Twerking is one those words where the dominate culture slapped a meaning on to the dance and thought it discovered something new.
Videoblogging is not quite as physical as twerking but multiple meanings are being applied beyond what I believe the original generation of the term.
So let's look back and then move forward.
Text Bloggers
Content ranges from personal narratives, to instruction, outreach, creativity and yes there was advertising, marketing and a couple of folks doing a slow grind up against the wall.
Photo Bloggers
Then you had the photobloggers that just uploaded photos to their blog. Or those that uploaded and had a narrative about the photo. Or used photography to instruct, outreach, be creative and show exactly who or what was grinding up against the wall. I will not dismiss the impact of sexual content on the Internet and in blogs. It fueled a lot of innovation.
In the other corner, are the advertisers, marketers and profiteers.
Audio and Videoblogging
Both types of blogs arrived at roughly at the same time with the same processes and motivation of the two prior groups. There were talking head personal narrative videos, travel videologs, cooking vlogs, teaching vlogs, fashion and you name videoblogs it it appeared on Daily Motion, Blip.tv, Vimeo and YouTube.
And yes, there were advertisers, marketers, and profiteers using the name of videoblogging to attempt disguise a commercial or selling opportunity.
Not much has change expect there has been another word appropriation called storytelling. The fiction that is being spun is that if you get the viewer emotionally engaged and create a relationship they will give you money no matter if they need the product or not.
This is a commercial for Bell's Scotch Whiskey.
For the record, I think this is a beautiful ad. It is loving shot and performed. I will stand behind almost anything that promotes literacy and reading.
I'm not buying that liquor. One, I don't like whiskey or most hard liquors. Two, although I like and appreciate the commercial there is a part of me that feels manipulated. Not in a bad way but I know or sense that somebody is trying to influence me. I have to separate the intent of the ad (to buy liquor) from the narrative of the ad (a father's journey to read.)
Will I tell people about the ad? Yes, if it is appropriate (like right now.).
What does this have to do with videoblogging? Many people are being told that if they tell the story of their product or service in an engaging way they will reap profits with hand over fist money.
This is an excerpt from some instructions on how to use videoblogging for profit:
Now imaging your product parading in all it’s royalty through (sic) videoblog. You’ll get phone call orders in no time.
If your business is just starting up, you can create a videoblog right at your own home. All you need is your web camera, microphone, video software, and lights. For as long as you know how to use your camera, then you can create a videoblog.
Nothing untrue in that statement; you can have a videoblog in two shakes of a lamb's tail. It does not mean that you have the skill to sell your goods, services or product.
And even if you have skills that doesn't mean I'll come running with cash money to your site.
Because if the above ad can't move me to by a product that would turn my tummy sideways why do you think I would watch your one slide with audio PowerPoint video? Or your plea to buy, buy now, buy now or die knowing that you let this deal go by?
So. Here we are. The carpetbaggers are still running around giving misinformation. People who have a real product or service that they would like to promote using video will have to do extra due diligence not to be sold swap dust.
And videoblogging, in all of it various forms; including those that are adding new bumps to the grind, are doing just fine.
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