The Needle Moves Again
Added 2019-01-31 07:17:51 +0000 UTCFor the past several months we've been frozen near 145,000 subscribers, with gains of only a hundred or so every few days. Patreon also flat-lined at 80% of our goal to have Mae come over full time. We were stuck in a spot where the show just wasn't profitable enough to have her bills covered and yet I was working 80+ hours a week for.. well always.
If something did not give, the show was actually going to collapse. Likely with my health. So we took a chance and counted on some extra holiday ad revenue and Mae made the jump to full time. This enabled us to tackle the special collaboration we are now engaged in editing, without going insane. I've actually been sick for about 4 days. This has been the first time in 4 years I had the option to just rest when sick and it has, in its own way, been pleasant. Mae took care of about 90% of the editing on the most recent two episode while I moaned away.
In the meantime, the collab seems to have helped draw some new viewers. Also, we've started capturing new eyes because of a sort of fluke. One of our little preview videos, for reasons unknown, has shot up like a rocket and we've used that as a chance to link people into actually viewing the channel. Conversion is maybe 2%, but with the crazy views it has gotten, that's helping. My theory is this video is doing so well because it has no speaking words like "gun" and no actual gunshots in the audio track either. It's likely beating out the usual YouTube suppression.
Anyway, these two points seem to have combined into our channel finally growing again, snapping up almost 10,000 subscribers since December. Patreon has also, thankfully and despite controversy, grown. For those hoping for an alternative still, we are eyeing the stability of the emergent platforms. I fear moving a significant number of people just to see a collapse.
While we have not yet balanced the books with Mae full time, we can carry on this way for at least the rest of the year. I'm also hoping the collaboration will allow us a chance to reap some quick cash, as we've blown an amazing sum to make it happen!
Thank you all for allowing us to take these risks and continuing to support the effort. I sincerely hope we've been continuing to bring you the level of research and education you've come to expect from our little channel. Its my sincere hope that once we clear some backlog, with Mae full time I will be able to really reach out to produce more for you all to enjoy.
Comments
YouTube is really bad at taking care of its best content creators.
Blue dog
2019-03-06 05:25:21 +0000 UTCIt had flatlined at 80% and now has jumped to 90% because we're moving again.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-10 11:02:40 +0000 UTCHow come the post says that Patreon flatlined at 80%, even though the percentage posted hovers aroun 90-91%?
Jack Andersen
2019-02-10 00:18:19 +0000 UTCThe level of work you guys do does not go unnoticed. I have unending respect for you guys, as well as your passion and dedication to preserving history. Bravo, and God Bless
2019-02-05 05:27:45 +0000 UTCWe're about to migrate hosts and our email / backend will need re-testing. Better to just cool the jets and not miss an order.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-05 02:55:26 +0000 UTCI posted that BEFORE we had software errors that ate 2 days' work.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-05 02:54:20 +0000 UTCI feel the same way whenever I spin up research on another model.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-05 02:53:49 +0000 UTCI still recall in the beginning, having heard "C rsenal" and all I got was football (US: read soccer) suggestions when looking it up. Glad the collaboration helped bring in some new views and give you a little boost. Anyways, sad that apprenticeship didnt work out, but on an unrelated side note: Any reason why your poster shop (online shop) is down?
2019-02-04 00:25:48 +0000 UTC"This enabled us to tackle the special collaboration we are now engaged in editing, without going insane. " Haha! You're not fooling anyone, we all know that you're pretty much insane... :)
Mike F
2019-02-02 02:31:42 +0000 UTCOh, BTW I fortunately have a paid apprenticeship as a commercial photograph and wanted to pass on a little known problem about taking painfully expensive camera lenses from cold to hot and vicea versa. When lenses fog up it can create condensation on the inside of the lenses causing mold or mildew to form inside and ruin them. Make sure to acclimate the camera and lenses before aggressive temperature changes.
2019-02-01 21:38:15 +0000 UTCI thought I was pretty firearms savvy till I started viewing and realized IDKS lol. Please keep reminding me of this by more amazing content, I am more than happy to eat more humble pie!
2019-02-01 21:30:33 +0000 UTCIn not sure if it was forgotten weapons or the ww1 channels that I stumbled onto your channel, but I watch EVERY video from FW and C@R, sometimes more than once.
2019-02-01 21:25:50 +0000 UTCGodspeed. Hug Karl for me if he's there.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-01 20:06:12 +0000 UTCWe will make it happen. Just a matter of time.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-01 20:05:58 +0000 UTCDecontent?
C&Rsenal
2019-02-01 20:05:29 +0000 UTCWe're holding that until the very end. Notice our product keeps improving as do our contacts. The hope is to make a much bigger project out of it.
C&Rsenal
2019-02-01 20:05:13 +0000 UTCWish you were coming to Desert Brutality this weekend. I’ll be representing by wearing my C&Rsenal T-shirts on both days.
Shawn Patten
2019-02-01 18:55:21 +0000 UTCOnce again, thanks for the outstanding content! I look forward to each new Primer episode and watch them as soon as they are posted. I will continue my support for as long as the channel lasts. And - please, please, please - "Patented Plastic Pokie" t-shirts!
Kent W.Fevurly
2019-02-01 04:12:24 +0000 UTCOops Taufledermaus
Harold Snyder
2019-02-01 00:03:26 +0000 UTCPlease don’t go Tauflermaus, and decontent to appease YouTube.
Harold Snyder
2019-02-01 00:02:59 +0000 UTCI wonder if you publish that American mystery pistol that you have been alluding to, maybe others who do not know of your channel may find it and become hooked like the rest of us. Just a thought. Thanks!
Deyomatic
2019-01-31 23:24:06 +0000 UTCNo need to up your donation! We're growing again.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:36:22 +0000 UTCA: Full30 has been ignoring our issues with uploading for years. We will never, sadly, be able to return to them. B: Our maximum number of non-youtube views on any video has been like... 500. C: The person who was going to head it has proven to be unwilling to stretch any effort. The handloading series would represent about 70 man hours an episode, provide almost no income, and open us up to huge liability/lawsuit.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:35:18 +0000 UTCWe've been hoping to do a collab, just a matter of making it big enough for expectations.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:31:36 +0000 UTCI am afraid everything is politics
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:31:12 +0000 UTCWe literally have been unable to upload there for years. They do not care to fix this or respond.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:29:57 +0000 UTCI should make a "youtube safe" version when we do the next compilation.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:29:37 +0000 UTCHe's worth his weight in nickels.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:27:46 +0000 UTCI think the next wave is to break off the shooting segments. The fear is washing the channel out with stuff that gets views but not Patrons or supporters!
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:27:34 +0000 UTCI sincerely hope this show will inspire some more in-depth researchers. There is so much more to find.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:26:28 +0000 UTCIt's getting easier, finally!
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:25:51 +0000 UTCSo, this is a curious point. We've had a TON of volunteers . You would think we could easily get an intern or two in town but it just never works out. I suppose you get what you pay for. No harsh judgement on anyone but we've had people on range or the road with us for the past 4 years who still cannot take a photo, keep an actual eye on the monitor to see if something moves, etc. You just can't make them care to pay attention. It's insanity!
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 22:24:50 +0000 UTCI'll be upping my tier again. Your show has opened whole new fields and areas of study for me. Your work is important, and the hours I've spent with it has helped me tremendously with my moonlighting as a gun-fixer-upper for a local shop
2019-01-31 22:13:03 +0000 UTCMae is not allowed full creative control
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 21:16:54 +0000 UTCHave you considered having the ammunition reloding series (that you canceled due to concerns on YouTube’s policy) be hosted on the other video hosting sites (If the mentions that you had a Full30 and Bitchute account hold true)?
Jack Andersen
2019-01-31 20:43:21 +0000 UTCIncluding Ian was a brilliant move, guaranteed to bring in viewers.
OldFrenchy
2019-01-31 17:42:34 +0000 UTCImagine if paypal and youtube/google weren't idiot socialist wannabes, and led by REAL captains of American commerce. Everything would be better online, but instead, they're helping socialist China block it's people from the world and fill their minds with radical propaganda that'll almost certainly lead to war.
CavScout
2019-01-31 17:10:17 +0000 UTCI guarantee you , once Project lightening is released, you will see a huge spike in numbers. Also, are have you stopped posting to Full30?
Drakin Kubala
2019-01-31 15:49:29 +0000 UTCI wonder what would happen if you took a typically well performing video, edited out all mentions of the word 'gun' and 'rifle' and 'weapon' etc, and in the shooting segments replaced the shots with the vocal 'bang-bang-bang' from the MP40 short video a while back. Wonder how well that would by pass youtube?
Gavin Rea-Davies
2019-01-31 15:43:14 +0000 UTCI think it's because Crozier is just so darn cute.
General Jack Ripper
2019-01-31 14:32:56 +0000 UTCI think you may have discovered the secret to high views...a short 'interesting title', a picture of a cute woman with a gun, and a short video. You could 'spice up' your titles with the Unusual Ottoman Mauser (and move primer text to back) or Is this a Belgian Montenegrin? Give us more Mae and let her talk without interruption. You could try this 'more popular' approach on a second short summary video that focuses on the gun and shooting with less history. The summary videos may appeal to a broader audience but still benefit from your knowledge and insight.
Dan
2019-01-31 13:01:01 +0000 UTCI may not watch the videos all the time, but I maintain my pledge, even if I have to trim my contributions elsewhere. I do so because, while I enjoy the content, I also believe this is an important historical resource in the making. 10 years ago, the only resource I had for this sort of thing was a book on 20th century firearms by Ian Hogg. And while that did have some decent history blurbs in it, It didnt go into nearly as much depth as you do. This is a project I know I will return to, even years from now, when I need information on these weapons. I am glad to hear that the steam has picked up for you. Also, I wont lie, it would be very amusing if the "Patented Plastic Pokey" shirt were an option in this year's T-Shirt Campaign. I know that was Ian's fanbase, but still, it was quite amusing.
2019-01-31 12:41:25 +0000 UTCI'm glad to hear that C&Rsenal may finally be breaking out of the recent plateau. If I weren't so far away (Maine), I would volunteer my time if it could be used. Keep up the great work, and don't run yourself into the ground.
Nathan Boyan
2019-01-31 12:35:09 +0000 UTCKeep up the amazing work! I would forward your work to my friends--but it would do no good. They only have a passing interest and do not get into the history portion of firearms in the least. Part of your overall financial struggle lies in that alone. Would a dedicated viewer or two willing to help support your team (and no desire to be paid just donate time) help at this point?
2019-01-31 12:23:49 +0000 UTCImagine what would happen to the subscriber count with the random "Dino Tales with Carolina Mae" episodes.
Chairman
2019-01-31 11:39:12 +0000 UTCWe definitely have what might be the most over-performing fans on YouTube. I have not been able to find any other channel that was not a.. well basically cam channel... that has leveraged as much out of a sub-200,000 subscriber count. I suspect it's because you guys know if you don't get involved we'll be stuck!
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 09:48:28 +0000 UTCIt's not so much that there are only 150K or so of us, but that of the 150K a lot of us do support with real dollars. Unfortunately, the content, while fantastically in depth for those of us who really are firearms nerds, it lacks that instant gratification that the masses desire. I mean Jesus Othias, I watched you talk about the fricking Ottoman Mauser for an hour plus, and wasn't bored. That's firearm nerd content. The rest of the masses are going to want to watch Mae in a bikini blast watermelons with a BAR.
Ron Johnson
2019-01-31 09:32:23 +0000 UTCThere are. I just want to see it not crash and burn within 8 weeks. We've had loses earlier on by splitting the base and having part of the split falter. We do have an account there and will be configuring it once we clear the work load for Project Lightening.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 09:23:06 +0000 UTCNo need to press for more! We're moving again. New subscribers will see us through.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 09:21:11 +0000 UTCAre there any plans to open a Subscribestar account? I'm moving off of Patreon because of their shenanigans and you're the last one I'm supporting here. I won't abandon you because I think what you're doing is worth it in all sorts of ways. But as soon as you have a viable alternative support method I'm moving over there and good riddance to Patreon.
2019-01-31 08:16:51 +0000 UTCI am $10 patron(just joined few weeks ago) but I will try and see if I donate little more each month to help out more. I just finished watching the Luger P08 episode. My 1916 P08 doesn't have 1920 stamped. What is a good beginner book for learning WW1 rifles that's in a affordable ramen noodles range?..you guys are awesome and look forward to Project Lightening. I hope yall doing t-shirts this year.
James G. Jones
2019-01-31 07:55:09 +0000 UTCI assure you the authors we rely on have more. But of course you'd have to find their books, pay for them, and then read and compare. I like to think we're saving you time and money.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 07:35:11 +0000 UTCI like the kind with gravy but my bowel disagrees.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 07:34:21 +0000 UTCDuly noted. I'll purchase a new car with no cash down.
C&Rsenal
2019-01-31 07:33:52 +0000 UTCThe hard work and dedication of the C&Rsenal crew is noted and appreciated. By far, the content provided by you guys is the most comprehensive in the firearm community. Thank all of you for your efforts on a job well done. Such dedication is rare in today's economy.
Louis W. Reuter II
2019-01-31 07:31:47 +0000 UTC
