Advice Sought Regarding a Video/Audio Version of My Economic Commentary on the Bible
Jan. 11, 2010
In a multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).
I began writing a verse-by-verse commentary on the Bible in 1973: economics only. As far as I know, this is the first attempt ever to write a Bible commentary limited to one academic field in the social sciences. I completed the first draft in late 2009. I have covered every passage in the Bible that relates to economics. There are approximately 600 chapters: 29 volumes with about 20 chapters per volume.
I want the materials available for free: PDF format.
American Vision will sell them in hardback as a series. It will sell them one book every other month at a discount price around $25 each. Individually, they will sell for about $40. A CD-ROM of the PDF version will come with each book. So will an MP3 audio file for each chapter. I will not be paid a royalty, so as to block criticism based on my supposed financial goals. That was my decision in 1982, when volume 1 was published.
To generate sales, I will produce two videos on each chapter. One version will be for YouTube: a 3-minute summary. People want short videos. Main problem: YouTube may insert ads. I prefer no ads, but I have no control over this.
The 3-minute summary will have an embedded logo: www.BibEcon.com. This will encourage the viewer to go to a free Biblical Economics department on my site: www.GaryNorth.com. I may someday create a separate Website for this, and also keep the department on GaryNorth.com.
I will produce the videos with Camtasia. They will be on-screen PowerPoint outlines of each chapter, including Bible verses, plus my audio narrative. The viewer will know where he is in the exposition at all times.
The Biblical Economics department will have an introductory page. It will offer these options: Old Testament, New Testament, and specific topics, such as "usury."
Click "Old Testament." This goes to a page with the books of the Old Testament.
Click a book. This takes you to the verses/passages.
Click a verse. This takes you to a page. The page will have the following:
1. A summary of the passage
2. An embedded video of the YouTube summary
3. An embedded video of a detailed exposition: under 30 minutes
4. A link to a PDF of the chapter's outline.
5. A link to an MP3 audio file to download for free
6. A link to a PDF of the chapter in the book
7. A link to a PDF of the book
8. A link to a page where you can buy the book
This series will also serve as a 4-year home school high school Bible course for my scheduled site: FreeChristianCurriculum.com.
My main concerns are these:
1. How to generate Google hits. YouTube is best.
2. How to minimize YouTube's ads, if any. Disclaimer at beginning?
3. How to choose a free but no-ads video sharing site that won't go bust.
4. How to choose a free audio hosting site that won't go bust.
An MP3 audio file in mono is about one megabyte per minute.
My questions are these:
1. Should I post the full video in 10-minute segments on YouTube?
2. Should I also (or instead of) post them on a free site, such as Blip.tv?
3. Should I post the audios on the Blip.tv site (free)?
4. Should I also (or instead of) post them on one of these free audio hosting sites?
Each post takes time. Time is never free.
If you have suggestions, send an email to garynorth@garynorth.com. Put "Commentary" in the subject box.