Are these sorts of articles the result of a PR pitch? Almost certainly. (Probably most company profiles are.)
I'm also a bit cynical about MasterClass specifically. "Let's have a celebrity teach a class in some topic that doesn't really lend itself to seriously learning from a video.
That said, this particular article is fairly interesting. Even if MasterClass doesn't especially interest me, it obviously interests a fair number of people.
Honestly their content isn’t even that good. I got subscription for the year and I won’t bother renewing. The production quality is great, but the content is really hit and miss. I think they should probably be more selective with their courses.
Though I do think Neil Gaimans class was good (he actually teaches at university course) so if you were an aspiring fiction writer I would recommend it...but maybe not for $100. When your not getting any kind of feedback or community it just doesn’t seem worth it to me.
I tend to agree with this statement. Especially considering how often their - quite clearly expensive - advertisements show up. I'm almost certain anyone in the USA on Instagram has seen their ads, but I'd be surprised if many recognize their name or what they actually do.
It's only usefull if you are a big fan of a particular celebrity.
It's not usefull as learning material, as an exemple, the singing 'class' say to go search youtube to find the lessons you need instead of giving step instructions.
They have very good marketing and they must spend a lot on advertising.
With the platform they have, I hope the next step is for them to double-down on the learning part.
Most videos are basically expensive autobiographical documentaries that, as you mention, are compelling if you like the celebrity, but if the lean in to the real meat of the learning that they can offer, then a couple hundred a year pays for itself multiple times over
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Is this organic, or a marketing investment?
Feels like there's been a few of these PR articles recently.
I'm also a bit cynical about MasterClass specifically. "Let's have a celebrity teach a class in some topic that doesn't really lend itself to seriously learning from a video.
That said, this particular article is fairly interesting. Even if MasterClass doesn't especially interest me, it obviously interests a fair number of people.
Though I do think Neil Gaimans class was good (he actually teaches at university course) so if you were an aspiring fiction writer I would recommend it...but maybe not for $100. When your not getting any kind of feedback or community it just doesn’t seem worth it to me.
It's only usefull if you are a big fan of a particular celebrity.
It's not usefull as learning material, as an exemple, the singing 'class' say to go search youtube to find the lessons you need instead of giving step instructions.
They have very good marketing and they must spend a lot on advertising.
Most videos are basically expensive autobiographical documentaries that, as you mention, are compelling if you like the celebrity, but if the lean in to the real meat of the learning that they can offer, then a couple hundred a year pays for itself multiple times over