If you are looking for some tips for vlogging, you are in the right place! Maybe you are brand new to the vlogging world, or maybe you have been making videos for a bit but are looking for some guidance. Vlogging can be a fantastic way to connect with the world and share your message. With that benign said, vlogging can also be very overwhelming if you are new to video content creation. From purchasing equipment to planning out your videos to editing – there is a lot to consider! In this blog post, you will learn tips for vlogging focused on four different areas – 1) Planning your content, 2) Filming your content, 3) Editing your content, and 4) Promoting your content. Let’s get started!
Planning Your Vlogs In Advance
One of the most important tips for vlogging is to always plan out your content in advance. By planning out your content, you are ensuring that you have the best possible chance at succeeding. For example, if you start to create a blog but don’t have any idea as to what you want to happen in that blog or what type of content you want to blog about, you were likely to create a video that is not very engaging or interesting to your audience. With that being said, let’s get into my tips around planning your content.
Planning Your Content
Plan Before You Create
As mentioned earlier in the article, having a plan and forming your plan before creating content is important. if you start to create video content but you aren’t really sure what you are creating or who it is 4, then the odds of somebody actually watching and being interested in that content is very low.
Watch Other Creators for Inspiration
Next, it is really important to know what people are interested in. More specifically who are you trying to reach and what is engaging to them? Think about what content you enjoy watching – what makes it interesting or engaging? Take notes and incorporate your findings into your own channel.
Utilize Trends
Trends are great for blogs because they help to attract additional attention to your videos. What trends can you find and incorporate into your videos? If you want to grow your channel fast, utilizing trends is one of the most helpful tips for vlogging.
Identify Your Niche
Before you can really identify the type of vlogs you want to create, you have to identify your channel niche. What overall theme will you focus on? Channels with themes typically perform better because YouTube knows how to recommend that content to interested viewers. The more specific the niche, the better. This is one of the tips for vlogging that I wish I would have paid more attention to early on.
Choose a Topic Within Your Niche
Next, it is important to figure out the type of content that you are interested in creating. You should ask yourself what topics you are interested in and what types of content you enjoy creating. It is important to consider that this may take some time. Just because you think you would enjoy creating videos about a certain topic doesn’t mean that will actually be the case. Everything could change once you start creating content, so be sure to give yourself a grace period.
Identify Your Audience
Before you start filming your video, it is important to understand who you are making videos for and why. More specifically, who is your audience? For example, if you are making videos for business owners, your content is going to differ significantly from content that you would make if you are targeting people who love to cook. This is one of the most critical tips for vlogging and one that I wish I would have understood sooner!
Planning Your Schedule
Upload Consistently
When planning content, uploading consistently is really important to develop a relationship with your audience. If people start to like your videos and they take off, chances are that your viewers will want to binge-watch content. The more consistent you are, the more reliable you are for your audience and the more likely your channel will grow. While your channel may not grow fast, this is one of the best tips for vlogging because consistency will grow an audience.
Set Frequency in Advance
Plan in advance how often you will post and set that as a goal. If you do not know how often you will post or really plan it out on a calendar, it is less likely that you will be consistent.
Planning Your Video Content
Do Your Vlogs Have Structure?
Create some form of consistency in your vlogs – like a regular theme so that people know what to expect. As an example, your vlog structure could start with a morning routine, or your vlogs could always showcase a daily adventure or what you eat in a day. When it comes to tips for vlogging, this one may not be the most exciting, but it is important.
Focus on Storytelling
When you plan your vlog, it is important t focus on telling a story. This will help your videos to flow better and prevent your audience from getting confused.
Video Length
One common question from up-and-coming YouTubers is about how long their videos should be. It is important to consider how long you want your videos to be and also what works best in your niche. For example, if you livestream, these videos are typically much longer than if you were to do a product review. Check out other channels and see what works best from there.
Your Vlog Format
Consider what vlogging format will you use. For example, will you talk to the camera, use b-roll with a voice over, or both? Figure out your style and what you enjoy the most. This is one of the most fun and creative tips for vlogging!
Plan Your Video Intro
A video intro is really important because if it is too slow or boring, this may cause viewers to leave and stop watching your videos! This will inevitably hurt how your videos perform. Plan the first few minutes of your video accordingly. Either get to the point fast or make your videos more engaging! You can improve engagement by using a higher variety of clips or asking some sort of question to intrigue your audience. This is one of my favorite tips for vlogging that I learned early on.
Additional Tips for Planning Your Vlog Content
Think Like a Business
Most vloggers want to monetize their YouTube channel in some way. For example, you could monetize through affiliate links, your own products, or brand sponsorships. To do this, it is important that you take your channel seriously and consider how each video you publish will help you to meet your goals. IF you plan to make content creation a full time career, this is one of the most important tips for vlogging.
Watch Your Competition
It is important to watch your competition to see what works well and what doesn’t from a content standpoint. Pay attention to what videos do well for your competition and take notes. Similarly, find out what videos do not perform well for your competition and avoid creating those types of videos. This is one of the best tips for vlogging for those who want their vlogs to perform well.
Be Yourself on Camera
To really enjoy YouTube and build an authentic relationship with your audience, it is important to be yourself. Your viewers will be able to tell if you aren’t being genuine, so don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t!
Create Your First Episode!
Now it is time to create your first episode! Have fun, give yourself plenty of time to film, and remember it is a process!
Branding Your Videos
Branding is really important for your YouTube channel because it helps to give your audience an idea of what your channel is all about. You can convey a lot through your brand, so it is important to think carefully before you get started. If you enjoy branding and understand the power of branding, this will be one of the most helpful tips for vlogging.
Consistent Branding
When you create your branding materials, such as a YouTube channel banner or YouTube thumbnails, it is important that they follow the same thing. You can create a cohesive theme through the use of colors, fonts, images, icons, and more.
Sharing Your Content
While content promotion doesn’t seem like it should be in the planning section, the opposite is true! It is important to know where and how you will share your content ahead of time. For example, if you also plan to share your video to Instagram Reels, it might be a good idea to capture your content with a mobile phone while you are filming to make the editing process easier. This is one of the best tips for vlogging that I can provide. Time and time again I meet creators who don’t understand how to share their content, but this part is key.
Filming Your Content
The next few tips for vlogging are all about filming content. When it comes to filming your video content, there are multiple steps that you can take to ensure that your content is the best that it can be. This checklist is helpful because filming video content can oftentimes be an overwhelming process. This checklist will help to ensure that you do not forget anything.
Equipment Planning
Video and Audio Quality
When considering the overall quality of your video content, it is important that you are optimizing the filming process so that you were able to get the highest quality possible. With that being said, it is also important to avoid going overboard. Many YouTubers spend too much time focusing on video and audio quality. These YouTubers often forget that the message within their videos is equally as important. There is a point of diminishing return when it comes to the quality of your video content. For example, many of the popular YouTubers within your niche might not be creating extremely high-quality videos. While it is important to deliver a great viewer experience, you likely don’t need to go out and purchase an expensive equipment set up. This is one of the biggest tips for vlogging that I can provide. It is important to prioritize where your energy is spent.
How Will You Film Your Content?
Next, it is time to think about how you will be filming your content. More specifically, what type of camera will you be using? The primary options to choose from include using a smartphone, a point-and-shoot camera, or even a DSLR. If you want the highest quality possible and enjoy learning new gear, then a DSLR is right for you. If you want the most simplistic setup possible, a phone will be for you. If you want something a bit higher quality than smartphone video but also want something light enough to be able to carry around, a point-and-shoot will be the best option. It all depends on the types of vlogs that you will be filming ad the typical quality expected within your niche. As someone who has spent a long time creating video content, this definitely one of the most helpful tips for vlogging that I wish I would have known sooner.
How Much Video Storage Space Will You Need?
Storage space is often one of the most overlooked aspects of vlogging on YouTube. If you plan to shoot most of your vlogs in 4k, you need extra storage space! I repeat, you need it! I recommend purchasing an external hard drive for storing your footage. Additionally, it is a good idea to invest in an SD card if you are using a camera (instead of smartphone).
Practice With Your Equipment
The next tip that I have for you is to practice with your equipment as much as possible. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing that you need to set up your blogging equipment in a short amount of time, but feeling completely overwhelmed in the process. If you’d like to create content easily and without stress, this section is going to provide you with many helpful tips for vlogging. Additionally, the more that you practice with your video equipment, the better that you will get at using it. You might even discover some new features that could really add a lot of value to your vlogs.
Upgrade Equipment – Within Reason
As mentioned in an earlier section, it is important to have the right equipment to film your vlogs. The reason why it is important is because it helps to improve the overall viewer experience. This could in turn increase the likelihood that somebody will return to watch more of your videos. With that being said, most vloggers do not need to purchase an expensive video setup. If you plan to film a lot of vlogs where you will be out and about, you could likely make do with using either your smartphone or a point-and-shoot camera. You do not need to go and purchase a $5,000 DSLR to get the job done. Many YouTubers will tell you that you need to have the latest equipment to be able to film a really great video. However, in this day and age with all of the technology that we have available to us, this simply is not the case. If you are trying to make quality content on a budget, then this is one of the most helpful tips for vlogging.
Record Your Content
Now we will discuss how to actually record your content. Outside of planning, how to record your vlog content is one of the most important tips for vlogging that you will find in this blog post. There are so many steps that you can take to create higher quality videos without needing to purchase a lot of extra equipment. A lot of this comes down to the type of content that you create when you are recording.
Film With Variety in Mind
When you start to record your vlogs it is really important to put yourself in the shoes of your viewer. This is one of the biggest tips for vlogging. Just think about it – would you rather watch a video that is literally just a video of somebody talking, or would you rather watch a video where there are a variety of clips to really illustrate what the YouTuber is talking about in that video. The more clips you have in your vlog, the better. The human attention span is a lot shorter these days thanks to social media and smartphones, so if people do not have a wide variety of clips to watch in your vlogs, then they will probably get bored. Using a variety of clips and focusing on engagement are important tips for vlogging.
Another recommendation is that when you are planning out your videos, you should make a shot list. This would be helpful so that you are able to get all of the different shots that you need when filming. This also makes the editing process a lot easier.
Treat Your Vlogs Like a Conversation
Whenever I work with new content creators, they always talk about how awkward they feel when talking to a camera. I totally understand how talking to a piece of equipment like it is an actual human feels a little ridiculous. One of the best tips for vlogging that I’ve learned over the years is how to master my on-camera presence. More specifically, the key to creating a personal and engaging vlog is to act as if you are having a conversation with a friend or a colleague. This will come across as much more confident and natural when you are vlogging. This is also going to help you to build a better relationship with your audience and help them to feel more included in your content.
Look at the Lens When Recording
Another vlogging tip when you are filming videos is to look straight at the lens. Many people don’t actually know where to look when they have to film themselves on camera. If you look to the side of a lens or above a camera it’s going to be a little bit confusing for your viewers because they won’t be quite sure what you’re looking at. However, if you look straight at the lens, it will appear as if you are looking straight at the viewer. This is one of the best tips for vlogging to make your videos seem more natural and conversational.
Confidence
Confidence is tricky to address when it comes to filming video content. I have found that over the last 10 years of recording my own video content that comes over time. You can’t force someone to feel confident on camera if they aren’t used to it and if it feels awkward. The best advice that I have for you is to be yourself on camera and the confidence will come.
What Filming Technique Will You Use?
Now let’s talk about filming techniques. I really enjoy this aspect of creating video content and blogging. There are a couple of different styles that you can choose from when filming vlogs. Some vloggers will talk straight to the camera, while others will record clips that help to illustrate different parts of their adventure and utilize a voice-over. I recommend combining both of these methods to give yourself as much variety as possible. I think that it is always a great idea to talk straight to the camera whenever you are filming a vlog because this helps to build a relationship with your audience. It is also good to have a lot of different clips to keep your audience engaged. When you film, try to experiment and find your own style.
Avoid Shaky Camera
If you are new to filming video content then you might not be familiar with how to use a tripod. In addition, you might not be quite sure about how still you need to hold your camera when you are vlogging. My advice is that whenever you are recording video content, try to keep your camera as still as possible. If you are recording a moving shot, my recommendation is to use a tripod or a handheld stabilizer to get the smoothest footage possible.
What Backgrounds or Environment
When you record video content that you plan to post online, it is really important to be mindful of the environment or background where you are filming. For example, if you are filming in a very cluttered and unorganized environment, this will probably cause your audience to become very distracted. While it may seem a little annoying, it is really important to film in an environment that looks nice. You do not want to distract your viewers or give them a reason to call you out. You can also purchase different backdrops to film your video content if you do not like any of the background options that you have at home. One final tip to remember is that if you are filming your blog in a public location, you might need to get a permit to film – just keep that in mind.
Length
The length of your vlogs is also really important to consider. Finding your ideal video length and style are important tips for vlogging. The ideal length of your content really depends on your niche. If you are creating a vlog that is more conversational, or if you are creating a video where you are answering a lot of questions, then this type of content can be a bit longer. However, if you are creating a highlight video from your most recent vacation, you probably will not want to go over more than 10 to 15 minutes in length. I also suggest conducting research to find out what other creators are doing in your niche and keep your video length similar to theirs.
Be YOU!
My advice when it comes to creating your own blogs is to be yourself. Finding your own speaking style and confidence are important tips for vlogging. Yes, I know this advice is extremely cliche. To be honest with you, if you are watching someone create video content and you can tell that they are being themselves or they feel really uncomfortable, it’s going to be really difficult to watch. The best choice is to be yourself and have fun with it.
Editing Video Content
The next few tips for vlogging are all about video editing. Now we’re going to talk about editing your video content. Video editing is a very controversial subject for a lot of YouTube vloggers and video creators. People typically love editing or absolutely despise it. From my experience, most people who create videos absolutely despise video editing. Now I’m going to provide you with my best tips when it comes to video editing your vlogs.
Learn How to Edit
The first editing tips for vlogging that I have for you is to learn the basics of the video editing software that you are using. Taking the time to really understand the software and learn about the different features and buttons is going to make your life so much easier when you actually need to edit your vlogs on a regular basis. If you are interested in learning how to use Adobe Premiere Pro, check out this tutorial.
Utilize Transitions
The next recommendation that I have is all about keeping it interesting for your viewers. I cannot overstate how important it is to use transitions. Transitions are a very fun way to make your videos more interesting for your viewers. There are a lot of really simple and fun ways to incorporate transitions into your videos. As an example, you could take your camera and zoom in on a white wall. For the next clip, you could Zoom out from a similarly colored wall, but in a different room or environment. This will result in a very smooth transition. If you want to learn more about video transitions, check out this article that I wrote about how to use transitions when you are creating Instagram reels. While Instagram Reels are not typically considered vlogs, the same rules apply.
Pay Attention to Music Choice
Music choice is really important to consider when editing your vlogs. Music has the ability to set the tone for your videos. Whether you want a scene to be relaxing or suspenseful, you can achieve all these moods through music. If you are unsure of how to find music for YouTube videos, check out this blog post that I wrote.
Intro and Outro
To take your vlogs to the next level, you might want to create a custom intro and outro. This is another important tips for vlogging. An intro is placed at the beginning of a video and is usually comprised of a few different video clips that represent the brand of your channel. Outros are not usually as common for videos, but this could also utilize the same format and include a couple of different video clips as well as a call to action. One tip if you plan to include an intro in your vlog is to make sure that the intro is no more than 5 to 10 seconds long. If an intro is too long, it can cause viewers to immediately leave your video because they got bored or didn’t want to wait around for the intro to end. If an intro is too long, it can prevent viewers from getting information when they need it
Avoid Dead Space
When editing, it is really important to make sure that your videos flow and do not have any noticeable gaps. Dead space in a video occurs when there is a section of a clip that is silent or has very little action. As a rule of thumb, if a clip does not add value or is boring to watch, remove it. If you think it is boring, your viewers most likely will as well.
Select Your Video Editing Software
To edit high-quality videos, you must select the right video editing software. My favorite video editing software is Adobe Premiere Pro. I’ve found that this software has all of the capabilities that I need on a regular basis and more.
What Is Your Editing Style?
Over time and as you edit more videos, you will find your own editing style. Your videos might be more relaxing or more fast-paced. You might spend more time talking to the camera or more time showing clips throughout your day. Remember to have fun with it!
Promoting Vlog Content
Once you have done the work of planning, filming, and editing your vlog, it is time to promote your content. Video promotion is another one of those crucial tips for vlogging. After all of the work that you put in to create an awesome video, it is important to share it so that people know it exists.
Promote on YouTube – Tips for Vlogging
Cross-Promote on YouTube
If your vlogs are published on YouTube, one way to promote them is to cross-promote with other vloggers. You could really use this strategy on any social media platform. As soon as you publish your vlog, begin interacting with other vloggers and commenting on their videos. This will likely encourage those vloggers to check out your new content. The more engagement you get on a new video, the more likely it will do well and be shown to more users by the algorithm.
Collaborate With Other Vloggers
Another way to promote your vlog is to collaborate with other vloggers. As an example, you could find vloggers within your niche and cross promote each channel to each other’s audience. Both channels could also create a vlog around the same topic and then cross promote to each other’s audience.
Ask Viewers for Feedback
When filming a vlog, you could ask your viewers for feedback on your content. This is one of the most important tips for vlogging. This could be as simple as “comment below and tell me what content you would like me to share next.” Checking in with your audience from time to time is a great way to learn about what your audience would like to see. This tip is also commonly used in business and is known as user feedback and market research. Getting direct feedback from your consumer is critical!
Use a Call to Action
One way to promote your vlogs is to include a call to action at the end or in the middle of your video. Examples of calls to action that you could use include:
-Subscribe to my channel
-Like my video
-Comment below and tell me what you think
Find ways to engage with your audience and you would be surprised at how much they will engage with you!
Upload Regularly
Uploading regularly and consistently is a key part of having a successful vlogging career. It is really important to upload consistently because this is what helps to build a relationship with your audience. As an example, your audience knows that you publish new content every Thursday and they happen to really enjoy your videos. Because of this, they probably really look forward to seeing your content and want to watch your videos as soon as they are published. However, if you say that you are going to publish a video at a certain date or time and fail to do so, this could break trust with your audience.
Optimize YouTube Videos and Channel
Another tip that I have when it comes to blogging is to be sure to optimize both your YouTube channel as well as your videos. Check out this YouTube video checklist for more information on this.
Custom YouTube Thumbnail
Another way to promote your blog is to create a custom thumbnail. It is incredibly important to create a high-quality and engaging thumbnail because this is what users will see before they decide to click on your video. Check out this article on how to create a thumbnail.
Keyword Research
Keyword research is another really important part of promoting your vlogs. One recommendation to help with optimizing your videos is to target training keywords or low competition keywords for each video.
Other Social Media Platforms
Below are a few more tips for vlogging that focus on social media. Keep reading for a non-comprehensive list of ideas and platforms to promote your vlogs.
You could promote your vlogs in Facebook groups and also on your stories and feeds.
Reddit might be a good place to promote your vlog if it helps to answer a question.
Many vloggers promote their content by posting on Twitter and utilizing hashtags.
Instagram is a great place to promote your vlog! You could share a clip in your Reel and then share that to your story with a link to watch the full video.
I highly recommend promoting your vlogs on Pinterest! This is a great platform to post a variety of content, including videos.
Other Tips For Vlogging
Don’t Overuse Clickbait
Many vloggers, both new and experienced, will use clickbait to attract more viewers. When it comes to tips for vlogging, one of the most important tips I can share is to be transparent and honest with your viewers. This usually takes the form of including an outrageous statement or question in the video title. While this is a decent strategy to use sometimes, I wouldn’t recommend using it often. If you tease a big reveal in your video title and don’t live up to it in your video, you may upset viewers and lose subscribers.
Focus on Quality
It is really important to make sure that the quality of your content is the best that it can be. More specifically, make sure that your videos contain interesting information for your audience. Put time and effort into planning your video concepts and figure out what your audience wants to see.
Practice Talking to Your Camera
Another tip is to practice talking to your camera. This might seem silly, but the more you do this, the more comfortable you will be when vlogging. If you are comfortable speaking on camera, you will come across as more confident and conversational.
Don’t Give Up!
Creating video content may get discouraging at times. It can take a while to break through and publish a video that will change the trajectory of your channel. With dedication and perseverance, you can do it! It won’t be easy but it is possible!
Tips for Vlogging – Summary
Vlogging can be a really fun and fulfilling experience if you put in the necessary time to plan for success. By planning your content ahead of time, practicing with equipment, and getting more comfortable on camera, you are on your way to creating successful vlog content. Don’t forget to create a promotional strategy to market your content while you are still building an audience. Now, for the most important tips for vlogging of all – when it gets challenging, as it inevitably will, don’t give up! If you have any questions at all, please comment below! Have fun vlogging.
Check out this article by Filmora for the Do’s and Dont’s of blogging.
Morgan
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