New SSA YouTube Channel

[[email protected]]

https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAsoaring/featured

A link to your new SSA YouTube channel. This is very preliminary and will take a few weeks, perhaps months to get rolling at full speed. I need your help! Email me at with links to youtube video's, channels and playlists that you think should be featured on the SSA page. We are working on an FTP site to allow SSA pilots to "donate" video's to be uploaded at this channel, etc.

Please subscribe to this new SSA channel and follow it, share with your friends on Facebook, twitter and via email.

Thanks,

Sean

[Frank Whiteley]

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:22:44 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAsoaring/featured
>
>
>
> A link to your new SSA YouTube channel. This is very preliminary and will take a few weeks, perhaps months to get rolling at full speed. I need your help! Email me at with links to youtube video's, channels and playlists that you think should be featured on the SSA page. We are working on an FTP site to allow SSA pilots to "donate" video's to be uploaded at this channel, etc.
>
>
>
> Please subscribe to this new SSA channel and follow it, share with your friends on Facebook, twitter and via email.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Sean

Apologies to all concerned, not Sean's fault, but we actually just discovered that the SSA has an existing YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SoaringSocietySSA
Please subscribe there. I have no idea how that slipped by me.....As there are only 14 subscribers, it may have been a secret. We would definitely like to have you subscriber and what Sean said above certainly applies. You can also follow the SSA on Twitter @SoaringSociety

Frank Whiteley

[Jeff Casto[_2_]]

It looks like there are only 3 videos posted to this YouTube channel. Can
the SSA wbsite videos be uploaded to it?

Jeff

At 02:02 18 February 2013, Frank Whiteley wrote:
>On Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:22:44 PM UTC-7,
>wro=
>te:
>> https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAsoaring/featured
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> A link to your new SSA YouTube channel. This is very preliminary and
>wil=
>l take a few weeks, perhaps months to get rolling at full speed. I need
>yo=
>ur help! Email me at with links to
>youtu=
>be video's, channels and playlists that you think should be featured on
>the=
> SSA page. We are working on an FTP site to allow SSA pilots to "donate"
>vi=
>deo's to be uploaded at this channel, etc.=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> Please subscribe to this new SSA channel and follow it, share with your
>f=
>riends on Facebook, twitter and via email.
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> Thanks,
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> Sean
>
>Apologies to all concerned, not Sean's fault, but we actually just
>discover=
>ed that the SSA has an existing YouTube channel at
>https://www.youtube.com/=
>user/SoaringSocietySSA
>Please subscribe there. I have no idea how that slipped by me.....As
>there=
> are only 14 subscribers, it may have been a secret. We would definitely
>l=
>ike to have you subscriber and what Sean said above certainly applies.
>You=
> can also follow the SSA on Twitter @SoaringSociety
>
>Frank Whiteley
>

[Sean F (F2)]

It appears that there has been some significant confusion about YouTube and the SSA already has a YouTube channel.

I have been asked to shut this new one down now that it has come to their attention that a channel already exists. :-)

I have also been asked to invite the 40 or so who have subscribed to this new channel to join the original. :-)

At this time, I have no idea how to find this original SSA YouTube channel unfortunately. I have searched a bit but am unable to find one. The only other SSA related channel I have been able to find is the LetsGoGliding channel. Can anyone identify a link to the SSAs previously existing YouTube channel? Please post here if you do...

On behalf of the SSA, sorry for this confusion.

Happy soaring,

Sean
F2

[Tony[_5_]]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 9:09:45 AM UTC-6, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> It appears that there has been some significant confusion about YouTube and the SSA already has a YouTube channel. I have been asked to shut this new one down now that it has come to their attention that a channel already exists. :-) I have also been asked to invite the 40 or so who have subscribed to this new channel to join the original. :-) At this time, I have no idea how to find this original SSA YouTube channel unfortunately. I have searched a bit but am unable to find one. The only other SSA related channel I have been able to find is the LetsGoGliding channel. Can anyone identify a link to the SSAs previously existing YouTube channel? Please post here if you do... On behalf of the SSA, sorry for this confusion. Happy soaring, Sean F2

https://www.youtube.com/user/SoaringSocietySSA

[Sean F (F2)]

Found this one as well: http://m.youtube.com/user/thesoaringsociety

[Jim - 77]

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:02:40 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> On Sunday, February 17, 2013 5:22:44 PM UTC-7, wrote:
>
> > https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAsoaring/featured
>
> > OK, I subscribed but how do we add a playlist to this site above....I can't see how to do it when I go there....I sent an email to the site but have not heard back from anyone yet.

Jim Price
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > A link to your new SSA YouTube channel. This is very preliminary and will take a few weeks, perhaps months to get rolling at full speed. I need your help! Email me at with links to youtube video's, channels and playlists that you think should be featured on the SSA page. We are working on an FTP site to allow SSA pilots to "donate" video's to be uploaded at this channel, etc.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Please subscribe to this new SSA channel and follow it, share with your friends on Facebook, twitter and via email.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Thanks,
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Sean
>
>
>
> Apologies to all concerned, not Sean's fault, but we actually just discovered that the SSA has an existing YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SoaringSocietySSA
>
> Please subscribe there. I have no idea how that slipped by me.....As there are only 14 subscribers, it may have been a secret. We would definitely like to have you subscriber and what Sean said above certainly applies. You can also follow the SSA on Twitter @SoaringSociety
>
>
>
> Frank Whiteley

[Sean F (F2)]

Jim,

Thanks very much for your interest in adding a relevant soaring video playlist to the SSA YouTube channel. Unfortunately there has been a small mix up and several YouTube accounts already existed under the direction of the SSA team. We were not aware of them as of yesterday. I was asked to remove the new channel/account (which I created yesterday) at the SSA's request. I have therefore deleted the latest SSA YouTube channel (which you say in this thread and subscribed to yesterday) per those instructions.

You can send the playlist you recommend to the existing SSA YouTube administrator via an emailed link and he/she can add this content for you. Unfortunately, I am not sure who the SSA YouTube administrator is right now. Hopefully this will be announced shortly.

Having multiple SSA channels is certainly not a desirable path. Once this is sorted out, I think we all can agree that FAR more attention and effort needs to be made on all of the SSA's social media tools in order to attract, excite and inspire new, young pilots into the sport and our organization. Young people are not going to be interested in pictures and static websites where the content is refreshed rarely if at all.

I believe the SSA wishes to embrace social media (in the near future) in a manner that is more than just superficial or a checkbox. It is critical for the SSA to increase its commitment to social media communication channels and therefore increase its visibility to youth and professional people. This process will take time as modernizing the SSA's communication strategy (static website and internal member focused) is much more than "just having an account/channel." To be successful, social media must become central to the way an organization communicates with the public, especially youth. This will take some time and I believe a strategy will be developed at some point in the near future.

Sincerely,

Sean
F2

[Jim - 77]

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 7:22:44 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAsoaring/featured
>
>
>
> A link to your new SSA YouTube channel. This is very preliminary and will take a few weeks, perhaps months to get rolling at full speed. I need your help! Email me at with links to youtube video's, channels and playlists that you think should be featured on the SSA page. We are working on an FTP site to allow SSA pilots to "donate" video's to be uploaded at this channel, etc.
>
>
>
> Please subscribe to this new SSA channel and follow it, share with your friends on Facebook, twitter and via email.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Sean

[Jim - 77]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 1:10:42 PM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> Jim,
>
>
>
> Thanks very much for your interest in adding a relevant soaring video playlist to the SSA YouTube channel. Unfortunately there has been a small mix up and several YouTube accounts already existed under the direction of the SSA team. We were not aware of them as of yesterday. I was asked to remove the new channel/account (which I created yesterday) at the SSA's request.. I have therefore deleted the latest SSA YouTube channel (which you say in this thread and subscribed to yesterday) per those instructions.
>
>
>
> You can send the playlist you recommend to the existing SSA YouTube administrator via an emailed link and he/she can add this content for you. Unfortunately, I am not sure who the SSA YouTube administrator is right now. Hopefully this will be announced shortly.
>
>
>
> Having multiple SSA channels is certainly not a desirable path. Once this is sorted out, I think we all can agree that FAR more attention and effort needs to be made on all of the SSA's social media tools in order to attract, excite and inspire new, young pilots into the sport and our organization. Young people are not going to be interested in pictures and static websites where the content is refreshed rarely if at all.
>
>
>
> I believe the SSA wishes to embrace social media (in the near future) in a manner that is more than just superficial or a checkbox. It is critical for the SSA to increase its commitment to social media communication channels and therefore increase its visibility to youth and professional people. This process will take time as modernizing the SSA's communication strategy (static website and internal member focused) is much more than "just having an account/channel." To be successful, social media must become central to the way an organization communicates with the public, especially youth. This will take some time and I believe a strategy will be developed at some point in the near future.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Sean
>
> F2

Thanks Sean,

I sent the link to the email address associated with the SSA site...hopefully someone will add the playlist...and that others with videos will do the same

Jim Price

[Bill D]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 8:09:45 AM UTC-7, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> It appears that there has been some significant confusion about YouTube and the SSA already has a YouTube channel.
>
>
>
> I have been asked to shut this new one down now that it has come to their attention that a channel already exists. :-)
>
>
>
> I have also been asked to invite the 40 or so who have subscribed to this new channel to join the original. :-)
>
>
>
> At this time, I have no idea how to find this original SSA YouTube channel unfortunately. I have searched a bit but am unable to find one. The only other SSA related channel I have been able to find is the LetsGoGliding channel. Can anyone identify a link to the SSAs previously existing YouTube channel? Please post here if you do...
>
>
>
> On behalf of the SSA, sorry for this confusion.
>
>
>
> Happy soaring,
>
>
>
> Sean
>
> F2

I just watched the 1st video then I was offered "Watch glider crash!" and then "Hitler's alien UFO's!". Those do us no good whatsoever. YouTube will not let us offer a suite of nice soaring videos. If we want to offer videos to promote the sport, we must have our own server where we can control the viewer's experience.

[son_of_flubber]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 5:18:35 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:

> we must have our own server where we can control the viewer's experience.

That's not how the internet works. Don't even try to herd cats.

Seriously. If you put up a decent number of clips on the SSA site AND enough people watch them over time, Youtube will LEARN the association between the soaring videos. You don't have to watch the vids all at once. Just don't delete your cookies and every time you go to Youtube, watch more soaring vids.

The problem now is that there is not enough traffic on the SSA youtube site to teach the site about the proper associations.

The fact that Youtube already understands the connection between gliders and Hitler is actually pretty impressive.

[Bill D]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 4:26:31 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
> On Monday, February 18, 2013 5:18:35 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
>
>
>
> > we must have our own server where we can control the viewer's experience.
>
>
>
> That's not how the internet works. Don't even try to herd cats.
>
>
>
> Seriously. If you put up a decent number of clips on the SSA site AND enough people watch them over time, Youtube will LEARN the association between the soaring videos. You don't have to watch the vids all at once. Just don't delete your cookies and every time you go to Youtube, watch more soaring vids.
>
>
>
> The problem now is that there is not enough traffic on the SSA youtube site to teach the site about the proper associations.
>
>
>
> The fact that Youtube already understands the connection between gliders and Hitler is actually pretty impressive.

That may or may not be 'how the Internet works' but it's damn well not how good marketing works. Marketing is about telling a coherent story to entice the reader into becoming involved with the subject of that story. YouTube is a lot of things, but it's definitely not that.

YouTube internal search barely works. If a program is offered in a series of segments, YouTube can't even keep those segments together. If you search for current videos you won't get them in your language. If it relies on "popularity" of a video, Soaring will always lose to cats.

To tell a coherent story of soaring in the video medium, those videos cannot be on YouTube. They must be on a server we control.

[Sean F (F2)]

Bill,

The official SSA channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/SoaringSocietySSA As far as I know, this is the ONE AND ONLY SSA YOU TUBE CHANNEL moving forward.

It is already looking good and over time & with some additional member effort (Bruno, others, etc, etc) it will get better and better.

I am not sure what channel you found "Hitler Alien UFO and watch glider crash." I just checked the above link (SSA YouTube Channel) carefully found no video titles resembling what you mention. A youtube channel is simply a collection of native video's produced by the the channel owner (first), then channel owner/administrator selected likes of specific video's (or channels) from other YouTube users which can be featured in various ways on our SSA Channel (such as Bruno's videos). It sounds as you if you may be confusing these video's (HITLER UFO, Glider Crash) with your own personal video feed which is based on your own personal searches and interests. Just a hunch.

Please send me a link to the channel you find these video's coming up on her on RAS so we can check it out with you. We certainly do not want Hitler UFO video's on our SSA YouTube Channel, I promise you that.

Best,

Sean

On Monday, February 18, 2013 5:18:35 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
> On Monday, February 18, 2013 8:09:45 AM UTC-7, Sean F (F2) wrote:
>
> > It appears that there has been some significant confusion about YouTube and the SSA already has a YouTube channel.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > I have been asked to shut this new one down now that it has come to their attention that a channel already exists. :-)
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > I have also been asked to invite the 40 or so who have subscribed to this new channel to join the original. :-)
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > At this time, I have no idea how to find this original SSA YouTube channel unfortunately. I have searched a bit but am unable to find one. The only other SSA related channel I have been able to find is the LetsGoGliding channel. Can anyone identify a link to the SSAs previously existing YouTube channel? Please post here if you do...
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > On behalf of the SSA, sorry for this confusion.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Happy soaring,
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Sean
>
> >
>
> > F2
>
>
>
> I just watched the 1st video then I was offered "Watch glider crash!" and then "Hitler's alien UFO's!". Those do us no good whatsoever. YouTube will not let us offer a suite of nice soaring videos. If we want to offer videos to promote the sport, we must have our own server where we can control the viewer's experience.

[Vaughn]

On 2/18/2013 6:51 PM, Bill D wrote:
> They must be on a server we control.

Yes, but how will you attract the multitudes to that backwater site?
Because "backwater" is exactly what any SSA site will be, especially
compared to YouTube.

YouTube is all about discovery. I can't tell you how many wonderful
things I have discovered on YouTube. Almost without exception, I wasn't
looking for any of them at the time.

That's the idea right? We want people to discover soaring. To do that,
you need to go where the people are. At any given moment, there are
millions on YouTube. How many are on the SSA site at any given moment?

Just as YouTube offered a clip on Hitler's gliders to the person
watching the SSA video, it's just as likely to offer an SSA video to
someone watching that Hitler glider clip. That person just might
discover soaring.

That's what you want to accomplish...right?

[Bill D]

Sean,

Just watch any one video on the "SSA Channel" then scroll down and look on the right side. I'm sure YT thinks those videos are what an individual viewer would be interested in but it's a REALLY lousy guesser. "Glider crash" might be related through "glider" but "Hitler" definitely isn't. Neither help our message.

As long as we are offering a smorgasbord of videos, they will be indistinguishable from YT's random and very unrelated offerings.

I like the video quality of YT and often watch it. But, and it's a big but, I've learned to defeat YT's attempts to divert me. For example, by using Google's search engine to find videos and not YT's internal search engine.



On Monday, February 18, 2013 5:15:22 PM UTC-7, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> Bill,
>
>
>
> The official SSA channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/SoaringSocietySSA As far as I know, this is the ONE AND ONLY SSA YOU TUBE CHANNEL moving forward.
>
>
>
> It is already looking good and over time & with some additional member effort (Bruno, others, etc, etc) it will get better and better.
>
>
>
> I am not sure what channel you found "Hitler Alien UFO and watch glider crash." I just checked the above link (SSA YouTube Channel) carefully found no video titles resembling what you mention. A youtube channel is simply a collection of native video's produced by the the channel owner (first), then channel owner/administrator selected likes of specific video's (or channels) from other YouTube users which can be featured in various ways on our SSA Channel (such as Bruno's videos). It sounds as you if you may be confusing these video's (HITLER UFO, Glider Crash) with your own personal video feed which is based on your own personal searches and interests. Just a hunch.
>
>
>
> Please send me a link to the channel you find these video's coming up on her on RAS so we can check it out with you. We certainly do not want Hitler UFO video's on our SSA YouTube Channel, I promise you that.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Sean
>
>
>
> On Monday, February 18, 2013 5:18:35 PM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
>
> > On Monday, February 18, 2013 8:09:45 AM UTC-7, Sean F (F2) wrote:
>
> >
>
> > > It appears that there has been some significant confusion about YouTube and the SSA already has a YouTube channel.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > I have been asked to shut this new one down now that it has come to their attention that a channel already exists. :-)
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > I have also been asked to invite the 40 or so who have subscribed to this new channel to join the original. :-)
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > At this time, I have no idea how to find this original SSA YouTube channel unfortunately. I have searched a bit but am unable to find one. The only other SSA related channel I have been able to find is the LetsGoGliding channel. Can anyone identify a link to the SSAs previously existing YouTube channel? Please post here if you do...
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > On behalf of the SSA, sorry for this confusion.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Happy soaring,
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Sean
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > F2
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > I just watched the 1st video then I was offered "Watch glider crash!" and then "Hitler's alien UFO's!". Those do us no good whatsoever. YouTube will not let us offer a suite of nice soaring videos. If we want to offer videos to promote the sport, we must have our own server where we can control the viewer's experience.

[Sean F (F2)]

Agree 100%. YouTube is all about the network. A network far, far greater than a static (our own server) could ever contain. Users are intelligent enough to understand what is SSA related and what is junk. This is part of the online "world." No need to waste cycle time trying to avoid it. In general I think YouTube does an excellent job. Our channel will be the sum total of US and international pilots as they increase the amount of video the are creating.

I would say that YouTube is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT thing that the SSA could leverage in terms of promoting the sport to newcomers. I know that is a big statement, but I am right.......... We (SSA) have a very long way to go to even begin to leverage the power of these social media tools.........

Sean
F2

[Matt Herron Jr.]

Isn't "SoaringSocietySSA" a little redundant?

The first video on the channel that popped up looked great for attracting youth, however, it was certainly not filmed in america, and had shots of flying through clouds, etc. I guess it will evolve.

Matt

[Sean F (F2)]

Just got this video emailed to me by Gordon.

Thought some would like to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpEmWs-2SIE

Please add to the SSA YouTube channel!

[son_of_flubber]

On Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:45:44 PM UTC-5, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:

> The first video on the channel that popped up looked great for attracting youth, however, it was certainly not filmed in america,

I'm fiercely patriotic, but I see no reason to limit the videos to domestic productions.

Feature the videos that portray the sport in the best possible light. Good looking young people flying gliders is right on target.

[Sean F (F2)]

The fact is that the SSA will eventually come to the realization that it probably needs to begin understanding the value of investing in production of its own marketing/promotional video's. Perhaps instead of a magazine a months video? This does not need to come at a huge cash price... What is a better use of time and money? Producing a magazine mailed to only our membership, or a public video released each month?

Change takes recognition and comprehension of the value, leadership & management and focus.

Communicating only with static websites, bumper stickers and other similar methods are about as effective as one might imagine. Short of that there are a tremendous number of great video's (personal, professional and throughout Europe, Australia, South Africa, etc) that tell incredible stories and inspire young & old (definition of inspire: "to draw forth or bring out") to consider take action. This action could be as definitive as scheduling a glider ride or lesson to spending more time researching the sport and what its all about. Marketers call it an "impression!" We could call it survival (think 20 years down the road).

Sean
F2

[Matt Herron Jr.]

how about an SSA sponsored prize each month for the best new video that promotes the sport? say $500 to motivate people?

[Bill D]

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 2:36:59 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> how about an SSA sponsored prize each month for the best new video that promotes the sport? say $500 to motivate people?

Sean, Mat,

Both of your proposals were in my annual report to the SSA EXCOM which is on the SSA web site. I don't think it's a matter of not having the money, we don't have the expertise in production or hosting.

If you produce a professional quality video, the SSA will find a way to use it.

[Sean F (F2)]

Great to hear! I look forward to seeing some changes in thinking!

[[email protected]]

My own personal experience:

25 years ago I took a glider ride at the Durango, CO Soaring Club and loved it. At the time I couldn't afford nor had the time to pursue it so eventually forgot all about it.

Fast forward to 2012 where I was searching YouTube for videos of Glider slope soaring (I was looking or R/C glider videos not real glider videos). The search returned a hit to one of Bruno Vassel's gliding videos. I watched that video, was mesmerized, and over the next several weeks I watched every single one of Bruno's videos, searched for and found a local club, joined, and here I am today.

I say all of that to confirn that in at least my case the "accidental" discovery of some great gliding videos on YT was definitely responsible for my entry into the sport.

Maybe something free and simple we could do is to just put a link to letsgogliding.com in the description box of all of the gliding videos we post. At least that way we provide casual viewers with a very easy way to get more information.

RS

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 2:57:27 PM UTC-6, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> The fact is that the SSA will eventually come to the realization that it probably needs to begin understanding the value of investing in production of its own marketing/promotional video's. Perhaps instead of a magazine a months video? This does not need to come at a huge cash price... What is a better use of time and money? Producing a magazine mailed to only our membership, or a public video released each month?
>
>
>
> Change takes recognition and comprehension of the value, leadership & management and focus.
>
>
>
> Communicating only with static websites, bumper stickers and other similar methods are about as effective as one might imagine. Short of that there are a tremendous number of great video's (personal, professional and throughout Europe, Australia, South Africa, etc) that tell incredible stories and inspire young & old (definition of inspire: "to draw forth or bring out") to consider take action. This action could be as definitive as scheduling a glider ride or lesson to spending more time researching the sport and what its all about. Marketers call it an "impression!" We could call it survival (think 20 years down the road).
>
>
>
> Sean
>
> F2

[Bill D]

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 5:39:02 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> My own personal experience:
>
>
>
> 25 years ago I took a glider ride at the Durango, CO Soaring Club and loved it. At the time I couldn't afford nor had the time to pursue it so eventually forgot all about it.
>
>
>
> Fast forward to 2012 where I was searching YouTube for videos of Glider slope soaring (I was looking or R/C glider videos not real glider videos). The search returned a hit to one of Bruno Vassel's gliding videos. I watched that video, was mesmerized, and over the next several weeks I watched every single one of Bruno's videos, searched for and found a local club, joined, and here I am today.
>
>
>
> I say all of that to confirn that in at least my case the "accidental" discovery of some great gliding videos on YT was definitely responsible for my entry into the sport.
>
>
>
> Maybe something free and simple we could do is to just put a link to letsgogliding.com in the description box of all of the gliding videos we post. At least that way we provide casual viewers with a very easy way to get more information.
>
>
>
> RS
>

Now, THAT is a good idea!

[son_of_flubber]

At what point does YouTube start charging an organization/company for hosting their videos? The SSA channel might take some care to not step over that line.

What about buying some targeted advertising on YouTube?

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 9:14:12 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
> At what point does YouTube start charging an organization/company for hosting their videos? The SSA channel might take some care to not step over that line.
>
>
>
> What about buying some targeted advertising on YouTube?

Never. In fact, if your channel gets popular enough YT will offer revenue sharing opportunities to the channel owners! There are literally thousands of internet businesses who's whole business model is based off of puting their content in YT using their "private links" feature and then selling those links to their customers. They make the content, YT pays for the bandwidth and hosting, the 3rd party makes money selling their links, YT makes money selling the advertising. Brilliant model!

[Sean F (F2)]

Ill bet Bruno has received a check or two from YT for ads on his video's. That is great. His video's are phenomenal. He deserves all the accolades we can give him.

Look at GoPro (the company). Look how powerful GoPro has become as a tool for so many sports and support organizations. Look at adventure sports in general. Look at the companies that market to people interested in these sports. Some clues in these observations I imagine.............

Every great organization, corporation, company, individual is using video aggressively to share their message and market their products and services. To share "their passions." This is what customers and people and general want to consume on subjects today (more and more every day). Static is dead, has been for many years.

The goal of the SSA is simple: to GROW ITS MEMBERSHIP by making soaring available to as many interested parties as possible. Simple really. A numbers game. What causes someone to go from having no idea about soaring to becoming a member of the SSA? What are their goals? To go for a ride? Or to do more? How do they learn this? How do you take this person who has interest and best use that opportunity to inspire them? A website with low def photos?

Why are kids not showing up? How do we address that?

We have alot of money sitting in SSA accounts.........

Alot of SSA members cranking out video's. Alot of clubs and FBO's and instructors and contests are interacting with customers and students. How do we best leverage and share these assets? What's our strategy? How are we measuring our progress? Is LetsGoGliding working? What are the demographics in that project? We don't have all our eggs in one basket do we?

The SSA has not even begun to scratch the surface of social media. If they truly did focus on it I would almost guarantee a measurable, positive impact.

PS...if you want kids in soaring, where are the pictures, video's, camps, parties, events with soaring kids in the USA? Kids love adults but REALLY LOVE OTHER KIDS! Who is going to the upcoming Jr. Worlds from the USA? Where is the website? What kids recently soloed? Where are these stories? Oh... that's in the BACK of the SSA magazine huh? Hmmm?

Best,

Sean

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 11:19:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 9:14:12 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
>
> > At what point does YouTube start charging an organization/company for hosting their videos? The SSA channel might take some care to not step over that line.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > What about buying some targeted advertising on YouTube?
>
>
>
> Never. In fact, if your channel gets popular enough YT will offer revenue sharing opportunities to the channel owners! There are literally thousands of internet businesses who's whole business model is based off of puting their content in YT using their "private links" feature and then selling those links to their customers. They make the content, YT pays for the bandwidth and hosting, the 3rd party makes money selling their links, YT makes money selling the advertising. Brilliant model!

[son_of_flubber]

On Friday, February 22, 2013 12:03:35 AM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:

> PS...if you want kids in soaring, where are the pictures, video's, camps, parties, events with soaring kids in the USA? Kids love adults but REALLY LOVE OTHER KIDS! Who is going to the upcoming Jr. Worlds from the USA? Where is the website? What kids recently soloed? Where are these stories? Oh... that's in the BACK of the SSA magazine huh? Hmmm?

My club has a program where 'kids' perform 'chores' in exchange for flying lessons (and tows).

One of these chores is 'maintain club website'.

It comes as no surprise that a bright 15 year old who has been surfing the web since he was 4.5 years old is incredibly effective at creating web-based content. Making the right moves on the web comes naturally to the talented young.

My suggestion would be to pay a team of 'kid glider pilots' in tow coupons, and let them run the SSA web-based recruitment campaign (to recruit both kids and adults). Maybe get a young adult pilot (less than 25 years old) to oversee the 'creative team'. The team can be web-connected and scattered all over the country (world?)

With this approach, any money that we invest in web based recruitment, buys tows for young pilots. Two birds, one stone.

[Tom K (ES)]

Sorry I have already had too much coffee this morning. I agree with Sean, the goal is to grow our membership! I have a few ideas on this:

Youtube
We need to develop and manage a strong brand image with an SAA page on YouTube. Right now, Bruno and Balleka are my go to guys for videos that I send to people interested in our sport. Someone mentioned that Bruno looks like an old guy on O2. Actually he almost always explains what it is in each video and the reaction from my girlfriend's 17 year old son was "Holy cow, gliders get high enough that they need oxygen?". Then I sent him off to go Google Steve Fossett.

Social media
You can't do anything these days without tweeting about it, bloging, or updating your Facebook. I get teased about being the oldest living Facebooker but my company has a page and I update our small club's page. I am amazed at the number of random people that visit our club page and text me questions about gliding.

Promote costs
As I try and attract adults to come out I highlight the affordability of flying gliders. Our club prices are still in the single digits per hour for the gliders and I stress that unlike powered flying, after you obtain your license you can still afford to be able to continue to fly! I feel we could do a better job of promoting the long term low cost of club soaring.

Sponsorship
I used to fly in airshows and the biggest part of my job (other than not hitting the ground) was obtaining sponsorship. I am not trying to be negative to the SSA but the SSA should have a paid full time development person going out and funding education programs and programs that grow and promote our sport. My company is a non-profit helicopter air medical organization and our development person is a key position for us. To give you an idea of the cost vs benefit her costs (salary, materials, travel, etc) are under 8% of what she brings in.

Local Media
In our 24 hour news cycle it is surprisingly easy to promote via local news.. Find a local producer or reporter and offer an interesting story about soaring (16 year old solos, FAI achievements, open house, etc...) It might be regular news for us but interesting for them.

Podcasts
Why is it that the only podcast on soaring is by a guy who is just starting out? Podcasts are easy to make and...I think I will take my own advice and start one.

Tom (formerly Lucky812)

[Bill D]

On Friday, February 22, 2013 8:48:29 AM UTC-7, Tom K (ES) wrote:
> Sorry I have already had too much coffee this morning. I agree with Sean, the goal is to grow our membership! I have a few ideas on this:
>
>
>
> Youtube
>
> We need to develop and manage a strong brand image with an SAA page on YouTube. Right now, Bruno and Balleka are my go to guys for videos that I send to people interested in our sport. Someone mentioned that Bruno looks like an old guy on O2. Actually he almost always explains what it is in each video and the reaction from my girlfriend's 17 year old son was "Holy cow, gliders get high enough that they need oxygen?". Then I sent him off to go Google Steve Fossett.
>
>
>
> Social media
>
> You can't do anything these days without tweeting about it, bloging, or updating your Facebook. I get teased about being the oldest living Facebooker but my company has a page and I update our small club's page. I am amazed at the number of random people that visit our club page and text me questions about gliding.
>
>
>
> Promote costs
>
> As I try and attract adults to come out I highlight the affordability of flying gliders. Our club prices are still in the single digits per hour for the gliders and I stress that unlike powered flying, after you obtain your license you can still afford to be able to continue to fly! I feel we could do a better job of promoting the long term low cost of club soaring.
>
>
>
> Sponsorship
>
> I used to fly in airshows and the biggest part of my job (other than not hitting the ground) was obtaining sponsorship. I am not trying to be negative to the SSA but the SSA should have a paid full time development person going out and funding education programs and programs that grow and promote our sport. My company is a non-profit helicopter air medical organization and our development person is a key position for us. To give you an idea of the cost vs benefit her costs (salary, materials, travel, etc) are under 8% of what she brings in.
>
>
>
> Local Media
>
> In our 24 hour news cycle it is surprisingly easy to promote via local news. Find a local producer or reporter and offer an interesting story about soaring (16 year old solos, FAI achievements, open house, etc...) It might be regular news for us but interesting for them.
>
>
>
> Podcasts
>
> Why is it that the only podcast on soaring is by a guy who is just starting out? Podcasts are easy to make and...I think I will take my own advice and start one.
>
>
>
> Tom (formerly Lucky812)

Tom,

Thanks for the ideas but most of them have already been proposed. The problem isn't ideas, it's the execution of those ideas. While the SSA is in far better shape financially than in the recent past, it can't pay professionals to do these things so we need volunteers to step up. Far too often a call for volunteers is met with a deafening silence.

So, if you really want these things to happen, volunteer to do them.

[Sean F (F2)]

Great ideas everyone. Keep them coming.

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 5:39:02 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> My own personal experience:

> 25 years ago I took a glider ride at the Durango, CO Soaring Club and loved it. At the time I couldn't afford nor had the time to pursue it so eventually forgot all about it.
>
> Fast forward to 2012 where I was searching YouTube for videos of Glider slope soaring (I was looking or R/C glider videos not real glider videos). The search returned a hit to one of Bruno Vassel's gliding videos. I watched that video, was mesmerized, and over the next several weeks I watched every single one of Bruno's videos, searched for and found a local club, joined, and here I am today.

> I say all of that to confirm that in at least my case the "accidental" discovery of some great gliding videos on YT was definitely responsible for my entry into the sport.
>
> Maybe something free and simple we could do is to just put a link to letsgogliding.com in the description box of all of the gliding videos we post. At least that way we provide casual viewers with a very easy way to get more information.
>
> RS

RS,
Reading your story just made my week! :) You need to make it out here to Utah some time and lets go soaring together. Thrilled to hear you went all the way and you are now gliding yourself!

Bruno - B4

[Tom K (ES)]

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/studio10/happening_here/learn-to-fly-a-glider

Great job!

[Sean F (F2)]

Can anyone tell me where, on the SSA website, you can find a link to the official SSA youtube channel which is supposedly all abuzz? I do not see one anywhere.

The only thing I see is the "New To Soaring" info bar on the right side of the homepage. This takes you to a list of videos which reside on the SSA website but not on YouTube. Do these videos also reside on youtube? Where are the comments? Do these videos auto reformat to mobile devices? Are they searchable? Hmmm?

Looks like a new video is added once every 3 or 4 months.... Really?

Sean

[son_of_flubber]

On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 7:23:44 PM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> Can anyone tell me where, on the SSA website, you can find a link to the official SSA youtube channel which is supposedly all abuzz? I do not see one anywhere.<

Dear Sean,

If you really want to gain traction on issues with the SSA membership, you should write a letter (or three or four) to Soaring Magazine. Better yet, you should write a monthly column.

[Glenn Fisher]

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 4:36:59 PM UTC-5, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> how about an SSA sponsored prize each month for the best new video that promotes the sport? say $500 to motivate people?


I think a competition for the best promotional soaring video is a good plan.. At the annual soaring convention in the Netherlands there is a competition for best soaring video and some of the films I saw were amazingly well done.

I propose a slight variation on this theme to get the best video possible using a mass collaboration method.

People can participate in one of two capacities (or both).

1. Get interesting footage – Any pilot can help get as much good footage as possible. All of this footage will be collected in a central location (Dropbox or a designated channel on Youtube, etc).

2. Production - At the end of the year, anyone that wants to be an editor will have access to the raw footage and free reign to make the best video possible. The final product is judged in the arena of Youtube, the most thumbs up will win.

I think this mass collaboration method has some advantages considering the dynamics of our sport. The proliferation of small HD quality sports cameras means filming every flight is cheap and easy. While every moment of a flight may be exciting for the pilot, most footage is boring to watch. However, if the final product consists of the best highlights cut from thousands of hours of soaring, then statistically these highlights will be far more interesting.

This method of collaboration benefits from the fact that the pilots who can get the most interesting and exciting footage, are unlikely to be the best video editors/producers. This way we can tap hundreds of pilots for their most interesting moments of the year. Then those with the most artistic talent can compile the footage into the most interesting videos and target these videos to potential new glider pilots.

I volunteer as my contribution to strap my GoPro to the glider of one of the ridge soaring legends here in NJ and see what kind of footage we get.