Evoking presence in vlogging: A case study of U. K. beauty blogger Zoe Sugg

© First Monday, 1995-2017. In this paper, we explore how video blogs (vlogs) evoke the sense of "presence", by examining famous U. K. video blogger (vlogger) Zoe Sugg's "Haul" videos. As a result of this analysis, we argue that vlogs could evoke presence through two main elements: sensory and social elements. Sensory elements refer to colour, camera usage, video image and sound qualities. Social elements are eye contact, facial expression, conversation and gesture. Past studies have rarely applied "presence" theory to vlogging. As vlogs have become a popular format on the Internet, this study could provide new directions for research into the experiences of vlog viewers. It also offers video bloggers initial understandings of how their content could affect their popularity by altering audiences' feelings of presence.