Behold!
Transcript:
Sings: Video Monday, video Monday, it’s a Monday so here’s a video!
So I know I’ve been talking a lot about the story, content, offer blog format but this whole kind of idea and formula fascinates me, so I’m probably going to talk about it a lot. I tend to talk possibly too much about the things that fascinate me, but there you go.
Specifically about the context, the story part, but the context that gets baked into these things that make it more interesting. And I was thinking about this today because… I have the Futurama animated show on DVDs and I watch it a lot because it’s my favorite show, so I guess that makes sense. But there was an episode on that wasn’t that great. There frankly were lots of episodes of that show that aren’t terrific. Some of them are just not funny. It’s a comedy and there are episodes that there’s nothing funny in them.
But why do I still watch them? Why do I watch the episodes that aren’t so great still? And it is the context, it’s the characters. Even if what the characters are saying isn’t terribly funny this episode, the fact that I get to spend a little bit more time with those characters is interesting. I just like to do that.
So you know, if you’re a blogger, like lifestyle bloggers have this advantage to some extent that because we know so much about them, because there is context there and we are familiar with these characters, even if they write a post that’s not particularly interesting, there can be just complete minutia that isn’t terribly compelling, we’re learning a little bit more about this person and we’re getting to spend a little bit more time with them and that’s okay, that’s good enough.
So I just wanted to kind of, and maybe we can have some discussion about this in the comments about how it’s not so terrifically difficult to do if you are that kind of… if you’re an Apple TV ad, you have a lot of time, in 15-30 second increments, and you have a medium that allows you to kind of show more of a character. You know, build in more context to these things. So that even if a specific Apple ad isn’t terrifically funny, you know the characters, you enjoy spending time with them, and there’s a big advantage to that.
But if you’re just doing you know, a marketing blog, or a corporate blog or something like that, how do you bake in context to that? How do you reveal a little bit more of yourself into that? How do you make it more compelling if what’s being said isn’t always you know, great, interesting, insightful stuff, why would someone still want to read it?
And a lot of that just is revealing a bit more of yourself, having interesting, having stability to them. There’s something about them you can always expect. Okay, what he or she is writing this time isn’t awesome, but there’s a familiarity there. There’s something that will always make you interested to read it even if what’s being said isn’t brilliant every time.
So I’m not sure then if what you’re writing isn’t terribly not interesting, how do you make it a little bit more, how do you bake in context? How do you get that problem solved? So maybe Video Mondays in the future will talk about that, maybe the posts throughout the week. Anyway, that’s Video Monday, bye.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
one comment: I think you watch, or stick with a show/blog/etc. because you've invested time and effort as a result of something about the "story" that appealed to you. You watch/read/check out every episode because you know, even if sometimes there is one that is "not good", the next one can or may be.
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This term, "baking in" – it's tiresome. Some marketing ad phrase from you agency people I take it
That was more or less my point
Perhaps I could have been more clear.
As far as "ad phrases" from "agency people" that "tire you"… Well, read at your own peril. This is how I read/speak. The term makes sense to me and I'm going to keep using it.
No matter what the subject I believe you can build in context by having a solid character behind the words. In storytelling you need to ensure that each character is unique and is three dimensional.
In real life (eg. writing a marketing blog) the best way to do this is be yourself, use your own language, speak freely and not being afraid of having an unpopular opinion. Doing this can separate your voice from the noise.
Your repeat viewers will enjoy this consistency and will encourage them to come back.
Great points, Steve! And thanks for reading/watching!
And just another point on what Anon said, I was had referenced a show I own on DVD, and one that's cancelled (for now). But I, and other fans, watch episodes over again that aren't very good. The promise that the next one might be isn't as relevant, as we're choosing to watch a sub-par one now. Why? Because I want a little bit more story, a little bit more time with the characters. Just a bit more… context.
the getting to "spend more time" with characters we like bit made a lot of sense to me, good way of wording it. Even the less great parts of the story are still parts of the story.
Thanks Ian!
Hey Joel,
I think Video Monday is a rocking idea. Plus I love the jingle.
I agree with your reference to the characters in the "story" of blogging. It's a way for people to get to know the person behind the blog. Sure the words on the virtual page can be funny, witty, entertaining. But the really entertaining blogs allow us to get to know the person behind the words, or in your case the camera.
And I like your reference to baking.. having a solid character and getting to know them is a big part of the huge mixture that makes up successful blogs.
Personally, I am struggling with my own blog and it's story (and some days the character!) but I'll get there!
I just made a journalistic blunder there… I meant to type 'its' story, not it's. Ew! haha
Thank you Kathy!
Blogs are definitely more interesting when there's something deeper to them, and I'm currently wondering myself about how you take an existing blog and begin to build more context into it. It's an interesting challenge for sure!