YouTube is the Thermometer of Innovation - by Patty Mooney

Image by cleopatra69 via Flickr "People watch more than 2 billion videos a day on the site - that's more than double the number of videos viewed less than two years ago." - according to Zak Stambor, in his Internet Retailer article, "The Lure of Motion."

Wow.

2 billion videos a day? Again, Wow.

So you can see that there is some really stiff competition for eyeballs out there these days.

When my husband, Mark Schulze, and I began producing our educational, special-interest videos in the 1980's, there were not that many other companies out there doing it except for the big studios putting out their multi-million-dollar theatrical releases. So, pioneers that we were, Mark and I made the world's first massage video - "Massage For Relaxation." We made the first mountain-bike video - "The Great Mountain Biking Video." We made the first mountain-bike racing video - "Battle At Durango." We made the first step-aerobics video - "Steppin' Out: Ultimate Interval Training System." We made the first erotic male dancers video - "California Big Hunks." We made the first anti-terrorism video - "Anti-Terrorism: Weapons & Tactics." And we made the world's first around-the-world mountain-biking video - "Full Cycle: A World Odyssey."

None of these shows made us wealthy, nor have we been sought after by anybody over our pioneering efforts, and companies with bigger marketing budgets snatched up our ideas and packaged them into glossier wrappers, but.... And it's a big "But"... We have enjoyed our entrepreneurial lifestyle, and had a lot of fun creating our "babies." Isn't it the All-American dream to make money doing what you love, calling your own hours and not having to answer to any boss but yourself? It's not the sort of life that just anyone can live. Some people really do need the structure of a 9-to-5 job.

But for people who are energetic, social, talented and know how to communicate, you really can achieve your dreams.

So, now back to YouTube. More than 2 billion videos viewed a day! Yes, the game has definitely changed since the last century. But one thing remains the same: There is always room for pioneers and innovation. Opportunity is alive and well, for the entrepreneurial spirit.