Comments on: Should You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series?

By: Film Directing and Film Making Tips for the Independent Filmmaker » Blog Archive » Should You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series?

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:58:51 +0000

[...] Read this article from New Teevee. [...]

By: HipMojo.com » How to Build a Profitable Bootstrapped Online Video Content Producer Company

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:50:14 +0000

[...] last week NewTeeVee asked if super-syndication was a good idea. I’ve touched on this in the past (here and here) when talking about [...]

By: Stuff I didn’t get around to writing th… « /SAbackchan

Stuff I didn’t get around to writing th… « /SAbackchan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:44:41 +0000

[...] You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series? (http://newteevee.com/2009/08/28/should-you-super-syndicate-your-web-series/) The answer is yes. Interesting post, though. [...]

By: Allison Davis

Allison Davis — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:20:59 +0000

We've chosen to distribute our weekly travel show exclusively to Blip.tv, we originally started with super-syndicating to sites like Viddler, YouTube, Metacafe, etc. However we felt like it cheapened our brand and created confusion for users. We prefer having one destination to send fans as opposed to a half dozen. We might have fewer views, but it easier to manage on both a marketing and CMS level.

By: Andrew Lane

Andrew Lane — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:37:19 +0000

Hi Stephanie – to my comment below, if you have a core URL to drive your audience to from each of these touchpoints, you can adapt as new platforms emerge. Having content syndicated is great, but you also need to aggregate all of those groups to communicate with your audience, increase the value of your content and also protect against issues of platforms fading away.
Best,
Andrew

By: Andrew Lane

Andrew Lane — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:33:19 +0000

This is a great post and an interesting debate but I think it all comes back to your brand and your strategy. There is no one method that can work for every piece of content and every audience. The strategy of limiting to one channel and building a following on facebook might work extremely well for some, but not as well for others, depending on many variables.
The one constant is to have one location, preferably your own URL, where (no matter if you syndicate or “super-syndicate”) you’re always driving your viewers and building community.
The whole point of syndication is to gain exposure and grow audience and unless you’re bringing people to a core location where they can connect with other fans, then what’s the point of syndicating at all? An audience isn’t nearly as powerful without a place to unite.

By: Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:50:08 +0000

Interesting question. I think super-syndication is the way to go at first, see where you can build an audience, then tailor it down. However, you also have to stay on top of the ever changing trends of various video platforms.

I launched my web series in late 2007. At first I only launched my show to YouTube, MySpace and Veoh. I didn't even have my own website yet. After about two months, I took my episodes and uploaded them to Funny or Die, where I had an immediate response and built a regular audience. So I focused on audience building on Funny or Die for a while. Then I stopped uploading to Veoh, because I found that no one was interacting on that site. Then fewer people were going to MySpace and Facebook became huge! So I started a Facebook group for my show. Then I got active on Twitter.

Eventually, I built my own website and used blip as my main video player to embed on my site. I still upload to YouTube, MySpace and Funny or Die, but it's Facebook and twitter that drives traffic to my site. Blip is also great so I can syndicate to iTunes for podcasts, and I find that folks really do use it.

So my point is, I had to change my marketing strategy over time along with the ever changing trends of social media. Even if you build a solid audience on one platform, if the platform itself changes, then you could lose part of your audience. So, I think you just have to be adaptable.

By: Jeremy Campbell

Jeremy Campbell — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:52:54 +0000

I think a syndicated model is a good idea, but there must still be some engagement on at least 2 or 3 video sharing sites with the viewing community.

Even building a small but passionate following around your content can be huge, especially if they enjoy sharing the content with their friends across the social web.

The main thing to keep in mind here is to go where the fish are swimming, and swim with the current not against it.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:49:59 +0000

I think a hybrid of super syndication & community building is where the correct business model lies, IMO. Driving traffic (i/e: dedicated viewership) back to your site via super syndication will give the best of both worlds. One can take advantage of rev/share deals via syndicated channels and still drive traffic back to a centralized platform where it can be further monetized.

With content producers fighting to get viewership I couldn't imagine turning off the faucet of Sup/Snyd even if it is just for teasers & trailers aimed at driving traffic to the centralize platform, whether it be a web site, facebook, etc.

In short, don't ever limit your access to viewers, just conform your model to channel them as your particular model demands.

By: Chris Albrecht

Chris Albrecht — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:55:39 +0000

That's not an uncommon thought, Chris. Anyone out there done this? What did you focus on once you found your audience?

By: Chris Prine

Chris Prine — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:52:55 +0000

I am all for super syndication. If you are operating with little to no budget, you need to do anything you can to reach viewers and build a fan base. Once you have the fan base, do you still need to super syndicate? No idea...

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:24:17 +0000

Funny, this article comes just as I am thinking about revising my whole business model to focus on building community on Facebook rather than spreading my attention to multiple sites and even my own series site. Who know I was onto some kind of trend? It's certainly true that each video sharing site has its own audience and not every audience is for every series. It only makes sense to figure out where the demographic you're looking for is hanging out and engage them where they are.

By: Should You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series? | Web advertising live today

Should You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series? | Web advertising live today — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:22:18 +0000

[...] the example post: Should You Super-Syndicate Your Web Series? Posted in Art, Uncategorized | Tags: a-big-buzzword-, Art, idea, series-first, sites-were, [...]

By: CJ Bruce

CJ Bruce — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:24:14 +0000

Join the conversation, don't just talk about your series, but talk about other web shows/TV/movies that you like with your target market.

Update frequently using a blog or similar tool and try to respond to every inquiry personally, especially at the beginning.

Another idea is to run user generated content contests to get your base to actively participate in the creation of your show's universe.

Just some thoughts, I've had too much coffee today. What do you think?

By: TD

TD — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:49:53 +0000

here is a new start up video site -- thoughts?

TheDailyMinute.com

By: Chris Albrecht

Chris Albrecht — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:07:14 +0000

What do you all think are some good tactics for creators to build community?