Blah Blah NATALIE TRAN

Natalie Tran


Here are the facts:
She is a 25 year old Sydneyite.
She is a vlogger.
She has her own YouTube channel communitychannel
She creates videos about her life from her parents home.


Don’t know her? YOU SHOULD! SHE IS THE YOUTUBE QUEEN


Natalie Tran’s channel is the most subscribed to of all time by Australian users.
That’s 23rd most subscribed of all time in YouTube.
And 7th most subscribed worldwide.


So whats all the fuss about? Realistically I don’t think her videos are anything amazing, she has hundreds of videos that have been viewed millions of times…. Endoweding her as “comedic skits about her everyday life”… However, her success has been based on her ability to connect with people…. And I mean really connect…. That means entertainment without sex appeal and an underlying message.


….without a message? No that doesn’t mean she doesn’t advertise, in fact she is one of 10 independent YouTube stars around the world that makes more than US$100,000 from her site. Just take a look at the IKEA ads all over her page.


So my question is, why is Natalie Tran of such interest to the world? Personally I don't find her particularly interesting but from 52+ million views her YouTube channel gets somebody out there does....

Blah Blah BARBIE

As the corporate world seem to struggle with the world of social media, it seems as though tools such as Facebook and Twitter have proven to be invaluable to not-for-profit organizations.

Why? For me, it comes down a few things:

-          Firstly, how many people do you know that would publically say something bad about a not-for-profit? Not many… for the fact that there is very little ‘bad’ press that follows these types of organizations means that they are more adventurous when getting online

-          It is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP – for organizations that rely on the charity of others to function, social media allows them to get out there without the cost that is attached

-          Not-for-profits are about spreading the word…. Going viral is the best way to create ‘buzz’ about what you do, to create a following and allow organisations to connect with people in the wider community

So can social media save the world???

Greenpeace are sure proving it can! Not afraid to rustle the feathers of some big companies, they have made a giant splash online. Their most recent campaign is a series of animated videos that depicts The Break Up of Ken and ‘Bulldozer’ Barbie…. A viral Greenpeace campaign based on raising awareness on Mattel’s destruction of the Indonesian rainforests for toy packaging.

Greenpeace have a website dedicated to the cause, outlining a storyline of the very emotional and public break up of the pair – in addition to creating a Twitter account for Ken as he details on video how his perfect partner has become an environmental wrecker.

Some might think this whole thing seems a little bizarre, but Greenpeace have proved being quirky works. Last year they launched the ‘Kit Kat Killer’ campaign on a similar issue that instigated action by Nestle to stop using products that came from rainforest destruction.

Personally I think the Greenpeace has made an important issue approachable for the masses… in a most HILARIOUS way! And they have kept their followers engaged in the issues by asking them to ‘unlike’ Mattel and write letters to the CEO, instead of pushing consumers to boycott products. They use social media to instigate social action in a very witty way.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Greenpeace are Barbie-bashing and people are missing the point? Or is Ken right to not to date a girl that’s into deforestation?  

Blah Blah BLOGS

Yes, it has finally happened - I have become a contributing member to the world of blogging! It completely scares me – talking to a friend and posting your thoughts online are two very different things! I mean I'm putting my opinions up for the people of the world to discuss, comment and even criticize. So why do it?


For my first post I thought why not start here.... What's the deal with blogs anyway?


Social media has opened the door to an era of self promotion where people 'brand themselves’ proclaiming who they are and what they stand for in an online forum. Just like in the real world, individuals are differentiating themselves on the internet – by what network they join, who their friends are, what they like and what information they choose to share with the people they are connected to.


Many of my friends have started blogs and swear by them – they see them as a way to express yourself, share your passions and maintain your views and opinions about your world. I guess this is the difference isn’t it, social media has joined people based on the details of their ‘own worlds’, with blogs the tools that instigate conversation.


In my opinion what being online converts to is a battle for credibility. Rather than just using social media to share the details of our lives with others, we vie for the approval of our circles, our friends, and our followers. It’s about doing what’s cool before its cool, being the first to circulate a funny video or starting a group that sparks the interest of millions of people around the world.


....and social media marketing takes advantage of this, leveraging the power of a single persons opinion, creating market value for fans, and utilising the ‘network effect’ to the benefit of millions of companies around the globe.


So I guess in this aspect when it comes to blogging we should be asking why not?


Over the next 13 weeks I aim to understand the phenomenon of social media marketing.... and maybe even decipher some of the online chatter.


So let’s get to gabbing....... why do you blog and why do you follow others online?