So Who Is Inspiring the Tweens to Vlog?

If you are the parent of a Tween and you have noticed them talking to themselves and making weird facial and hand movements very animatedly into a device, the chances are you have a Vlogger in your midst.

That is, of course, if they are not just taking a selfie!

So for ease, I am going to start with a couple of definitions.

Tween – a girl ages about 9-14…too old for toys, but too young for boys.

Very easy to market to, will usually follow any fashion trend set for them, will most likely go through the phase of ‘finding themselves’ as they ‘grow up’.

Vlogger – Video Blogger – One who records a video blog.

A vlog or video blog is a blog (short for weblog) which uses video as the primary content  A video logger who creates video content about their life and travels!

Source : Urban Dictionary

Has the world gone mad I hear you cry.  First Blogging and now Vlogging!

I may be preaching to the wise and converted here but for those of you that are wondering what it’s all about, I am about to explain my findings.

I thought this would be useful for parents, who like myself, find themselves and their daughters becoming a part of this ever growing phenomenon.

So, as a Blogger myself who comes into regular contact with Vlogs, Vloggers and Vlogging, I thought I would take a peek into the world of the Vloggers and Bloggers that are capturing the attention and imagination of our Tween’s.

As a parent of a 10 year old daughter, as well as being interested in finding out more about these Vloggers, I also have one eye on my daughter’s safety online and the other on making sure that she is viewing appropriate content.

So first up – the lovely Zoella (Zoe Sugg).

I would be surprised if you haven’t heard of her.  You may not have seen her channel but she is often in the news and is always very prominent in the Tween magazines along with her fellow Vloggers.

Zoella reached the milestone of having 10 million subscribers to her You Tube channel this year.  Starting as an accidental Blogger five years ago at the age of  19, Zoella now has a very successful career as a professional Blogger and Vlogger.

As you may or may not know, one can earn money from V(B)logging through brand sponsorship and endorsement as well as from launching their own product ranges and public appearances to list but a few sources of income.

Zoella has had several books published and as I understand it (!) part of the appeal is that she is part of a group of Vloggers and Bloggers that are friends.

I have read the blog and seen her You Tube channel.  The content is varied and covers everything from days out to hair do’s, make-up & skincare tutorials, recipes, friendships, girly stuff, pets and having fun.

Zoella is very sweet in a girl next door kind of way.  She is also squeaky clean which is a thumbs up for parents and she is also very likeable.  Not a bad role model to have in my opinion. She is also very successful through her own sheer hard work.   Another positive.

Some other facts :

Brighton seems to be the mecca for these Vloggers with some of them being based there.

You will also come across the ‘haul’ trend

Haul – a shopping spree

a vlog titled “Makeup Haul” or “(Store Name) Haul” is a video showing a shopping spree in that given area, showing products or clothing that will usually be featured in future How To, or tutorial videos

Source : Urban Dictionary

Of course any ‘haul’ is mainly going to be brand endorsement or sponsorship and is therefore marketing by definition but we have had no demands for purchases made as a result of this.  Also very important when the pound is in the hand of the parent.

Here are some of the other VFFs (Vlogging Friends Forever) who you may stumble upon.

• Zoella’s boyfriend, Alfie Deyes (Pointless Blog) is also a Vlogger
• Her brother, Joe Zugg (Thatcher Joe)
• Marcus Butler (Alfie Deyes friend)
• Tanya Burr (Zoella’s friend)
• Jim Chapman (Tanya Burr’s boyfriend)
• Louise Pentland (Zoella’s bestie) SprinkleofGlitter
• Caspar Lee (Friend and former flatmate of Alfie Deyes)

And here is Zoella on her You Tube channel with some of her VFFs in case you have no idea of what I am talking about.

 

So What Is The Appeal?

I took the opportunity of asking my daughter this question and I was really interested in the answer.  Obviously I know why people Blog and Vlog in the adult world and why people follow them but the younger Vloggers have been a bit of a grey area for me up until now.

I wanted to understand

Q    Why the appeal?

A    Zoella is likeable, relatable and homely

Q    Do you feel you have to buy/have the things she talks about?

A     Of course not

What Does Mum Think?

From what I can see with my mummy head on, it’s all harmless fun and entertainment.

There is always lots of laughter when Zoella is on and it’s really no different from watching the TV or reading a book to an extent.

Obviously it can be addictive viewing which we will always monitor.

And then there is the marketing element which is, unfortunately, going to be present wherever the kids are looking and watching and there will naturally be some kind of influence.  Thus far I don’t feel that this has been a problem.  Nor does it mean we have to rise to it. What I have seen my daughter and her friends do in this regard is to create their own haul with their own little products.

Any Vlogging that is done by my Tween is monitored and will only be shareable amongst those that we know.  I am mindful that this point in particular is a bit of a moveable feast but our current parental control settings don’t even allow access to Amazon!  We are all over that one.  For obvious reasons.

All in all, I’m liking what I’m seeing.

And Finally!

I would just like to add that we had the fruit picking idea first (*BAE) but I am happy to concede that any future visit to Brighton will be solely for the purpose of being groupies.  I have no choice but to #hashtag along – really!

I can also testify that Tanya Burr’s Chocolate Cornflake Cookies are divine and if this cooking behaviour continues then I would be a fool to complain.

What Are Your Thoughts?

Are you familiar with this crowd and the world of Vlogging?  If not, I hope this post has helped and I would love to hear your thoughts.

And, if you are already converted “we’ll see ya in Brighton with your haul”!

Nicky

 

*Before anyone else!!!!

 

Carrier Bag Etiquette

Is it just me or does anyone else begrudge paying for carrier bags?

In fact, not only do I begrudge paying for them but I try to do the most ridiculous stunts not to pay for them and I really don’t know why.

I imagine I am going to be in the minority here on this one given that I am going to appear like an anti-recycling campaigner – although this is not actually the case.

It would probably be helpful if I pointed out at this stage that I am just not a Bag for Life kind of woman. The hessian and plastic ones do nothing for me I’m afraid. I wouldn’t go and buy a handbag with a ladybird or an apple on it so why would I do my shopping in one.

‘Self-Checkout’

This behaviour does carry a certain amount of shame with it. This is particularly prevalent when one comes to the till and there is not a bag in sight. There is always the cashier that asks very accusingly “Do you need bags?” Shudder. “Yes please” I say feeling like I’ve got 10 oranges stuffed down my bra hoping not to pay for them. Worse still is when they don’t say anything. There is a stand-off silence as your weeks shopping flies down the conveyor belt and it’s like the cashier is daring you to mention it. When you do ask you generally get two bags, just the two and then like a fool you try to stuff everything in them.

And then of course comes M&S. He who dares to be the market leader in charging 5p for a bag. Now in the great scheme of things what is 5p when you are spending £25? Peanuts really but it’s the principle as far as I am concerned and every time I get to the checkout, I remember and off I go all indignant because I am not paying for a bag. Why, what is wrong with me – it’s 5p for god’s sake but no I am going to single-handedly try to pack all that shopping into the small free bags. Now that really makes sense, for me and for them because I’m sure 7 small bags cost more than a 5p one and what about the recycling of that little lot. I would rather they put their prices up to take care of the 5p or ditch the bags altogether.

The Offending Article

In fact, I’m so over the whole 5p separate transaction scenario. If you go to a self-checkout you even have to tell the computer which bag you are having. This really beats me. Especially when there are no bags in sight and you have yet another reason to need the assistance of a member of staff and hold up the express queue.

My recent stunt really took the biscuit though. There I was with 5 Sainsbury bags when suddenly I realised I needed food from Marks & Spencer. What a perfect situation! I am prepared, I want for nothing, I need NO bags. Wrong! In typical fashion, I couldn’t get everything in. The very helpful assistant asks if I would like a bag, “no thanks” I say whilst at the same time putting the remaining tin of Tuna in my handbag. I really couldn’t believe I was doing this. But I did and lo and behold the very next day I reached into my bag for something and pulled out a tin of Tuna. Who in their right mind puts Tuna in their hand bag? Me, it would seem!!!

So we’ve done the bags we have to pay for, so who gets the award for the worst bag you have to pay for, with the most cheek to boot? £48.00 spent in W H Smith and you have to buy a bag whose handles are so thin they snap immediately and if they don’t, they do a very good job of slitting your wrists before you have made it home.

Maybe France has got this bag thing right. If you don’t bring a bag, you’ve had it. Annoyingly we did have the bags but unfortunately they were in the car and I was on my own. Even more annoying was the fact that you can’t take the trolley out of the supermarket. Now even I have to draw the line somewhere and there was no way I was going to load myself up with cheese and wine “Crackerjack” style and wobble out of Carrefour like Carmen Miranda.

The Struggle

If you have read have read my experience of providing samples in France https://notjustthe3ofus.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/how-to-do-a-sample/ you will understand my reluctance to try to attempt too many stunts during one holiday.

Is anyone with me on this one?

Nicky x