Five fantastic vlogging tips for beginners
Video content is one of the best ways to communicate with your audience. Almost five billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day and according to HubSpot, 92% of mobile users share video content.
One of the most popular forms of video is vlogging (video + blogging). It’s a great way to get a lot of videos out there quickly, because they don’t take much effort to create and they are very cost-effective. It’s just you and your camera.
With the rise of vlogging stars there are a number of tricks you can use to improve the quality of your productions and the levels of engagement. We aren’t suggesting you spend hours editing, but with a little bit more time and effort you can create something that is worth watching.
Be yourself
Do you know what the most important thing about your vlog is? YOU! You are the story and you are the reason people are watching, so share your life and your environment.
Don’t strive for perfection when recording – that’s what makes you human and likeable. By being transparent and authentic you will gain the trust and respect of your viewers.
Have a plan
While it’s important to be yourself, you need some kind of plan when vlogging. Ask yourself:
- Why are you vlogging?
- What is your niche?
- Who is your audience?
- What are you goals
Get creative
If you want to create something engaging, you need to edit your content. This doesn’t require Spielberg skills – there are some great editing software out there that can help, such as Adobe Premier Pro, Microsoft Movie Make and iMovie.
Try a few of them out and find one that you feel comfortable using. Jump cuts are a vlogger’s best friend, as they give a vlog energy and interest and also let you cut out pauses and mistakes, or jump to another section.
Use the right equipment
Unless you plan on making your vlog your next career move, it’s fine to record using your phone. However, there are few bits of equipment you will need.
- Tripod: this will ensure the shot is still and steady
- Audio: it doesn’t matter how interesting you are, if people can’t hear what you’re saying, they won’t stick around. It’s worth investing in a quality external microphone that you can plug into your phone.
- Lighting: this is another very important factor for creating high quality vlogs – and it will also make you look good! You don’t have to invest in a professional setup, so play around with the lighting and lamps you have at home. Try pointing a lamp towards you from different angles.
Stay consistent
The final ingredient for successful vlogging is to be consistent, which means creating regular vlogs. Try and pick a day each week when you post new content. It will help you get into a routine and also means you become a regular part of your audience’s online world, which will help your channel grow.
Still vexed about vlogging, or sweating over your social media? Get in touch to find out how we can help you improve your digital marketing and boost your business.
