Growing Pains (Patreon)

The past two months have shown significant growth in the channel on two fronts.

The first, largely from our explanation of the YT  monetization never being a strong help and our airing of the "How it's  Made" video.  These appear to have informed our dedicated viewers that  the show cannot exist or grow without direct support. I am VERY  appreciative that people found our project worth sustaining. Consider  yourselves all micro grant writers!

Next, for some odd reason we have had several videos make it into the  mainstream YouTube recommended flow. This generated something like 3/4  of a million new views. Now the number of subscribers who came in from  that is small and of those I am sure even fewer will become regular viewers. Most users seemed to prefer to make a joke about Mae's  appearance. They were pruned.

Every one of the last four videos were demonetized at peak hours regardless  of early upload. So I assume we are either targeted by reporting or some other automatic process kicks in on launch.  Every time I have  petitioned for re-monetization they have been approved in about 20 hours.  Which is when roughly half of you watch the video... unmonetized.  Additionally, despite being monetized our videos saw threefold views  this month but the backend tells me we will receive half of what we got  last month. So we are definitely being restricted at this point.

But!  Our biggest check ever from YT was $350.  With the drive for more support we've easily cleared that, so even $0 is sustainable thanks to literally and personally YOU.  

There has also been a lesson.  You see, suddenly having a stream of new viewers triggered that automatic response to want to converted and retain.  But they wanted shallow content.  As a nod I threw together one big shooting compilation as that is usually the part most casual viewers like.  Of course, in C&Rsenal fashion in ended up incredibly long so I doubt it will be a viral hit.  So I started considering other ways to produce smaller videos for exposure.

When I looked at the metrics, however, I realized this is nearly pointless from a work/value standpoint.  Our views skyrocketed but our average watch time plummeted as our dedicated  base was washed out in the data.  The questions rarely came and mostly it was harassment or vague attempts at humor for attention from the other viewers.  The dialogue was dead.  Conversions all the way from casual viewer to Patron were rare.  

That said, a few people reached out and told us they were suddenly much more interested in the history.  I'm reminded that the best place to preach a message is to the unconverted.  So what should I do?

Well, I think the compromise is to produce the strong, heavy, well researched content.  Then on certain videos, separate out the shooting segments.  Usually this would be best for weapons featured in video games.  I could do it to ALL the videos but on some level that feels like pandering and sacrificing too much context.  I may take just enough time to create an intro/outro for the isolated firing segments as well, urging viewers to see the whole story.  We will never compromise on quality though and never sell out the dedicated fan for the easy view.

Now, all of that covered, let's talk about the state of the planning for the show.  Thanks to our visit to the NRAAM we linked up with someone who has offered us a pile of machine guns and a place to shoot in November.   Also another private individual has been gathering friends to try and arrange a shoot elsewhere.  If BOTH of these trips work out that should add about 14 automatic weapons to the show's lineup.

Trick is... gotta make about 8,000 rounds of ammo, much of it custom, get it to and from for testing BEFORE we show up, then plan actual travel with time off, food budgets, etc.  It's going to get complicated and pricey but that's why you guys chip in!

In addition we've been digging around for the weirdest we can find including a bid to reactivate an MP18, rebuilding an original Air Service Rifle, restoring a Remington 10 trench gun, plotting how to duplicated incendiary martini ammunition, and there are secret plans with the help of the Cody Firearms Museum to hopefully recreate a prototype trench gun. 

We have also arranged to borrow a pile of Ottoman rifles, are looking into restoring an original carbine thereof, have located a Gasser 1870, Belgian Comblain (tricky bit of history there), worked out just what an actual Romanian contract 1915 revolver is marked with, borrowed a set of WWI lever actions, and more!

Finally, and most importantly, the Doc says all the erratic pain in my torso is just an ulcer or two! 

Oh, and Mae might be considering a side project on the evolution of the sporting, repeating shotgun.