IF I was to bring back The Atari Report, would you support/watch/subscribe to it???

[BIGHMW]

You know,

 

here it is, not even three weeks since I closed up The Atari Report and yet I am still drawing in (some) subscribers, someway, somehow.

 

Now @Gunther has been giving me some tips on, if I brought it back, how to make every episode that much better, in fact he has been saying I should cover EVERYTHING Atari, and not just the 4 major 80s consoles but also the (new) VCS, and, The Jaguar, as well as news on all Atari.

 

He (and a few fellow AA users) also even gave me some wardrobe tips like not wearing a t-shirt, but rather a dress shirt or equivalent and also putting my (whatever's left of it) hair back and other things like that.

 

Now even though I got all of my bills paid and up to speed, and I no longer ever have to worry about the BS of having to get a payday loan, as my $1,452.00 income tax refund that came in last month pretty much covered everything needed, as a matter of fact, I owe ZERO to anybody, as of this moment.

 

Now this inspires me to perhaps bring back TAR, BUT, only if we reach 200 subscribers, and yes the site is still up for those who want to check out the archives to see what it was like BITD.

 

This, along with the fact that we will be launching two brand new miniseries on my Ray Jackson YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/RayJacksonbighmw) that kinda fit the mold of the original TAR, entitled "ColecoVision EXTRA!" and also "The Atari 5200 SuperReport", in which will debut the first weekend in April. In fact, provided we draw the numbers on those miniseries it just might convince me to bring back TAR later this year, perhaps maybe this fall, but, only if those numbers pan out to where TAR should've been.

 

What do you guys think? Would you watch/support/subscribe to it if I was to ever bring it back??? .....and would you pull off an Alan Hamel, and "Tell A Friend" (about the series) like he used to in all those proverbial supermarket commercials he did back in the 80s???

 

YOU guys hold the key for whether or not I bring back The Atari Report!!!

 

Ray Jackson

President/Founder/CEO

BIGHMW.com Enterprises, Inc.

(formerly known as Heavy Metal Warrior, Ltd.)

[+Stephen]

Do it if it brings you joy.  Don't do it expecting to make money, and don't get into debt doing it.  But it sounds like you miss it so go for it.

[BIGHMW]

2 hours ago, Stephen said:

Do it if it brings you joy.  Don't do it expecting to make money, and don't get into debt doing it.  But it sounds like you miss it so go for it.

Yes @Stephen I DO miss doing it, but, at least while I wait until the numbers get better with regards to the number of subscribers, you can always tune in to "ColecoVision EXTRA!" and "The Atari 5200 SuperReport" on my Ray Jackson YouTube channel, they'll help you guys still get your Atari fix from yours truly here. I CAN'T WAIT to read the reviews of CV Extra! from some of the guys on that forum. The same quality and attention to detail that TAR had (and soon will have once again hopefully) will be present in both miniseries.

 

Both series debut April 1st, and then the 2nd Annual BIGHMW.com World Headquarters Virtual Open House will air that weekend also.

 

I hope you can (and hopefully get others to too) subscribe to all 3 of my channels, but the main reason I am still doing reviews on my two remaining systems (I also have the 2600 adapter for my 5200) IS because I miss doing them. Even my management Len Enders agrees that I should do them as a way to show my love for the units and the games that we play on them, and you know what, he and you are right.

[+Stephen Moss]

8 hours ago, BIGHMW said:

What do you guys think? Would you watch/support/subscribe to it if I was to ever bring it back???

I personally would not subscribe, I just don't have the time to keep an active watch on any channel to make it worth doing.

I would say don't bring it back as...

a) The fact you are feeling happy as you currently have all your bills paid in not really a good reason for doing so

b) You can't rely on all those who say they would subscribe actually leading back into it actually following through doing so.

 

If you going to bring it back you I suggest first identifying why it had so few subscribers in the first place, i.e. style, content, subscription too high, lack of awareness.

Also, as you have another channel, consider putting the contents of "The Atari Report" on there instead of a separate channel. I don't really know how that works but I assume you have to pay for each channel, if so then it make sense to keep your cost down by using a single channel and driving all your subscribers to that initially. Then if you have a way when they subscribe to see what they are subscribing for and get enough followers of a thing to make a separate channel financial viable, then spin it out into a separate channel.      

[atarifan88]

All this on again, off again stuff reminds me of a few band that like to call their tours the "final" reunion tour.  I would just say make a decision and stick with it! ?

[Gunther]

Already subscribed.

Do whatever makes you happy.

[youxia]

13 hours ago, Stephen said:

Do it if it brings you joy.  Don't do it expecting to make money

@BIGHMWyou should print it, frame it, hang it on the wall over your PC, and look at it every time before you think of doing something Atari-related online. Otherwise we'll see yet another of your "why is nothing working out" posts very soon.

 

Some years ago when I got bored of just playing games I also wanted to start doing something productive. I don't like utube, so I tried running a website but got tired of endless  tweaking html pronto (and writing is hard too), eventually settled on some preservation projects. They are mostly very niche and get little traction, but it's not that important because digging in old files and taking pics of ancient TVs makes me happy. And yes, it's nice to see some people use them too, even if it's nothing on the scale of the famous ones. But making money out of it has never crossed my mind, because it'd be a) just not on b) impossible.

 

In short, if you don't change your mindset first and foremost, this will always be a source of anxiety for you. You will never make any real money out of a youtube channel and changing a shirt really won't help in this beyond-overcrowded field (though it won't hurt doing if it makes you feel better).

 

So, forget about sub quotas, just be yourself and try to do the best show for the people who watch it already.

[newtmonkey]

If you enjoy doing it and can afford it, then you should definitely keep doing it as a hobby.

 

If you are trying to make a career out of it, I'd advise against it; the days of gaining an audience with short videos with low production quality are over on YouTube.  If you want to make any money, you need to treat it like a job and learn how to make videos that get recommended by the algorithm, etc.

[Leonard Smith]

While I generally loathe Youtube 'content creators, I did watch a few of your Atari Report episodes and found them somewhat entertaining.  I liked the bite sized videos and the grassroots type of enthusiasm, as well as the fact that you weren't e-begging constantly for subscribers and likes.

 

That said, I would echo the statements that others have already posted and advise you to do this as a labor of love.  Don't expect any monetary incentives and for the love of god, do NOT go into debt again by acquiring new consoles and games for your channel.  The Jaguar isn't cheap, and other Atari items are also steadily climbing in price so just focus on what you have and keep yourself in the black as far as finances are concerned.

 

Here are some general tips that I would offer:
 

1. Why do you need a manager?  Are you paying this Len Enders guy?  If yes, I would stop that immediately.
2. Focus on releasing a video every week or every two weeks.  Keep them short.
3. Do not go crazy buying new consoles and games.  You're financially solvent now, so keep it that way.  Save for a rainy day - you never know what tomorrow will bring in terms of financial emergencies or needs.

4.  Use this as an extension to share your love of Atari, nothing more.  Don't think of it as a job or source of income. 

5. And most importantly of all ... please DO NOT, become the guy in the attached photo!  No silly expressions and clickbait posts like "I didn't know I had 5 Atari Falcons in my basement...wow!" to drive traffic to your site. 

Good luck!

[Keatah]

5 minutes ago, Leonard Smith said:

liked the bite sized videos and the grassroots type of enthusiasm, as well as the fact that you weren't e-begging constantly for subscribers and likes.

OH gosh yes. I totally dislike the e-begging and instructionals on how to "like, subscribe, hit the notification button, comment and share".

 

I know how to do those things already. And those that waste my time with tutorials are likely to see me unsubscribe and avoid the notification button. Furthermore, wasting my time doesn't LEAVE any time to comment. And since I'm now annoyed and unimpressed, I'm not gonna share.

 

9 minutes ago, Leonard Smith said:

And most importantly of all ... please DO NOT, become the guy in the attached photo!  No silly expressions and clickbait posts like "I didn't know I had 5 Atari Falcons in my basement...wow!" to drive traffic to your site. 

Ha! I enjoyed the guy's enthusiasm at first. But I think it's artificial. If anything *I* was the most enthusiastic game player, but as a kid - living, breathing, eating, skipping school, all things "Atari". All things computer gaming. And I never got that expressive and out of control. But this guy? Over the top? I find it hard to imagine any near-senior getting that hyped for real. And I prefer "real" videos. If I want fantasyland I'll go watch some sci-fi or something.

[Leonard Smith]

It is artificial.  It's all about subs and traffic, contrary to what they'll tell you.  Everyone wants to be the next Youtube equivalent of the Angry Video Game Nerd or something.  
If I were him (ie: Mr. Santa), I'd be spending my mornings in the park doing Tai Chi or something more productive than these hype videos, LOL!

While I enjoyed the Angry Video Game Nerd back before he became the celebrity that he is today, I always laughed at his lack of knowledge about NES games.  He constantly glosses over basic play mechanics and options, claims that he "never heard of this game" and seems to have the gameplaying ability of a senile old man.  If he's such a nerd and gaming enthusiast like we were in the 80's, then why does he seem so out of touch?  And these are 'experts' that gamers look up to?  No...they're just in it for the money.  

In any event, no disrespect to BigHMW and his endeavors.  I do wish him luck, but suggest he takes it slow and not get in over his head. 

[Gunther]

https://atarixp.com/blogs/discover/saboteurs-place-in-the-yarniverse-and-what-it-tells-us

[toiletunes]

On 3/21/2022 at 7:26 AM, atarifan88 said:

All this on again, off again stuff reminds me of a few band that like to call their tours the "final" reunion tour.  I would just say make a decision and stick with it! ?

THIS. 100%. If you even think there's a 1% chance you might shut it down forever for a third time, just don't even start. This on again off again business is like deja vu all over again.

 

At the very least, these announcements every few days...

 

Just pick one and stick with the decision. 

[+Gemintronic]

On 3/20/2022 at 7:44 PM, BIGHMW said:

Now this inspires me to perhaps bring back TAR, BUT, only if we reach 200 subscribers, and yes the site is still up for those who want to check out the archives to see what it was like BITD.
...

YOU guys hold the key for whether or not I bring back The Atari Report!!!

 

 

It sounds like you want to drum up subscribers for something you decided to quit.  Hopefully I'm interpreting this wrong.

 

I've tried co hosting a classic gaming and homebrew stream.  I've tried writing articles for various web sites regarding retro gaming.  There is no money.  Subscribers take years to build momentum.  People stop supporting you with one disagreeable hot take on your part.

 

Only do it if you get something out of it (without leeching other parts of your life).  Bonus points if it also supports your friends.  Extra extra points if it supports the scene you love.

[Cebus Capucinis]

I have to agree. The "I'll only do it after reaching X subscribers", coupled with the fact that you had already "quit" doing it or announced you had until all of a sudden 100 subscribers, really gives me the impression this is just advertising and trying to BOOST THOSE YOUTUBE NUMBERS or whatever the kids say. Poggers pupperino based cringe and all those words.

 

If you want to make it make it. If you don't, don't. The number of subscribers being brought up makes me think it's not about that, and the flimsy "threat" to either cancel it or keep it cancelled is just a grab for attention.

[roadrunner]

Maybe make some videos about Cindy Margolis?

OG Internet Star Cindy Margolis Downsizes in The Valley


https://www.dirt.com/entertainers/reality-tv/cindy-margolis-house-sherman-oaks-1203350541/

[RJ]

2 hours ago, roadrunner said:

Maybe make some videos about Cindy Margolis?

Shit, not only that, HAVE HER ON THE SHOW playing some games! Discuss Atari, snuggle up close to her, sniff her hair, "accidentally" brush against her boob(s), etc. Then she can talk about how famous she used to be.

[Mikebloke]

Fun fact even big youtubers don't announce when they have a hiatus they just do it. One I watch has literally uploaded their first video in two years with no commentary on why, how, what has happened in the break, only a murmur from someone of someone that he was still alive and maybe doing filming for a TV show. If you enjoy making videos just do it as and when you got time to do it, those of us subscribed will see it when it comes up. 

 

Also don't keep telling us all details of your personal life including the full figure of tax returns etc... That's personal stuff, we don't need to know that

 

I've tried chasing the YouTube subscriber wall when it first came, and I was someone making a bit of cash from YouTube and it stopped. When I got close to 100, they upped it to 1000 and added a watched hours requirement. Realistically, you're not likely to get there either, youtube has changed. Longform videos is dead, people are more likely on more savy platforms, and everyone is prepared to work a lot more for less or more likely: no money. 

 

Do it not for the hope of getting enough subs to make money, do it for your own passion, which you have plenty of. Just don't spend more of your money on making the videos, you probably won't get that back! 

 

[roadrunner]

Yeah, OP posted alot of personal details here at AA
Al should delete that thread for the OP's safety and security.
 

 

[atarifan88]

[DavidC]

[RJ]

2 hours ago, DavidC said:

Y'know, I always thought Al didnt put his hand in far ENOUGH...isnt the whole point to air it out & move it around/reposition it? What good does sticking your fingertips in halfway do?

[Keatah]

I totally get why this is happening.

[Lord Mushroom]

46 minutes ago, RJ said:

Y'know, I always thought Al didnt put his hand in far ENOUGH...isnt the whole point to air it out & move it around/reposition it? What good does sticking your fingertips in halfway do?

According to Ed O´Neill:

"Well that was a thing, that... err, we've been talking about that recently, we kinda tried to figure out, I think, I, I did it because it was a thing I had actually had done myself on occasion, it's a resting, it's sort of a good resting place for your hand, so that it doesn't, it just, like, go into your pants and just sits there. So it's a kind of a rest spot."

[RJ]

2 hours ago, Lord Mushroom said:

According to Ed O´Neill:

"Well that was a thing, that... err, we've been talking about that recently, we kinda tried to figure out, I think, I, I did it because it was a thing I had actually had done myself on occasion, it's a resting, it's sort of a good resting place for your hand, so that it doesn't, it just, like, go into your pants and just sits there. So it's a kind of a rest spot."

Huh, I always thought the ol' "hand down the pants" maneuver served a bigger purpose than just a place to rest the hand.