Watch-time or Views?? What is better for the Creator Economy??

Believe it or not, creators are the future of entertainment! Right now, there's an incredible 'creator boom' happening that's sweeping folks away from their typical 9 to 5 jobs.

It looks like in the years ahead, today's young generation will be dreaming of growing up to be full-time content creators. This shift in career goals is crystal clear.

But what's causing this big change in career paths? Well, it's all thanks to the powerful impact of the creator economy.

To thrive in the expansive world of content, it's important to understand the ins and outs of the creator economy and the key metrics that come with it. In this article, we'll dive deep into the question of whether creators are leaning towards watch-time or views as their primary measure of success. Let's jump right in and explore the fascinating dynamics of watch-time and views in the creator economy!

So, what the heck is the creator economy??

The creator economy forms a vibrant ecosystem centered around individuals who produce content across various online platforms and share it with their eager audience. This content can take diverse forms, including text, audio, video, podcasts, games, and more. Creators often generate income through brand collaborations, endorsements, consultations, the sale of digital products, and even the creation of their own brands.

In today's digital landscape, video content has emerged as a dominant force, captivating an impressive 92% of the global audience. Twitter, too, confirms this trend by revealing that video tweets boast an astonishing engagement rate ten times higher than other content types.

For this reason, creating video content stands as an excellent choice for those driven by passion. If you possess substantial knowledge in any field, crafting videos on those subjects can effectively inform and engage your audience.

But hold on, aspiring content creators! Achieving viral success isn't as simple as hitting the record button and expecting overnight fame. There are two significant milestones you should always keep in mind: watch-time and views. Let's delve into these critical metrics.

Watch Time: A Creator's Ultimate Treasure. WHY?

In the world of user-generated content, particularly on platforms like YouTube, there's a crucial rule: you must accumulate at least 4000 hours of watch time to monetize your content. Watch-time serves as a vital link between content creators and their subscribers.

A healthy watch-time metric not only signifies greater brand awareness but also indicates higher engagement from the audience. Indeed, the success and effectiveness of content hinge on how swiftly a creator can amass watch time. However, it's essential to consider several other factors when discussing watchtime.

Understanding the algorithm is paramount for achieving the necessary watch time to monetize your content. Over time, both YouTube and internet algorithms have evolved. In 2011, metrics like views and clicks were the primary factors for monetization. Since 2012, watch time has become YouTube's top-ranking factor. To this day, additional factors continue to shape content ranking.

Creators strive to accumulate more watch time, but in the vast online landscape, your content must strike a balance between being concise, easy to comprehend, and intriguing. It's also crucial to create content that aligns well with algorithms.

On the internet, platforms assess your content based on user preferences. Algorithms undergo changes that impact what users see.

Why does this matter for watch time? If a creator isn't attuned to their audience's preferences, watch time is unlikely to improve. Video creators should always cater to the likes and interests of their viewers.

YouTube's recent algorithm places a significant emphasis on customer satisfaction. As a content creator, it's imperative to consider the age, gender, demographics, social class, location, and preferences of your specific target audience.

Therefore, if a creator can tap into the pulse of their target group, they'll be able to retain a significant portion of their intended audience, ensuring regular engagement with their content.

Creator, Target Audience and Watch-time -Trippy Trio of Success for Creator Economy!

In the realm of influencer marketing, an influencer's categorization hinges on the size of their target audience (TG). Whether it involves data-driven campaigns or user-generated content, an influencer's success is greatly influenced by their chosen target group.

Now, if you're not entirely confident in your video editing skills or prefer to avoid appearing inexperienced on camera for brief 30-second clips, don't worry – long-form content might be the ideal fit for you.

So, how can a nano-influencer transform into a micro-influencer? Let's break it down:

Imagine a content creator who primarily produces lengthy cooking videos. However, if they decide to narrow their focus to something more specific, like "baking," where they have a higher level of expertise, their audience engagement is likely to soar. Their target demographic would encompass avid bakers, aspiring bakers, and cooking enthusiasts alike. During this journey, the key to success lies in consistently delivering top-notch, engaging content, which can substantially boost watch time. Over time, this creator's long-form content will establish a dedicated and loyal viewer base.

We've illustrated this process in a diagram that showcases various influencers you might look up to. The list includes names like Logan Paul, MrBeast, DanTDM, and many more.

??Watch-time vs. View- who’s the winner?

The battle between watch time and views holds immense significance in the content landscape. Views offer insights into a video's initial appeal and its ability to attract viewers, making it a crucial indicator, especially for marketers seeking increased visibility.

Nonetheless, watch time often takes the crown as the more pivotal metric. It quantifies the actual duration viewers dedicate to engaging with your content, serving as a clear indicator of its captivation and value.

In its early days, YouTube heavily relied on views and likes, which, unfortunately, gave rise to clickbait-related issues. To address these concerns and enhance advertising revenue, YouTube introduced watch time as a key metric. This shift aimed to discourage clickbait tactics and improve the overall user experience, benefiting both content creators and viewers alike. On most platforms, a single 'View' is recorded if viewers engage with the content for at least 30 seconds. Whether they watch for 31 seconds or an entire hour, it still counts as one view when it comes to earnings.

So, if you aspire to expand your channel's reach, remember this: views may ignite the spark, but watch time is the fuel that keeps your channel burning brightly.

LYKSTAGE - a vision to honour watch time?

In an age where attention spans are constantly shrinking, accumulating thousands of watch time hours might seem like a daunting task.

But here's the key: it's crucial to think beyond just watch time! To truly capture your audience's attention, you need to offer them more than just entertainment. Provide some extra incentives, and you'll see them flocking to your content.

Join Lykstage, a user-generated platform that not only allows you to earn while creating content but also rewards your audience for their engagement. When they watch, share, or even sign up, they earn rewards. On this platform, you start earning from every continuous 30-second view.

Still unsure about your role in the creator economy? Keep hustling and creating those videos—it's your path to success.