Half a million video views thanks to all of you

June 24th, 2008

So I try not to obsess over my YouTube statistics because I realize that I’m catering to a pretty narrow audience. Narrow, but very dedicated. So even though I’ve checked from time to time, I was still kind of amazed when I logged in today and saw that my video viewcount rolled over 500,000 some time in the past 24 hours. Now the guys at nextlevelguitar probably get that every week, but for this small time guitar teacher, that’s pretty shocking considering that I didn’t even know if anyone would pay any attention when I put up my first lesson on Oct. 21st, 2007, almost exactly 8 months ago.

Another barometer that I watch occasionally is my YouTube subscriber count. When I put up my first lesson, I had approximately 17 subscribers. Sometime in the past week, I passed 1300.

What makes those stats mean even more is the amount of heartfelt emails I’ve gotten from people since I started, and it makes it easy to see numbers like that and think of people, not simply statistics. I’ve heard from people who are just starting, people who haven’t picked up the guitar in 20 years, and people that don’t even play guitar. 99.9% of the messages I get are positive, supportive, and full of great stories, and comments.

I guess you could say that based on what I’d seen around other guitar sites and other guitar related videos, my expectations of people was pretty low. It seemed like all people wanted to do was argue, complain, criticize, and generally act like jerks. So when I started, I was prepared for the worst. I can honestly say that you all have completely changed my perceptions. With the exception of 4 or 5 generally unhappy people, the rest of you have been the most grateful, supportive, and enthusiastic people a guitar teacher could ever ask for.

I’m working on some things for StevieSnacks right now that have never been done before, it’s a little too early to talk about it much, but, it’s because of your involvement that this thing works. Thanks a million.

Leave a Comment

25 Comments

  1. Dominic Says:
    July 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Your Welcome :D
    I look at your stuff everyday and I just brought a Fender Blues Junior Nos thanks to you.

    Amazing!

    Keep up the good work

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 17th, 2008:

    Thanks Dominic.

    [Reply]
  2. Andreas Says:
    July 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm

    Hi Anthony,

    I’m one of those guys who haven’t picked up their guitar in 20 years and just wanted to assure you that your work is appreciated very much. Wish I had your videos two decades ago, maybe with that kind of motivation I had continued playing.

    Greetings from Germany!

    Andreas

    P.S. Your last name sounds pretty much German. There was the dynasty of the staufers in mediaeval times in Germany. Some of them became kings and emperors, most famous Barbarossa, who was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt in 1152, King of Italy in 1154, and finally Holy Roman Emperor in 1155.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 17th, 2008:

    Swiss/German I believe. I was always told that my ancestors were servants of some kind of royalty. I should visit the motherland someday :)

    [Reply]
  3. Tim Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    And why you surprised? You are a good teacher! I have three months of work with you to achieve greater than in the previous 20 years!
    I am not lacking only one thing: my English is not so good, to understand slang. Why am I not listened to dad, when he referred to “Learn English”? :-)

    Regards

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Hi Tim,

    I do my best to not use very much USA slang because half my viewers are from Europe :)

    [Reply]
  4. Bryan Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 1:16 am

    Your success is also great for the guitar community, setting a positive example of sharing the knowledge, and spreading good vibes through music. Great teaching, and wish you a continued success.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Very much appreciated.

    [Reply]
  5. Lee Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 11:36 pm

    Mate,

    What a brilliant website. All I can say is thanks for making the effort I hope people appreciate it.

    It’s hard to believe anyone would give negative feedback about anything that doesn’t effect them personally. I’d put money on the fact that these people have never done anything in the least bit constructive for society.

    Thanks again Anthony.

    Lee

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Like I said, out of the hundreds of people that have sent emails and left comments, there have only been a total of 6 or 7 people in all who didn’t have something positive, or at least constructive to say. I’m still amazed at that.

    [Reply]
  6. Timmy Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    I think we’re the lucky ones. Anthony does a fantastic job with this. To all our benefit ! Keep on doing what you’re doing !

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    I’m glad you feel this way, but I truly feel like I’m getting the better end of the deal having stuff that I’ve learned be able to help other people.

    [Reply]
  7. Steve Gill Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Hi Anthony,
    I always enjoy what you do. I don’t really have the time to be totally immersed in this stuff, but when I do find the time I thoroughly enjoy it. Another thing I like about your stuff is its clean, refreshing to have a person of your caliber and ethics doing this kind of thing. I think you would be successful in any thing you tried.

    Kind Regards,
    Steve

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Hi Steve,

    I just try to treat people with the same respect and kindness that I’ve been blessed to experience in my own life. I think people appreciate that.

    [Reply]
  8. mike s. Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    I check your site everyday to see whats new.I have had my guitars in my hands more in the last six months then ever before.I am really greatful for all your help.I’m not musicly gifted so it comes a little harder for me then some,but I’m having a blast!THANX!

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Hi Mike,

    As quickly as I picked up the guitar, I had to work very hard on my singing to even get it to a place where it was usable for public performance, so I feel your pain :)

    [Reply]
  9. Chris Freeman Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    Congratulations on this milestone! For what its worth, I think I am a pretty tough customer when it comes to someone teaching me about playing guitar. I am not easily impressed, especially with some of the real crap that is out there. But I learn things from you in just about every lesson I’ve seen. And in lessons that I don’t “learn” anything, you somehow manage to reinforce or quantify what I already knew, so that I now know it better than I did before.

    Its probably safe to say we are all looking forward to whatever you are working on for the future. I know I’ll be tuned in!

    Thanks again, for everything you do for us!

    Chris

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    I appreciate even the tough customers, and although I do feel that many instructional videos of this style leave a lot to be desired, I am also aware that it’s almost impossible to teach this style with any degree of accuracy without dedicating a significant portion of your years of learning to it, so I try to imagine myself trying to teach something like Van Halen to keep everything in perspective :)

    [Reply]
  10. Mike Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    You’re awesom dude, (I’m really not a beach bum) but seriously, I tune in nightly to see if you have sent anything new. If you do, I practice it till you send out another. I purchase the full version when I want to go deeper into your teaching of that particular lesson. I hope you don’t give this site up anytime soon. I’m a better player thanks to you..

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on June 25th, 2008:

    That’s exactly why I put such long previews up here because I only want people to buy something if they’re really interested in it. This way they can still learn something from the free portion, and if they’re really interested, they can buy more in-depth teaching. Everybody wins :)

    [Reply]
  11. PAS Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    It took me awhile to find a website (let alone free) to help me hone my skills to somewhat resemble Stevie. I thank you for reviving my interest in music by helping me progress technically. Further more, I am beginning to see results as I can now keep tempo with ‘Scuttle Buttin’ and rake pick where appropriate in songs like ‘Lenny’ to help add feeling to my Stevie catalog. Looking forward to more videos and, again, you are greatly appreciated in your work.

    [Reply]
  12. KH Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    Hi Steve,

    I tell you this. Yesterday i don’t feel too good coz i felt that i’m not making enough progress in my playing. Somehow, when i viewed through your 1st 3 lessons and the latest lesson on pick and bending, i felt good and inspired again.

    With the family and work commitments, i’m not sure if i could ever get your level. But I’m sure i will be inspired by you and keep on trying. By watching your lessons alone, i’ll be entertained.

    Thanks.

    p.s. - Since I’m still at mid-beginner level (at the age of 40 :)), my bendings are atrocious and speed needs to be improved. Any chance of a 20 minutes lesson exclusively on improving techniques within the context of a lick or a few licks? Not that boring chromatic runs exercise. Those beginners like me need some help and we need to catch up real quick. HeHeh

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Hi KH,
    I know what it’s like to feel like you’re not making progress fast enough, but that’s exactly what made me want to learn more. I do think it’s important to keep in mind that if you don’t enjoy the journey, you won’t enjoy the destination, because you never get “there”. A true guitarist is always improving, always learning, and it’s important to sit back sometimes and look at what you can do, and just enjoy it for a while, then keep on working at it :)

    [Reply]
  13. erik Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    Don’t thank us, we are the ones who should be thanking you. You have managed to take something as complex as guitar theory and explain it to the masses in an easy to understand format. I’ve tried countless books, videos and online tutorials on blues guitar and granted, some of them did help but not to the extent that your site has. You are a real guy explaining things in real terms that people can relate to. Thanks again Anthony and keep up the good work.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 5th, 2008:

    Man, if only you could see what I’m putting together for the future…..too early to talk about yet, but this kind of response to what I’ve already taught has led me to put together some things that have never been done before for this style of music… stay tuned :)

    [Reply]

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