Many young people in today's society will do almost anything to become a celebrity. YouTube's motto of "Broadcast Yourself" has been the ticket for many to reach instant celebrity status by creating content that is usually entertainment-based.
YouTube's handful of young, popular truckers have made a name for themselves primarily through a dogged pursuit of making daily videos. They have become idols to many with a following of people who see them as "stars," larger than life.
However, most of their fans are not interested in the real issues of the industry. They are interested only in praising this most wonderful driver on YouTube. And the YouTube driver can become drunk on this intoxicating praise. They live in a fantasy world and start believing they truly are elite.
One popular YouTube driver told me personally that he/she chose to become a trucker just to start a YouTube channel and reach out for this celebrity status.
So does the popular YouTube driver help the industry with real issues? Are they genuine voices for helping other drivers in this tough arena of over-the-road driving? What would it look like if YouTube was actually used as a platform to discuss real issues in the trucking industry? Let's see:
The freight movers
Veteran drivers who used to chat in smoked filled cafes or truck stops back in the day were an interesting lot. The subjects they brought up were usually split about half and half.
You could always find them in a spirited discussion on the common issues of the day that affected them as truckers, both as company drivers or owner operators. They bantered back and forth, sharing possible solutions to various problems. And, sure, you could always hear the good ol' trucker talk — experiences and adventures on the road.
Those days are virtually gone. Today, you find truckers who are sullen-looking, silent and quite often negative. The veteran drivers were the movers of an industry, who were able to roll up their sleeves and keep each other energized and informed, and help was always found on Channel 19.
It was pride and a necessary job. And no recognition needed.
The freight shakers
If you are a truck driver in today's society, then you know the issues and the problems that can affect us and our families. I mainly speak to the new drivers, men and women who are entry-level OTR truck drivers. These young drivers are the foundation for this industry — an industry that needs to keep them.
So if you are an informed trucker and have been around doing it for a while, can you discern this particular problem? Do you understand that it is real and needs to be addressed? If so, you are probably like me, trying to come up with helpful ideas to share with others, rolling up your sleeves and helping these newbies out.
This work is done behind the scenes, where you can share your particular experience about the events of your day with friends, family and co-workers. This personal one-on-one help is the best way to help drivers in this industry. It's what I call the "one driver at a time philosophy" — genuine help, with a genuine trickle-down effect.
Producers of content
There are more drivers today than ever before who are "producing" their own style of original content. Most are found on YouTube. Some develop content that is designed to be entertaining through a display in creative movie-making, and are not necessarily made to inform or educate.
Other YouTubers that have the experience — both as drivers and content providers — are able to produce both entertaining videos and special projects that highlight the everyday driver, as well as helpful videos that are made as a public service announcement. If you are one of these type of original content makers, good on you driver, keep it up.
A collaboration network
What if the freight movers, the freight shakers and the producers of content all played for the same team? A working team can come up with creative ways to educate or entertain not only fellow drivers, but also the public — who need a different look, a real look at us. This can include videos or other information about safety issues, or things to be aware of while sharing space on the road.
Content can be created in a way that will highlight who we are (representing truckers as a whole). YouTube can become the place to go and experience an old-school trucker-style cafe — the professional drivers' designated section where voices can still be heard, even over all the noise and chatter that's in the same room.
This is what a true collaboration is all about. Combining what we have and utilizing the vast social network of sharing.
The plan is simple, the players are assembled, and the vast audience is already here. Our own friends and family, along with those who currently follow us, will stand by with anticipation for the unveiling of this "Designated Professional Truckers Section" or "Truckers for the Industry."
What are we waiting for?
