Writing and Copyright
I Attempt to Solve a Problem of the New Writers with a Bit of Humor on YouTube and TikTok.
Please remember to use copyright images and caption them when you self-publish or post your stories to publications on Medium.
Background
When I joined Medium, the first publication I posted my article was Illumination. I was fortunate as the chief editor, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, mentored me in the process via his Slack workspace, which is open and free to all contributors to his publications.
When I asked him for a few hints before posting my stories, one of the critical items which cemented in my memories during the conversation was captioning the photos and ensuring they were copyright free.
So Dr. Yildiz shared the photo handling policy of Illumination Integrated Publications, which I reviewed and have had no problem with since then.
The key points in the policy were:
“1 — All Images in stories must be copyright-free.
2 — All Images in stories must be cited (captioned) with image sources.
3 — All Images in stories must comply with the Laws and Rules (defined as the laws of the United States and Medium’s rules and guidelines).”
However, a few months later, I had the privilege of serving Illumination as an editor. When I started, I couldn’t believe my eyes when reviewing stories in the publication queues. So many new writers forgot to caption their photos.
Even worse, some writers caption their photos, but they upload photos from commercial sites. Some even uploaded images from some business sites with copyright watermarks which were so obvious.
Like all other supportive editors, I help new writers by explaining the importance, and they learn quickly. However, new writers always join Illumination.
Illumination has an onboarding pack for new writers, but some writers don’t seem to read it or miss out on the attached photo handling policy, which is so important.
Therefore, every day, busy editors have to deal with copyright issues and un-cited images. It consumes too much time for volunteer editors. I feel sorry for them as I understand the pain.
Here’s my ambitious attempt.
Recently a senior editor Brooklyn Muse on the editorial channel of the Slack workspace inspired me to create a short video. I found her idea enticing and started thinking about it.
But Brooklyn specifically asked something funny and sharp that everyone could easily understand and never forget. I wasn’t sure whether my short video would do the work, but I tried.
With this inspiration from Brooklyn, I created a short video (<30 seconds) with a bit of humor and posted it to our YouTube channel today. Here is the link.
I also created a TikTok version of it for those who don’t have YouTube access. I don’t know for some reason, we can’t embed TikTok videos like YouTube. I think Medium developers should solve this annoyance. Here’s the link:
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSR7hvGT1/
I’d appreciate your feedback and sharing it on social media and new writers joining Medium. By spreading the word, I believe we can lower loads of editors and protect the writers from copyright breaches.
Editors keep leaving messages to writers who forget to caption photos, but some writers don’t even have their private messages on, which is another issue. Perhaps, I will create another video for that unusual problem.
Final Words
Recently I read a couple of articles from Susie Kearley reporting that bloggers got hefty fines. Here is the link to Susie’s latest story. Students Get $5000 Legal Demand for Using CC Image on a Blog.
I hope new writers take these points on board, use copyright-free images, and always cite them to protect their accounts.
I also established two publications, one for gaming and one for YouTube. When publishing the stories of contributors, I always support them.
With some education, I believe every writer can learn about this important requirement on Medium and comply with the platform rules.
With that being said, have a good one, and thank you for reading.
I created my first TikTok video introducing my writing and publications. I hope you enjoy it and follow me on that platform too. Thank you.
Writing and Editing Update
Recently, I wrote about my stats on Medium. While my gaming article receives great views from external sources, they get very few views from Medium members.
Here is the story if you are interested in my thoughts and feelings as a writer on Medium.
I also put a few links that might have new writers to gain followers and learn from the experiences of other writers. I wish you the best in your writing career.
Top writer badges might be valuable for new writers in some topics, even though gaming and social media did not bring me new readers. I posted a video using the ideas of Dr. Yildiz and hope new writers can learn from this video or related article.
I enjoy posting a story each day. I will continue by posting one each day this month. Please feel free to join this writing challenge. I’d love to read your stories on this initiative.
Recently, I recorded and posted a video to share my progress in writing and gaming publications. If you are interested, you might watch the short video.
If you don’t have access to YouTube, you might read the transcript in the attached story.
I posted another video on YouTube about my new gaming publication on Medium. I believe you might find it helpful if you are into gaming.
My goal was to invite video gamers to join my publication as writers or readers. Please check the link to the video on Illumination’s YouTube Channel.
I look forward to collaborating with gamers and YouTubers on Medium.
If you don’t have access to YouTube, you might find the content in the transcript of the video in the attached post.
I’d appreciate your feedback and participation in this exciting initiative. My goal is to bring gaming writers and readers to one place on Medium.
In addition to supporting Illumination as a volunteer editor, I am the owner and editor of two publications on Medium. One is for YouTubers, and the other is for gamers.
I write about gaming and social media topics. You might check out some of my stories that might be interesting to you.
I enjoy informing my readers with new games, events, and deals. I hope you find some interesting stories in this list.
Sample Gaming Stories in My Collection
Hero Balance Changes Coming to Overwatch 2 Earlier Than Expected
The Original Witcher Game Is Being Remade in Unreal Engine 5
Check Out This Leaked Information on the Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring
Here’s How I Plan to Use TikTok to Grow As a Writer and Blogger
Insider Information Suggests the Apple VR/AR Headset Will Outperform the Meta Quest Pro
Check Out This New Gameplay Trailer of Need For Speed Unbound.
Check Out This New Gaming Chair Herman Miller Created in Collaboration with Logitech G
This Years Halloween Event For Rocket League Looks Better Than Expected
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Release Date And Additional Details Revealed
Free Items and Double XP Are Coming to Overwatch 2 This Month
An Interesting Pizza Related Stunt Teases Some News Regarding Crash Bandicoot
EA Is Teasing Us for a Reveal for the Next Need for Speed Game
PlayStation Announces Their Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 PS5 Bundle.
Here’s Some New Information Regarding Overwatch 2 Passive Abilities.
Logitech’s New Handheld Cloud Gaming Device Officially Announced
Avatar: The Reckoning, the MMORPG-Shooter Set on The Planet of Pandora
Untitled Captain America and Black Panther Game Teaser Revealed
Overwatch Streamer Hits the Highest Rank with a Huge Disadvantage
Recent Stories on Other Topics
If you have had similar experiences, please share.
I enjoy collaborating with writers and introducing them on YouTube. You might check this link to my collection: Meet Top Writers on YouTube. It includes introducing prolific writers of Illumination Integrated Publications on Medium in YouTube videos.
Publications I Own and Manage
Invitation: Join ILLUMINATION Gaming Publication as a Writer
Connection with Writers and Readers on Medium
I write articles in my field covering gaming, film-making, media, and design. You can subscribe to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium.
I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and participate in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace.
If you are new to Medium, you may join via my referral link.
