Are these Vloggers just a scam? SOL or Shmee etc???????
Discussion
Frio3535 said:
Shmee - slightly morbid question but given you rack up a load of miles do you have a plan in place if ever you were involved in a serious accident? I know you can control what you do behind the wheel but you can't control others.
Are you expecting him to include you in his will? He rear ended someone once (trying to blame everyone but himself, which was genuinely funny). ONtheROCS said:
I visit these channels now and again but it doesn't look like I miss much. STG has wrapped his McLaren twice and fitted a (presumably louder) exhaust. SOL still has a s**t eating grin and has put a stripe on his new Lambo. Schmee has placed orders for another six supercars. TGE's hipster beard is slightly longer.
I struggle to know why anyone watches any of it these days as it's just repetitive tosh.
This. Seen through glass grates on me the most.I struggle to know why anyone watches any of it these days as it's just repetitive tosh.
VGTICE said:
Are you expecting him to include you in his will? He rear ended someone once (trying to blame everyone but himself, which was genuinely funny).
Do you run a business? My customers very rarely deal with me because I have staff, likewise I very rarely speak with the owners of my suppliers. Thus any accident I encounter doesn't have a massive impact on the day to day running. With Shmee he is the owner, but he is also the face everyone see's. So I was interested because it's a different way of doing things. Longetivity and keeping things going when life throws a curveball must be on the minds of all of them.Shmee said:
Actually I said I couldn't really see and just got it wrong; ergo paid for the repair and moved on. Driving 60-70k miles a year (in addition to 100 flights), something is going to go wrong and I'm sure it's not the last - that's life.
Btw how much the repair of the 675LT was?Yipper said:
It is interesting to read the reactions to YouTube stars on various UK and US websites. UK posters, by and large, are resentful, negative and jealous. US posters, on the whole, are supportive, positive and friendly. There is quite a contrast in culture.
As you say, probably a culture thing. I think the 'issue' of subjectivity with vloggers is that the videos aren't really about the cars, they're about the presenter. Any passion about what they're filming seems completely disingenuous when the video is very obviously a platform to simply promote themselves.All of the bigger names in automotive vlogging are capable of hiring people who can produce high quality videos about the cars or the trips they partake in - it would at least give off the impression that some effort had gone into creating it and that the subject is important to them. But instead you get a GoPro stuck to the windscreen and fifteen minutes of some bloke talking about his rich mates.
If I ever want to watch supercar content, I would always watch the SCD videos over anything that vloggers make. It seems like a genuine passion shared by a team of people who want to create good content - having worked with some of their media team briefly as well I know it's a true passion too.
Rogue86 said:
All of the bigger names in automotive vlogging are capable of hiring people who can produce high quality videos about the cars or the trips they partake in - it would at least give off the impression that some effort had gone into creating it and that the subject is important to them. But instead you get a GoPro stuck to the windscreen and fifteen minutes of some bloke talking about his rich mates.
If I ever want to watch supercar content, I would always watch the SCD videos over anything that vloggers make. It seems like a genuine passion shared by a team of people who want to create good content - having worked with some of their media team briefly as well I know it's a true passion too.
I love the supercar driver guys, they make great videos, but they have the time on their side.If I ever want to watch supercar content, I would always watch the SCD videos over anything that vloggers make. It seems like a genuine passion shared by a team of people who want to create good content - having worked with some of their media team briefly as well I know it's a true passion too.
As an example, the 720s launch gave you about 4 hours with the car, maybe 3 hours to film. If you take a full production crew with you to an event like that, you're not going to get any footage.
Likewise, a lot of the car-lifestyle videos the guys are making are covering vast distances in 2 seat cars while trying to film a 10 minute feature, then editing at the end of the day so they can move on to the next video. When you're making 4 videos a week like that, there's just no time to make things much better than people like Sam are already producing.
I am sure it has been said before and there is a reason for it (churn of subscribers/views etc) but quality would surely be enhanced as would user interaction and brand profile if half the amount of videos were created rather than the every day video format that a lot seem to follow.
Purso said:
... quality would surely be enhanced ... if half the amount of videos were created rather than the every day video format ....
That is no doubt correct, but as YouTube pays out on Quantity not Quality then those trying to earn a living from Youtube would have to be very brave to potentially halve their income in the hope that the extra quality brings in more views.In related news, I see that Seb has managed to create 2x 20min videos from the 720S launch, that's some efficient editing and could be Good Business if they both can get a decent number of views.
Purso said:
I am sure it has been said before and there is a reason for it (churn of subscribers/views etc) but quality would surely be enhanced as would user interaction and brand profile if half the amount of videos were created rather than the every day video format that a lot seem to follow.
There is growing subscriber churn because the market is mature and saturated. Twenty years ago, you either watched Top Gear or, err, Top Gear. Now, you can watch 10 car progs on TV at any time of day, about 50 semi-pro YT channels at any time of day, and 1000s of amateur vloggers on dozens of social channels at any time of day. The choice and ability to switch is easy and endless. Making a slightly prettier video is not going to stop churn.jon- said:
As an example, the 720s launch gave you about 4 hours with the car, maybe 3 hours to film. If you take a full production crew with you to an event like that, you're not going to get any footage.
I'm not sure I understand that - with cameras in the car as usual, plus at least one external videographer and maybe a guy with a drone, how would you end up with less footage? We shoot like this all the time (plus me as a photographer), rarely with more than 2hrs to shoot. Even with a decent edit its only a couple of days work - arguably quicker than editing together lots of pieces-to-camera.Granted, I can see that you're splitting your potential income between more people as you get them involved (though at fixed rates, not as a percentage), but when these guys are driving multiple McLarens it definitely gives the impression that these guys are more interested in the revenue than the content that provides it. I'm not saying that I blame them necessarily, but I do think its one of the reasons that vloggers arent taken seriously by most, regardless of how relatively successful they are.
Shmee said:
MINI Challenge was my second ever race weekend, and first in the car, so thank you for the kind words here - I fully anticipate when the video goes out to get shouted at for not winning 
I can pre-empt that it won't be too successful but let's come back to this topic on Friday night or Saturday and I'll share the statistics behind it.
With reference to the never ending money question; it does seem to get repetitive, the answers are in this very thread too. I've never said I didn't have a good upbringing; I went to a good school and learned a strong work ethic and to my parents and those around me I thank for that. That lead me into an office in London that got me started on the car game when I bought an S5 and then Vantage Roadster - both funded through my job at the time. Even in those days the Shmee channel was receiving good views, more than covering the financing on the R8, 12C next and then growing the capital up to where it is now, a business venture that more than funds the cars I show through it.
As above, very simple maths on 100 million views a year (at a now fairly well documented $3-5cpm) gives you what you need to know. Equally I've stated YouTube is not my only income source for Shmee150 alongside many other income streams like sponsors, branded content, affiliate schemes, presenting, merchandise, other social content and many more, so it becomes very obvious how I can buy the cars I'm buying.
I try my hardest to explain that 'this is not easy' because as we discussed over recent pages, it is virtually impossible to start now - I've been uploading almost daily videos for 8 years! Do I also want to out all my secrets to how my business works on the internet for anyone to copy? Not really.
Nobody's business how you make your money, and good luck to you mate. I enjoy watching your videos although it would be nice to see more on the 'lesser' performance cars such as the new S5 etc.... I can pre-empt that it won't be too successful but let's come back to this topic on Friday night or Saturday and I'll share the statistics behind it. With reference to the never ending money question; it does seem to get repetitive, the answers are in this very thread too. I've never said I didn't have a good upbringing; I went to a good school and learned a strong work ethic and to my parents and those around me I thank for that. That lead me into an office in London that got me started on the car game when I bought an S5 and then Vantage Roadster - both funded through my job at the time. Even in those days the Shmee channel was receiving good views, more than covering the financing on the R8, 12C next and then growing the capital up to where it is now, a business venture that more than funds the cars I show through it.
As above, very simple maths on 100 million views a year (at a now fairly well documented $3-5cpm) gives you what you need to know. Equally I've stated YouTube is not my only income source for Shmee150 alongside many other income streams like sponsors, branded content, affiliate schemes, presenting, merchandise, other social content and many more, so it becomes very obvious how I can buy the cars I'm buying.
I try my hardest to explain that 'this is not easy' because as we discussed over recent pages, it is virtually impossible to start now - I've been uploading almost daily videos for 8 years! Do I also want to out all my secrets to how my business works on the internet for anyone to copy? Not really.
Scuba_steve said:
Shmee, how is the 675LT after the overheating event on the red rock road a couple of weeks back?
Have they got to the root cause of the issue? Hope it wasn't anything serious.
It was just a thermostat sensor fortunately, so all up and running and it'll be at Goodwood Supercar Sunday this weekend.Have they got to the root cause of the issue? Hope it wasn't anything serious.
Davey S2 said:
Good video from STG on the new McLaren 720S where he says 'shock horror' that he doesn't like it that much.
Seems to be what I was expecting to hear about it, immensely fast and hugely capable but perhaps just a bit too good to really love.
Very refreshing to hear something which isn't just gushing praise though, especially given he's a McLaren owner and self confessed fan boy.
Not seen the other Youtubers vids yet but will be interesting to see what they think of it, especially Mr JWW as he has one on order.
That's what I like about Sam and James, they say it like it is. Tim struggles to say anything negative about a car he's driving, on his own channel at least. Every car is at least very good with seemingly no flaws which I wouldn't buy into at all. My guess is he is wanting to keep companies happy by keeping things positive which I've heard is the case with people being invited on these press launches.Seems to be what I was expecting to hear about it, immensely fast and hugely capable but perhaps just a bit too good to really love.
Very refreshing to hear something which isn't just gushing praise though, especially given he's a McLaren owner and self confessed fan boy.
Not seen the other Youtubers vids yet but will be interesting to see what they think of it, especially Mr JWW as he has one on order.
Shmee said:
Scuba_steve said:
Shmee, how is the 675LT after the overheating event on the red rock road a couple of weeks back?
Have they got to the root cause of the issue? Hope it wasn't anything serious.
It was just a thermostat sensor fortunately, so all up and running and it'll be at Goodwood Supercar Sunday this weekend.Have they got to the root cause of the issue? Hope it wasn't anything serious.
It's fair to say that your car has been used 'properly' on many occasions, track sessions and full WOT runway drag races, if that's the only issue it's thrown up then you can't complain
What's the mileage at now?
[quote=That makes sense but if you continually churn your user base you are going to get to a point which maybe some of the guys are at where it isn't a sustainable proposition i.e. You churn through the vast user base of YouTube. I have zero commercial understanding of YouTube just a general interest as a user.
That is no doubt correct, but as YouTube pays out on Quantity not Quality then those trying to earn a living from Youtube would have to be very brave to potentially halve their income in the hope that the extra quality brings in more views.
In related news, I see that Seb has managed to create 2x 20min videos from the 720S launch, that's some efficient editing and could be Good Business if they both can get a decent number of views.
[/quote]
That is no doubt correct, but as YouTube pays out on Quantity not Quality then those trying to earn a living from Youtube would have to be very brave to potentially halve their income in the hope that the extra quality brings in more views.
In related news, I see that Seb has managed to create 2x 20min videos from the 720S launch, that's some efficient editing and could be Good Business if they both can get a decent number of views.
[/quote]
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