Feedback Needed Vlogging whilst Volunteering. Is Self Serving, ok?

[City Bob]

Hi all,

I volunteer to deliver donated PPE to front line workers, and have made 5 runs so far but only posted 1. Part of it is tech issues, the other part is a feeling of, is this self serving - and therefore a bit taboo?

Its a great chance to film, ride and do something great all in one. But, like those celebrates that post their faces over charity events just to be "look at me", and I, negating or diluting my contribution but gaining youtube content?

I will continue to conduct myself as I feel comfortable, but I was keen on your opinions.
Should I, or shouldnt I vlog when doing volunteering runs? Should I limit it to the odd few and not every one? Should I only do it on certain runs, such as hospital or care home deliveries instead of residential drop offs (residential drops offs in normally to nurses home addresses who take the PPE packages into work with them for themselves and their colleagues.. I always try to keep the home addresses private and even put in some red herein footage of a random street or 2 no where near the persons address to help keep that persons address anonymous, as well as blur out / cover up / fake house numbers and street names)

So - Thoughts?

Here is the video of the first volunteering run I did, and the only one I have posted.

 

[WEB]

Ahhhhh interesting topic. Very interesting.

I don't think that anybody except for you can answer your questions.

What is your motivation for making the video itself? Is it for the love of making the video, the art of doing it, or are you only doing it as you think it'll get on the algorithm and you'll be blasted into stardom?

See - here's the thing. It doesn't matter what your answer to that question is. Both are completely valid ways of doing things. There is nothing wrong with making videos with the aim of being self serving in order to attempt to blast yourself into stardom, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are doing exactly that right now. Not only YouTube... Instagram, Facebook, you name it - pure self serving bullshit, promotion is everything and the motivation behind it doesn't matter. 99% of people are people are wasting their time... and that is perfectly fine - there is absolutely nothing with being yet another brick in the wall. Hell, if someones influences in life (seeing successful YouTubers with the same shit thumbnail which is 75% their head) then of course they're going to try and imitate what (they see) as success - but if -everybody- starts doing it, well...

So that's what you need to ask yourself - what's the motivation behind it? I (reading between the lines) see this post as...If you're somewhat battling with it internally as you're worried people will see you as a fraud with this style of video. Maybe they will, maybe they won't.... does it really matter? I'd throw it out there and see how it sticks.... not to see how other people react to it, but to see how you feel about it... and that'll answer your questions.

 

[City Bob]

"blast yourself into stardom" that sentence alone is enough to get my anxiety going! Not sure thats ever been my aim, I would, certainly love to get to a certain level, but as for "stardom" I'm not sure thats one of my desirable's!

I'm non too worried, nor struggling with the concept of being self serving. I first started volunteering because I wanted too. Vlogging whilst doing it didnt cross my mind until much later. However, Volunteering is still self serving itself, I guess. You get a good feeling from doing it. Self serving? I get an excuse to ride (self serving?) I use a lot of my personal time, but I also get volunteering days off work, so rather than sit at my desk I can get out and ride and deliver the gear, that of course, is also self serving.

As you say, I thought it an interesting topic so am interested in engaging with you guys to see thoughts were on vloggin such things. As mentioned above, I will conduct myself as I feel comfortable, however, If the response here was an overwhelming negative one, I would take that into consideration and possibly modify my actions accordingly.

Its great to see your views, they seem fairly similar to my own. Everyone is doing it, from a Celebrity adding their name behind a charity to get the "look at me", The charity still gains from the exposure. Same as If I Vlog on volunteering, and I benefit from creating a good video, the PPE gear still got to the frontline staff.

My motivation on making the volunteering vlog, was a simple one. I am going out to ride, so lets film. It did cross my mind that I am in a position to make a video which might be of interest and do rather well, even if it didnt actually do as well as I thought it perhaps might. Who knows, its still early days. I really enjoyed editing that video over others I've done. It was one of my best flowing with a lot that happened during the ride. It almost makes itself, the scenario is already there. How many motovloggers suffer from writers block, not knowing what to say that they havent said before, or film something different? Its a organic subject rather than having to go out and create a scenario to vlog on (if that makes sense?)

 

[LoneWolfer]

If you enjoy vlogging about your volunteer work then make 'em! Share your joy of giving to your community if you want to share that joy.

If you happen to gain traction on youtube from the volunterr work you are doing, then that is just icing on the cake. Does not sound to me like you are doing this for the exposure, but rather the exposure that might come will be a nice side effect.

My suggestion would be to discuss with the folks you are delivery to if they object or if they want to to participate in your vlogs. You might find people want to share their stoeirs, and isn't that why most of us post on youtube?

 

[TBRD]

This is a great topic. I agree that it comes back to your comfort level. I don't think I would see it as a "look at me" unless you were acting that way in the video which I sincerely doubt you or most people would. Good on you for helping out during this crazy time. If you are shooting and like the footage, I say go for it!

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Vlogging is vlogging.... the cause for you boing on your bike is not really relevant. If folk enjoy watching you deliver PPE or whatever, then let them.
Personally I don't watch any couriers, of parcel force, or postie delivery channels... I watch motovloggers. We are all very different, so make vids of your rides when you want to do so. I am not sure how it could be used as a way to take advantage as I am not sure how many folk search YouTube looking for PPE delivery videos. Way I see it is just make entertaining vids, and if you happen to be on a PPE run, cool.... but the important thing is to make an entertaining vid IMO

 

[City Bob]

My suggestion would be to discuss with the folks you are delivery to if they object or if they want to to participate in your vlogs. You might find people want to share their stoeirs, and isn't that why most of us post on youtube?

Thats a good idea, I didnt think to ask if others want to participate, I normally just dont show many others - but "an interview" with another rider might be cool.

unless you were acting that way

only sometimes.... hahaha

Vlogging is vlogging.... the cause for you boing on your bike is not really relevant. If folk enjoy watching you deliver PPE or whatever, then let them.
Personally I don't watch any couriers, of parcel force, or postie delivery channels... I watch motovloggers. We are all very different, so make vids of your rides when you want to do so. I am not sure how it could be used as a way to take advantage as I am not sure how many folk search YouTube looking for PPE delivery videos. Way I see it is just make entertaining vids, and if you happen to be on a PPE run, cool.... but the important thing is to make an entertaining vid IMO

I do feel like a uber eats rider sometimes haha. You're right, no ones is searching or looking for PPE delivery videos. I can see that by the numbers lol. But, I did enjoy making it to its cool. If people watch it then great if not, then hey, i think it was a great video as you say, motovlogging is motovlogging and as so happns a lot did happen on that ride! - not all of it made it into the video though