Need some input on video site

[SCJeff]

So I'm taking on a new little side venture with some buddies of mine. Its expose to be a fun kind of thing were doing in our spare time, and if we don't make a profit off of its fine, it would at least been fun doing it. Just enough to pay for the site itself and keep it up.

So basically what were going to do is make a video website of "shorts". If you don't know what shorts are, they're short (lol) videos, that try to get across a message, are just plain funny, or drama. And these are all going to be original, which will hopefully separate us a little bit.

We already have two four minute videos done and have had great results, everyone thinks there funny, but are looking to make quite a few more before we get a site up.

So first off, what would you think would be the best way to make money off this type of site. obviously advertising, does anybody have experience with video advertisements? let me explain: you know where if you watch a video there's a short 15 or 30 second add right before it starts. I guess that would be the ideal way to run adds. How much do you normally charge for adds like that?

And second off, the chance where you get creative, if you have any ideas for some shorts that you would be willing to pitch to me to create that would be great, looking for lots of ideas, and of course you'll get credit for it. Were looking to hit 12 videos and we'll start with that, adding a new one every week. You can either PM me the ideas, or just post them here.

thanks for the input

[Scott Sutherland]

15-30 second video ads are a pretty big turn-off. If you're just starting up this website, I'd recommend sticking with some more non-invasive forms of advertisement for now.

If I were you, I'd focus right now on just getting a lot more videos. Perhaps add a simple video submission script so that visitors can submit their own shorts for you to review and post.

[myfayt]

I am a video editor, so I'd use that kind of site.

[paul2145r]

I agree with the advertisements - follow this concept: What Would Twitter Do? They put out a free service that millions use, without any apparent way to make money off of it. Now that they're announcing various possibilities, they aready have a HUGE client base to work with.

If they had come out of the gate with "Pay for this" and "Upgrade to that", then no one would still be around.

[chrispalko]

Allow users to upload their "shorts". I believe user interactivity is a must considering the direction the web is going.

[rpermana]

video business is not easy because you have to compete with giant like YouTube.
You can find almost any videos there beside porn..haha

[Moneymaka]

Whatever you do, DON'T add those 15-30 second ads at the start of the video.

Use those transparent ads that sometimes pop up while watching Youtube videos.
They only take a very small part of the screen, so you can still see almost the entire video. They also disappear when you click on the X

Or put ads just below/above the video which would make the ads visible, but still allows the visitor to enjoy the video.

You could also make a contest where the funniest of all the videos gets a prize.

[Senyth]

As far as advertisement I like how Pandora does it, but that might not be a feasible approach to your site. I would at least check their website out you might get some good ideas for your own advertisement venue. I agree with Moneymaka, have the video control and then below it a small section where the advertisement campaign will run.
Like that it's not a 15-30 second intrusive ad running but an ad that will be visible for the full length of your video, the advertisers will like that and your users will not have their video experience interrupted with an ad.

Good Luck