Wow, that's a tough question.
There are so many variables, so I'm going to try to answer it again in a slightly different way.
You may want the very basic information, so we'll get that out of the way first. Simply put, you will likely get between £1 and £2 in the UK for every thousand Youtube video views. I reckon that's about the same worldwide, so just convert to your currency and you'll get a very rough idea.
As I'm discovering though this is just a tiny portion of the battle, and unless you are really thinking of changing careers and becoming a producer for Youtube then it's not worth bothering, because the moment you stop uploading videos, editing you descriptions and managing your channel, your views could drop as if you'd never done any work.
People are constantly asking how to get more views on Youtube, as if there's some kind of secret way that you can trick Google into giving you lots of money. It sounds ridiculous when I put it like that doesn't it?
Well, you can get lots and lots of views on Youtube and I'll tell you how. Here's the simple formula, a plain truth, not a get rich quick scheme and I reckon pretty much all successful Youtube channels will agree with this:
If you don't like making films and editing, don't bother.
If you don't have much time to put in, don't bother.
If you want to do it quickly and easily, don't bother.
If you want to do it so everyone will tell you you're awesome, don't bother.
If you don't like learning and taking on board new skills, don't bother.
If you're not too fussed about quality and a path of continuing improvement, don't bother.
If you're not a creative person with bubbling ideas just waiting to get out, don't bother.
If none of the above apply to you then:
Choose something you love. If you love something, chances are others will love it too, and if your passion for it is real it will be contagious, and easy for you to maintain down the years. Yes, years.
Content is king, Youtube track how your video is watched. If too many people turn off too quickly or don't watch to the end, they are less likely to offer it as a search result. So you'll get less views. Make sure your video is interesting from the very start, to the very end.
Produce regularly, and upload regularly. Upload one video every Monday rather than four at a random point in the month.
Experiment with the titles of your videos, changing them and checking how your videos rank regularly will give you an idea of what works and what doesn't. On Google chrome, use 'ctrl shift n' to open a browser which will give you the same search results everyone else sees, so you don't get tailored results and a false impression of rankings.
Always fill up your descriptions with good explanations, interesting information and original content relevant to your channel and the specific video too.
Use annotations to encourage interaction such as 'please click like' and 'why not subscribe now?' and 'Please share with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter etc.'
Take your channel seriously; 'Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.' Zecharia 4:10. If you take your work seriously and do it from the heart, other people will take it seriously and take it to their hearts.
Choose your target market and stick to it. Google likes it's new toy Youtube, and ranks it very highly in the 'web' search results, not just the 'Video' search results. You will often see a Youtube video on page one of Google, whatever you search for. Choose your niche, and use this AWESOME tool to see which keywords you should be focussing on: http://www.google.com/trends/
Put your keywords in everything connected with your site, including the names of the custom thumbs you upload, the names of the raw video files you upload, the banners you upload and obviously liberally peppered around your video descriptions and channel descriptions, and not least the name of your channel!
TOP TIP: Keywords in video titles can be repeated twice, and are read as acceptable by Google for example: 'Christian kids songs, Jesus is amazing, song for Christian kids about amazing Jesus.' As we speak, this appears to strengthen the title of my videos and enhance search rankings. This could change at any time of course! And don't overdo it, sentences should be proper English (or whatever language you speak) and you keywords should make sense in the context you use them or it may be seen as spam and you'll have a long and sad road ahead of you if that happens. Back to square one!
Be careful not to be caught in a trap of constant networking and promotion in social networks. They are of some value, but set aside a sensible amount of time to manage your accounts. They are the internet equivalent of the pub. Sure, business does come along sometimes, but it's a bonus feature rather than the main game. Choose your favourite platforms, let's say your blog, twitter and Facebook, and spend an hour a day in total writing content for them. YOUR MOST VALUABLE TIME IS SPENT ON PRODUCTION, and your most valuable SEO is spent on Youtube. Remember, SEO is important but you will never trick anyone into subscribing or liking you. Manage your time properly and remember that you are a producer first, promoter close second.
Captions are searchable by Google. Videos with captions tend to rank better.
Don't spend money on advertising your channel, unless you are selling a product. Paying for views does not make financial sense unless you are selling something.
Always thumbs up comments you like, and reply quickly. Thumbs up and comment on your own video when you upload it.
In your channel settings/in video programming, make sure you set one of your videos to appear as an option to click, as well as a link to your channel.
Customise your channel with strong original and memorable branding.
If there is anything obvious I have missed, please contact me and I will include all good suggestions.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Christian singer songwriters wanted
Are you an original artist? Do you write and produce your own Christian music? We produce simple music videos for our Youtube channel and are looking for unsigned Christian singer songwriters to come and spend the day shooting a video with us.
We can get a great little video together for you at no charge and get it seen by thousands of people! If your song is good, who knows how far it will go! There is no charge for this service, we benefit simply by having a catalogue of music and videos which we are allowed to use and market freely.
You remain the owner of your music, the copyright is yours and there are no limits on how you are able to sell or use your music at all. There are no nasty contracts preventing you from signing a recording deal. or performing or selling your song however you see fit.
All we ask is that we are allowed to use your music ourselves. It's a great little deal, and mutually beneficial to artists of a certain calibre. So, do you reckon you have what it takes? Can you make it up to Staffordshire for a day? Do you have a recording of your music in mp3 form? Why not get in touch today and let us have a listen to your original composition.
Here's a song we put on six months ago and it has nearly 8 thousand views. This is the kind of video we will be producing for you. That equates to 15,000 a year, in five years that would be 75,000 views. That's a lot of Christian worship music fans watching our video. Would you like that kind of exposure? And the more videos we put on the more views they will get.
We can get a great little video together for you at no charge and get it seen by thousands of people! If your song is good, who knows how far it will go! There is no charge for this service, we benefit simply by having a catalogue of music and videos which we are allowed to use and market freely.
You remain the owner of your music, the copyright is yours and there are no limits on how you are able to sell or use your music at all. There are no nasty contracts preventing you from signing a recording deal. or performing or selling your song however you see fit.
All we ask is that we are allowed to use your music ourselves. It's a great little deal, and mutually beneficial to artists of a certain calibre. So, do you reckon you have what it takes? Can you make it up to Staffordshire for a day? Do you have a recording of your music in mp3 form? Why not get in touch today and let us have a listen to your original composition.
Here's a song we put on six months ago and it has nearly 8 thousand views. This is the kind of video we will be producing for you. That equates to 15,000 a year, in five years that would be 75,000 views. That's a lot of Christian worship music fans watching our video. Would you like that kind of exposure? And the more videos we put on the more views they will get.
Saturday, 26 January 2013
How much money can you make putting videos on Youtube.
In my last daft post, I think I grossly over estimated the amount of money I could make from putting videos on Youtube, and I'll tell you why! I had a period of time where the very popular viral video of a dog called Fenton was re-hashed by a major advertiser, and was being placed over my videos!
The connection? 'Jesus Christ'! I don't know whether to laugh or cry...
Anyway, lots of people ended up watching it giving me perhaps a rosy picture of how much money the ads over my videos would earn. Roughly speaking, it seems closer to £1 for every 1-2000 views, and you can see now how this amount might fluctuate dramatically due to any number of factors, some of which were mentioned in my previous post.
Maybe you'd need closer to a billion views to make a million from Youtube.
1000=£1
10,000=£10
100,000=£100
1,000,000=£1,000
10,000,000=£10,000
100,000,000=£100,000
1000,000,000 (one billion) =£1,000,000 Yay, I'm Youtube rich!
Let's do it!
The connection? 'Jesus Christ'! I don't know whether to laugh or cry...
Anyway, lots of people ended up watching it giving me perhaps a rosy picture of how much money the ads over my videos would earn. Roughly speaking, it seems closer to £1 for every 1-2000 views, and you can see now how this amount might fluctuate dramatically due to any number of factors, some of which were mentioned in my previous post.
Maybe you'd need closer to a billion views to make a million from Youtube.
1000=£1
10,000=£10
100,000=£100
1,000,000=£1,000
10,000,000=£10,000
100,000,000=£100,000
1000,000,000 (one billion) =£1,000,000 Yay, I'm Youtube rich!
Let's do it!
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Christian Kids' songs
Hello world,
I'm going to start focussing a little more heavily on the Christian music, especially the fun Christian Kids' music, it seems to be getting quite well received on my Youtube channel.
I'm going to attempt from now on to produce one brand new and unique Christian kids' song every week, working alongside the work I'm doing on season two of Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew.
So much of what I wanted to achieve when I first started playing with Christian media production can be achieved through the production of Christian kids' songs. 'Little lights', this is the phrase that carries me forward in my work.
I believe that a childhood, however dark and however unreachable, can have little moments of light. And as adults, if we have experienced some of the light, then perhaps we can make better informed choices about how we live.
A simple thing like a song that shares the love of Jesus and speaks a simple truth about God just may be enough to give an adult a warm thought about God in the midst of a dark grown-up life. Little lights, see?
The Christian kids' song is called The Glory Train, it's one of my first and so it's rather simple, but it's one of my most popular. Please 'like' and share!
I'm going to start focussing a little more heavily on the Christian music, especially the fun Christian Kids' music, it seems to be getting quite well received on my Youtube channel.
I'm going to attempt from now on to produce one brand new and unique Christian kids' song every week, working alongside the work I'm doing on season two of Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew.
So much of what I wanted to achieve when I first started playing with Christian media production can be achieved through the production of Christian kids' songs. 'Little lights', this is the phrase that carries me forward in my work.
I believe that a childhood, however dark and however unreachable, can have little moments of light. And as adults, if we have experienced some of the light, then perhaps we can make better informed choices about how we live.
A simple thing like a song that shares the love of Jesus and speaks a simple truth about God just may be enough to give an adult a warm thought about God in the midst of a dark grown-up life. Little lights, see?
The Christian kids' song is called The Glory Train, it's one of my first and so it's rather simple, but it's one of my most popular. Please 'like' and share!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Christian kids' music
I've been busy lately!
It's been a fun time of creating some fun new Christian kids' songs as well as clipping some music from the Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew show and putting them on Youtube. Here are a couple of my favourites for your enjoyment! Please don't hesitate to share, one or two of the songs are quite popular and rather catchy, so you might want to share them with the kids at your church by putting them on your website or Facebook, or better still, buying the DVD of the show HERE!
All the Christian children's music I make gets put on with lyrics so the kids can sing along to the tunes.
Get on board The Glory Train with Jovis Bon-Hovis, Stripy Monkey and the Creation Crew Kids in one of our first, and most popular songs. So catchy, be warned!
It's been a fun time of creating some fun new Christian kids' songs as well as clipping some music from the Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew show and putting them on Youtube. Here are a couple of my favourites for your enjoyment! Please don't hesitate to share, one or two of the songs are quite popular and rather catchy, so you might want to share them with the kids at your church by putting them on your website or Facebook, or better still, buying the DVD of the show HERE!
All the Christian children's music I make gets put on with lyrics so the kids can sing along to the tunes.
Get on board The Glory Train with Jovis Bon-Hovis, Stripy Monkey and the Creation Crew Kids in one of our first, and most popular songs. So catchy, be warned!
THE GLORY TRAIN
Who ate all the pies? A fun and silly Christian kids" song about being selfish. It's important to note here that this song is in no way about eating disorders! It's simply about being selfish and keeping everything back without sharing, and getting a tummy ache as a result!
BURP, BURP!
Learn how to learn? A fun song about learning. Taking on new information can be quite daunting for kids, and this fun Christian kids" song extols the virtues of good old-fashioned repetition as a learning aid. If at first you don't succeed, try try again!
LEARNING CAN BE FUN!
You be like a happiness machine! That's what you are! A great fun Christian Kids song about trying not to spread gossip and trash talk. The buck stops here, we shout out LOVE!
HAPPINESS MACHINE!
It can be hard to teach children how to pray. As parents, most of us can probably remember the early prayers that go something like 'Thank you for mummy and daddy, thank you for my house, thank you for the walls, thank you for my pillow, thank you for my drink..." Well this song celebrates those wonderful prayers, we believe that just saying 'Thank you" is a wonderful way to pray!
Be warned, it's another catchy one!
This fun Christian kids music has lyrics and actions too, so get the kids up up UP and ready for some fun!
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Alice Cooper talks about his Christian Faith.
WELL THIS REALLY WAS A SURPRISE TO ME! What a great interview with Alice cooper for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I've watched Alice Cooper in interview a few times when he hasn't mentioned anything about a faith, and I've always thought he seemed like such a sound, decent character, so much at odds with his lifestyle choices, or so I thought.
I don't find this interview fascinating just because this man is a Christian, but it speaks to me that as a musician he feels he is playing a role, and taking on a persona much as an actor might do in a film. As a Christian involved in the creative arts I find that a very liberating concept.
I'm mulling the hypocrisy I find myself forced to confront when for example, I wholeheartedly enjoy a movie which I might really struggle with appearing in myself.
I don't find this interview fascinating just because this man is a Christian, but it speaks to me that as a musician he feels he is playing a role, and taking on a persona much as an actor might do in a film. As a Christian involved in the creative arts I find that a very liberating concept.
I'm mulling the hypocrisy I find myself forced to confront when for example, I wholeheartedly enjoy a movie which I might really struggle with appearing in myself.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Diary of production of the making of a small scale children's television show.
As you may already know, season one of Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew is complete, and it is now going out wordwide on your ipad and smartphone, just get the app at www.ucbmedia.co.uk or if you're in the UK you can watch it on Sky channel 585. Brand new episode tomorrow morning (Thursday), 7.30!
I'M GOING TO DO A DIARY OF THE PRODUCTION OF SEASON TWO!
I've not bee getting a huge amount of visits to the blog. Some, but not masses. So it's time for a change in approach.
I think it's probably that I ramble a little on non-specifics, it's quite hard to see what the blog has been about, and it's a big much to expect complete strangers to be interested in me just because I'm me. Who am I that you should care?
So, I'm going to focus some of my article writing around the process of producing season two of the Christian children's TV show Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew.
I'm going to keep it intimate and emotional, and I'm going to keep it personal as well as technical, professional and practical. What I'd like to do is offer you all a well rounded insight into the production of a show from script to screen.
I think this should be quite interesting for the budding producer, scriptwriter, editor or film-maker, as it illustrates the production of something which isn't impossible or unreachable, but is small scale, low budget, and accessible.
So we have an openness from UCB to discuss how we might partner for season two in the new year. Contracts are not signed so to speak, but it has to be said that this is as positive as we could hope for when season one has only just gone to air. What it indicates is that they are happy with the show, and how it's turned out.
There are certain issues which came up, which need to be dealt with. I have referred to all of these in an earlier post. If you're interested in seeing how we've learned from the mistakes made in season one and how that will be leading to improvements in season two, then read the most titled 'How to make a children's TV show on very a low budget.'
I'm just trying to catch you up to where we are now, and then probably tomorrow the blog will be more of a diary.
So, I'm moving forward on the assumption that season two will get made. I think it's quite important that I do this, at this point my imagination could do me a disservice if I indulged in all the reasons why and how I could fail.
So I'm not going to do that. I'll do what I can, God will do what I can't. I know that we spent a lot more than we intended on season one, so season two will have to be run as a much tighter ship. I don't have an issue with this, we're doing it for love not money.
I had a wonderful review from somebody who'd watched a friend enjoy the show: "I know a hyperactive child who does NOT watch TV .. well .. unless it's what he calls "Mr Bon Hovis" then he's glued.
All seven years of him, absolutely quiet, too close to the screen, mouth wide open.
His parents appreciate half an hour's silence AND the good things that Mr Bon-Hovis learns from his mistakes."
Please, if you have any questions, I'd love to help. I know I can talk somewhat, but even I can never cover everything!
So to practicalities, what's first? Well simply to sit at the computer, open a new folder called 'Creation Crew Season Two' (that was a nice moment) and start planning. Keep separate and clearly named documents for each aspect of production. Starting off, a 'To Do' list. I need to simply have it in black and white in front of me, in a way that I can cross off as they are done. In the beginning they will be the bigger jobs like write 13 scripts, film 13 VT's, write 13 songs and the like, but as I move into the process they will become more detailed as each 'to do' becomes a heading for the smaller 'to do's' for example 'do drums on songs 7-13.'
It's very satisfying having written a list like this, I can rest knowing that everything I need to do for an entire season of television isn't jumbling around in my head any more it's transferred safely and permanently to black and white.
The next thing on the agenda for me is to consider the theme for each episode. The whole process is a prayerful one for me and indeed for my wife Ellie, it would seem like an absolute nonsense to me to plough on ahead on a project like this without doing a few important things:
1: Pray and listen, to be sure that this project is consistent with God's plan for our lives.
2: Ask God to come with us and continue communication; it's not like He's sending us off and waving bye bye on the platform! I've made that mistake in the past, I soon changed trains and ended up in the wilderness!
3: Pray and listen about specific aspects of the project. I'm not that wise that I think I have a vast reservoir of profound insight to share with children. Hopefully I have some discernment and balance, but I try to get the teaching and the purpose from God. I ask Him what He wants me to share with the kids, what He wants me to talk to them about. And He always tells me! It's at that point that I feel free to use my wit and talents to bring God's teaching to life. So I'm keeping it a partnership, with God in the lead!
So that was the next step which I started on yesterday, planning the themes for each show and the various elements of the show.
It goes something like:
Theme :
Revenge!
Introduction and Joke(4min)
Jovis has built a cool spaghetti tower which is really tall. He then goes and hears a joke from Monkey, he then goes and tells the Joke to woody and shows him the tower. We see Woody sneak over to the tower. Jovis introduces Through the Window.
Through the Window VT (3min)
Making paper boats and taking them to a stream.
Slapstick element (4 mins)
Jovis finds his tower destroyed. He tries to rebuild the tower in an fitful emotional state and fails. He then tapes Woody in his house, goes and gets his chocolate cake and puts snails in it.
Story time (4mins)
Two wolves; one is nasty to the other so one takes revenge. However, the first wolf apologises offering to share the thing wolf two has destroyed. Everybody loses!
Song Time (3mins)
What’s the point, when you’re mean to me,
What’s the point, of being mean to you?
Then it’s just two people being mean,
That’s a whole lot of mean, it’s just obscene!
Stop the nastiness in its tracks.
Dora Mouse leading to Scripture time (4mins)
If everybody’s mean it just doesn't stop, things just get more and more horrible and that’s just rubbish for everybody. As followers of Jesus, it’s our job to stop the nastiness in its tracks! Two wrongs don’t make a right, you can’t fight fire with fire! Forgiveness!
Art Crafty time and Goodbye. (4.mins)
Love your neighbour paper Mache picture frames.
What you're seeing above is written only for my benefit, and isn't meant to be a concise communication to other readers, it's planning which acts as signals to me which remind me of feelings, atmosphere, style, it inspires dialogue and structure and purpose for the show.
I'll use this to take the show into the script stage where it will be proofed and rehearsed.
So there we are, that's what I'm doing now. The next blog probably won't need to be as long winded so sign up, and watch how things unfold over the next few months! God bless, Joe. xxx
I'M GOING TO DO A DIARY OF THE PRODUCTION OF SEASON TWO!
I've not bee getting a huge amount of visits to the blog. Some, but not masses. So it's time for a change in approach.
I think it's probably that I ramble a little on non-specifics, it's quite hard to see what the blog has been about, and it's a big much to expect complete strangers to be interested in me just because I'm me. Who am I that you should care?
So, I'm going to focus some of my article writing around the process of producing season two of the Christian children's TV show Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew.
I'm going to keep it intimate and emotional, and I'm going to keep it personal as well as technical, professional and practical. What I'd like to do is offer you all a well rounded insight into the production of a show from script to screen.
I think this should be quite interesting for the budding producer, scriptwriter, editor or film-maker, as it illustrates the production of something which isn't impossible or unreachable, but is small scale, low budget, and accessible.
So we have an openness from UCB to discuss how we might partner for season two in the new year. Contracts are not signed so to speak, but it has to be said that this is as positive as we could hope for when season one has only just gone to air. What it indicates is that they are happy with the show, and how it's turned out.
There are certain issues which came up, which need to be dealt with. I have referred to all of these in an earlier post. If you're interested in seeing how we've learned from the mistakes made in season one and how that will be leading to improvements in season two, then read the most titled 'How to make a children's TV show on very a low budget.'
I'm just trying to catch you up to where we are now, and then probably tomorrow the blog will be more of a diary.
So, I'm moving forward on the assumption that season two will get made. I think it's quite important that I do this, at this point my imagination could do me a disservice if I indulged in all the reasons why and how I could fail.
So I'm not going to do that. I'll do what I can, God will do what I can't. I know that we spent a lot more than we intended on season one, so season two will have to be run as a much tighter ship. I don't have an issue with this, we're doing it for love not money.
I had a wonderful review from somebody who'd watched a friend enjoy the show: "I know a hyperactive child who does NOT watch TV .. well .. unless it's what he calls "Mr Bon Hovis" then he's glued.
All seven years of him, absolutely quiet, too close to the screen, mouth wide open.
His parents appreciate half an hour's silence AND the good things that Mr Bon-Hovis learns from his mistakes."
Please, if you have any questions, I'd love to help. I know I can talk somewhat, but even I can never cover everything!
So to practicalities, what's first? Well simply to sit at the computer, open a new folder called 'Creation Crew Season Two' (that was a nice moment) and start planning. Keep separate and clearly named documents for each aspect of production. Starting off, a 'To Do' list. I need to simply have it in black and white in front of me, in a way that I can cross off as they are done. In the beginning they will be the bigger jobs like write 13 scripts, film 13 VT's, write 13 songs and the like, but as I move into the process they will become more detailed as each 'to do' becomes a heading for the smaller 'to do's' for example 'do drums on songs 7-13.'
It's very satisfying having written a list like this, I can rest knowing that everything I need to do for an entire season of television isn't jumbling around in my head any more it's transferred safely and permanently to black and white.
The next thing on the agenda for me is to consider the theme for each episode. The whole process is a prayerful one for me and indeed for my wife Ellie, it would seem like an absolute nonsense to me to plough on ahead on a project like this without doing a few important things:
1: Pray and listen, to be sure that this project is consistent with God's plan for our lives.
2: Ask God to come with us and continue communication; it's not like He's sending us off and waving bye bye on the platform! I've made that mistake in the past, I soon changed trains and ended up in the wilderness!
3: Pray and listen about specific aspects of the project. I'm not that wise that I think I have a vast reservoir of profound insight to share with children. Hopefully I have some discernment and balance, but I try to get the teaching and the purpose from God. I ask Him what He wants me to share with the kids, what He wants me to talk to them about. And He always tells me! It's at that point that I feel free to use my wit and talents to bring God's teaching to life. So I'm keeping it a partnership, with God in the lead!
So that was the next step which I started on yesterday, planning the themes for each show and the various elements of the show.
It goes something like:
Theme :
Revenge!
Introduction and Joke(4min)
Jovis has built a cool spaghetti tower which is really tall. He then goes and hears a joke from Monkey, he then goes and tells the Joke to woody and shows him the tower. We see Woody sneak over to the tower. Jovis introduces Through the Window.
Through the Window VT (3min)
Making paper boats and taking them to a stream.
Slapstick element (4 mins)
Jovis finds his tower destroyed. He tries to rebuild the tower in an fitful emotional state and fails. He then tapes Woody in his house, goes and gets his chocolate cake and puts snails in it.
Story time (4mins)
Two wolves; one is nasty to the other so one takes revenge. However, the first wolf apologises offering to share the thing wolf two has destroyed. Everybody loses!
Song Time (3mins)
What’s the point, when you’re mean to me,
What’s the point, of being mean to you?
Then it’s just two people being mean,
That’s a whole lot of mean, it’s just obscene!
Stop the nastiness in its tracks.
Dora Mouse leading to Scripture time (4mins)
If everybody’s mean it just doesn't stop, things just get more and more horrible and that’s just rubbish for everybody. As followers of Jesus, it’s our job to stop the nastiness in its tracks! Two wrongs don’t make a right, you can’t fight fire with fire! Forgiveness!
Art Crafty time and Goodbye. (4.mins)
Love your neighbour paper Mache picture frames.
What you're seeing above is written only for my benefit, and isn't meant to be a concise communication to other readers, it's planning which acts as signals to me which remind me of feelings, atmosphere, style, it inspires dialogue and structure and purpose for the show.
I'll use this to take the show into the script stage where it will be proofed and rehearsed.
So there we are, that's what I'm doing now. The next blog probably won't need to be as long winded so sign up, and watch how things unfold over the next few months! God bless, Joe. xxx
Monday, 3 December 2012
How to choose the right Christmas present for pre-teens on a tight budget
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR PRE-TEENS.
Since children seem to be spending so much time watching the television, can't we as parents at least make sure that when they do they have something decent, something good and something worthwhile to watch? And what if it was a proper laugh as well? What about kids' Bible stories on DVD? Perhaps something like that but more fun?
Every episode is packed full of fun including:
Outside adventures with the Creation Crew Kids,
A unique singalong song for every episode,
Story-time with stories written for the show,
Arts and crafts your kids can make at hope to help remember the point of the show,
Scripture time, checking if what we're talking about is in the Bible!
All woven into the story played out by Mr Bon-Hovis and his house full of puppet friends.
Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew hilarious kids' DVD set. Over five hours of fabulous entertainment! Kids from 3-12 will enjoy this show.
Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew is a brand new release British made, wholesome, hilarious kids DVD containing over FIVE HOURS of programmes!
This season of kids' TV was created by a group of people who just wanted to give children something decent. It's bright and fun, and full of comedy. It explores issues which are real and genuine, things that kids will be able to connect with in their everyday lives. It's Christian at its heart, so it's ideal for Christmas, without being preachy and off-putting.
Every episode tackles a certain subject through a comedy drama with live action puppets. It's never pointing the finger, but always looks at life's problems through the experiences of the lead character, Mr Bon-Hovis. He might be very greedy in one episode, and start stealing things in the next! We look at the issues of the day and the consequences through the medium of falling over and squirty cream!
Buying presents nowadays is pretty tricky, it seems like most kids in this country want the most expensive, most up-to-date, fastest trendiest thing they can get their hands on. I don't remember it being like that when I was a kid, there certainly seems to be some kind of 'entitlement' mentality. If it exists, it's out there and it's new, I should have it.
I don't like buying presents for my children like that. I prefer doing it the way we did when I was little. I don't know about you, but I never knew what I was getting until I opened it on Christmas day, and that was a massive amount of the fun! The surprise!
I guess part of it was 'You'll get what you're given and you'll say thank you.' I never felt hard done by as a Kid. Let this DVD be a blessing from us to your children, it was created to fill your kids with joy, hope, fun, understanding and an awareness of God as a relevant person!
www.Christian-Movies.co.uk
Friday, 30 November 2012
New British worship music Video.
Lord, I miss you. I want to spend some time with you, it's one of those days.
Those are the opening lines to one of my most recent songs, which is aptly named 'One of those days.' It's one of my more mournful and melancholy pieces, and quite unusual for something which I personally would still class as 'worship'.
This is music produced on a Packard Bell laptop with 4 GB processing power and an Alesis Q49 midi keyboard, which you may know is very bare bones equipment! The sequencing software and instruments I used came from the fantastic Ableton Live, my version is the Ableton Live 8, an 8 track piece of software which is limited to 8 tracks and six effects, so I am forced not to over-produce any of my music when I work on this kind of budget.
Have a listen:
I want to write Christian music that people can relate to and connect with, which talks to them about their real lives and their circumstances.
Worship music usually has quite a specific purpose, which is to facilitate us lifting praises up to the throne of God, and to grease the wheels of our worship with positive, edifying and encouraging statements of truth and scripture. Well, I can't knock that, it's wonderful. Some of my favourite music ever is just that, worship.
But that's not all I wanted to do. I wanted to sing truthfully about my Christian walk, and in some respects that works best when I'm true to my heart as a storyteller.
It's funny, I've been told on a couple of occasions that I have a particular gifting for telling stories, and I can remember as a child of eight or ten knowing that I wanted children because I wanted to read them stories. I think that comes from a decent place inside me, because when I try and connect with that feeling it's about the desire to fill people up with goodness, to bless them.
This is not my own holiness we're talking about here, this is just me being touched by the love of God and wanting to share it. I'm working on something now which isn't a gospel preach, but is just a story for the sake of a story, something for fun and laughter, and hopefully when people have watched it they'll go away feeling they've been given something which was worth having.
It seems that in order to feed the family it is wise to produce some things with mass appeal.
And of course what that then enables me to do is invest energy and resources into things I wouldn't be able to do otherwise, such as Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew, and my Christian music.
So this song is a labour of love. Not a preach, but just a deep yearning, and an expression of the overwhelming need for God. During my life I have been touched profoundly by God on so many occasions, thank you Lord Jesus, that it's very easy to present an image of somebody who has it all sorted, who never struggles, never sins and pushes God away, never prays and feels empty.
This song is an admission of the kind of normal experiences that real, spirit-filled Christians will likely have in their walk with the Lord. It's a song I wrote so we would all know we weren't alone. And God moves away from us just so that we would do exactly what this song does, cry out to Him, miss Him, pine to be with Him and go after Him.
And for anybody who's wondering, there have been some very beautiful moments with God since I wrote this song on a sad lonely day in the cold autumn countryside. Most recently today. He will never leave you, He will only ever call out to you from a distance.
Those are the opening lines to one of my most recent songs, which is aptly named 'One of those days.' It's one of my more mournful and melancholy pieces, and quite unusual for something which I personally would still class as 'worship'.
This is music produced on a Packard Bell laptop with 4 GB processing power and an Alesis Q49 midi keyboard, which you may know is very bare bones equipment! The sequencing software and instruments I used came from the fantastic Ableton Live, my version is the Ableton Live 8, an 8 track piece of software which is limited to 8 tracks and six effects, so I am forced not to over-produce any of my music when I work on this kind of budget.
Have a listen:
I want to write Christian music that people can relate to and connect with, which talks to them about their real lives and their circumstances.
Worship music usually has quite a specific purpose, which is to facilitate us lifting praises up to the throne of God, and to grease the wheels of our worship with positive, edifying and encouraging statements of truth and scripture. Well, I can't knock that, it's wonderful. Some of my favourite music ever is just that, worship.
But that's not all I wanted to do. I wanted to sing truthfully about my Christian walk, and in some respects that works best when I'm true to my heart as a storyteller.
It's funny, I've been told on a couple of occasions that I have a particular gifting for telling stories, and I can remember as a child of eight or ten knowing that I wanted children because I wanted to read them stories. I think that comes from a decent place inside me, because when I try and connect with that feeling it's about the desire to fill people up with goodness, to bless them.
This is not my own holiness we're talking about here, this is just me being touched by the love of God and wanting to share it. I'm working on something now which isn't a gospel preach, but is just a story for the sake of a story, something for fun and laughter, and hopefully when people have watched it they'll go away feeling they've been given something which was worth having.
It seems that in order to feed the family it is wise to produce some things with mass appeal.
And of course what that then enables me to do is invest energy and resources into things I wouldn't be able to do otherwise, such as Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew, and my Christian music.
So this song is a labour of love. Not a preach, but just a deep yearning, and an expression of the overwhelming need for God. During my life I have been touched profoundly by God on so many occasions, thank you Lord Jesus, that it's very easy to present an image of somebody who has it all sorted, who never struggles, never sins and pushes God away, never prays and feels empty.
This song is an admission of the kind of normal experiences that real, spirit-filled Christians will likely have in their walk with the Lord. It's a song I wrote so we would all know we weren't alone. And God moves away from us just so that we would do exactly what this song does, cry out to Him, miss Him, pine to be with Him and go after Him.
And for anybody who's wondering, there have been some very beautiful moments with God since I wrote this song on a sad lonely day in the cold autumn countryside. Most recently today. He will never leave you, He will only ever call out to you from a distance.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
How to make a children's TV show on very a low budget.
Anyone who been following this blog or looking at the other stuff we've been doing over the last year or two will know that we've been producing a show for Christian kids' TV called Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew, on a very small budget and a LOT of prayer.
Before you go any further, please make sure you subscribe to our channel! Things are constantly developing and we're always so excited to hear from folks who are interested in this sort of thing! Go to www.Youtube.com/ChristianMoviesUK and subscribe, or join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/ChristiansTogetherWorldwide
The TV show is now going out on air at long last, on Sky channel 585 an Thursday at 7.30 and 4, Saturdays at 7, and Tuesdays at 7. If you don't get Sky, UCB broadcast there schedule live on the internet too, so you can watch it at those same times (GMT) here: http://www.ucb.co.uk/watch-popup/live.html or you can download one of the free media apps for your smartphone http://www.ucb.co.uk
Here's how the show's looking for season one:
We're really pleased with what we've produced, and all through season one we found ways of polishing and improving the show as the team grew together and we got a better picture of what a successful children's television show might look like on such a tight budget.
Now we are in pre-production of season two, we are able to look back at which elements of the show were more successful, and which could do with tweaking. We're all confident that we have a fantastic show and kids seem to be enjoying it, but we should be on a journey of constant improvement within the bounds of our resources.
So here are some ways we intend to tweak season two:
Planning
Before we embark on the shoot for season two we will draw up a tight schedule and stick to it. Drawing on our experiences producing season one I am sure this will be achievable and actually enjoyable, eradicating the frustration and uncertainty that comes with working to such a loose timetable.
We will set tight time allowances for all areas of production including music, studio shoots and music video shoots, illustrations and graphics, VT’s, video and sound editing, voice recording and post production. We will also attempt to work to a firm overall completion deadline, making production of season two a potentially far more enjoyable and professional experience.
Rehearsals
Season one was produced on a wing and a prayer, we should remove the wing and instead set it firm on a rock! More rehearsals and run-throughs will eradicate any timing issues; lend an air of confidence to all performances strengthening the show significantly. It will also mean that physical comedy can be well planned, honed and understood by all before shooting.
Clothing
Several people have suggested that Mr Bon-Hovis should wear something a bit more bright and colourful, more consistent with the overall theme of the show. We will produce an appropriate top which carries the show’s branding.
Art Crafty Time
Upon watching the earlier episodes back it became evident that a ‘Here’s one I prepared earlier’ example would reinforce the potential of the mini projects, and offer more exciting options to the viewer. They would be more likely to engage kids and call them to action. So completed projects will be pre-prepared with good examples.
Scripture Time
‘Scripture Times’ will be stronger, in that they will be better explained and more relevant to the scenario. We will endeavour to open up scripture to the children in a slightly more accessible way and with a little more pertinence.
Story Time/Illustrations
The more successful ‘Story Times’ are pacey and punchy, in keeping with the flow of the show. ‘Story Time’ should be no longer than 3:30-4:00 minutes maximum, and the illustrations are very effective. We will produce a minimum of 8 illustrations for each ‘Story Time’.
Joke
The expectation of regular features is key to brand loyalty and audience retention, and we will endeavour to break up the initial studio time with another regular occurrence in which Monkey tells Mr Bon-Hovis a Joke, which has him falling off his chair. Mr Bon-Hovis will then tell the Joke enthusiastically to Woody Louse, who is perpetually unimpressed, leaving Mr Bon-Hovis crestfallen. This will tighten up the rhythm of the show even further.
Set Pieces and Physical Comedy
By far one of the most successful adjustments we made as we moved through the production of season one was the enhancement and invigoration of the physical comedy. The introduction of props such as creamy cakes, blow-up hammers and teleportation machines lifted the show into a higher level of polish and professionalism, as well as releasing the performers to play to the audience more freely, liberating some hearty laughs from viewers! Kids just love ‘silly’!
New Areas of the House
It would seem a little stagnant not to develop the set with the introduction of some new areas of the house. Two or three extra boards will offer options for a greater variety of visual interest and plot potential.
Well-Timed Scene Changes
Improving the timing of the scene changes in season one was a significant breakthrough, in conjunction with stronger slapstick and physical comedy elements. This momentum will be maintained and improved with the timing carefully planned and considered so as not to give the viewer any opportunity to lose interest before something new and exciting hits the screen!
Live Switching
Half way through season one we swapped to live camera switching. This was not only a help to speed up the editing but also provided a more natural flow to the performances as they appeared on screen. So we will use this method again.
Puppeteers
During production of season one we discovered that not everyone is a natural puppeteer. Bringing life to puppets is fundamental to the show and we were hampered by one or two helpers who struggled with the basics of puppeteering. We now recognise the importance of ensuring that the people operating the puppets can achieve a minimum level of competence.
Set Interiors
It was always intended that Booky Worm, Dora Mouse and Woody Louse had homes behind their doors, and that we would occasionally be able to catch a glimpse inside, almost as if into a secret world. The idea of going through the doors, and into those miniature worlds will be immensely exciting to a child. Spoiler alert!: We intend to produce simple rooms, in the same style as the rest of the set, for Dora and Booky. Booky’s will be a library, and Dora’s will be a kitchen with a table set for tea.
Strengthening of the puppet characters
There is tremendous opportunity for the puppets to offer more to the show. On some occasions during season one the puppets were incidental, having very little interaction or lines. Some of the strongest points in the show are when the puppets share lines and engage in equal conversation with Mr Bon-Hovis. I intend to write stronger lines for characters such as Woody Louse and Monkey, who light up the screen when they connect properly with Mr Bon-Hovis.
I hope you all agree, that adding these tweaks to an already successful format will bring the show to it's next level! See you in season two!
Before you go any further, please make sure you subscribe to our channel! Things are constantly developing and we're always so excited to hear from folks who are interested in this sort of thing! Go to www.Youtube.com/ChristianMoviesUK and subscribe, or join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/ChristiansTogetherWorldwide
The TV show is now going out on air at long last, on Sky channel 585 an Thursday at 7.30 and 4, Saturdays at 7, and Tuesdays at 7. If you don't get Sky, UCB broadcast there schedule live on the internet too, so you can watch it at those same times (GMT) here: http://www.ucb.co.uk/watch-popup/live.html or you can download one of the free media apps for your smartphone http://www.ucb.co.uk
Here's how the show's looking for season one:
We're really pleased with what we've produced, and all through season one we found ways of polishing and improving the show as the team grew together and we got a better picture of what a successful children's television show might look like on such a tight budget.
Now we are in pre-production of season two, we are able to look back at which elements of the show were more successful, and which could do with tweaking. We're all confident that we have a fantastic show and kids seem to be enjoying it, but we should be on a journey of constant improvement within the bounds of our resources.
So here are some ways we intend to tweak season two:
Planning
Before we embark on the shoot for season two we will draw up a tight schedule and stick to it. Drawing on our experiences producing season one I am sure this will be achievable and actually enjoyable, eradicating the frustration and uncertainty that comes with working to such a loose timetable.
We will set tight time allowances for all areas of production including music, studio shoots and music video shoots, illustrations and graphics, VT’s, video and sound editing, voice recording and post production. We will also attempt to work to a firm overall completion deadline, making production of season two a potentially far more enjoyable and professional experience.
Rehearsals
Season one was produced on a wing and a prayer, we should remove the wing and instead set it firm on a rock! More rehearsals and run-throughs will eradicate any timing issues; lend an air of confidence to all performances strengthening the show significantly. It will also mean that physical comedy can be well planned, honed and understood by all before shooting.
Clothing
Several people have suggested that Mr Bon-Hovis should wear something a bit more bright and colourful, more consistent with the overall theme of the show. We will produce an appropriate top which carries the show’s branding.
Art Crafty Time
Upon watching the earlier episodes back it became evident that a ‘Here’s one I prepared earlier’ example would reinforce the potential of the mini projects, and offer more exciting options to the viewer. They would be more likely to engage kids and call them to action. So completed projects will be pre-prepared with good examples.
Scripture Time
‘Scripture Times’ will be stronger, in that they will be better explained and more relevant to the scenario. We will endeavour to open up scripture to the children in a slightly more accessible way and with a little more pertinence.
Story Time/Illustrations
The more successful ‘Story Times’ are pacey and punchy, in keeping with the flow of the show. ‘Story Time’ should be no longer than 3:30-4:00 minutes maximum, and the illustrations are very effective. We will produce a minimum of 8 illustrations for each ‘Story Time’.
Joke
The expectation of regular features is key to brand loyalty and audience retention, and we will endeavour to break up the initial studio time with another regular occurrence in which Monkey tells Mr Bon-Hovis a Joke, which has him falling off his chair. Mr Bon-Hovis will then tell the Joke enthusiastically to Woody Louse, who is perpetually unimpressed, leaving Mr Bon-Hovis crestfallen. This will tighten up the rhythm of the show even further.
Set Pieces and Physical Comedy
By far one of the most successful adjustments we made as we moved through the production of season one was the enhancement and invigoration of the physical comedy. The introduction of props such as creamy cakes, blow-up hammers and teleportation machines lifted the show into a higher level of polish and professionalism, as well as releasing the performers to play to the audience more freely, liberating some hearty laughs from viewers! Kids just love ‘silly’!
New Areas of the House
It would seem a little stagnant not to develop the set with the introduction of some new areas of the house. Two or three extra boards will offer options for a greater variety of visual interest and plot potential.
Well-Timed Scene Changes
Improving the timing of the scene changes in season one was a significant breakthrough, in conjunction with stronger slapstick and physical comedy elements. This momentum will be maintained and improved with the timing carefully planned and considered so as not to give the viewer any opportunity to lose interest before something new and exciting hits the screen!
Live Switching
Half way through season one we swapped to live camera switching. This was not only a help to speed up the editing but also provided a more natural flow to the performances as they appeared on screen. So we will use this method again.
Puppeteers
During production of season one we discovered that not everyone is a natural puppeteer. Bringing life to puppets is fundamental to the show and we were hampered by one or two helpers who struggled with the basics of puppeteering. We now recognise the importance of ensuring that the people operating the puppets can achieve a minimum level of competence.
Set Interiors
It was always intended that Booky Worm, Dora Mouse and Woody Louse had homes behind their doors, and that we would occasionally be able to catch a glimpse inside, almost as if into a secret world. The idea of going through the doors, and into those miniature worlds will be immensely exciting to a child. Spoiler alert!: We intend to produce simple rooms, in the same style as the rest of the set, for Dora and Booky. Booky’s will be a library, and Dora’s will be a kitchen with a table set for tea.
Strengthening of the puppet characters
There is tremendous opportunity for the puppets to offer more to the show. On some occasions during season one the puppets were incidental, having very little interaction or lines. Some of the strongest points in the show are when the puppets share lines and engage in equal conversation with Mr Bon-Hovis. I intend to write stronger lines for characters such as Woody Louse and Monkey, who light up the screen when they connect properly with Mr Bon-Hovis.
I hope you all agree, that adding these tweaks to an already successful format will bring the show to it's next level! See you in season two!
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Cheap New Christian Worship Music
I think I must be old school!
You may already know the my album Stars Like Needles is my first release.
You know, I thought music CD's were £9.99! I guess that shows how long it is since I've bought a CD. Well, my apologies, it seems like it's been a bit overpriced. Most music CD's are coming out at around the £6.99 mark, so that's the price I've settled on for now.
So come along and snap it up folks, one of the most enjoyable and exciting new worship releases this side of 2013, very special, very beautiful new and original praise music.
You may already know the my album Stars Like Needles is my first release.
You know, I thought music CD's were £9.99! I guess that shows how long it is since I've bought a CD. Well, my apologies, it seems like it's been a bit overpriced. Most music CD's are coming out at around the £6.99 mark, so that's the price I've settled on for now.
So come along and snap it up folks, one of the most enjoyable and exciting new worship releases this side of 2013, very special, very beautiful new and original praise music.
If you want some worship music which is a little bit different, or you want some praise which is honest, open and real, then this is the album for you. I never pretend everything is perfect, but I never pervert the course of the Gospel! This is music for people with a faith that is real, deep and not wishy washy worship which just repeats the same old lines and passages from Scripture we've heard time and time again.
If you want to listen to some moving worship music, or you like to praise God in a way which is not quite so traditional and same old same old worship music, then you've come to the right place.
You can buy the album by clicking on the link on the right.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Christians chasing money and the prosperity gospel.
The prosperity gospel and chasing financial success as Christians.
Wow, talk about missing the point. Much of what is said by the prosperity gospel preachers is true, and I'm sure they vary in their understanding and connection with the Lord as much as any preachers! But for me, focussing on the Lord's desire for your success financially is a bit like inheriting a beautiful castle and then spending your entire life in the garden twittering on about how amazing the bird bath is.
And to be brutally frank, if the Lord wants what's best for us which he surely does, then His primary concern is going to be the state of our souls surely, and not the shininess of our car?
In my experience money in relation to Christians should be something rather different to the relationship between money and those who don't know God.
Christians should treat money as a responsibility, something to be carefully administered for the good of others. Of course there are certain levels of comfort and happiness that God would like to bless us with, but I don't think that's His first priority! And I certainly do not believe that comfort and padding come hand in hand with a positive relationship with God. As I sit at my desk writing this my financial circumstances are very restrictive, but I am certainly in one of the absolute most blessed parts of my life. The two are only very loosely connected, and only under certain circumstances I think.
For me, this video touches on the sublime and speaks absolute volumes. If only children in our schools were shown this video regularly as they grew up.
I think His first priority, sorry folks, is to mould us into the shape of His Son, Jesus. Giving, ultimately self sacrificing even to the point of death.
I think that God tends to bless Christians with wealth when they have reached a level of maturity whereby they understand it's true value and the responsibility they have with it.
If we devote our lives to becoming more Christ-like, then we become better connected with the Father and life starts to make more sense. How crass it then starts to seem that we thought God's love was measured by whether He gave us a square brown car or a pointy silver one.
Wow, talk about missing the point. Much of what is said by the prosperity gospel preachers is true, and I'm sure they vary in their understanding and connection with the Lord as much as any preachers! But for me, focussing on the Lord's desire for your success financially is a bit like inheriting a beautiful castle and then spending your entire life in the garden twittering on about how amazing the bird bath is.
And to be brutally frank, if the Lord wants what's best for us which he surely does, then His primary concern is going to be the state of our souls surely, and not the shininess of our car?
In my experience money in relation to Christians should be something rather different to the relationship between money and those who don't know God.
Christians should treat money as a responsibility, something to be carefully administered for the good of others. Of course there are certain levels of comfort and happiness that God would like to bless us with, but I don't think that's His first priority! And I certainly do not believe that comfort and padding come hand in hand with a positive relationship with God. As I sit at my desk writing this my financial circumstances are very restrictive, but I am certainly in one of the absolute most blessed parts of my life. The two are only very loosely connected, and only under certain circumstances I think.
For me, this video touches on the sublime and speaks absolute volumes. If only children in our schools were shown this video regularly as they grew up.
I think His first priority, sorry folks, is to mould us into the shape of His Son, Jesus. Giving, ultimately self sacrificing even to the point of death.
I think that God tends to bless Christians with wealth when they have reached a level of maturity whereby they understand it's true value and the responsibility they have with it.
If we devote our lives to becoming more Christ-like, then we become better connected with the Father and life starts to make more sense. How crass it then starts to seem that we thought God's love was measured by whether He gave us a square brown car or a pointy silver one.
Monday, 26 November 2012
How to pray and how to hear from God.
Praying to God and hearing from God is one of the greatest struggles for a lot of Christians.
While I can't claim to have the be all and end all answer, I can share with you some things which have helped me, and have also helped my wife Ellie as we've grown together and experienced similar development of our relationship with God.And I'm certainly not talking as a person who has it all sorted, and has led a sound and consistent Christian life with no issues and no struggles. Oh no! Have a look at my most recent song on Youtube, I'm sure that if you listen to that you'll know, I understand what it means to feel separate from God. But a big part of the key is revealed at the end of the song. It's not a secret, I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you!
Have a listen:
I can remember times as a baby Christian, well perhaps more recently than that too, when I've looked about me at certain people in the church and in my home-groups and the like and felt so terribly inferior. There are always these people who just seem to have peace, their families are all lovely and pretty, their homes are full of warmth and depth, they seem unshakably kind and at ease. It seems like they've cracked it.
And all this time we're stressing about money because we can't pay the electric and the car's running on vapours, I'd rather not eat than have beans on toast again (wow, what ingratitude, that attitude kept the Israelites in the desert for 40 years instead of the 10 days it should have taken!), the three year old is a terror and we think she may have ADHD and the teenager wants to explain to you in explicit detail every waking moment what you're wrong about, how you don't understand, how things are different now and that you're so stupid.
I want to scream. I Do scream sometimes! Let's go a bit further and tell me if you can relate: There are certain people who everybody loves, it's as if an angel goes before them scattering spiritual petals on the ground everywhere they walk. But we're not imagining that in a nice way are we? We're just jealous because we walked into church again and were ignored, nobody smiled at us and asked us how we were so we went and sat in a corner and had horrible thoughts about everyone else, especially the ones everybody likes!
But a strange thing started to happen a few years ago which was fundamentally entwined with prayer, my relationship with God and with my wife.
I started to notice that as new people came into church, and as I began to expand my circle of relationships WE began to appear like those 'sorted' people to the newcomers! Oh what fools they are if only they knew! But it raises an interesting point; you just don't know where people have come from or what they're going through. And I think in the end, fundamentally across all of humanity there are two different kinds of people who are poles apart. One shines and the other doesn't. One is full of life and the other isn't. One whose struggles and tests have made them beautiful and one whose haven't. And you fall in one camp or the other.
And what defines them is simply this: One has chosen to be a giver, and the other is a taker.
Acts 20.35; the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
I may seem to have gone off on a bit of a tangent but I will circle back to my main point now. Firstly, something comes from God which makes us WANT to be the giving type. This is the fundamental difference between legalism and love. Two people can do the same work, one can be motivated by fear, and the other by love. And you are not saved by your works, you are saved by grace and remember, the Lord looks at the heart! And love covers a multitude of sins too, so imagine if by inspiration of the Holy Spirit you feel a joyful compulsion to serve God and administer the love He's shared with you. What goodness you will be pouring out into the world.
Conversely you can have a belief but not connect it with the Lord by seeking Him and connecting with Him in prayer, your good works will likely stem from a head knowledge that you SHOULD be a good person, and that God is big and powerful and scary. You will end up feeling drained, not refreshed, unfulfilled, and crucially you will feel resentful to the people you are giving to, you will feel as if they owe you something! Eventually this type of giving will be exhausted, it will stop and leave you bitter and unclear as to why you were doing it, as well as confused about your relationship with God.
This is why it is said in James 2, 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So these two different types of people aren't separated by whether or not they're nice or nasty, wanting to do good or can't be bothered, but simply by whether or not they are driven by a deep connection with God by the presence and constant refreshing of His Holy Spirit within us.
God is the source of everything that's good in the universe. We have some sort of understanding of it of course because it's programmed into our nature, we're made in His image after all. But we become exhausted if we're not connected to the inexhaustible source.
I expect everyone reading this understands that somehow the death of Jesus, who when he walked the earth was a sinless man ( the only one ever, being God in human form ) acted as a sort of payment for our badness. And God, being all perfect and lovely wasn't able to connect with us the way He'd like when we were all lost in general imperfection! So that was a very thoughtful and considerate thing for Him to do. What this means is that we are now able to engage directly with God through His Holy Spirit, as long as we acknowledge Jesus when we attempt to. This acknowledgement changes something in our spirit, and opens up a sort of access point which allows God in. Without acknowledging Jesus it's a bit like calling out for somebody whilst holding the door shut...
So we're off to a flying start then if we make a few assumptions.
We can get to God, He has made it possible for us. We are promised that, and I think He's trustworthy!
A believer's prayer is a powerful thing and faith comes from hearing the message, so read a reasonable chunk of scripture daily. Don't believe anybody who says you just need to choose a passage and meditate on that regularly. You do that as well, not instead of reading a good portion, at least a chapter or two every day. It stops being a chore very quickly.
Ask God for His presence, and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
Ask God to open up Scripture to you.
Listen for answers. Thinking you can't hear from God is actually another way of saying you don't trust His ability to speak to you. He certainly can speak to you. Pray specific prayers and ask specific questions, and then pause in the quiet and listen for answers.
Always use the name of Jesus.
Have absolute confidence in the name.
If you feel any sense of unease or tension, stress or frustration in the room, have a little celebration, and sing out loud to Jesus! Maybe the devil doesn't want you to pray, which means you're surely on the right track! Just lift your arms and command any evil spirits out of the room in Jesus' name, tell them the room belongs to Jesus and you belong to Jesus. Say it all with a smile and sing praises to His name. It's happened to me once or twice and it's a wonderful thing to see the power of His name transform a room. Just keep going until you can tell in your spirit that something has changed and the bad atmosphere has left. Don't get cross or angry, do it all with confidence and peace, and celebration. The change WILL happen.
Persevere. God is always with us, but so often we bring so much mental and spiritual junk to the alter it can take some time for us to settle into our prayer. Don't let your prayer time be a two minute in and out. Persevere, it's something that can be learned.
Find your own way, ask God to teach you how to pray in the way that's right for you.
Be bold and confident in approaching the throne of grace. Never think to yourself 'I wonder if god will be there for me today.', but assume He will be!
Learn to recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. There is now something wonderful living inside you which you were not born with, a living and Holy spirit from God, learn to recognise Him talking to you, the difference between Him and your own thoughts. Ask Jesus to help you.
Ask God to teach you how to live, and what kind of a person to be. Ask Him to change you into the kind of person He wants you to be. Let this be your prayer every day, ask Him to motivate and inspire you, ask Him to change your heart to love the things He loves and ask Him to fill you with good, Godly and Holy wisdom.
Keep doing that.
Pray for other people as well as yourself. Pray big prayers, don't be afraid to pray against what seems hopeless such as war and famine.
Pray specific prayers for specific situations in home and personal life too. Make sure you recognise when the answer comes!
Pray every morning before you get up and every night before you sleep. Shoot little prayers up to the throne all day whenever something comes up.
If you are married, start praying together every day. this might be very embarrassing if you've never done it before, but it has the power to change your life and transform your marriage. Stick at it!
Do what God says! If you start praying regularly in Jesus name, and listening out for God in a way you haven't done before isn't it just possible he might tell you there are things you need to change about your life? Did you ever ask God about your career before? Are you doing what HE intended? Did you ever ask him about your career or your house which you've bought with a huge loan? Did you ask God where you should live? Consider it's possible that your mind may not have been completely in tune with God's your whole life!
Be obedient from now on, and begin enjoying your life the way God intended.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
How much money can you make putting videos on Youtube?
I've updated this post from yesterday as I think it was a little lacking. I've been a little clearer towards the end of the article now, I hope this helps as I found it quite difficult to find this information when I was looking into whether or not to place ads on my Youtube videos to make some extra cash.
How much money can you make from posting videos on Youtube?
First of all, make sure you subscribe to my Youtube channel here! That's key in making money, get subscribers, so help a guy out right? www.Youtube.com/ChristianMoviesUK
This was such a difficult question to find an answer to. I guess there are so many variables, different advertisers pay different amounts, different types of video might appeal to different types of user who are more or less inclined to click on ads meaning you'll get less clicks per 1000 views.
I set up my videos to monetise and I haven't found any information which suggests I should keep the payment amount and schedule secret, I don't think I was invited into the secret Youtube club where they tell you how much you're going to earn from advertising on your videos as long as you don't tell anyone else!
So I'll tell you what it looks like so far on mine. And a lot of this is based on assumptions and rough guesstimates!
Basically, I get about 4 pence, £0.04, every time somebody clicks on the advert on one of my Youtube videos. Yippee! Actually, I thought it would be even less than that. I'm sure there are setting you can select which put limits on how ads are displayed which may mean you'd get less.
Anyway, based on the percentage of people who are clicking my ads on Youtube, the prediction they offer me is that I am likely to earn around £3.45 per 1000 video views, I have a click-through rate of just over 8%. I don't know if that's good or not.
10,000 views = £34.50
100,000 views = £345.00
1,000,000 views = £3,450.00
10,000,000 views = £34,500.00
100,000,000 views = £345,000.00
300,000,000 views = £1,035,000.00 Think Gotye, Gangnam Style...Yay, I'm a Youtube Millionaire!
So, if you wanted to make a living from Youtube and you had my level of CTR and £0.04 per click, then in order to get a passable young geezer's wage of let's say £20k a year that would mean you would need half a million clicks per year. At a rate of just over 8% that means you would need roughly six million video views per year.
So that's the answer right there, all very rough but you can work the rest out yourself. If you start getting a vid with 300 million views, things start to look rather tasty.
My vids are getting between 10-60 views per day on average (not quite Beyonce Single Ladies) so let's call it an average of 35 per day. I have four main videos doings this, so I'm seeing about 140 views per day. I'm getting a bit more than that really, but it's always far more comfortable to do a conservative estimate for me, that way I'm more likely to be pleasantly surprised!
So on a 30 day month I'm getting 4200 views. 8.2% of those 4200 Youtube video views makes it likely I will get around 344 click throughs on my ads. 344 clicks x £0.04 = £13.76 pcm. Wow, I'm on my way!
Since I'm getting that with four main videos, and I'd need at least 100 times that to scrape by as anything like a career choice, then I'll need another 400 videos. Those videos took about a week each to make, so we're looking at a good four or five years working for very little before I could start to relax, and of course there's no saying that all videos will maintain a level of popularity.
BUT, and this is the big fun part, if you are putting your heart into something and producing a level of quality (which people certainly appreciate, quality over quantity any day!) then it seems likely that out of those four hundred videos you will achieve several which are far more successful than the sorts of low numbers I'm talking about. I think that's where it gets quite exciting, as you have a hope of hitting the big time and you're independent. You can make a movie or a song and do really well with no record deal or Hollywood agent, all you need to rely on is your own talent and of course, God's will!
So it's very possible to make a living off Youtube, especially if your videos are popular. But it would need to be a concerted long-term effort, requiring skill, talent and hard work, like any career. Go for it!
How much money can you make from posting videos on Youtube?
First of all, make sure you subscribe to my Youtube channel here! That's key in making money, get subscribers, so help a guy out right? www.Youtube.com/ChristianMoviesUK
This was such a difficult question to find an answer to. I guess there are so many variables, different advertisers pay different amounts, different types of video might appeal to different types of user who are more or less inclined to click on ads meaning you'll get less clicks per 1000 views.
I set up my videos to monetise and I haven't found any information which suggests I should keep the payment amount and schedule secret, I don't think I was invited into the secret Youtube club where they tell you how much you're going to earn from advertising on your videos as long as you don't tell anyone else!
So I'll tell you what it looks like so far on mine. And a lot of this is based on assumptions and rough guesstimates!
Basically, I get about 4 pence, £0.04, every time somebody clicks on the advert on one of my Youtube videos. Yippee! Actually, I thought it would be even less than that. I'm sure there are setting you can select which put limits on how ads are displayed which may mean you'd get less.
Anyway, based on the percentage of people who are clicking my ads on Youtube, the prediction they offer me is that I am likely to earn around £3.45 per 1000 video views, I have a click-through rate of just over 8%. I don't know if that's good or not.
10,000 views = £34.50
100,000 views = £345.00
1,000,000 views = £3,450.00
10,000,000 views = £34,500.00
100,000,000 views = £345,000.00
300,000,000 views = £1,035,000.00 Think Gotye, Gangnam Style...Yay, I'm a Youtube Millionaire!
So, if you wanted to make a living from Youtube and you had my level of CTR and £0.04 per click, then in order to get a passable young geezer's wage of let's say £20k a year that would mean you would need half a million clicks per year. At a rate of just over 8% that means you would need roughly six million video views per year.
So that's the answer right there, all very rough but you can work the rest out yourself. If you start getting a vid with 300 million views, things start to look rather tasty.
My vids are getting between 10-60 views per day on average (not quite Beyonce Single Ladies) so let's call it an average of 35 per day. I have four main videos doings this, so I'm seeing about 140 views per day. I'm getting a bit more than that really, but it's always far more comfortable to do a conservative estimate for me, that way I'm more likely to be pleasantly surprised!
So on a 30 day month I'm getting 4200 views. 8.2% of those 4200 Youtube video views makes it likely I will get around 344 click throughs on my ads. 344 clicks x £0.04 = £13.76 pcm. Wow, I'm on my way!
Since I'm getting that with four main videos, and I'd need at least 100 times that to scrape by as anything like a career choice, then I'll need another 400 videos. Those videos took about a week each to make, so we're looking at a good four or five years working for very little before I could start to relax, and of course there's no saying that all videos will maintain a level of popularity.
BUT, and this is the big fun part, if you are putting your heart into something and producing a level of quality (which people certainly appreciate, quality over quantity any day!) then it seems likely that out of those four hundred videos you will achieve several which are far more successful than the sorts of low numbers I'm talking about. I think that's where it gets quite exciting, as you have a hope of hitting the big time and you're independent. You can make a movie or a song and do really well with no record deal or Hollywood agent, all you need to rely on is your own talent and of course, God's will!
So it's very possible to make a living off Youtube, especially if your videos are popular. But it would need to be a concerted long-term effort, requiring skill, talent and hard work, like any career. Go for it!
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Creating videos for Youtube and making money from them with Adsense and advertising
How much money can you make from posting videos on Youtube?
This was such a difficult question to find an answer to. I guess there are so many variables, different advertisers pay different amounts, different types of video might appeal to different types of user who are more or less inclined to click on ads meaning you'll get less clicks per 1000 views.
I set up my videos to monetise and I haven't found any information which suggests I should keep the payment amount and schedule secret, I don't think I was invited into the secret Youtube club where they tell you how much you're going to earn from advertising on your videos as long as you don't tell anyone else!
So I'll tell you what it looks like so far on mine. And a lot of this is based on assumptions and rough guesstimates!
Basically, I get about 4 pence, £0.04, every time somebody clicks on the advert on one of my Youtube videos. Yippee! Actually, I thought it would be even less than that. I'm sure there are setting you can select which put limits on how ads are displayed which may mean you'd get less.
Anyway, based on the percentage of people who are clicking my ads on Youtube, the prediction they offer me is that I am likely to earn around £3.45 per 1000 video views, I have a click-through rate of just over 8%. I don't know if that's good or not.
10,000 views = £345.00
100,000 views = £3,450.00
1,000,000 views = £34,500.00
100,000,000 views = £345,000.00
300,000,000 views = I'm a Youtube millionaire! Think Gotye, Gangnam Style...
So, if you wanted to make a living from Youtube and you had my level of CTR and £0.04 per click, then in order to get a passable young geezer's wage of let's say £20k a year that would mean you would need half a million clicks per year. At a rate of just over 8% that means you would need roughly six million video views per year.
So that's the answer right there, all very rough but you can work the rest out yourself. If you start getting a vid with 300 million views, things start to look rather tasty.
My videos are averaging about 5-10 thousand views per year, so, I either need to get a thousand videos on there of a reasonable quality, or do something special that people are going to go nuts over.
So it's possible to make a living off Youtube, especially if your videos are popular.
This was such a difficult question to find an answer to. I guess there are so many variables, different advertisers pay different amounts, different types of video might appeal to different types of user who are more or less inclined to click on ads meaning you'll get less clicks per 1000 views.
I set up my videos to monetise and I haven't found any information which suggests I should keep the payment amount and schedule secret, I don't think I was invited into the secret Youtube club where they tell you how much you're going to earn from advertising on your videos as long as you don't tell anyone else!
So I'll tell you what it looks like so far on mine. And a lot of this is based on assumptions and rough guesstimates!
Basically, I get about 4 pence, £0.04, every time somebody clicks on the advert on one of my Youtube videos. Yippee! Actually, I thought it would be even less than that. I'm sure there are setting you can select which put limits on how ads are displayed which may mean you'd get less.
Anyway, based on the percentage of people who are clicking my ads on Youtube, the prediction they offer me is that I am likely to earn around £3.45 per 1000 video views, I have a click-through rate of just over 8%. I don't know if that's good or not.
10,000 views = £345.00
100,000 views = £3,450.00
1,000,000 views = £34,500.00
100,000,000 views = £345,000.00
300,000,000 views = I'm a Youtube millionaire! Think Gotye, Gangnam Style...
So, if you wanted to make a living from Youtube and you had my level of CTR and £0.04 per click, then in order to get a passable young geezer's wage of let's say £20k a year that would mean you would need half a million clicks per year. At a rate of just over 8% that means you would need roughly six million video views per year.
So that's the answer right there, all very rough but you can work the rest out yourself. If you start getting a vid with 300 million views, things start to look rather tasty.
My videos are averaging about 5-10 thousand views per year, so, I either need to get a thousand videos on there of a reasonable quality, or do something special that people are going to go nuts over.
So it's possible to make a living off Youtube, especially if your videos are popular.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Brand new free christian worship music video release from Joseph Cheetham-Wilkinson
Dear brothers and sisters,
I'm so pleased that I've had a little revelation regarding my Christian song-writing endeavours. I hope it really blesses you too! Ellie and I have been challenged just lately about how we should be devoting our time to working for the kingdom of God and blessing others with the gifts God has given us.
God seems to be telling us quite clearly that if we're working for Him and we're in His will we shouldn't be constantly stressing about money. I have a lot to say on the subject, but that may be for another blog. But the thing is, it's really difficult to get to that breakthrough part of the Christian walk where you say to God, from your heart, 'My greatest blessing is to serve you Lord.'
And we have to serve Him unconditionally, and that includes Him NOT giving us what we want, as well as giving us what we think we need!
The truest blessings to be had in this life are those that come when we can really let go of our own desires and allow God to have His way. And I know this much, that's no sacrifice, because God's way is so much better than ours!
Anyway, I'm getting off the point a little here. I made my recent album Stars Like Needles, which you can purchase by clicking the link at the top of this page, and immediately began to stress about how to get people to buy it, how to get a record deal, how to get on iTunes and all those things which didn't really connect with my initial purposes in producing the album; which were to use my gifts in service of God and to bless others.
And the answer which God gave me was very surprising and very liberating, 'Give it away!' What's the point in making something for people and then holding it all in so they have to prize it out of me? It's meant to be a gift from God to His people, through me!
How freeing and how beautiful that felt, to know I am working for God in the way He intends, and blessing others in a way that blesses me so deeply.
So what I will be doing from now on is producing my songs and making videos for them, and making them freely available on Youtube.
Hurrah!
Of course you can still buy the CD if you want it for the car or for a gift, then that's a lovely way you can bless me. But I am no longer worrying about getting money out of my Christian brothers and sisters who I just want to bless, I know God will provide if I am serving Him.
Now, isn't it wonderful when God gives you peace and confirmation on something? After Ellie and I prayed about this yesterday, Ellie walked around the house saying thank you top God for all the ways He has blessed us. I once again listened to Him and put into action what I felt He was saying to me. You see I admit it, we are very poor compared to most people in our country, so we end up praying about money all the time.
I could just imagine Jesus hanging there on the cross saying 'Haven't I done enough? How much more do you want?'
And so letting go and trusting the Lord once again yesterday was incredibly liberating. And so often have Ellie and I seen remarkable blessings like this that we were hardly surprised, first thing this morning we had a tax rebate for an amount of money which very closely matched the value of some specific items we needed and couldn't afford, and had been whining and moaning to God about.
Also, after months of not understanding what on earth was going on, my Google Adwords account has come to life and enabled me to gain revenue from advertising on my videos and my blog, TODAY that happened, so my fans who can't afford a CD will always be able to hear my music!
Lord Jesus, you are AMAZING!
I'm so pleased that I've had a little revelation regarding my Christian song-writing endeavours. I hope it really blesses you too! Ellie and I have been challenged just lately about how we should be devoting our time to working for the kingdom of God and blessing others with the gifts God has given us.
God seems to be telling us quite clearly that if we're working for Him and we're in His will we shouldn't be constantly stressing about money. I have a lot to say on the subject, but that may be for another blog. But the thing is, it's really difficult to get to that breakthrough part of the Christian walk where you say to God, from your heart, 'My greatest blessing is to serve you Lord.'
And we have to serve Him unconditionally, and that includes Him NOT giving us what we want, as well as giving us what we think we need!
The truest blessings to be had in this life are those that come when we can really let go of our own desires and allow God to have His way. And I know this much, that's no sacrifice, because God's way is so much better than ours!
Anyway, I'm getting off the point a little here. I made my recent album Stars Like Needles, which you can purchase by clicking the link at the top of this page, and immediately began to stress about how to get people to buy it, how to get a record deal, how to get on iTunes and all those things which didn't really connect with my initial purposes in producing the album; which were to use my gifts in service of God and to bless others.
And the answer which God gave me was very surprising and very liberating, 'Give it away!' What's the point in making something for people and then holding it all in so they have to prize it out of me? It's meant to be a gift from God to His people, through me!
How freeing and how beautiful that felt, to know I am working for God in the way He intends, and blessing others in a way that blesses me so deeply.
So what I will be doing from now on is producing my songs and making videos for them, and making them freely available on Youtube.
Hurrah!
Of course you can still buy the CD if you want it for the car or for a gift, then that's a lovely way you can bless me. But I am no longer worrying about getting money out of my Christian brothers and sisters who I just want to bless, I know God will provide if I am serving Him.
Now, isn't it wonderful when God gives you peace and confirmation on something? After Ellie and I prayed about this yesterday, Ellie walked around the house saying thank you top God for all the ways He has blessed us. I once again listened to Him and put into action what I felt He was saying to me. You see I admit it, we are very poor compared to most people in our country, so we end up praying about money all the time.
I could just imagine Jesus hanging there on the cross saying 'Haven't I done enough? How much more do you want?'
And so letting go and trusting the Lord once again yesterday was incredibly liberating. And so often have Ellie and I seen remarkable blessings like this that we were hardly surprised, first thing this morning we had a tax rebate for an amount of money which very closely matched the value of some specific items we needed and couldn't afford, and had been whining and moaning to God about.
Also, after months of not understanding what on earth was going on, my Google Adwords account has come to life and enabled me to gain revenue from advertising on my videos and my blog, TODAY that happened, so my fans who can't afford a CD will always be able to hear my music!
Lord Jesus, you are AMAZING!
Monday, 12 November 2012
Last chance to view episode two of Joves Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew!
Don't forget everybody, it's your last chance to catch episode two of Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew tomorrow. It's on UCB TV, shich is Sky channel 585 at 7.00 AND 4.00. Everybody's support is so much appreciated, all the feedback is really encouraging. If you don't have Sky, just watch online as all UCB's TV is broadcast online too here:http://www.ucbmedia.co.uk/
Normal air times are Tuesdays as above, Thursdays at 7.30 am, and Saturdays at 7.30.
Normal air times are Tuesdays as above, Thursdays at 7.30 am, and Saturdays at 7.30.
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