Pipe youTubes, Mostly Not Good Enough

Someone recently posted a youTube review by Dion of Russ' Fire Storm blend, and it was really good. He obviously outlines his presentation and maybe even rehearses them, and this shows in the results, and I congratulate him. The majority of pipe youTubes are not so good. Many have worthwhile content but stretch the presentation twice what it needs to be for lack of planning. Worse, many of the presenters hem and haw, light their pipes and fiddle with them, swallow, wheeze, and seem to get lost in their own thoughts. Little thought is given to background. Props sometimes are not at hand but have to be reached for or dug out of boxes. Close-ups of tobacco or pipe bowls are not sufficiently lit. It's often a celebration of poor production values and clueless amateurism. I'm a guy who enjoys watching play and musical rehearsals, so I'm not a perfectionist about these things, if I am convinced that the person is trying and has a goal in mind. Sadly, many of these guys aren't nearly as interesting to watch as they believe they are, nor are they making a good faith effort in putting their talk across. I think it's time for tough love. Let's work hard at these youTube segments or get off the web. Please.

Advice to youTube presenters could go on for pages, or book length, but just a few simple pointers. You must outline your talk, and do it in writing, even if you're a person who thinks well on his feet, and especially if you're not. If there's any hint that you are thinking up what to say next, your credibility is shot. Have an index card with your outline in front of you as you video, even after you have rehearsed at least three time, five or eight being better. You want your presentation to flow. In terms of dress and grooming, go for your more conventional look. Anyone's face looks at little odd to someone who is seeing it for the first time, even if you're reasonably good looking. Don't challenge people with expressive clothes and grooming; this will not help. Be yourself, but keep it low key. Any props or visuals should be right in front of you. Don't be getting up out of the frame or otherwise fumbling. Don't talk fast, but avoid pauses. Have your summary/wrap-up clearly in mind. This should be one sentence, or two at the most, underlining your point. There's a lot more to it, and there are good references that will teach you more, but if you master this much, you will be ahead of half the presenters on youTube.