Correct me if I'm wrong but your big complaint is forgetting your password, but then you go on to say that iTunes is more simple because you type in your password? Its the same process. It doesn't get too much easier than Paypal.
Galveston World Classic – Live feed – How much $$ would you pay?
- Thread starter JD_Hogg
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Correct me if I'm wrong but your big complaint is forgetting your password, but then you go on to say that iTunes is more simple because you type in your password? Its the same process. It doesn't get too much easier than Paypal.
Im not complaining, Im simply stating how it could be more streamline and easier.
My point was itunes is just much easier. Paypal directs you to their site, you put in your password, then there is payment options. Then it askes if you are sure you want to use a credit card and not directly from your checking. Then processes and you get your receipt. Where as itunes, its as simple as a small popup. Not redirecting you to another site for payment options and whatnot. Its a small step, but believe me, if its a match you only kind of want to see, its the different between buying and not buying. It has been for me. As the internet and computers have gotten faster, Ive become lazier. If a site takes long to load, I just give up on it. I want things as quickly as possible. Maybe this is just me...
I just look at is like this, itunes is like picking up a candy bar when your waiting in line. Paypal is realizing you forgot your wallet in the car and by the time you get out to get it, you get distracted by the beautiful smell of tacobell next door and I forgot about the candy bar.
My paypal password problem is because my password has been stolen 3 times. But that has nothing to do with my comment.
Aside from all of this, I agree that streaming should just be a free service, but the streamers need to find good advertisers and good ways to promote those products.
My point was itunes is just much easier. Paypal directs you to their site, you put in your password, then there is payment options. Then it askes if you are sure you want to use a credit card and not directly from your checking. Then processes and you get your receipt. Where as itunes, its as simple as a small popup. Not redirecting you to another site for payment options and whatnot. Its a small step, but believe me, if its a match you only kind of want to see, its the different between buying and not buying. It has been for me. As the internet and computers have gotten faster, Ive become lazier. If a site takes long to load, I just give up on it. I want things as quickly as possible. Maybe this is just me...
I just look at is like this, itunes is like picking up a candy bar when your waiting in line. Paypal is realizing you forgot your wallet in the car and by the time you get out to get it, you get distracted by the beautiful smell of tacobell next door and I forgot about the candy bar.
My paypal password problem is because my password has been stolen 3 times. But that has nothing to do with my comment.
Aside from all of this, I agree that streaming should just be a free service, but the streamers need to find good advertisers and good ways to promote those products.
To quote a famous American icon named Liljohn "Yeaaaaaaaaaahhaahhhh".
Challenge accepted and I am very easy. We will play for a half gallon of Crown Royal.
Game On!!!!! (Half gallon of Goose for me)
There ya go trigger, now all ya need to do is decide what dates we should play, buy Vettes and mine plane tickets to Vegas (would make it easier for Justin to stream) and pay us our $500 appearance fee (we're professionals and can't just show our talents to the world for free)!!
I'm not schooled in the technical aspect of things but I can assure you that PPV streams are head and shoulders above the low quality of free streams. I don't know what the difference is but the free stream can be jerky & grainy at times whereas the PPV streams are as clear as watching television. I've seen people mention in the free stream chats that they didn't buy the ppv because of the stream quality, not realizing the massive difference between the two.
Classic, huh?
Off the top of my head I can think of less than 5 companies in the billiards industry that make what most would consider "big bucks". The money of Pepsi, McD's, Nike, etc is not and never will be seen in the world of pool. No billiard related company will ever make money even remotely close to what the big guys bring in. The big guys sponsor the NFL, NHL, MLB, PGA, etc which is why you're able to watch it on tv for free. Even with the big sponsors, you have to pay to get into the event. Spending money on pool will put money into the pool world. If people continue to stand around with their hands in the pocket looking to get something for free then there will be less and less to go around.
Since we are a regular sponsor, I'll respond to this one...
Sponsors aim to get their product in front of the eyes that will buy it. You may not want a cue today, but in 6 months, or 2 years, when you're looking for a cue, if you saw or heard something that made you interested enough in their product to look them up or refer another person to that product, then the advertising did the job they paid for. If the ad only runs in front of 25 pairs of eyes, if the price is right and those 25 paris of eyes are really interested in pool, it's a good deal.
Sponsoring can cost a lot, or a little. You have to balance the price you pay for ANY advertising to the income you need. We advertise in a little billiards news magazine that is growing like wildfire across the nation and we often hear from people who saw our ad, or who read our little blurb in the magazine. Because we receive feedback about the things we put in that magazine and the price is right for our needs, it is worth it to us to continue advertising in that magazine. We know for a fact that people are seeing it and the readership is growing so rapidly across the nation that more and more people see it every month. That's what you want as an advertiser. (Thanks, Don and Mary!)
As for the quality of the free streams, some aren't the best, but they are rapidly changing. A lot of it also depends on the service they are using to get the stream to you. If there is not enough bandwidth, there will be problems with the stream quality. I have seen one free stream that was as good as the picture on my tv, but a couple of weeks later, the same guy with the same equipment went to a place with not-so-good bandwidth and that stream was pixelated, choppy, broken, offline, online, offline, online... It was just awful. BUT, it wasn't his equipment or the product he offered to the public that was bad. It was the internet service the pool hall had for him to use that was bad. There was nothing he could do about it. He had the choice of shutting down and leaving everyone wondering about the stream, or staying up as much as possible and keeping us updated. He was terrific and kept on trucking through the whole event, even with all the quirks that could make a preacher swear.
Even a ppv stream event could have had such problems, if they didn't have enough bandwidth. So, you can't always judge a book by it's cover, when it comes to a stream... free or ppv. It's not always the streamer's fault. If their streams are always rough, then they might need better equipment, unless they are always at the same place. In that case, it might be the service or it might be his equipment. He can probably only change one of those things.
Another thing to consider is the tone of the chats and the people behind the mic. If you have little or no commentating, that might be just fine, in comparison to trash talk. When you are a sponsor, you don't just look for a reliable streamer or more eyes, although these things are important. You look for the audience you prefer to be appreciated by. Again, 25 of the right people is maybe less than we'd prefer, but at the right price, it's a good deal. So, 1000 would be terrific.
I don't do any streaming, but I'm trying very hard to understand what these guys go through. I do not have their patience and appreciate them more, because they do. I am quick to let them know when they're offline, so they can get back online, but I'm also very quick to pat them on the back for the hard work they do for those of us who can't be there.
If you are so willing to pay for a stream, there is nothing stopping you from sponsoring a stream, even as an individual. You can have your name and face plastered on the stream as a sponsor, or you can sponsor anonymously. How many times have you done that for your favorite streams? What is stopping you? You have already stated you'd be glad to pay. So, sponsor! Help the rest of us keep the streams free for those who can't afford it. Write your favorite streamers and let them know you'd like to help sponsor their streams. This stuff is no different than tv. These guys need help covering their expenses, somehow. Money from individuals is just as good as money from businesses.
Quit telling everyone you'd be glad to pay and just DO IT. Stand up to your words, if you're really that big!
WOW!
That is an awesome post!
Another example is you could help sponsor a stream and wow another pool enthusiast or close friend who watches the Live Streams by using their name and congratulatory message. Send this post out to all of your rich uncles and aunts. Wouldn't that be a heck of a birthday present? How about a congratulations to one of your favorite professional players or maybe the VIP of your local league (who watches the streams).
Thanks for the ideas.
JoeyA
I was only trying to think of ways for an event like Gavelston to generate more money. If 1000 people payed even $20, that $20,000 might make it profitable enough for them to keep running events.
It is good for a company like yours to advertise on these streams with 1000 pool players cause the payoff is good for you. But if they can only generate say $2000 from advertisers they might go under. All I meant was is 1000 viewers enough people to generate the kind of advertising funds needed to make it profitable for them.
I wouldn’t have paid .05cents for that stream. But if the quality was better I would pay. I pay for products I like.
My only concern is running events profitably so they can run again. If they can do it with free streams…great
Donating is a good idea. I donate thousands of dollars a year already to many organizations. I am also willing to pay a price to receive a good product. I would hope there isn't any shame in that.
If they fix the quality, I think you're stealing to be able to buy it for a $100 for the entire event. With that said they would need better scheduling, easier access to replays, no cuezilla in the chat mod spot, and definitely more than one streaming channel. Yeah I said it, I want multiple channels and I'd drop a C-Note faster than a shake dancer(nm cant finish cuezilla might put me on timeout)