Today, every blogger realizes the importance of video blogging. Soon, other bloggers around the world would be jumping on to this bandwagon.Video blogging or Vlogging is going to completely change the face of blogging. Now, audience wants content which is more appealing to them and talks directly to them.
Masses are not interested in reading your stuff. Hence, smart bloggers are quick to make this transition. Although, video blogging is not for everyone, however you can still give a try because it is that easy.
How do you get started with video blogging? What do you need to get started?
What are the ways to promote it? What are its advantages and even disadvantages? And how to you monetize your videos to stay always on top?
These are various things that we will look in this article.
So before you start video blogging read this article and decide whether you want to go for it or not?
What is Video Blogging?
Well, I am not going to complicate things here as I will try to make it as simple as possible. Video blogging or informally known as Vlogging is not a new concept. It has been there for a while now.
Only thing is that now people are able to realize its true potential.
To make it simple, you most probably know YouTube, DailyMotion or Vimeo etc. The video posted there could be called as VBlog.
Individuals who are uploading their videos on these websites are generally called Vloggers. However, not everyone who uploads a video on YouTube could be called as a Vlogger.
It is because Vlogging is quite professional but others who upload are amateur. They upload their videos for fun or sharing it with their family and friends.
On the other hand, video blogging is to make some money with it apart from having just fun. An amateur could upload a video once in a week however a Vloggers need to do every day.
Video bloggers cannot afford to upload any type of content, the video they are uploading must be of good quality and people should enjoy watching it.
Moreover, in video blogging there is a tough competition from other video bloggers. So you need to come with new ideas to create videos which are unique and of good quality.
Therefore Vlogging is a serious business.
Is Video Blogging Harder than Traditional Blogging
The answer is Yes and No. Yes it could be harder if you think you are very shy on camera and have no intention appearing on it.
On the other hand, it could be very easier for those guys who love to face camera. Moreover, they do not have any interest in writing.
If you think you can write better and for you writing is the best way to communicate your message then there isn’t any need for video blogging.
Because everyone cannot create videos.
There are bloggers who are great when it comes to traditional blogging but they are equally bad at video blogging.
Therefore, you need to make a decision whether you are fit for video blogging or not. If you think you cannot then don’t do it.
If you think you can then please go for it. You could see some great video bloggers on YouTube. If you can be one of them then you could give a shot.
How to Start a Video Blog?
Well, there is some technical stuff that you need to understand before you start video blogging. But there is something more important that you need to know because learning technical stuff can be done in few days however learning how to create quality videos take time.
Hence, we shall look how you can create good videos daily.
1. Watch all Sorts of Video
You need to get an idea first then you could create videos. If you do not know what others are creating then you will find it very difficult to create content.
Go to YouTube and watch videos which are very popular. Subscribe to all those channels and watch them regularly.
2. Practice and Record in Front of Camera
To overcome your fear you need to practice in front of a camera. Sit down in front of the webcam of your computer and start recording a video. It will give you a real time experience.
3. Start with Creating Videos with Your Friends and Family
The best way to start creating videos is to do with your family and friends. You could easily record with a camcorder and upload on YouTube. However, keep in mind if you want to be Vlogger then your videos must stand out. It should not be just an amateurish video.
4. Never Plagiarize, Develop Your Own Style
Usually, individuals who start Vlogging would like to plagiarize and copy other’s style. Never do that.
The great thing about video blogging is that it gives you a chance to develop your own style. And people who watch these videos always look something that is unique.
5. Focus on Content of the Video
Focus, only on content rather other gimmickry. If your content is not good then you cannot become a Vlogger.
What You Need to Start a Video Blog
In this paragraph, we shall look at all the technical stuff that you need to have for Video Blogging.
6. A Microphone
A good quality microphone to record your voice. You need to overcome external disturbances like winds and noise like traffic, commotion etc.
7. Lightning
Lightning should be perfect where you would be recording your video. You could record in a closed studio.
8. Camera
You could get a camcorder as you do not need to invest in costly cameras.
9. Screen Capture
You could use software like Camtasia to edit your videos. There are many other software that you can make use of it.
10. Editing Video
If you want advanced editing then you could get other paid software too.
Advantages of Video Blogging
1. Get Instant Fame and Recognition
You could be easily famous or become an Internet celebrity. If your channel becomes popular on YouTube and have thousands of subscribers then you could be very famous among your followers.
This chance is very less in traditional blogging.
2. Get Your Own Followers
As I said earlier you get a lot of fans. You can interact with them learn what they need. Your followers are key to success when it comes to video blogging.
3. Good for Selling Products
Video blogging could make you a lot of money if you can convert those visitors into customers. You can start endorsing products on your videos moreover you could also make money with YouTube partner program.
4. See Your Future in Mainstream Media
If you become so popular on Internet then mainstream media could notice and you could be a real star if you got some real talent.
Basically, you could expand your domain from Internet to going mainstream.
5. Do not Have to Learn Writing
You could also avoid pain of writing lengthy content. Vlogging is lot more fun compared to traditional blogging so you will never get bored.
However, I need to aware you with certain disadvantages of video blogging.
First would be you need to overcome many technological difficulties like setting up studio, cameras etc.
Then, videos are very hard to optimize thus very little chance for SEO if your video is mediocre.
Moreover, videos could easily alter the uploading speed of your website.
Hence, these were some disadvantages of Vlogging.
Ways to Monetize Video Blogs
Off Course Vlogging is not for charity, you are blogging for some money. Hence you should know all the tricks to monetize your videos.
Traffic
First step to monetize your video is to get traffic. You need to get traffic of good quality. Hence, make sure even if your video does not go viral but at least it should have enough visitors.
Become a YouTube Partner
Next is become a YouTube partner. It will give you banner ads to show on your videos. You could choose various ads and start running. It is very easy to use and you could easily to generate a lot of money.
Start Selling Products Online
You could also start promoting products on other’s behalf. You could become an affiliate and sell products and earn commission.
Start Giving Premium Services to Members
You could also charge a fee from your members if they want to listen premium content. Initially, you could give them free videos to listen but if they want more then they need to pay to subscribe.
Sign Up for as many as Sponsors
If your viewership is large then you could get direct sponsors to show their ads on your video. You could charge enough amount of money from them.
Become MotionMaker at DailyMotion or Blip.tv Partner
Apart from YouTube there are many other Vlogging websites like Dailymotion, Blip.tv, vimeo etc. You could become a MotionMaker at DailyMotion or a Blip.tv partner and make enough money out of it.
Tips for Vlogging
Here are few tips that could come handy when you are Vlogging.
- Title is very important so create title which is close to your niche or topic of Vlogging.
- Do Not bypass SEO rules because your ultimate goal is to rank high in YouTube search engine.
- Your Video description should be at least of hundred words, not less.
- Next, you need to take care of all technical requirements to create an effective video.
- Recording camera and studio must be perfect if you want recording to be free of any disturbance.
- Make all right decision in choosing right editing software.
- Next comes the promotion and distribution of videos.
- You should choose right platform to upload your videos like YouTube is the best one. Moreover, you need to keep in mind there are websites which are only good for uploading certain types of videos.
- Timing is very important while making your video public. Choose the time when something is trending or very hot.
- Lastly, I would say you need to create content which is genuine and unique. Visitors must love it and are ready to distribute across the social media.
Vlogging involves passion, if you have a passion for creating videos on a certain topic then go for it. Otherwise, do not waste your time here.
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