be a fairly _straightforward_ project, Harry, but never simple! Better than GPS (buildings are the worst enemy for GPS) is the Internet via your WiFi. Any reason for wanting GPS? My HomeAlone project syncs the time every hour to an internal ESP8266 clock and it's as accurate as you can get. Displaying that time to a LED matrix (probably controlled by a MAX7219) was covered in video #25 and updated in video #63 and is as simple as saying "display this string please". It can scroll left or right, up or down, and can, therefore, include more data, such as the date. Hmm, could be interesting, especially as I _still_ have my 1m length of LED matrix sitting here doing absolutely nothing...
I really like your channel Ralph , I'm going to say this not with what is he "me " after , I'm after nothing Your channel is a good honest channel which I learn a lot from, having escaped arduino's for as long as I could, I enjoy the content, if your able to get paid for you content, that's good. Paul
I appreciate your comments, greatly, Paul. First and foremost I do these videos to let others know what I know or have found out. My mum always said I should have been a teacher! Well, now I am, sort of! If I can earn money to buy (even more) stuff at no cost to anyone (including me) well that's just manna from heaven! Benny keeps asking for better quality food but he needs to do more coding for that... 🙀
Have fun with the new soldering kit. Looking forward to seeing your first video wielding the lance of dragon breath. P.S. Amazon doesn't ship a lot of stuff to Australia any more 😣 so please don't be upset when we're not buying anything.
I never expect anyone to ever buy anything I mention - it's a constant source of amazement that even one person buy something I link to! I wonder why Amazon has deserted (no pun intended) Australia? Perhaps the shipping costs (across the Oceanian continent) are just too high?
I watch your videos to the end, always. I "like" them no matter what. (Recently learnt that "dislike" also serves the same way.) I am subscribed (long time). I try to comment as much as possible (sometimes I've got nothing to say) I usually click on the affiliate links even I don't have an intention to buy, just to check the item details. (Don't know if this helps or not) But... I use an adblocker (RUclips ads really annoy me) I skip ahead when sponsor talk starts. (I will tone this down.) Not the best subscriber I guess Ralph, but I really like your channel and learnt a lot. Thanks for being here!
You're describing a great supporter, Bora, and I thank you. I'm not _asking_ that viewers change their usual habits (except watching more of the ads, maybe) and perhaps were not aware of ways they could help this (and any other) RUclips channel. Let's not forget that Google are not here out of altruism, it's a business, and their business is selling advertising space. Keep going, it's great that you're a subscriber and took the time to comment here!
@@RalphBacon Thanks for that Ralph! And if I may say, your channel deserves much more than 15K subscribers. Your talking speed is ideal for the non-native English speakers such as myself. Keep them videos coming!
I am a subscriber, I am not using an ad blocker, I watch at normal speed. But the thing that bothers me the most is adverts at the end of the video. Thanks Ralph!
That's Google/RUclips doing that, Barry. It must be a new thing as I've only noticed it lately. Skip those by all means. As I've mentioned here several times now, I'm merely suggesting ways that viewers _can_ help, but not to make the viewing experience a bad one! Thanks for posting.
Ralph, for the Amazon affiliate link, even if I buy a totally unrelated item from Amazon, as long as I navigate to the product I buy from your initial link, you get the commission. Back in April I needed to buy an electric winch, so I clicked on an Amazon link on another RUclipsr I watch (Sorry I didn't know you had an Amazon affiliate set up then) for some random product. Then from the same browser window, found the winch and bought it. As the browser window still had the session cookie set to the affiliate program, that RUclipsr got the commission on the £70 winch. Now I know you have an Amazon affiliate program, I'll buy some bits off amazon through your link, even if I'm not buying the electronic stuff you're linking to.
Hi Ralph, love your videos and I know this is a few months old now but I just watched it after your Home Alone video and thought i'd fire in my two pence/cents since it's kind of related to that video. What I see a lot of similar channels to yours doing is moving away from reliance on RUclips ad revenue and bringing in revenue from other means, like Patreon. If you can get 111 people (of your 17k viewers) to donate $1 per month then you are matching RUclips revenue. This is definitely possible if you use your Patreon audience wisely - give them outtakes, live streams, pre-release, one-to-one support, giveaways etc. For example you will get 5 boards from JLCPCB for the Home Alone project - create a raffle for 3 of the 5 and then you use 1 for production and one for testing... Patreon support can be tiered too. Get 1000 stickers made at 5p per sticker and post one to those who pay $2, board raffle for $5, video pre-release for $10, t-shirt raffle for $15, one to one for $25, etc... you get the idea...
I certainly get the idea, smitcher. However, there are obstacles to doing this, for me. 1. I don't like the idea of asking for money just to do my videos. 2. I'm not sure I have anything more/different to give to Patreons 3. I'm already giving away surplus PCBs, just to 'give back' something to my general community 4. Google pays me about $100 a month (now) which is just below the threshold for paying tax in the UK. If I just exceed the allowance then I start paying tax and have to keep accounts etc etc, I did that 30 years ago and it drove me bananas 5. Many supporters don't like the idea of Patreon either. 6. I just want to cover the costs of my RUclips activities (OK, plus a little bit for a dinner out occasionally!) 7. RUclips has suggested I sell merchandise (eg mugs, coaster, T-shirts) but I wonder how much of an uptake there would be? Don't get me wrong, your ideas are first class. But I find it quite hard just doing one video a week, let alone catering for a relatively small Patreon circle. I'm just 'cruisin' at the moment to see how it all pans out this year, then I'll think about whether I need to change the way I do things. Your input is really appreciated, smitcher, thanks very much for your suggestions.
@@RalphBacon Thanks Ralph for taking the time out to give such a detailed explanation and I get everything that you are saying. I'm trying to justify starting to do something like this myself and your points make great sense to me - I don't have the time to do even one video per week just now. I suppose if you treat it like a hobby and you just filming what you would be doing anyway then any money you get is a bonus.
And so _you_ are (partly) responsible (I'm assuming) for that Amazon credit, Steve! Thank you, most appreciated. Now I just need another 100 viewers to do the same and I'm on a beach in the Caribbean! Oh, make that 10,000!
and sometimes there are 5 minute adds. those i do skip. usually after a while. google most know that almost evere one will skips these after a minute or so.
Absolutely, skip them. Skip whatever you want to skip. I don't watch ads for Office software when I work from home! As you say, Google knows what we watch and will adjust the ads.
Hi Ralph. I use brave browser and have no adds on youtube but brave gives me a tokens called BAT when I watch adds when i want. Then i can tip youtube creators i like. You should look into it. Much better system than being forced to watch adds all the time on youtube.
The problem with adverts is the language. My system is German based, but with English as the selected language. The area I live is Turkish speaking but for some reason most of the adverts are in Greek, which is not one of my languages. So I’m afraid I will continue to skip adverts until RUclips and Google can get their act together and give me adverts in my preferred language.
You think that is a problem? I was with my brother (in Germany) with his British bought Amazon Echo, set to Australian language (don't ask) and it point blank *refused* to play certain music playlists that I had on my phone. Joined up thinking? I don't think so. Skip the (Greek) ads with the clean conscience, Michael!
Benny didn't want me to make this video, Joe, as there was no C++ or hardware involved. He got bored. As did most of my viewers judging by the lowest-ever view count this morning (sad face).
Well then, Benny is spot on and wiser than an Owl. I am surprised at the low count. I found the whole explanation very informative. Benny Rules!!!! Do you think he would be willing to be the next American President? He gets my vote.
You can just watch a few seconds of the ad and it will count, I'm sure. don't watch them just to "support" my channel. It's actually better if you click on the links in my video description (or GitHub) before buying _anything_ from those companies - it all counts towards my channel.
Well, David,each item should have a separate affiliate link to Amazon.com, like this one:amzn.to/2MTYMon but as I've had no clicks and no purchases I guess I've set it up wrongly. The funny thing is, if you click that link and then buy _anything at all_ from Amazon they credit me! But the click cookie only lasts for 24 hours so you would have to click it again to make it work next week, for example. I shall have to look at it urgently before they cancel my account (minimum of 3 purchases via the links in 3 months or they will zap my affiliate account). Bummer.
Not doing cookies but I will put one of your playlists on all night on the lab computer when I go to bed to crank up your views and I will start using affiliate links. I watch vids to the end most of the time so I hope that helps
Watching repeats (apparently) doesn't count, Michael! But watching most of (or to the end of) my videos tells RUclips you didn't get bored and will offer it to others too. It all helps! Thanks for your continued support.
I use 0.75 on a lot of the East Indian speakers, most of them talk so fast and go so fast over there code and instructions the only way I can even try to get it is to slow it down....But I think your speed is just fine and better than most...
That's great, Gene, so you don't need to speed up my vids at all then. I've been discussing ways of reducing my vids to 20 minutes (actually I've discussed and tried this since I started my RUclips channel) but I now have a cunning plan...
@@RalphBacon I can't speak for everyone but 16-20 minutes is a good time. It gets a good explanation of serious matter and if its to long you can always skip ahead, not that I do, and at your speed I can type along the code. I'm not the fastest typeset..lol
To make me sound American, slow me down to about 0.5, that should do it. No offence to any / all of my US listeners! Oh, except those in NYC who speak a lot faster than me anyway. Yes, I have visited.
I always get ads from stuff I already bought. Ah you too I hear Have not found the speed setting on the android GSM app yet. So the home alone project was for yr mom
Yes, the HomeAlone (she is) was not only for my mum (mutti) but was actually _requested_ by her! What was I to do, Ed? It's running now, pretty well, it must be said. Anyway, I don't know if the Android app gives you the speed setting (it would be odd if it didn't but you never know). My Android viewer-base is tiny. But I shall have to make the text a bit bigger in future!
@@RalphBacon no worries, text is very readable on my phone. All the best to your mom. Can I presume she is in fact German ? Do I understand correctly from the algorithm that if you leave negative comments that that still helps a channel? Darn, have seen videos on RUclips with masses of 'this video stinks' comments, but I guess the owner is laughing all the way to the bank
Glad to hear you can read the text OK, Ed. Yes, my mum is German. she lives in Germany (now alone, after my dad passed away last year) although my two brothers are within spitting distance, as well as several nieces, nephews and wives of aforesaid brothers. I'm not sure about negative (thumbs down) comments. That indicates, surely, to RUclips that the video was *not* well received and that they should therefore not offer it in the suggested list. That would be my take on it, anyway. The opposite applies to thumbs-up clicks and comments. But comments don't generate any revenue, just raise the interest level to the RUclips suggest-this-video algorithm.
It doesn't work for .de I'm afraid, unless I set up yet _another_ affiliate Amazon account (as well as .co.uk and .com) and it's all rather messy. I don't know why Amazon doesn't allow _all_ links to any of their sites to count but that's the way it is. I shall look at my Analytics to see how many German viewers I get (apart from my family)!
From my point of view, your channel is one of the most interesting, to me "mailbag", "Teardown" and reviews of expensive equipment is mostly a waste of time. Please don't fall into that. I happily help you as much as i can on your affiliate links.
And that's all I ask, Flemming. I don't want people to watch ads, buy stuff or even watch my videos if they don't want to - but I got asked so much what they could do to support me, well, now everyone knows what options there are. Perhaps in time I will introduce a merchandise line of mugs, T-shirts and the like, who knows! They keep pestering, er, suggesting to me that I should do it; it's an option. As you suggest, the no-cost option is to use my links if you are buying _anything_ from that website retailer! Thanks for your support, appreciated.
I have the RUclips premium so don't get the ads, but I'm led to believe you get a little something anyway.. I'm not too sure. I'll use your affiliate links though! Be well ☺️
That is true, Ollie, the RUclips-without-ads (Red?) doesn't see the ads because you have already paid Google a subscription, right? I get a small "Red" payment so that's all sorted. Using my affiliate links would be awesome, though.
@@RalphBacon I think they ditched the "red" thing last year because it made.. well.. it. made it sound.. illicit (?) Actually I have it because I have the google play music for the car and it was just an extra to get premium youtube on top. Couple of quid. Either way, love what you do yah. Be well and I''ll be looking forward to your next videos. I did just source a second hand bicycle though, so I hope to be outside more than in front of the screen this year!
If you were to subscribe to Patreon (for my channel) what would you expect for your $1 or so a month that you don't already get, Patrick? That's my stumbling block!
@@RalphBacon I don't think we would expect more Ralph. I think we would be hoping that you would be able to continue the videos with out you having to spend your own money and get paid some for your time. I really don't like ads either. I would rather just pay a few bucks a month to patreon.
Would you support Patreon for my channel, Peter (I won't hold you to it)? What would you expect in return that you don't already get? I had to laugh at the "tormenting people with ads"; I guess you really don't like them then? You shouldn't sugar-coat it like that! But I guess that's why Google let's us Skip Ad if it really doesn't sit well with our interests. That said, if I see another ad for Wix website...
Endless ads has killed television, at least for me. RUclips ads are annoying and sometimes videos (not yours) are not worth waiting around thru the ads
I'm with you. 95% of what I watch on TV is recorded to my DigiBox. Convenience for one, but it means I can skip the ad breaks too. How ironic (not to mention a bit double-standards from me). USA TV is much, much worse than UK TV. Last year I watched USA TV and it was almost as though the TV program was just getting in the way of all the ads! Skip away, the video is more important. Thanks for posting.
Hi, got my parcel, thanks!.. will need to get a ZIF so if I buy it from one of your affiliates this will help, do you have a part number please? Interesting stuff about cookies, tell ya the truth never realy gave them much thought, will now.
@@RalphBaconYep, double checked, cant find Ziff I'm afraid, which is odd as perfectly packaged! check inside outer Jiffy as well, if the part number is easyer that will be fine...thanks!
My bad then, Andy. Everyone got a ZIF socket. Except you! On its way. May take a couple of days (again). It also occurs to me that you may have received the corrected board (no need to bend the red LED under the board, all fixed. You will know because it says v1.1 on the board.
Hi Ralph, firstly thank you so much for all of your videos. If you get a Patreon (or similar) set up, I'll add $5/mth donation. Please. Thanks again. :)
You're very kind, Andrew, but I explained in a video a while ago that I would not feel comfortable setting up Patreon as I have nothing 'extra' to offer Patrons. The best way to support me at this time is to always use any affiliate links (in the video description/GitHub) if you buy something (anything) from Amazon, Banggood, AliExpress etc. They pay commission, paltry though it is, and that helps me buy the stuff I need for this channel. When you click one of my affiliate links it lasts for 24 hours only, so click it again if you buy something later in the week; it doesn't have to be that product, any product counts (for 24 hours). Nice to hear from you, thanks for posting.
You tube's 'targeted' ads is a joke consistently sending me gambling ads when I have never been in or searched for a casino, never been in or searched for a betting shop, and I don't play or search for lotteries or bingo or slots or anything remotely connected to the pastime of giving my money to these predators. The only reasons I can find for these ads being served up is my age and sex, neither of which am I allowed to tell google to stop using.So forgive me if I don't watch them to the end.
I'm with you, Andy. If I have to sit through another Wix web-site advert I will scream. So I skip them. Perhaps some advertisers are just willing to pay more (in that background auction) and trump adverts that would at least be aligned with your (non-gambling) interests. Additionally, you would think that clicking Skip Ad as quickly as you were allowed might get the message across too. Strange. Carry on skipping the ads, Andy, it's not supposed to be that tortuous! Just watch (more of) the video, instead.
Quite so, Ed. Amazon is particularly good at this. A _related_ item would be fine (in this case, a multimeter, perhaps) but we don't need an ad for something we just bought. They need to change their algorithms before we all use AdBl**cker.
Your supporters are going nuts. I am an engineer and understand the merit of your contibuition. For good or ill it is not good enough for me and should form the basis of a "agree to dissagree " disengagement... and your Level of engeneering is well competant . .. just the ebegging thing pissed me right off. I am in marketing and could have helped you formulate that call to action such that it didn't come across as just disgusting groveling e beggi Should be that simple.
This wasn't ever intended as some sort of e-begging video, Mark. I had an hour to fill, and no time to do a technical video, I decided to answer a very common question about how to best support this channel (usually involving whether I had a Patreon account). What I said about this channel applies to _any_ RUclips channel. Watching the ads must be Google's first and foremost aim. Or, perhaps better stated, watching _enough_ of the ad so that they consider it 'watched' and having it count, in their eyes. But, as I've said on many comments here, I can't stand the Wix adverts (and there are several others) and even if someone asked me to watch them, altruistically, I would decline. I'd probably let others run for a bit, though, a few seconds is not going to kill me. It's how RUclips is financed, after all. Leaving comments, clicking the 'like' button and actually watching more of the video serve only one purpose: to let RUclips know that the video was potentially interesting, incited viewers to comment and thus was 'engaging'. This makes it move up the list of videos to suggest to other viewers with similar interests. Then we go back to the ad thing. Clicking on affiliate links helps me only if a purchase is made within 24 hours (I believe). It does not have to be the product linked to, just any product on that website. I was amazed when I found this out but, hey, I didn't make that rule. So, if my viewers are going buy something anyway from Amazon or Banggood, clicking on my affiliate link costs them nothing (except, possibly, a little extra effort to use the link rather than going directly to the website). I didn't mention buying merchandise from my channel; that's T-shirts, mugs, coasters and umpteen other things that RUclips supports and have a company specifically engaged for that purpose. I haven't done this yet but I might at least think about it. Benny on a mug with some comedic catchphrase might just work, I don't know yet. If you're in marketing, you might have ideas on this, though! So back to your main objection. My call to action was to select any one of these methods if my viewers wanted to support me without actually having to pay a Patreon donation, which is more closely aligned to the concept of e-begging, IMHO. Especially if nothing extra is offered, and I have nothing extra that I can offer right now. So, I'm sorry the video offended you but it seems that I did not express myself as well as I could have (I was on a really tight one-hour schedule) but I hope you can, perhaps, see what I was actually trying to do here? I do hope you remain a regular viewer (or even a subscriber). Now go and watch the Wix advert 10 times until you learn to love it as much as me 😜
![Kodak Black - Sharp Vibes [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oEV0OoLJeIs/mqdefault.jpg)
I will try to do more. You deserve it Ralph. Love your videos.
Just _occasionally_ following one of my suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks Joey.
this is the most informative and honest video on how ads and affiliates work I've seen. Thank You. I havent done extensive research, but most of what I have seen is vague and offer no clues on what creators get for their efforts.
Disappointingly low return on investment is what we (mostly) get for our efforts, Backyard Elmer! Luckily, I'm not in it for the money (as a substitute for a full time job) just to cover my costs (and perhaps buy Benny some decent cat food). That's why even RUclips suggest alternative revenue streams (eg sponsorship, affiliates and merchandise such as coffee cups or T-shirts).
I wish my cat would help out with C programming (or any other form of programming) - all she seems to do is spend all day doing Sudokus...
So Old School, Duncan; microPython is where it's at now! Let your cat know this...
@@RalphBacon She and I have had the discussion but it always ends up as Micro Python vs Circuit Pyrhon and, almost invariably, Node.js enters in somewhere...
These feline coders 🐱 always just do it their own way and be damned! Tell me about it... Benny just read this comment and started muttering about Node-RED and MQTT - is there no end to it all?
Ralph, I like your videos. The reason I don't watch them until the end is that you append the 'please subscribe' piece of footage at the end. The things you ask for in that footage (subscribe/like...), I have already done, so I always stop your videos at the start of that footage. I am sure that if you omitted that footage, you'll get more people watching until the end.
Ditto, I'm guilty of thay too.
I quit out early for this reason.
Me too. Ah, I've left a comment - don't spend the fraction of a cent all at once ;)
Well, Eddy, what I say is that I hope the viewer found it interesting and here are two further videos that you may find interesting too (usually the most recent and one picked by Google, once again 'targeted' at the viewer, so probably of no interest whatsoever). Only THEN do I say if you want to subscribe click on my beautiful face etc etc. Perhaps I should use Benny's picture there?
That all said, that's not the bit you have to watch, not ever! Only up until I say "Thanks for watching, see you in the next video". In fact, not even then, you can bail a minute or five before the end if I'm just waffling about subscribing and liking it! I'm pretty sure RUclips would consider that completely watched, and they would suggest it to other (non-subscriber) viewers. But these are all optional. Watch the bits you want, comment and 'like' if you think it warrants a 👍
@@RalphBacon That bit at the end with the yellow background is the part that I also skip, each and every time....
I watch your videos all the time. They have been really helpful to me and I find myself often coming back when I am working on something you have have made a video about. Keep up the great work and remember that while only a few may comment on your videos, the majority stays in the dark. But your content helps us all become better builders. 😀
Thanks for your support, Christian, it's heartwarming to know I'm actually helping people like you. (I'll tell you a secret: sometimes I watch my own videos to refresh my memory on how I did something!) Thanks for posting, appreciated!
Thanks Ralph! I like the speed 1.25 trick, always leaning something new. Sorry for not always watching to the end, wasn't aware of how it impacts on your channel.
I am glad you are not using patron.
Please keep up the great work
Hmm, it seems the jury is split on Patreon, Gordon. A bit like the UK Brexit vote, so I'm used to it!
But I'm not using Patreon now and don't want to use in the future but, as James Bond knows, never say never. PS *Why* are you glad I'm not using Patreon?
@@RalphBacon I don't like there terms and conditions, the option for paying pre post or monthly or up front is a permanent decision (not good for students), they have increased the percentage they take 3% to 10%. Also the supporters with deeper pockets will pay for "early access" and exclusive content. those who are less fortunate have to wait or will never see it, even tho they are probably bigger fans who benefit more.
The idea of it is great just the implementation is not.
However you decide to fund your channel I will always support it because you have taught me so much. Thanks
Thanks Ralph for being so honest and transparent about who earns what from where. Don't worry, your videos are always so interesting, I always watch them to the bitter end.
I concur with Backyard Elmer's comments : ("this is the most informative and honest video on how ads and affiliates work I've seen. Thank You. I havent done extensive research, but most of what I have seen is vague and offer no clues on what creators get for their efforts.") entirely.
Please keep up the fantastically informative videos.
Glad you found it informative, Kevin.
I wonder if you found it surprising how little I earn from this channel. The media reports RUclips high earners $1m+ whereas the reality, for tens of thousands of us, is that we could not make this a full time job no matter what we did! I'll keep up the videos though, because I just love sharing this passion. Great to hear from you, thanks for posting.
Thanks for the definitive information on how we can help you to continue providing your great videos.
And I appreciate that you watched it, Bruce, and remember, no-one is forcing anyone to do anything here, it's all optional. But, if you _did_ want to support the channel you now know some ways to do it. Win Win! Thanks for posting, great to hear from you.
I do really enjoy your Arduino projects. I’m surfing around your projects and trying to find something to build myself. What I’d love to see is a Nano project that displays the time from a GPS receiver. A LED array that only takes the time from GPS receiver or module and corrects for your time zone and just simply displays the time. I understand it might be a simple project, but the coding would be very interesting.
And I understand that the GPS is incredibly accurate with regard to time.
Anyway, thank you so much for the excellent videos!! And the tip for speeding up the playback is VERY much appreciated!!
It would be a fairly _straightforward_ project, Harry, but never simple! Better than GPS (buildings are the worst enemy for GPS) is the Internet via your WiFi. Any reason for wanting GPS?
My HomeAlone project syncs the time every hour to an internal ESP8266 clock and it's as accurate as you can get.
Displaying that time to a LED matrix (probably controlled by a MAX7219) was covered in video #25 and updated in video #63 and is as simple as saying "display this string please". It can scroll left or right, up or down, and can, therefore, include more data, such as the date.
Hmm, could be interesting, especially as I _still_ have my 1m length of LED matrix sitting here doing absolutely nothing...
I really like your channel Ralph , I'm going to say this not with what is he "me " after , I'm after nothing Your channel is a good honest channel which I learn a lot from, having escaped arduino's for as long as I could, I enjoy the content, if your able to get paid for you content, that's good.
Paul
I appreciate your comments, greatly, Paul.
First and foremost I do these videos to let others know what I know or have found out. My mum always said I should have been a teacher! Well, now I am, sort of! If I can earn money to buy (even more) stuff at no cost to anyone (including me) well that's just manna from heaven!
Benny keeps asking for better quality food but he needs to do more coding for that... 🙀
Interesting video Ralph. I didn't know it was all so complicated!
Ah yes, Graeme, it can be complicated, depends what I want or expect to get out of this channel, I suppose!
Have fun with the new soldering kit. Looking forward to seeing your first video wielding the lance of dragon breath.
P.S. Amazon doesn't ship a lot of stuff to Australia any more 😣 so please don't be upset when we're not buying anything.
I never expect anyone to ever buy anything I mention - it's a constant source of amazement that even one person buy something I link to! I wonder why Amazon has deserted (no pun intended) Australia? Perhaps the shipping costs (across the Oceanian continent) are just too high?
I was already using the 1.25 trick. Really sped you up.
That's because my brain only works at 0.75 so now with your 1.25 playback I'm talking normal speed!
I watch your videos to the end, always.
I "like" them no matter what. (Recently learnt that "dislike" also serves the same way.)
I am subscribed (long time).
I try to comment as much as possible (sometimes I've got nothing to say)
I usually click on the affiliate links even I don't have an intention to buy, just to check the item details. (Don't know if this helps or not)
But...
I use an adblocker (RUclips ads really annoy me)
I skip ahead when sponsor talk starts. (I will tone this down.)
Not the best subscriber I guess Ralph, but I really like your channel and learnt a lot. Thanks for being here!
You're describing a great supporter, Bora, and I thank you. I'm not _asking_ that viewers change their usual habits (except watching more of the ads, maybe) and perhaps were not aware of ways they could help this (and any other) RUclips channel. Let's not forget that Google are not here out of altruism, it's a business, and their business is selling advertising space. Keep going, it's great that you're a subscriber and took the time to comment here!
@@RalphBacon Thanks for that Ralph! And if I may say, your channel deserves much more than 15K subscribers. Your talking speed is ideal for the non-native English speakers such as myself. Keep them videos coming!
Some good information in there re the advertising. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome, Colin, glad you liked it (and commented!).
I am a subscriber, I am not using an ad blocker, I watch at normal speed. But the thing that bothers me the most is adverts at the end of the video. Thanks Ralph!
That's Google/RUclips doing that, Barry. It must be a new thing as I've only noticed it lately. Skip those by all means. As I've mentioned here several times now, I'm merely suggesting ways that viewers _can_ help, but not to make the viewing experience a bad one! Thanks for posting.
Ralph, for the Amazon affiliate link, even if I buy a totally unrelated item from Amazon, as long as I navigate to the product I buy from your initial link, you get the commission. Back in April I needed to buy an electric winch, so I clicked on an Amazon link on another RUclipsr I watch (Sorry I didn't know you had an Amazon affiliate set up then) for some random product. Then from the same browser window, found the winch and bought it. As the browser window still had the session cookie set to the affiliate program, that RUclipsr got the commission on the £70 winch.
Now I know you have an Amazon affiliate program, I'll buy some bits off amazon through your link, even if I'm not buying the electronic stuff you're linking to.
That's very good of you, Lee, but don't go out of your way to do anything, go with the flow!
Hi Ralph, love your videos and I know this is a few months old now but I just watched it after your Home Alone video and thought i'd fire in my two pence/cents since it's kind of related to that video. What I see a lot of similar channels to yours doing is moving away from reliance on RUclips ad revenue and bringing in revenue from other means, like Patreon. If you can get 111 people (of your 17k viewers) to donate $1 per month then you are matching RUclips revenue. This is definitely possible if you use your Patreon audience wisely - give them outtakes, live streams, pre-release, one-to-one support, giveaways etc. For example you will get 5 boards from JLCPCB for the Home Alone project - create a raffle for 3 of the 5 and then you use 1 for production and one for testing... Patreon support can be tiered too. Get 1000 stickers made at 5p per sticker and post one to those who pay $2, board raffle for $5, video pre-release for $10, t-shirt raffle for $15, one to one for $25, etc... you get the idea...
I certainly get the idea, smitcher. However, there are obstacles to doing this, for me.
1. I don't like the idea of asking for money just to do my videos.
2. I'm not sure I have anything more/different to give to Patreons
3. I'm already giving away surplus PCBs, just to 'give back' something to my general community
4. Google pays me about $100 a month (now) which is just below the threshold for paying tax in the UK. If I just exceed the allowance then I start paying tax and have to keep accounts etc etc, I did that 30 years ago and it drove me bananas
5. Many supporters don't like the idea of Patreon either.
6. I just want to cover the costs of my RUclips activities (OK, plus a little bit for a dinner out occasionally!)
7. RUclips has suggested I sell merchandise (eg mugs, coaster, T-shirts) but I wonder how much of an uptake there would be?
Don't get me wrong, your ideas are first class. But I find it quite hard just doing one video a week, let alone catering for a relatively small Patreon circle. I'm just 'cruisin' at the moment to see how it all pans out this year, then I'll think about whether I need to change the way I do things.
Your input is really appreciated, smitcher, thanks very much for your suggestions.
@@RalphBacon Thanks Ralph for taking the time out to give such a detailed explanation and I get everything that you are saying. I'm trying to justify starting to do something like this myself and your points make great sense to me - I don't have the time to do even one video per week just now. I suppose if you treat it like a hobby and you just filming what you would be doing anyway then any money you get is a bonus.
And that's exactly how I started! It just grew from there.
I bought the Kicad ebook from your link!
And so _you_ are (partly) responsible (I'm assuming) for that Amazon credit, Steve! Thank you, most appreciated. Now I just need another 100 viewers to do the same and I'm on a beach in the Caribbean! Oh, make that 10,000!
and sometimes there are 5 minute adds. those i do skip. usually after a while. google most know that almost evere one will skips these after a minute or so.
Absolutely, skip them. Skip whatever you want to skip. I don't watch ads for Office software when I work from home! As you say, Google knows what we watch and will adjust the ads.
Hi Ralph. I use brave browser and have no adds on youtube but brave gives me a tokens called BAT when I watch adds when i want. Then i can tip youtube creators i like. You should look into it. Much better system than being forced to watch adds all the time on youtube.
Thanks for the heads-up, I shall have a look to see how it all works. Thanks for posting.
The problem with adverts is the language. My system is German based, but with English as the selected language. The area I live is Turkish speaking but for some reason most of the adverts are in Greek, which is not one of my languages. So I’m afraid I will continue to skip adverts until RUclips and Google can get their act together and give me adverts in my preferred language.
You think that is a problem? I was with my brother (in Germany) with his British bought Amazon Echo, set to Australian language (don't ask) and it point blank *refused* to play certain music playlists that I had on my phone. Joined up thinking? I don't think so. Skip the (Greek) ads with the clean conscience, Michael!
I am sure that Benny would approve of those suggestions.
I hope it works out for you.
Benny didn't want me to make this video, Joe, as there was no C++ or hardware involved. He got bored. As did most of my viewers judging by the lowest-ever view count this morning (sad face).
Well then, Benny is spot on and wiser than an Owl.
I am surprised at the low count. I found the whole explanation very informative.
Benny Rules!!!! Do you think he would be willing to be the next American President? He gets my vote.
so most adds have a very long pause at the end. if i click skip you still get nothing?
You can just watch a few seconds of the ad and it will count, I'm sure. don't watch them just to "support" my channel. It's actually better if you click on the links in my video description (or GitHub) before buying _anything_ from those companies - it all counts towards my channel.
Sped up to 1.25 being watched at 1.25 was funny.
Some people think I'm funny whatever speed you watch me at!
Humm. I get it. Will Do
Thanks, Mark.
Ralph, is there an affiliate link to Amazon US?
Well, David,each item should have a separate affiliate link to Amazon.com, like this one:amzn.to/2MTYMon but as I've had no clicks and no purchases I guess I've set it up wrongly.
The funny thing is, if you click that link and then buy _anything at all_ from Amazon they credit me! But the click cookie only lasts for 24 hours so you would have to click it again to make it work next week, for example.
I shall have to look at it urgently before they cancel my account (minimum of 3 purchases via the links in 3 months or they will zap my affiliate account). Bummer.
I'm watching Ralph at 1.5x showing me another video running at 1.25x... I'm waiting for Leo to show up with a spinning top from Inception...
I would reply, but I'm writing this as 2x so you would never be able to read it...
Not doing cookies but I will put one of your playlists on all night on the lab computer when I go to bed to crank up your views and I will start using affiliate links. I watch vids to the end most of the time so I hope that helps
Watching repeats (apparently) doesn't count, Michael! But watching most of (or to the end of) my videos tells RUclips you didn't get bored and will offer it to others too. It all helps! Thanks for your continued support.
I use 0.75 on a lot of the East Indian speakers, most of them talk so fast and go so fast over there code and instructions the only way I can even try to get it is to slow it down....But I think your speed is just fine and better than most...
That's great, Gene, so you don't need to speed up my vids at all then. I've been discussing ways of reducing my vids to 20 minutes (actually I've discussed and tried this since I started my RUclips channel) but I now have a cunning plan...
@@RalphBacon I can't speak for everyone but 16-20 minutes is a good time. It gets a good explanation of serious matter and if its to long you can always skip ahead, not that I do, and at your speed I can type along the code. I'm not the fastest typeset..lol
I like it at 1.5 speed - British accent becomes more American . Kidding aside Ralph - useful video
To make me sound American, slow me down to about 0.5, that should do it. No offence to any / all of my US listeners! Oh, except those in NYC who speak a lot faster than me anyway. Yes, I have visited.
I'm -Spartacus- John Smith
I knew I should have chosen a different name, Dik. Hang on...
I always get ads from stuff I already bought. Ah you too I hear
Have not found the speed setting on the android GSM app yet.
So the home alone project was for yr mom
Yes, the HomeAlone (she is) was not only for my mum (mutti) but was actually _requested_ by her! What was I to do, Ed? It's running now, pretty well, it must be said. Anyway, I don't know if the Android app gives you the speed setting (it would be odd if it didn't but you never know). My Android viewer-base is tiny. But I shall have to make the text a bit bigger in future!
@@RalphBacon no worries, text is very readable on my phone. All the best to your mom. Can I presume she is in fact German ?
Do I understand correctly from the algorithm that if you leave negative comments that that still helps a channel? Darn, have seen videos on RUclips with masses of 'this video stinks' comments, but I guess the owner is laughing all the way to the bank
Glad to hear you can read the text OK, Ed. Yes, my mum is German. she lives in Germany (now alone, after my dad passed away last year) although my two brothers are within spitting distance, as well as several nieces, nephews and wives of aforesaid brothers.
I'm not sure about negative (thumbs down) comments. That indicates, surely, to RUclips that the video was *not* well received and that they should therefore not offer it in the suggested list. That would be my take on it, anyway. The opposite applies to thumbs-up clicks and comments. But comments don't generate any revenue, just raise the interest level to the RUclips suggest-this-video algorithm.
Does your affiliate link only work for .co.uk, or does it also work for .de
It doesn't work for .de I'm afraid, unless I set up yet _another_ affiliate Amazon account (as well as .co.uk and .com) and it's all rather messy. I don't know why Amazon doesn't allow _all_ links to any of their sites to count but that's the way it is. I shall look at my Analytics to see how many German viewers I get (apart from my family)!
@@RalphBacon amazon.de is also in Belgium (and maybe some other countries possible)
From my point of view, your channel is one of the most interesting, to me "mailbag", "Teardown" and reviews of expensive equipment is mostly a waste of time.
Please don't fall into that.
I happily help you as much as i can on your affiliate links.
And that's all I ask, Flemming. I don't want people to watch ads, buy stuff or even watch my videos if they don't want to - but I got asked so much what they could do to support me, well, now everyone knows what options there are.
Perhaps in time I will introduce a merchandise line of mugs, T-shirts and the like, who knows! They keep pestering, er, suggesting to me that I should do it; it's an option.
As you suggest, the no-cost option is to use my links if you are buying _anything_ from that website retailer! Thanks for your support, appreciated.
"Bit gabbly at 1.5". You should try running your sped up to 1.5 video, sped up to 1.5
Ha ha! Running a 1.5x video at 1.5x normal speed would sound like Mickey Mouse on helium I suspect, and just as unintelligible! Made me laugh :)
Hi
Hi yourself!
I have the RUclips premium so don't get the ads, but I'm led to believe you get a little something anyway.. I'm not too sure. I'll use your affiliate links though! Be well ☺️
That is true, Ollie, the RUclips-without-ads (Red?) doesn't see the ads because you have already paid Google a subscription, right? I get a small "Red" payment so that's all sorted. Using my affiliate links would be awesome, though.
@@RalphBacon I think they ditched the "red" thing last year because it made.. well.. it. made it sound.. illicit (?) Actually I have it because I have the google play music for the car and it was just an extra to get premium youtube on top. Couple of quid. Either way, love what you do yah. Be well and I''ll be looking forward to your next videos. I did just source a second hand bicycle though, so I hope to be outside more than in front of the screen this year!
id prefer patreon over adds
If you were to subscribe to Patreon (for my channel) what would you expect for your $1 or so a month that you don't already get, Patrick? That's my stumbling block!
@@RalphBacon I don't think we would expect more Ralph. I think we would be hoping that you would be able to continue the videos with out you having to spend your own money and get paid some for your time. I really don't like ads either. I would rather just pay a few bucks a month to patreon.
Set up patron! making money by tormenting people with adverts is just wrong.
Would you support Patreon for my channel, Peter (I won't hold you to it)? What would you expect in return that you don't already get? I had to laugh at the "tormenting people with ads"; I guess you really don't like them then? You shouldn't sugar-coat it like that! But I guess that's why Google let's us Skip Ad if it really doesn't sit well with our interests. That said, if I see another ad for Wix website...
Endless ads has killed television, at least for me. RUclips ads are annoying and sometimes videos (not yours) are not worth waiting around thru the ads
I'm with you. 95% of what I watch on TV is recorded to my DigiBox. Convenience for one, but it means I can skip the ad breaks too. How ironic (not to mention a bit double-standards from me). USA TV is much, much worse than UK TV. Last year I watched USA TV and it was almost as though the TV program was just getting in the way of all the ads! Skip away, the video is more important. Thanks for posting.
Hi, got my parcel, thanks!.. will need to get a ZIF so if I buy it from one of your affiliates this will help, do you have a part number please? Interesting stuff about cookies, tell ya the truth never realy gave them much thought, will now.
Hang on, Andy, you didn't get a ZIF in your bundle? Sure? You should have got _everything_ required, the full kit. Just confirm and I'll send you one.
@@RalphBaconYep, double checked, cant find Ziff I'm afraid, which is odd as perfectly packaged! check inside outer Jiffy as well, if the part number is easyer that will be fine...thanks!
My bad then, Andy. Everyone got a ZIF socket. Except you! On its way. May take a couple of days (again). It also occurs to me that you may have received the corrected board (no need to bend the red LED under the board, all fixed. You will know because it says v1.1 on the board.
@@RalphBaconThanks Ralph! I do have V1.1...must admit I was looking for the point with a mod but couldn't find it, thanks for sorting it out!
Hi Ralph, firstly thank you so much for all of your videos. If you get a Patreon (or similar) set up, I'll add $5/mth donation. Please. Thanks again. :)
You're very kind, Andrew, but I explained in a video a while ago that I would not feel comfortable setting up Patreon as I have nothing 'extra' to offer Patrons.
The best way to support me at this time is to always use any affiliate links (in the video description/GitHub) if you buy something (anything) from Amazon, Banggood, AliExpress etc. They pay commission, paltry though it is, and that helps me buy the stuff I need for this channel. When you click one of my affiliate links it lasts for 24 hours only, so click it again if you buy something later in the week; it doesn't have to be that product, any product counts (for 24 hours). Nice to hear from you, thanks for posting.
You tube's 'targeted' ads is a joke consistently sending me gambling ads when I have never been in or searched for a casino, never been in or searched for a betting shop, and I don't play or search for lotteries or bingo or slots or anything remotely connected to the pastime of giving my money to these predators. The only reasons I can find for these ads being served up is my age and sex, neither of which am I allowed to tell google to stop using.So forgive me if I don't watch them to the end.
I'm with you, Andy. If I have to sit through another Wix web-site advert I will scream. So I skip them. Perhaps some advertisers are just willing to pay more (in that background auction) and trump adverts that would at least be aligned with your (non-gambling) interests. Additionally, you would think that clicking Skip Ad as quickly as you were allowed might get the message across too. Strange. Carry on skipping the ads, Andy, it's not supposed to be that tortuous! Just watch (more of) the video, instead.
They always send me ads from stuff I just bought: hey if you buy one digital oscilloscope you must need another one the next day
Quite so, Ed. Amazon is particularly good at this. A _related_ item would be fine (in this case, a multimeter, perhaps) but we don't need an ad for something we just bought. They need to change their algorithms before we all use AdBl**cker.
Your supporters are going nuts. I am an engineer and understand the merit of your contibuition. For good or ill it is not good enough for me and should form the basis of a "agree to dissagree " disengagement... and your Level of engeneering is well competant . .. just the ebegging thing pissed me right off. I am in marketing and could have helped you formulate that call to action such that it didn't come across as just disgusting groveling e beggi
Should be that simple.
This wasn't ever intended as some sort of e-begging video, Mark. I had an hour to fill, and no time to do a technical video, I decided to answer a very common question about how to best support this channel (usually involving whether I had a Patreon account).
What I said about this channel applies to _any_ RUclips channel.
Watching the ads must be Google's first and foremost aim. Or, perhaps better stated, watching _enough_ of the ad so that they consider it 'watched' and having it count, in their eyes. But, as I've said on many comments here, I can't stand the Wix adverts (and there are several others) and even if someone asked me to watch them, altruistically, I would decline. I'd probably let others run for a bit, though, a few seconds is not going to kill me. It's how RUclips is financed, after all.
Leaving comments, clicking the 'like' button and actually watching more of the video serve only one purpose: to let RUclips know that the video was potentially interesting, incited viewers to comment and thus was 'engaging'. This makes it move up the list of videos to suggest to other viewers with similar interests. Then we go back to the ad thing.
Clicking on affiliate links helps me only if a purchase is made within 24 hours (I believe). It does not have to be the product linked to, just any product on that website. I was amazed when I found this out but, hey, I didn't make that rule. So, if my viewers are going buy something anyway from Amazon or Banggood, clicking on my affiliate link costs them nothing (except, possibly, a little extra effort to use the link rather than going directly to the website).
I didn't mention buying merchandise from my channel; that's T-shirts, mugs, coasters and umpteen other things that RUclips supports and have a company specifically engaged for that purpose. I haven't done this yet but I might at least think about it. Benny on a mug with some comedic catchphrase might just work, I don't know yet. If you're in marketing, you might have ideas on this, though!
So back to your main objection. My call to action was to select any one of these methods if my viewers wanted to support me without actually having to pay a Patreon donation, which is more closely aligned to the concept of e-begging, IMHO. Especially if nothing extra is offered, and I have nothing extra that I can offer right now.
So, I'm sorry the video offended you but it seems that I did not express myself as well as I could have (I was on a really tight one-hour schedule) but I hope you can, perhaps, see what I was actually trying to do here? I do hope you remain a regular viewer (or even a subscriber).
Now go and watch the Wix advert 10 times until you learn to love it as much as me 😜