In just two years, VapeTube has become the default streaming
platform for vape content creators fed up with the shackles
of YouTube. The site has helped foster an online community
that believes in its message: the freedom to discuss all things
vape.
VapeTube’s presence at May’s Vaper Expo showed just
how far they’d come. And once again, they’ll be pivotal in
introducing online reviewers and advocates to the eager
vapers who watch them from home multiple times a week.
VapeTube founder Mike Shaw has teamed up with Vaper
Expo’s Fil Karbownik to develop the VapeTube/Vaper Expo
Media Area - the evolution of May’s Media Meet and Greet.
Fil gave an overview of what we can expect over the weekend,
saying: “The main area is going to be very much like it was
last show, with a casual seating area where the reviewers will
be most of the weekend.
“Vapers can drop by and meet their favourite vape personalities
and ask questions.”
While it was yet to be confi rmed at the time we went to press,
it’s highly likely that there will be a formal meet and greet as
happened on the Sunday of May’s event. That proved to be
very popular, so keep an eye on social media for timings and
be sure to get there early to beat the crowds.
“At the last show we ended up with Vic (from Vaping with Vic)
being bombarded by people and it took three hours to get
through everyone,” said Fil.
Meanwhile, the small studio-like area to the side provides a
space for reviewers to speak with exhibitors, record reviews
or live stream in a quiet and professional area away from the
hubbub of the main expo floor.
This evolution of the format fi ts very much within the VapeTube
model. As the platform has grown it has attracted advertisers
keen to get their products into the hands of reviewers and
VapeTube is working as the middleman to make this happen.
It is also not just about the already established names in the
industry as the team are keen to boost the profi les of up and
comers, too.
Mike said: “We work very closely with businesses now where
they send us products for review.
“They all go out to different reviewers, from the big ones like
the Vaping Postman with 20,000 subscribers through to
smaller guys with a few thousand.”
“Vapers can drop
by and meet their
favourite vape
personalities and
ask questions”
Speaking of The Vaping Postman, the platform has fostered
a close relationship with some of the UK’s most prominent
reviewers, three of whom will be playing a pivotal role in one
of the most important events of the weekend – the Vaper
Expo Awards.
The Vaping Postman, Vic and Chris from Empire Vape Co will
be blind tasting the juice for the awards and will be handing
out the trophies at 1pm on Sunday.
“Obviously it’s taking up a lot of their time. They’re having to
judge hundreds of different bottles.
“They’ve agreed to help out and help strengthen our rapport
with Vapor Expo.”
The awards – and Vaper Expo itself – will provide some
much-needed positivity after a diffi cult couple of months for
the industry.
While VapeTube doesn’t have the same presence and broad
viewership as YouTube, Mike is keen to use the growing
platform as a counterpoint to the negativity and misinformation
that is found all over the news and social media.
“Every time I go to Twitter or Facebook now, it’s something
negative. If we can just try to counteract that with a positive
article or video that we can share though VapeTube, we can
raise awareness of the platform and fi ght the negative media
at the same time.”
If vaping is to survive and thrive amidst all the anti-science
and hysteria plaguing the news, we need to strengthen
business relationships, stay informed and share our concerns
with those who have the platform to get our voices heard. The
Media Area at the UK’s biggest vape event is a pretty good
place to start.
VAPER EXPO 113