a2 homework research corusework

1. Collective identity: representation of youth
Self-representation of online identity
Blogger of my choice is pointlessblog (Alfie Deyes):
He has two channels which one he uses for main channel videos ^^ and the other he uses
for vlogs. Vlogs are like a video diary of their everyday lives. Pointlessblog uses these two
channels and one is more for challenges and trends which occur on YouTube and the other
channel documents his life.
His newest video is shown first when you search his
channel, with this it allows the viewers to access the
newest video which is the most up to date information on
him. The video shows a thumbnail which has the people
which he's filming with in it, and the title of video is larger
so it’s easier for viewers to see what the video could be
about. The video has a description of the video showing
as well where it has a link to new merchandise which he's
selling which would allow the viewers to have an easy access to it.
On the right hand side of the page we see a button which shows
‘subscribe’ it’s bigger than other icons which makes it easier for the
viewers to subscribe which allows them to get notifications whenever
he posts videos.
There's also a side bar which links to his other channels which he uses.
This gives his audience a quicker access to his channels. This also allows
them to get the real channels and not the fake ones made by fans.

2. The layout is clear and the
colours are not too dull/
depressing, the design of
the homepage has all the
links, recent videos, and his
logo which he's known by
PB.
The banner he uses is PB which stands for Pointless blog this logo is also on his merchandise
which he advertises himself. The PB logo is clear to read and simple which highlights his
channels ideas of simple vlogs, and unedited videos. The picture next to his name is also
blue which links to the banner showing a nice contrast on the page, of blue and white being
the dominant colours.
The homepage has a tab for
videos, the video tab contains all
the recent videos which go from
left to right and each are time
stamped with hours,days,weeks
and months showing how long ago
they were posted. Each video also
shows the views which allow the
audience to see how many people
have watched in a time period.
There's also a option to play all the
videos into a playlist.
There's also a section for the most popular
videos which gives the audience an option to
see what video has the most views and the
highest views the channel ever got is also
featured.

3. Platforms:
One link is his merchandise page, this has his clothing line shown which allows the fans and
viewers to buy and support his channel through having his logo “PB” promoted on viewers
shirts. The shop contains a variation of clothing which has the logo “PB” .It varies from bags,
hoodies, jumpers, fidget spinners, beanies, tops, phone cases and pins.
In the description of one of the videos, the links shown are to his book,
to his merchandise, tour tickets and his social media links. This is added
to give his audience a chance to follow the people
who are featured in the video and his personal links. There's a meet
and greet option also availablefor those fans who would want to take
a picture with him. His links are highlighted blue and the layout is clear
on what he's linking as its divided by a boarder.

4. He has his own merchandise and alongside that he has a 3 books published which are in the
links of most of his videos. Here he can sell to his audiences who are not into merchandise
but more into reading which means he can target audiences which don’t want to spend too
much money but want to support him.
Cross over with other platforms:
He did a collaboration with joe sugg and zoe sugg (zoella) they both collaborated to do
PBXSL which is a combination of merchandise of joe
and Zoe Sugg with Alfie Dayes merchandise. They
both sponsored each other to create this as they split
the earnings between them. The merchandise consists
of the ‘The creator stores’ material of clothing and
their brands. These hoodies are a limited edition offer
which fans can get if they are in the location of the
store. Though having this it allows them to keep their
fans entertained and make them anticipate new things as it’s a limited edition piece which
not many fans would have. With this collaboration the fans can meet all three and take
pictures with all three in the same time meaning they have a higher chance to meet their
idols which these youtubers are to teens.
Social media links
On his YouTube channel, what is shown is a link to his vlog channels his google plus account,
his link to his Facebook, Instagram. These icons allow the audience to click onto proper
social media platforms and links which are all verified and belong to him and not fan
accounts which could use a similar name

5. These platforms give updates on where the person is e.g. if Alfie Deyes is on holiday, there
will be lots of beach and nice weather pictures which involves the audience more into what’s
going on in his life. Snapchat gives a bigger insight on what he's watching, where he's going
and what meetings he's doing. Facebook gives insight on events, clothing line, new videos
which cross over with each other as there are links to YouTube and his merchandise shop on
the Facebook page. Additionally his Instagram and Facebook has a verified tick on it which
makes the audience know that it’s the real person and not a fake account.
Representations presented:
Age:
 is represented through them bleeping out curse words in their videos, he does
this because he knows that most of his viewers are children who watch the videos
so he makes sure it’s appropriate for young and old ages.
 His merchandise is targeted at teens but also children. They sell fidget
spinners and pop sockets for children to pay with he also sells posters for
them to have on their walls which are signed.
 Clothes are sold for all ages; they vary from colours, sizes and types which
match many styles.
 His book intrigues teens to read more with his variety of books, he has 3 and his
girlfriend zoella has 3 aswell.
 The videos include shoutouts which Alfie dayes does in the end of his videos,
these shout outs are to teens who recently subscribed which increases interaction
between teens and him.

6. Gender:
 Most of his viewers are girls, due to the fact that boys
prefer to watch other types of content on YouTube such
as gaming videos.
 His book which he has published is gender neutral, it will
intrigue female and male viewers to read the book as its
more of a “wreck it journal” which is quite interactive and
not much of a story which is read.
 Most of his content present is challenges and couple videos which males wouldn’t
specifically watch which highlights how
such content is popular in females as
he gets more than 2-4 million views on
them
 His merchandise is aimed at both
genders and sizes as the colours are
neutral varying from pink, khaki, grey,
white and the design is unisex meaning it’s not too tight for
men to wear and not too revealing.
 But he does cater to men, as he has a gaming channel which
is different content from his vlogs and main channel videos.
The gaming channel plays games like Sims 4,horror games
and Nintendo switch games

7. Social class:
 He portrays his social class through the events he
does, such as in his new video he shows him
flying a plane, testing out a Audi R8 this shows
his wealth and how he's so popular he gets to
experience such events.
 He moved house together with his girlfriend
and the house costed 1million, they moved
house again which now has 3 sets of stairs, a
large garden and a driveway. This house is
always documented in his vlogs which give
better in-depth on how big the house looks and
his wealth as the house costed more than their
older one
 His cars show off his social class
and status, he has a 2016 Range
Rover which is an expensive car
which is his and his girlfriend
zoella has another one this
highlights their status as they use
cars which are luxury rather than normal priced.
 He posts videos which state his wealth as he's able
to drive a car which is £250,000 this shows his
wealth and social class as he's able to afford such
items which is due to the YouTube money which he
has gained through vlogs.

8. How the audience responds to this blogger?
With his merchandise and books, the audience responds to him by buying the books
which support him. Even though they may not like reading they may still buy the
book to support him as he's created a community which compete on who’s the
biggest fan and by owning most merchandise they would gain that status.
The book has been a best seller in uk this is due to his fan base who brought the
book which shows how teens will buy his items because it’s something he has made
Fans support Alfie Deyes (pointless blog)
through constantly buying his merchandise and
wearing it, the merchandise is always sold out
on his store which shows the support he gains
from his viewers
Fans respond to Pointless blogs new content
through watching his videos and daily vlogs
which gets him more views. We can see that
his most viewed videos are with his girlfriend
who has more subscribers than him which
means that most of the viewers are female
as some involve make up challenges and
couple things.
Charity work:
Alfie deyeswiththe supportof hisviewersandhisplatformwas
able to helpafamilly,he putin£2,500 himself alongsidewith4
otherpeople tobuildthiscampervanand all the moneyfromthis
purchase wouldhave gone toa charity whichhe has chosen.The
awarenesswasspreadbyhisviewers,theyhadtweetedhimand
on theirowntwitteraccountsaboutthiswhichbroughtbuyersto
buythisvan thisallowedhimtomake a difference ashe hadsold
thiscar for£5000 meaningthathe donateditall to charity