Mother and Son

     I'm tickled to share the spotlight with my talented son, Matt.  As an author, I look forward to people telling me they enjoyed my stories.   Nothing brings more of a smile to my face however, than seeing my son becoming popular.  Once a bit of a timid child, Matt now video blogs for hundreds of fans.  His Journey to the Claw Machine videos have gone semi-viral on You Tube causing people to take notice of a young man from a small town.  As a child, Matt became obsessed with playing crane machines.  He was quite good at them, and I rolled my eyes as new stuffed animals marched through the door of our home in droves.
     In later years, Matt would become talented in filming and editing his own videos.  He attended Robert Morris University where he took up video editing, film making, and photography.  It was the skills he learned at college, coupled with his love of crane machines which prompted him to come up with an idea to help others learn tips of these machines and become skilled at them as he was.
     Every mother wants good things for their children.  Through the years I've prayed that my son would be a good person, generous and kind.  God has answered these prayers in the form of what Matt is now doing with his video channel.  He has partnered with The Teddy Bear Brigade an organization which takes donated stuffed animals and gives them to children who have suffered tragedies in their lives.  He has given away his own claw machine wins to victims of Hurricane Sandy.  He donated to children in the wake of the Sandy Hook school tragedy.  When I see his good heart, I am filled with happiness and know God has heard my prayers.

     When asked about what is important for successful video blogging, Matt gives these answers:
     Interaction with your audience is most important.  If you receive positive comments on the You Tube site, comment back to your fans.  Let them know you appreciate them and their support.  
     Keep current with new uploaded videos.  At least once a week if not more frequently, you must keep the content of your video blogs fresh and lively.  Be creative, and give the fans what they want.
     Make it entertaining.  Sometimes Matt is downright crazy as he goes about filming his journeys, screaming when he loses, jumping up and down as he wins, saying some of the craziest phrases which have caught on with his fans such as "goober" and "aroo".  
     Lastly, giving back to the community in the form of giveaways and live interaction with your fans.  As an author has a book signing, Matt plans meet and greet sessions with his more local fans.  Recently he met with a young boy who has Asperger's syndrome at his local mall.  It was one of the greatest days of Matt's life, not to mention the child who emulates all of Matt's tips and sayings.

 You can find Matt at blogtv:  http://www.blogtv.com/people/matt3756

 Facebook at  :https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt3756-Fan-Page/138475439543218?ref=ts&fref=ts

And of course you may subscribe to his videos at:  http://www.youtube.com/user/matt3756