Introducing Others To Our Hobby

In thinking about ways that we might be able to capture new, younger (<60 year old) people I struggled to think of ways to introduce non-collectors to our hobby. Perhaps what is needed are ways in which we present stamps without it coming across as an old, fuddy-duddy hobby… something a bit more edgy, more contemporary, something that might appeal to their social values. So I took a stab at doing a music video kind of thing and here is the preliminary effort. Feedback welcome.
Don

Very nice video.

One key aspect of these videos is the music selection. For example, I am not a fan of the specific music selected so I muted it but everyone is different so not easy to make anyone happy.

If the goal is to get onto social media (getting shared beyond stamp community) stream then one could have stamps but include a general populist message as what happens with all the memes.

An example could be a video about animals on stamps tied with an ASPCA theme (thinking Sarah McLachlan music).

Nicely done!

Like angore, I was not taken with the music. I would prefer more variety in background music, and given the war theme, I expected some martial music. The theme was also heavy on the victims of war. A few more "action" stamps such as the Germany,(Sc. B261?) and Russia, (Sc. 993?) items shown would help.

There were two major deficiencies that I noted:

1. There needs to be some narrative explaining the background of the stamps, or putting them in context. I suspect very few younger people have much historical knowledge of any wars prior to Korea, maybe even Vietnam. Perhaps more subdued music and a voice over for explanation?

2. There also should be some identifiers of the stamps to allow an interested party to seek out and buy them if attracted to them. As I watched the video, I asked myself where could I buy a specific stamp and how would I identify it to a potential seller? Showing the video was the only answer I could come up with.

Your approach has great potential. It, especially, seems an attractive way to promote topical collecting. I hope you will continue to develop this format.

Don

Great approach!
Just an added observation from a one on one win with my 9 year old granddaughter. Attention span of less than 20 minutes,overload of school work (maybe), video games, phone, pets, house chores, play with friends and on and on. I took the approach of a 15 min window. So what I do is send her, no real time schedule, surprises in the mail. They started with a few Steiner pages for stamps of bright colors and animals cartoons, Disney etc. I number the back of the stamp with corresponding numbers on the pages. She now calls me to let me know she has them done and wants to know when I can send more. The last mailing was a homemade Dominican Republic (the country name and her name on the binder back) album with appx. 100 pages and maybe 250 stamps. Is it a lot of work - yes,however, she excitedly took it to school for a show and tell type presentation. I did not plan on that but hopefully this approach will lead to a few more adds to the hobby.

Sorry, but I simply turn off when I hear something described as "edgy."

Well done, Don. I like the music, and I think it fits perfectly with the content!

Don,

I like your approach. I sent it to my 19 year-old grandson for comment. I never could get him interested in stamps. He wants to work in social media marketing so I thought his reaction would be interesting.
The good thing is that it prompted him to go to stampsmarter.com.

Here are some of his comments: (with his permission and some minor editing)



Stamps aren't really my niche in any way so you aren't going to get the best reaction from me lol


Criticism:
I believe the song chosen was appropriate for the video
When watching a YouTube video you don't want any borders. Mostly all viewers want to see full screen video. Granted it is hard to do with stamps.

Taking photos and setting it to where it automatically zooms in and out and twirls etc is a little old school at this point.

The video would've looked cleaner if it had an intro. I can do 3D or 2D intro's and send it to you in any format.

I went to the stampsmarter website and the website is a little out dated. I didn't check the desktop version but the mobile version of the website is "eh"

Lol yeah it's going to be hard for whoever's YouTube channel to attract an audience.

I can make an intro if your friend wants one. It won't take me to long. (he made one)

And if he's wanting to grow his YouTube channel specifically.

Needs to post more often.

Needs to make his videos look like it wasn't made in 2008

Also I would suggest making a short video (preferably made by a professional) with YouTube name and website name in the video. Posting the video on a Facebook ad and targeting people with similar interests.
(Also I could be wrong but I'm assuming there are more male stamp collectors than females so I would target male audience in the fb add too)

That website you provided is way better but doesn't have a mobile version which is fine but still.

End comments .



Dan

Very, very cool. And the cranberries were one of my favourite bands back when. So I'd listen to the song regardless.

As you said, this is a neat way of exposing non-collectors to the hobby. Emphasis on "non-collectors". People who aren't driven by the urge to collect things. The video exposes the viewer to the power of these works of art in a, well, powerful way.

While I know you asked for feedback, the 'kids of today' make response videos. So along with telling Don how to make the video more to your liking, make your own and post it up! :)

Mark

Nice work Don. I think you could make several of these videos with different themes, and attract new collectors. I also admire your efforts to engage a new generation of collectors. I share as much history and fascination of stamps as I can with my children in hopes they learn and share with others. If everyone could share video(s) on social media sites, the word will get out, so to speak.

Awesome video Don,

It had my attention from start to finish!

I also enjoyed the music you chose very much.

I liked it a lot!

Would be a great addition to stuffy old stamp exhibits at the stamp shows. Be a whole new category that would appeal to a different audience. Exhibits may be interesting to the person that did it, a few collectors and judges, but beyond that who cares? Even if they were digitalized I doubt many would take the time to look.

I like this, it appeals to a deeper conscience. I know as I watched the video I was forced to acknowledge the impact of war worldwide. Too often we only think of it from our own personal perspective.

the advice from Danstamps54's 19-year-old grandson is perfect.

I liked the music and the presentation very much. Riveting. I also think it would be a great thing to present at a stamp show. I felt it was moving and look forward to other like presentations from you.

Dave

Thank you to everyone for the feedback. I have added a second video, this one has a bit more uplifting content.



Don

Don - very nice. Thanks for your work on these. (and being in the target demographic at age 42 I agree that music is a good approach). Your stamp selections have been excellent.

One thing to keep in mine regarding these videos is that if you haven't arranged to get permission to use a song/recording in the video, the rights holder will have it quickly taken down.