Marcie Taylor

Tag: youtube

  • Life Lessons from VidCon 2015

    Life Lessons from VidCon 2015

    The sixth annual VidCon may have been bigger than previous years but the vibe remained true – youthful, electric and creative! The average age of both speakers and fans must have been below 21. And it’s all good. That’s what makes VidCon unlike any other conference I’ve attended. It is a true celebration of fans and their favorites. Where else can a tween meet his or her YouTube idols face to face? The event at the Anaheim Convention Center featured panels, keynotes, signings, parties, after-parties, concerts and interactive booths on the expo floor.

    I left another wonderful year at Vidcon with some valuable takeaways. Shout out to my young friends Micaela and Charlize who helped me navigate the world of YouTube and for helping me experience VidCon with wonder and optimism.

    LIFE LESSONS

    Be Passionate. Isn’t this a lesson we should all strive to follow? When you think of the most successful YouTubers, they didn’t start out thinking of how many views they’d get or how many subscribes etc. They all started broadcasting about something they were passionate about.

    Collaborate. I love the collaborations borne out of YouTube. When two YouTubers get together it is guaranteed fun, when more than two get together, it is MAGIC.

    Here's a video featuring many YouTube stars that was created during the week of VidCon. It was shown during the Opening on the first day, hosted by Rhett and Link.

    And then there was this moment, when over 2,000 people from the YouTube community created the Largest Cellphone Wave. Participants turned on their phone flashlights and briefly held them upwards in quick succession, creating a wave of light motion.


    BEST PRACTICES
    What best practice can we glean for future conferences and shows? A lounge for everyone or so it would seem. Some of the best things about VidCon are the interactive booths on the Expo Floor - from funky photo booths to dunk tanks and other games that both the young and young at heart can enjoy. This year it was all about the "lounges."

    Consider the Parents, Chaperones and other people connected to your show attendee. VidCon provided a Parents' Lounge sponsored by Kia, which was a great idea because most of the attendees were minors.

    Provide an area where people can interact, take a break, chill.

    Like the PBS Chill Lounge which provided non-digital entertainment like cards and board games, in a conference that was all about digital. It was also cool to see creators and fans interact while charging their digital devices.

    REVELATIONS

    ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 23: YouTubers Rhett James Maclaughlan (L) and Charles Lincoln 'Link' Neal of 'Rhett and Link' perform at #VidCon at Anaheim Convention Center on July 23, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic)
    ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 23: YouTubers Rhett James Maclaughlan (L) and Charles Lincoln 'Link' Neal of 'Rhett and Link' perform at #VidCon at Anaheim Convention Center on July 23, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic)

    As if you didn't know the future is all about video, and it's all happening in the mobile space.

    Here are some statistics provided by YouTube:

    •Growth in watch time on YouTube has accelerated and is now up over 60% year over year, the fastest growth rate we've seen in two years.

    •The number of users coming to YouTube who start at the YouTube homepage, similar to the way they might turn on their TV, is up over three times year on year.

    •The amount of content uploaded to YouTube has grown over the last year, too, with more than 400 hours uploaded every single minute.

    •The number of people watching YouTube per day is up 40% year over year since March 2014

    •The number of users coming to YouTube who start at the YouTube homepage, similar to the way they might turn on their TV, is up over three times year on year.

    •More than half of YouTube views come from mobile devices. More than half of our watchtime comes from mobile devices.

    •YouTube overall, and even YouTube on mobile alone, reaches more 18-34 and 18-49 year-olds than any cable network in the U.S.

    Finally, some words of wisdom from Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube “I want to leave you all with one final message: YouTube succeeds only if you, our creators, succeed. You’re the reason that we’re all here today; you’re the reason that VidCon exists in the first place. All of you have invested in building your channels, building your businesses, listening viewer feedback, pored over your analytics and as a result, made great content and built strong communities.”

    ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 23: Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube delivers her keynote at #VidCon at Anaheim Convention Center on July 23, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic)
    ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 23: Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube delivers her keynote at #VidCon at Anaheim Convention Center on July 23, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic)
  • How To Go Viral – a lesson from VidCon

    How To Go Viral – a lesson from VidCon

    As a social media manager and content creator, one of the most important insights I took away from Vidcon was this: People share a post, blog link, image or video in order to express who they are. When creating content, ask yourself, what will your video or piece of content say about yourself, about your audience?

    ARE YOU A CAT-LOVER?

    http://youtu.be/eZygpaAJjCA

    http://youtu.be/mg1H8gf6jms

    DO YOU LIKE INSPIRING COMMERCIALS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES? DO YOU LIKE TO CRY?

    http://youtu.be/JPOVwKPMG8o

    CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF “FROZEN” COVERS?”

    These are videos that have “Gone Viral” that elusive quality that Brands and Companies demand of their agencies and social media managers. But believe me, it’s hard to “make” something go viral. It is something that just happens, when the right content hits the right audience at the right time. Something else I learned from Vidcon – There is no secret sauce to viral.
    “Virality is not number of views, but going beyond core audience,” said Henry Reich of Minute Physics, who have their fair share of viral videos about science!

    In the end, one must just keep making great content that people will want to share. Note that your core audience will always want to share your content – they are your fans and subscribers, after all. It’s when your video or content is shared beyond this core audience that you hit viral pay dirt.

    Featured Cat Photo Via Photo Pin
    photo credit: RTD Photography via photopin cc

  • Meeting Grumpy Cat at VidCon

    Meeting Grumpy Cat at VidCon

    It’s been 10 days or so since VidCon 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center and I am still feeling inspired! As “cons” go, I I think VidCon is the most fun and educational! Sure there were thousands of screaming teen fans and the lines were massive but it was also cool to walk among so many creative minds of all ages. Thanks to YouTube, anyone can communicate, entertain and inspire through online video. The halls of Anaheim Convention Center were filled with this pioneer spirit.

    I met Grumpy Cat and interviewed the Fine Brothers. I missed the keynote by VidCon founders John and Hank Green, the former currently enjoying mainstream fame as the author of the book upon which the hit movie “The Fault Is In Our Stars.” Of course, YouTubers know them as the Vlog Brothers. But I learned a lot from the panel discussions and Q & A sessions which I will share with you in future blog posts.

    For now, I have to tell you about The Friskies competition. Because CATS.

    Friskies Spokescat Grumpy Cat and Internet Celebrities The Fine Bros. Kick Off the 3rd Annual “The Friskies”; the Renowned Awards for Best Internet Cat Videos of the Year. The announcement was held at the Arena during Day 2 VidCon and people went WILD. After Grumpy Cat went on stage to make her appearance, I was lucky enough to be one of a few members of the press who got to meet the cat-superstar in person!

    But even more interesting, I got to interview online content producers extraordinaire Benny and Rafi Fine aka the Fine Brothers, known mostly for their successful viral video series “Kids React” Blog post to follow!

    Here’s the latest Kids React video:

    Back to the Friskies Contest:

    Now through July 21, 2014, cat video creators are encouraged to capture their cat’s funny, strange, cute and epic moments and enter “The Friskies” at www.TheFriskies.com, Vine or Instagram for the opportunity to win a cash prize up to $25,000.

    “Cat videos have become a pillar of online pop culture,” said Shaun Belongie, Friskies Senior Brand Manager. “We started ‘The Friskies’ in 2012 because we thought it was time for cat videos to be recognized and validated as an art form and we’re thrilled to celebrate the phenomenon of cat videos and the cats who inspire them for the third year in a row.”

    Cat video creators can upload videos up to one minute in length at www.TheFriskies.com, or on Instagram and Vine, in one of four categories – Funny, Res-cute, Epic and Strange. If submitting a cat video on Instagram or Vine, use the hashtag #TheFriskies and the category hashtag that the video falls under – #Funny, #Rescute, #Strange or #Epic – to make sure the video is properly submitted.

    The category captains, who also happen to be famous YouTubers, Grace Helbig (#funny), Jesse Wellens and NylahKitty (#rescute), Will Braden and Henri Le Chat Noir (#strange), and Zach King (#Epic)will help review all entries and narrow them down to 12 finalists, three in each of the four categories. The finalists will be announced on August 11, 2014. Fans will then be able to vote (limit one vote per entry per person per day) for their favorite video online at www.TheFriskies.com from August 11 to September 8, 2014. During the voting phase, consumers can help raise money and food for shelter organizations. Every vote equals one can of Friskies wet cat food donated to 10 select shelter partners, up to 250,000 cans. Additionally, with direction from category captains Friskies will donate over $20,000 to partnering shelters.
    For more info, visit www.TheFriskies.com

    Related articles

    • Music Monday: 1st YouTube Music Awards Misses the Mark

      youtube_music_awards_2013

      The first You Tube Music Awards was held on Sunday – live from New York! – and I must say it was a bit of a let-down.  It was chaotic, to be sure, but it was also boring and contrived. The numbers don’t lie – only over 177,000 were tuned into the worldwide live stream by Eminem’s performance.  I mean, this is YouTube people, where a husky like Mishka can generate a couple of million views just by barking “I love you,” in dog language!

      I have to say I had high hopes for the #YTMA especially with the Jason Schwartzman videos before the awards.

      Like this

       

      And this:
      YTMA: Volcano

      Alas, when the performers were revealed I shoulda’ known. I mean, with the exception of  violinist Lindsey Stirling, Walk off the Earth and CDZA, the lineup read like any old Grammy/MTV -commercial type stuff that you can find on commercial TV and radio — I mean Gaga? Eminem? What was the point of the YouTube Music Awards again?

      Oh yeah, YOU, the viewer. That’s me, that’s my kids who can rattle off YouTube stars that would’ve done a better job at producing and pulling off a more creative and engaging Awards show. At least that’s what they said… this is for you and judged by you. But hey if it’s all just about voting, that’s nothing new. American Idol, The Voice and the like have pulled that off many times and have done a better job of it too.

      For me, the YouTube Music Awards missed the mark because it tried to appear creative when really it was just gimmicky. It tried to be international – hey come on, didn’t Korean Pop (K-Pop) girl group Girls’ Generation beat Justin Bieber! But really it was sad but guess what there’s always next year.

      As for Jason Schwartzman and Reggie Watts, thanks for trying. I’m sorry you had to get covered in face paint and dig through cakes to get the winners names – what??! And hold babies.

      Jason Schwartzman | YTMA

      Lastly, I think the YouTube Music Awards would’ve benefitted from a solid social media strategy that should’ve started months ago (as opposed to a month ago, when the first promo videos were uploaded). I think they should’ve partnered with their YouTube creators and their communities, who would’ve given them solid creative ideas – and probably with a smaller budget too! Spike Jonze’s live videos were an interesting concept but were just not too cool, except of you like seeing Vanessa Hudgens’ get beat up.

      Here’s one YouTuber’s review that totally hits the spot. Note: He has over 1 million subscribers.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK4oOVOoZL8

    • Not Your Mama’s Tupperware Party

      Drag queen Tupperware party may sound odd but that’s exactly the kind of party I hosted last weekend. I met Kay Sedia aka Oscar at another Tupperware party because that’s how these house parties work.

      Kay’s appearance on the reality show “Real Housewives of Orange County” has made her famous beyond the Tupperware circuit. But she’s actually been a Tupperware consultant for 11 years!

      The mini show is a hilarious stand up comedy act interspersed with jokes and catalog numbers for specific Tupperware items.

      When attending be prepared to laugh and buy stuff…Kay does an excellent job of demonstrating products so that at the end of the show you are convinced this is something you Must have.

      Here are some Tupperware Testimonials from guests at my party “Not Your Mama’s Tupperware Party.”