Over the past year, I have experimented with delivering video both via iTunes (RSS feeds) and using web pages (on blogs, web pages, and through Google Video). These two methods are quite different and seem to serve audiences in different ways.
There seems to be something special about being part of a feed, as members who subscribe expect to receive updates. Each time I post a new file to the feed, regular subscribers automatically download it, and the rest of the feed archive receives more action as well. Each item gets picked over again and again when new pieces are sent off. This on-going increase in activity can last for a couple of weeks after a new piece hits the feed.
Web pages typically require notification for people to go get the featured piece. On the other had, a piece placed on a page that has a lot of traffic brings the material to wider audiences. The numbers "spike" for a period of a few days, bringing in huge numbers as people view the piece. Then, that page is no longer "new" and the number of views taper off to next to nothing. That page might still be on a site or popular blog, but people just don't go back to find it after the "featured" period is over.
A side benefit to web "features" is the feed subscription. Slowly but surely, a few people who are exposed to a feature find the feed and subscribe.
Here are some other perspectives, that mirror my experiences to some degree. With all of the recent focus on YouTube and other huge sites, these thoughts from the makers of an RSS video feed reader have relevance.
Basically, YouTube and other web-based sites have to pay for the bandwidth used by their readers/watchers. RSS feeds download as needed (without the users watching until the downloads are complete). The cost difference is enormous!
So far, I have not had a video "feature" outstrip my bandwidth, but it is conceivable that it could occur. The $7 per month I pay my ISP covers about 40,000 downloads, and I'm nowhere near max. For October, 46% of the bandwidth used has been for featured pieces, and the rest has been spread over the archive. The spread touches every single item in the archive each month. I feel it is healthy to have this mix. I'm finding ways to feature a piece and then attract a few new subscribers each time.
And yes, there is a thrill when someone (or several people) takes "one of each" from the entire collection. Through the RSS feed, it happens fairly regularly. So far, that is the best indication I have that my materials are serving my audience well.
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