1. Choose a Simple, Relevant Topic
Choosing a topic that’s of interest to you and your followers makes it easier for viewers to connect with your vlog. However, don’t feel constrained by what comes naturally; if you discover that you’re a natural at cooking healthy meals, then don’t be afraid to branch out from your original idea. The more specific and personal your content is, the better it will resonate with people.
2. Plan Your Videos Out Beforehand
Before you hit record, it’s helpful to make a plan of what you want your vlog to cover. But here’s a pro tip: don’t script it word for word. Scripting is tedious and tough—you can get caught up in wording or forget some of your points. You should have a general idea of what you want your video to cover and then let yourself freestyle as you go along.
3. Use Good Lighting/Camera Equipment
Lighting and camera equipment are a big part of how people will perceive your vlog. If you shoot in a not well-lit room, it can be difficult for some viewers to watch because they aren’t used to seeing videos shot in low lighting. They may feel uneasy. The same goes for blurry or bad quality videos. Viewers are going to be much more likely to continue watching a video that is sharp and clear than one that looks fuzzy and is hard on their eyes.
4. Editing Is as Important as Filming
Post-production is just as important as shooting. You need editing software, but that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on something like Final Cut Pro. iMovie works just fine for simple videos and making a few tweaks. If you don’t want your vlogs looking like home movies, invest in some decent equipment and learn how to use it properly. Most of all, make sure you record quality footage in the first place – poor lighting and bad sound can ruin an otherwise great video.
5. Don’t Expect Instant Success!
Vlogging, like any other profession, takes work and dedication. Once you’ve got a system in place and start seeing results, you can be sure that your hard work is paying off! But remember: there will be times when you’re feeling defeated, tired or frustrated. If you stick with it though and keep putting out new content every week (or at least as frequently as possible), your efforts will pay off.
6. Promote Yourself and Get Feedback from Others
When you’re just starting out, it’s hard for potential clients and employers to see you as an expert. This is why you need feedback from others—to learn what works (and what doesn’t) so that you can improve your content over time. You should also use social media to promote yourself, but be careful not to spam people with too many self-promotional posts. Instead, share interesting posts and insights on a regular basis that will help build your reputation.
7. Try Different Types of Video – Monologue vs. Q&A
Two of today’s most popular vlog styles are Q&A and monologue. It’s important to note that you don’t have to choose one style or stay with that style forever. However, it is important that you understand what these styles are so you can know how best to use them.
Monologue: The monologue style is perhaps one of the most common types of video there is. In a monologue, your goal is to talk directly into your camera about whatever subject you want. You could be talking about a topic related to your business or a personal topic unrelated to your business (e.g., hobbies). Q&A: In a Q&A video, viewers ask questions about topics related to your business and/or personal life and you answer those questions directly into your camera.
8. Set Realistic Goals
You’re going to be bad at vlogging for a while. Maybe for a long while. It takes time, practice, and dedication to really become good at something—and that’s especially true with vlogging. If you jump into it without setting realistic goals for yourself, you might end up giving up after just a few weeks because it isn’t working or because no one is watching your videos yet. Instead, set small goals for yourself (like posting once a week) and slowly work toward bigger ones (like posting every day). The most important thing is that you don’t give up. © 2022 Patrick M
