When you live in a city as diverse and exciting as Montreal, it can be difficult to get to know where you live since there’s so much going on. MTL Blurb is a new social media project that is determined to cover issues Montrealers want to hear about, so you’ll have no trouble getting to know Montreal a little bit better. Her Campus McGill spoke to the team behind MTL Blurb to get the full scoop on their endeavour, and we hope you are as impressed as we were.
Of the project, the team shares, “MTL Blurb is a short-form media platform powered by everyday Montrealer’s and an ever-growing team of talented filmmakers and journalists. It is ultimately a boundless platform for MTL voices to be heard.”
The team of creatives produce relevant and entertaining short videos about Montreal living, such as “Top 10 Bartender Problems” and “6 to 8 Things Not to Say to a Comedian”. They then share them on thier social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where they have gained a strong following. Fans of MTL Blurb appreciate the localized nature of their content since it makes them so relatable.
What’s really special is the motivation behind MTL Blurb; the team explains that they began the project in response to a lack of coverage from other local outlets on news the community truly wants to hear about. “We as Montrealers felt there was a lack of variety and a need for something new in our local media,” the team explains. “We started with launching our weekly Blurbs and the response till now has been phenomenal.”
MTL Blurb is distinctive from other YouTube Channels and social media pages creating Buzzfeed-like content similar to theirs for the very fact that it is localized. The team explains, “Our content is localized and unique. It is made for Montrealers by Montrealers. The videos are engaging, playful and relevant. Our hosts are also people to be discovered. Creating this content requires hard work and a special set of skills, which makes it hard for others to imitate. We are giving Montreal an alternate choice from their regular local media.”
So far, Facebook has been the main way MTL Blurb gains traffic, hinting at the massive role social media plays in everyone’s lives. “Our focus at MTL Blurb is to tailor content within people’s social media feed thus making it more relevant, consumable and sharable,” the team comments. “Every social media platform is different yet Facebook happens to be, at the moment, the most efficient delivery platform to facilitate sharing among locals.”
Creating such a strong social media presence takes a lot of work and producing top-notch, quality videos and articles is also equally strenuous. Each team member plays a critical role in the production of the content, so no lone responsibility can be singled out as the most important.
“We consist of an amazing team of creative filmmakers, writers, directors, camera operators and editors collaborating amidst people with many different careers and passions, some of whom have never sat in front of a camera before.” MTL Blurb reveals, “Each video is a unique and exciting experience. We take the time to ensure they feel comfortable, allowing them to benefit from the talents of our growing team. Together we are able to craft entertaining videos that embody the spirit of everyone involved.”
The team was also very enthusiastic about the fact that they are looking for more locals to join their creative team. “We encourage anyone with a passionate cause or just some funny ideas, to reach out and get involved. Write us a message on Facebook or submit to us on our website. There is a lot of interest right now and we are doing our best to collaborate with everyone.”
And, even better, it’s something that literally anyone can get involved in. All you need is a passion for local Montreal living and a good sense of humour. “We are constantly expanding and looking for all sorts of collaborators. Writers, musicians, hosts, filmmakers etc. If you have something to say… hit us up!”
MTL Blurb is truly changing the way news and issues are covered in local media- and definitely for the better. We’ll jump at any chance to get to know our beloved city better, so we have totally liked and followed MTL Blurb on all of our social media pages. If you want to keep in the know with all things Montreal, check out MTL Blurb’s Facebook page, YouTube Channel, or website.
All images from mtlblurb.com