Gibson noted that, “It really is inviting people into the most intimate part of your environment and allowing your fans to see parts of yourself that they would in no other circumstance ever get to experience. And then we record the whole thing.”
Fans can also chat amongst themselves using Twitter and other chat technology, including video, while attending the event. “And not only do the people who come into that virtual space get to be there, there's going to be a whole global viewing audience that won't have elected to participate or purchase but just want to watch. They can watch the simulcast and reels and can submit questions to the moderator of the event. So that you can take not only text questions but video questions from people in the viewing audience anywhere in the world who haven't actually physically arrived at the VIP area of the event space,” explained Gibson.
To participate in an event, fans need only have a video camera, if they want a one-on-one encounter, or, if they just want to watch, they only need an Internet connected computer and membership in iDoLVine. “There's no Skype installation of software, its just go to a web site. If you have a camera, you can participate. For the author, all you need is a video camera, a decent Internet connection, which most of us have today,” and a signing tablet. “We made the investment in this company Baanto and they've come up with a way for us to create a tablet that is a peripheral to your existing computer that is driven by two USB cables that is an LCD monitor that you can write on with biometrically accurate handwriting and our target price point for that is $70 dollars.”
Authors, musicians, anyone who has a fan base and wants to connect should find this cutting-edge new application of social media compelling. And in this increasingly more guarded world, it makes public figures more accessible, and perhaps ironically, draws them closer to their fans through the use of virtual space and social media. As we see in Twitter with celebrities and lesser known authors, actors, producers and musicians tweeting back to their fans, iDoLVine represents taking of social networking and between fan and celebrity to a whole new level. Sign up or learn more at the iDoLVine official site.
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