BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Thinking of starting a new vlog? Why not?! It’s easier, now more than ever, to build an audience and be of influence to many. It’s the digital age where we can all go ahead and share our daily activities, hobbies, and other things we’d love to share on the Internet.

Vlogging in particular has rapidly become a popular medium to express our thoughts and interests. Especially now that we are living in the era of COVID-19 where we are still more or less discouraged to go outside and do outdoor activities, being on the Internet has been a go-to for countless of people, and platforms like YouTube where you can share your own videos have been popular for a reason–videos are quick to digest, they are engaging and entertaining, and they add a closer, more personal touch since the viewers can have a unobscured view of what kind of content they are watching.

Photo from Pexels.com

In most cases, vlogging is more than just talking to the camera. A lot of preparation and effort are being put into such videos, especially by those who want to keep up with the most popular and professional vloggers who are known for their quality content.

There are many stages in creating a vlog–there is the process of choosing which platform to use, brainstorming, editing, and more. While vlogging looks incredibly fun and rewarding, it takes patience and hard work to make quality videos as well. Marketing your vlogs is a whole different story, too.

If you’re new to the whole vlogging scene, it would be immensely helpful if you know the tricks of the trade in order to be ahead. You might also be wondering how to improve the quality of your vlogs, and want to get more views. Let’s take a look at the basics and learn what it takes to amp up your vlogging techniques:

1. Decide what you’ll be vlogging about

One of the first decisions you’ll make is to determine what your vlog or set of vlogs are going to tackle. It’s incredibly vital to have a goal in mind when you’re starting out, since it narrows your ideas down and allows you to actually plan ahead. Doing this also lets you create a more specific demographic, so those who are already interested in the topic that you choose to vlog will likely click on your video and stay focused on watching.

If you’re having trouble deciding what topic to choose from when it comes to vlogging, it would be of great help to look at yourself and analyze what your passions are. Are you into photography, art, singing? Do you want to vlog about your regular job errands, or your cooking? Talking about what truly piques your interest will also allow you to be more at ease as you vlog since you have extensive knowledge of what you’re talking about, and your passion and authenticity will definitely shine through as you speak about the subjects you find worthy enough to discuss.

2. Understand the mechanics of your social media platform

It’s extremely important to be familiar with the process of putting up a vlog in the social media platform of your choice. In the case of YouTube being the most popular platform, it should be mandatory that you know how to navigate the site, since you’ll be using it to optimize the process of putting up your vlogs. Not only that, it also pays to do your research when it comes to finding out and being up to date with what’s current, hip or trending at the moment. When you’re tailoring your content to your target audience, it’s better safe than sorry to check if your content is considered outdated, or has not much unique or new to offer your viewers. It’s easy to notice that many vloggers have a distinct style or brand that they are known for, so getting some inspiration from other people is a great idea as well.

Basic formats that are popular are also worth noting–for example, most vlogs have an intro and outro that sticks with the viewers, and they use specific editing styles, tone, or hashtags that heavily depend on the video topic.

3. Get the right equipment

Of course, vlogging is nothing without having the right gear. Don’t be disheartened if you see other vloggers having top tier tools with the most expensive brands–you only need to check if your equipment is enough to suit the needs of your goals in making a great vlog. These days, some even use a great quality phone camera and people can barely notice the difference. Usually, people choose a quality small camera or camcorder, some save up for A DSLR, or use GoPro for their vlogging. Good audio and lighting always make a video a hundred times better, so investing in a quality microphone and lighting setup will definitely elevate your vlogging game. One of the most important tools that you shouldn’t forget is a good editing software, too.

4. Optimize your video

What matters most is the quality of your content, but in these modern times where we are constantly bombarded with things that are vying for our attention, it’s a must that you showcase your content in a way that makes it stand out from the rest. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. First, you would want to hone your own brand by determining what unique traits you have to offer and emphasizing that. This will make you memorable to your audience. Another step to further showcase your video is by making an eye-catching title and thumbnail, perhaps by using an intriguing line, using the most interesting screenshot of your video, or a pleasing design that can pique the interest of viewers. It’s important to not overdo this, since a ‘clickbait’ will only sacrifice the authenticity of your channel. The bright side of tackling relevant topics, or trends, also makes your video easier to find and discover. Doing cross-promotion on various platforms is also a popular method to attract new audiences.

5. Stay consistent

Last but not the least, updating your channel by putting up content in a consistent manner will do wonders, but it’s worth noting that making it ‘viral’ does not often happen overnight. This is not an easy feat since it means you’ll be constantly on the lookout for new ideas for your vlogs. As long as you’re enjoying being a content creator, it’s important not to give up just because you’re not seeing any progress when it comes to your channel gaining any traction. By focusing on putting out quality content, and doing them frequently, you’re well on your way in becoming a vlogger with a loyal audience that anticipates your content!

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Pexels