For all apparent purposes, web video should be working – especially for those venues that are in a prime position to provide longer form type video stories – Mainstream magazines.

Print magazines have always been the go to for longer in depth print articles, yet these very same entities don’t know what to do with video equivalents – yet.

Why is that?

As Solo VJ’s, we could be leveraging the very monolithic entrenchment that bogs down large scale publishing and using the zen like paradigm and agility of solo video journalism and creating content that isn’t constrained by print deadlines – the web is open 24/7.

There needs to be a sense of fearlessness – that is what Tammy Haddad, former MSNBC executive producer and current Newsweek video consultant, tried to convey to a group of magazine executives in an article published on Folio’s website.  She went on to say that “producing compelling content isn’t an expensive proposition”.

The solo vj detractors would have us believe otherwise.

She also went on to say that publishers should try not to replicate cable news. “We’re not trying to be TV,” Haddad said. “That’s the biggest mistake you can make.”  But there should be a striving for the best possible quality out of the content being produced with in the realm of solo video journalism.  A new way of shooting and editing will be required by those who take up the mantle of Solo VJ’ism.

Publishing as we have known it has literally had its world turned inside out and upside down.  Content distribution, business models for generating revenue – all those typical formulaic paradigms are burning down to the ground and those entrenched media outlets are trying to figure out what to do now.

The playing field has been leveled.

Web video has a big potential of driving business in directions for solo vj’s unheard of until this time.  How do we as Solo VJ’s bring that to our advantage?

By learning, improving, and refining our skills and becoming more agile in other areas that make us more valuable as content creators.  Web video doesn’t require huge production crews, expensive video equipment, and years of formal education – this is about changing the rules of convention and showing those entrenched in the traditional way of creating video content that they no longer are the gate keepers to the craft.

Solo VJ Training can be accomplished in shorter time frames, equipment has become affordable, story ideas abound that are begging to be produced.  It only requires the courage to make all of this come together.

Those who refuse to accept these changes will go the way of the DoDo bird.  Those who adapt – will reap the rewards of their efforts.

If one no longer has to invest several thousands of dollars in equipment, then one can produce content for a lower cost – and yet maintain high production values – something the detractors refuse to believe can happen.  This new way of working could very well produce more consistent revenue streams for those willing to work in the new paradigm of solo video journalism.

The Solo VJ paradigm is changing the profession – and is past the point of stopping those changes that are happening.

Now it requires of us to raise the bar for quality and do so at a competitive price.  That is the business side of this profession.

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