Appologies if a topic like this already has a home here, but I'm not about to go in-search-of in the forums.
There has been displeasure and complaints over the length and/or quality of the lesson videos lately, as they've been shorter and simpler due to changes on YouTube that have, I suppose, reduced the time a video can be in order for it to register in the most popular rotation, or whatever. Anyway, the point is Marina is doing whatever it is she thinks she has to do to optimize her visiblity on YouTube, which obviously is a much bigger megaphone from which to lure students than the off-chance they happen to find http://www.hotforwords.com by any other means. In diluting the lessons, many of those who have congregated here at HFW have become disappointed.
So, let's start with a place to collect ideas that might help. I know I have, in the comments/homework area, made a few suggestions along the lines of content for the site (not just words for lessons that go ignored, ha): a pay side of the site, though what sort of content would exist there, I don't know; greater school-related elements akin to teacher's pets, such as detentions, demerits, honor roll, dean's list, Head's list, remedial class, honors class, tutor sessions maybe -- realistically, they may only serve as cute things to do like scribbling "HF_HFW stay after class for detention" on the chalkboard, but I can see where climbing to the head of the class would merit perks like colored boxes or whatever people care about. Though, all this would just serve to keep those who will always be at HFW.com anyway.
--Except for tutor sessions. This once could be exist as another aspect of HFW and YT as it would, logically, be a live online chat or broadcast, or webchat...what are those called? One of the great things about HFW is that Marina interacts with her audience in a very actively. From frequent comments and furious tweeting to shooting lessons in response to our word requests and, one lucky boy even got a phone call for winning whatever GTW Game challenge! It's simple, more Marina is always better. The next step along that path, in my view, would be having Marina conduct live video chats, or whatever they're called. Maybe it's not technically or financially feasible; I wouldn't know. But if you're reading this Marina, perhaps it's something for your consideration. Say, like a monthly live video chat? If you advertize that on your YouTube entries, I think that could result in an increase in subscribers to your channel there or students in your class here. You could lecture or discuss current events or goof off, whatever. I just think it's a good idea and a simple way of increasing how accessible you already are to your audience, who would love it.
--I know I've read others' suggestions about how you could shoot/publish multiple lessons so you could serve the YouTube nazis and the pedantry class at HFW. I mean, I can see doing a normal lesson on, say, [canoodling], and then just editing it down to get under whatever cap it is YT is enforcing, since, doing two videos for two different venues seems daunting and time consuming. But, well, I dunno I'm sure you've thouht of this as well.
--I do, however, think it'd be funny if you simply asked for donations via paypal just to see what happens, lol.
--Someone mused about an online store that featured not just calendars but shirts and mugs. I would buy a shirt. I think t-shirts are always in demand, but maybe you have had more insightful advice on the business of merchandise versus money spent elsewhere.
OK, that's enough time for my initial deliberation on the matter. Oh, wait, no it's not, I almost forgot. . .
--Probably the simplest and quickest and most effective thing we could be doing is going to YouTube and subscribing to her channel there and rating the video or commenting there, or watching the videos there, or whatever it is that increases videos on the totem pole of youtube. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I am not a youtube member, but if many are like me, or for those that are, hey just go to YouTube and be good HFW agents and put a shoulder on the tackle.
Now, that's enough brainstorming for me for now. I like the monthly Tutuor/live-video-chat-session idea. If you like it, say so or improve on it or pine for it, beg for it. Heh, Marina could lecture or discuss the newsworthy as I said, or she could, and this (I suggested a long time ago for a lesson) would be funny, conduct storytime where she simply reads literary passages that she fancies or that are requested. I can just see her having fun with this.
Well, hope this effort helps.
Next.
and stay in the flow - you're doing just fine.
it's the company you keep...
