How to Start a Vlog and Professional Vlogging Tool – Video Blogging, Vlogging or Vlogging has come out as a revolution in the world of content marketing. Vlogging can provide a big boost to your online marketing campaign.
It provides a powerful method of reaching a large audience and successfully attracting a certain amount of traffic to your blog.
Encouraged by the immense success of YouTube, many bloggers have taken a huge leap to Video Blogging or Vlogging.
In addition, with the video revolution, creating and sharing videos has become drastically easier which in itself encourages bloggers to do Video Blogging.
However, Vlogging requires you to take every step in a proper and thoughtful manner so that your website visitors appreciate your Vlogging efforts.
Your video blog shouldn’t be badly created, it can damage your blog’s image.
Your target audience can completely ignore the video blog that you created with poor results. So it is important for you to know every video blogging or vlogging making.
Below I mention the importance of Vlogging and continue with a discussion on how to start Vlogging.
Apart from that in this article I have also discussed how and why you should start your Vlog (Video Blogging). And also register Vlogging tools and tools to support your video blogging to produce cool and professional videos.
What is a Vlog?
Vlog means video blog.
In fact, a Vlog is a type of blog whose content is in the form of videos. This is a blog that contains video content.
In starting a vlog, you have to post Vlog regularly, you continue to make videos of yourself or any event or activity and then upload them to the internet, and finally publish them in a post on your blog.
Vlogs are in high demand with viewers around the world as digital video viewers continue to record a sharp increase from 372 million to nearly 700 million in just four years from 2012 to 2016.
In fact, Vlogs have gained the status of being one of the most popular types of digital video content featuring vloggers or “video bloggers” who continue to honestly capture and share their lives.
History of Vlogs
Before getting into a discussion about how to start a vlog, let’s get into vlog history first. The earliest known Vlogs accounts date back to 2004.
It was a time when Vlogs saw a huge increase in popularity.
For example, Rocketboom is one of the most popular daily news broadcasts produced by Andrew Baron and features Amanda Congdon as the first of a handful of hosts.
It was one of the earliest Vlogs that went on to set an important precedent by tailoring the audience to follow individual creators and influencers.
So, Vlogs started on each creator’s site with the RSS feed and email coming as the main means of distribution. However, the Vlog space did not have a dominant hosting platform at the time.
Then in 2005 when vlogging took a big leap there was the launch of YouTube which came as a free video hosting platform and had advanced search features and was easily found on the Google search engine.
Many YouTube stars have taken advantage of the Vlog format to build their millions of viewers.
Vlogs provide people with a channel to cultivate their interests, skills and personalities. This helps in forging a deeper and more personal relationship between the video creator and the audience.
It wasn’t long before video recording equipment started to develop.
As video equipment became more portable, vloggers began carrying cameras around to record their daily activities while traveling or on vacation.
The next big evolution with vlogging is on mobile. Where smartphone technology leads you to a new life for vlogging.
Vloggers started using their Smartphones to record a wide variety of content in addition to desktop videos and shooting in dedicated rooms.
Mobile technology continues to fuel vlogging and is proving the ideal platform for consuming large amounts of content.
Now, Vlogs have become a huge and successful phenomenon.
44% of all internet users continue to watch Vlogs every month. So, vlogging is big business nowadays.
In fact, vlogging has become an attractive option for marketers looking to reach a young, successful, and digitally savvy audience.
What’s more, the rise of Facebook Live can be considered a derivative of the vlogging movement.
Vlogging is now one of the most popular types of video content.
Vloggers present a unique advertising opportunity as brands benefit from influencer marketing and can break through the advertising clutter. Where current advertisements can be more targeted according to interests.
Vlogging is now over a decade old and looks set to stick around even longer in the future.
The Importance of Vlogging And Why Should You Vlog?
Vlogging provides a distinct set of advantages over regular blogging.
Research studies have revealed that as many as 63% of people are more likely to buy a product if they see it in a video.
So by vlogging, you can increase your subscribers, audience and investors.
Then video blogs have a tremendous effect on social media platforms. More than 90% of mobile users tend to share videos with other people.
Just look at the popularity of YouTube to get a feel for what Vlogging can have on your subscribers and audience count.
Statistics reveal that YouTube has more than 1 billion unique user visits every month.
With Vlogging, you stand a better chance of winning over your customers. Vlogging gives you the opportunity to build closer relationships with your customers.
With Vlogging you continue to give face and voice to your brand and be able to translate, your customers want to come true so they become real supporters of you.
Personal connections arise when real people speak for the brand name and Vlogging is the right technique to do this for you.
In fact, there is no parallel with Vlogging as it gives you the opportunity to connect with your customers on a more personal and direct level.
It provides visual content that your audience will love and share with others. You have to recognize the fact that videos are the most attention-grabbing medium that you can use for your online content.
So, if you want to grab a visitor’s attention, you have to use Vlogging techniques.
Then with “Vlogging,” you try to stand out from the crowd of the blogging world.
Even though video has quickly become very popular, Vlogging is still in its infancy, and you can use this fact to stand out even more than the average person.
Vlogging doesn’t just include someone sitting in front of the camera, it also includes infographics, images, animations, and more. So with Vlogging, you have a lot of options to choose from.
Vlogging exists as a visual aid. As you will appreciate, a picture is worth a thousand words. So with video blogging, you stand a greater chance of winning over your subscribers.
With Vlogging, people can follow your guidelines and don’t have to read the entire article. They can see what to do instead of reading what to do. In addition, video explanations are also known to be easier to understand than writing.
Videos are now an integral part of search engine results. You just need to incorporate SEO techniques into your video blog and see it appear among the top results on the search engine results pages.
You can include a suitable subtitle, description and a catchy title for your video blog so that it attracts viewers to view your video.
Read: 5 Sources of Income From Making YouTube Videos Apart from AdSense
How to Become a Vlogger
Let’s take a closer look at the world of vlogging.
- Decide on a topic for the Vlog : It can be anything, as long as it’s not offensive, illegal, or boring. Remember that you must be unique and true to yourself. Don’t do what other people do.
- Create a YouTube account and come up with a catchy name for your channel : Make sure to build an attractive channel. Think of your username because it is nearly impossible to make it big with unreadable usernames.
- Make ten or more great videos : Make good and interesting videos. You can post a day or two for a while, and then leave every day or every day thereafter.
- Post one of these videos to a well-known related video in response to the video.
- Stay active : Set a specific date for uploading videos. As a vlogger, you must post at least three or four times a week. If this sounds too much for you, then do it one per week.
- Edit your video : You can use Windows Movie Maker to edit your video.
- Set your banner, avatar and video thumbnail
- Try becoming a YouTube partner : you will need several thousand views to do that. YouTube provides you with revenue by displaying advertisements on your videos. Your video can also appear in search results.
- Communicate with your followers : Respond to comments, messages, and video responses you receive.
Read: How to Create a YouTube Channel and Upload Videos to Youtube
How do I start a Vlog?
A successful video blog can be a powerful marketing tool in your hand. With Vlogging, you can take advantage of the potential offered by the digital marketing revolution.
However, you need to be Vlogging the right way, and for that, you have to know how you should be Vlogging.
Below, I’ve created a comprehensive list showing you how you should get started with your Vlogging.
1. Know Your Target Audience
If you cater to a niche target audience, your video blog should adapt to the style and enjoyment of your set audience.
For example, the images used, the words, the style of dress and the technique of filmmaking must be adapted to that audience.
Those ways you can communicate your message effectively to your target audience. However, if you serve a wider audience, then you should avoid elements that could harm your audience with your message.
For example, you shouldn’t use music that can alienate certain audiences.
2. Select your distribution channel
Your distribution channel for your video blog should be such that it makes sharing easy, and it should integrate well with other platforms.
As a distribution channel for your video blog, YouTube is a good platform because it allows easy sharing, integrates well with other platforms, and also functions as a social networking site.
Vimeo and Viddler are other options you might want to consider.
3. Editing
Your video blog must be well edited to make it attractive to your audience. Your final result should look professional in every aspect, whether it’s lighting, visual effects, adding split screens, etc.
For editing purposes, you might consider free software like Filmora or iMovie.
4. Camera and Sound
As far as the camera is concerned, you can use a real video camera or maybe use a Smartphone camera or can use the camera that is integrated on your PC or laptop.
Whichever camera you use, you should do some walking practice before filming your video so that you are well aware of the actual filming process and have no trouble when you get down to filming your video.
Your sound quality should be perfect and it should be without noise or other distractions. If your sound quality is poor, your viewers won’t see your video.
For perfect sound quality, you can use an external microphone or you can record audio separately and combine them later.
5. Create a short video
To make your video blog effective, you need to create videos that are short in duration so they can make an impact and can convey a direct message.
Short videos create a positive impression about your business function and leave a strong impact on your target audience.
On the other hand, older videos lose visitors instantly because they are not effective in leaving an impact on your visitors.
So you know that you can also follow the Vlogging revolution or Video Blogging if you approach Vlogging the right way as I illustrated above showing you how to start your Vlogging (Video Blogging).
If you want to increase your number of subscribers, you must use Vlogging and must use powerful marketing tools and benefit from this digital marketing revolution.
Vlogging Tools and Vlogging Tools
Vlogging is not that difficult when you use the right set of tools that help you create better Vlogs.
Below I will describe professional tools and supplies that will help you create a Vlog with ease.
Vlogging Camera
The camera is one of the most important tools for starting a vlog. In fact, vlogging started with the use of a camera.
The camera you are using must have a high resolution so the video you record must have high definition video quality.
It’s very important to get high-end video quality, and that can only happen when you are using a high-definition camera.
As a matter of fact, nowadays many computers are integrated with high definition cameras which are integrated in the monitor or Laptop.
However, if your computer monitor doesn’t have a built-in camera, you’ll need a Webcam. When using a Webcam, you can use a high definition webcam which can record in 1080p.
However, if you are considering vlogging, then a DSLR camera is your best bet. This camera can take sharp and clear pictures and can provide high definition video quality.
If you are interested in DSLRs, you can start with a cheap DSLR like the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 which comes with Dual Pixel Auto Focus which is useful for vlogging.
Then you can even consider using a handheld camera which is perfect when you need to shoot action photos or even when you need to shoot video on the go. You can use the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera which is a vlogger’s favorite camera.
Tripod
Taking high definition video is fine, but it’s useless when the footage is unstable. Posting an unstable video can ruin your entire vlogging endeavor.
If you often encounter such problems, then it’s time to use a tripod. Using a tripod, you can lock the camera and ultimately capture the best angle to shoot your video.
Because of this, you can use a universal tripod on which different cameras can be mounted easily.
On top of that, they are available in a variety of sizes so you can shoot any video you want to have on your vlog. Tripods are available from sizes ranging from mini tripod 6 to tripod measuring 59 ′.
Lighting
For vlogging, your lighting doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be effective. You need to make sure that the video can easily receive the viewer’s attention. So, there shouldn’t be any shadows on your face.
For this, using ambient lighting in your room or natural light with well-positioned windows can make a good video.
However, it is better if you are looking for a professional look for your videos. You would be better placed to use a basic soft-light kit. It offers you two sources of soft light for a pleasant, even lighting.
Microphone
Audio is one of the most important elements of a Vlog. If the audio is bad, viewers won’t stay to watch your video any longer, they’ll quickly leave and find another video.
The best way to improve your audio quality is to remove the built-in microphone on your camera or computer. You are better off using an external microphone.
You can even record audio from an external microphone to a portable recorder. The easiest way to capture better audio is to use a shotgun microphone.
You can also use a wireless lavalier microphone. A USB microphone is another simple way to capture quality audio straight to your computer.
Portable Audio Recorder
The portable audio recorder is a handy tool to have when you’re working with a professional XLR microphone.
This helps to bypass the low-quality pre-amps found on DSLRs and other compact cameras to record high-quality sound.
The separately recorded audio file can then be synced with your video.
Video Editing Software
Once you’ve finished shooting your video, it’s time to move on to some post-production work. This can be achieved using Video Editing Software.
With Video Editing Software, you can create amazing experiences for your visitors.
You have different options available when using video editing software including Adobe Premiere Elements, Filmora, Apple iMovie. You can use video editing software to insert music, smooth transitions, text overlays and other add-ons. Video editing software is very important for you to prepare before starting a vlog.
The trip
A convenient vlogging tool in your pocket as a Smartphone.
Almost all Smartphones have been empowered with high quality cameras which are capable of recording videos on the go.
If no editing is required, you can upload the video directly to YouTube or do post-production work by polishing your video with a video editing application.
However, as a rule of thumb, you should always shoot your videos horizontally in order to have the video experience that most viewers love.
Screen Recording Software
Camtasia Studio is a great software for starting a vlog, it makes screen recording and video editing easy and convenient. This is a powerful software that can help you create professional videos.
Camtasia Studio helps you record your on-screen activity, adjust and edit content, and lets you share videos on almost any device.
Its powerful screen recorder captures anything on your screen. It even gives you the opportunity to enhance your videos with a powerful editor, animated backgrounds, graphics, callouts, ready-to-use themes, and more. It allows you to produce interactive videos with clickable links and more.
Read: 10 Best Screen Recording Software for Making Video Tutorials
Conclusion
So, the above tools will help you on how to start vlogging and create high-quality videos so that your Vlogging experience works for you and brings large numbers of visitors and viewers to your website.
Thus, you should use Vlogging with the right kind of tool as illustrated above in the tools to get started with Vlogging.
With this, we come to the end of the article on How to Start a Vlog and Professional Vlogging Tools. I hope this article helps those of you who are currently looking to start making Vlogs or Video Blogging.
