There's no denying that vlogs are the most popular video content right now. From coffee shop owners to dog groomers, moms, and even college students, everyone is now vlogging their daily lives and getting millions of subscribers. Even brands are now happily using vlogs as part of their video marketing initiatives.
Maybe you want to start your own vlog channel, but at the same time feel like it's too late to learn how to vlog. The truth is, all you need to start a vlog channel is a good camera, best phone holder for video recording, a free video editor and some extra time.
In this article, we will discuss the best tips you need to successfully learn how to vlog in 2021.
What is a vlog?
Vlog is short for video blog and it is exactly what it sounds like: Content that you could have written as a blog, but instead speak into a camera. As a result, blog vs. vlog is often a common dilemma faced by many new YouTube vloggers.
The answer to this dilemma is simple: if you're more comfortable writing, you can stick with it and blog. On the other hand, if you feel more comfortable talking about it out loud, you can start creating vlogs.
Woman recording content for her lifestyle blog vlog, modern businesswoman using social media for marketing
According to YouTuber Jessica Stansberry, "Vlogging is as simple as documenting your daily activities on camera and sharing them with the world."
John Dovey, also a YouTuber, points out that "to make an interesting vlog, you need to take your viewers on a journey. Your video should have a story to keep them engaged."
Casey Neistat, a vlogger with over 12.3 million YouTube subscribers, says, "Vlogs are about using your life as a narrative for a daily series that people can watch and enjoy. You need to treat your vlogs like a movie - there needs to be a beginning, middle and end. The three sections can include an initial setup, a conflict in the middle, and then a resolution."
Top tips for YouTube vloggers to get started vlogging in 2021
1- Define the main purpose of vlogging.
Before you even think about how to vlog, you should first ask yourself - what should I vlog about?
Creating your personal vlog channel, deciding on your audience and developing video ideas will be much easier if you define the purpose of your vlogs. Of course, you can start vlogging and see where it goes, but deciding on a purpose and niche will help you gain dedicated viewers and subscribers.
2- Choose your vlog category.
Every vlogger you come across has a different style of recording, editing and presenting their life in their vlogs.
While some vloggers show their daily routine, others share motivational tips or their latest travel videos. There are numerous vlog categories to choose from, and any of them is acceptable as long as you feel comfortable in them.
Avoid picking a popular niche that you have no interest in. If you have no expertise or enthusiasm for the niche you choose, your viewers will soon notice and lose interest in your videos.
The idea is to find your passion and then create vlogs around it. Your passion and your vlog niche should overlap so that you can actually enjoy creating videos for a long time.
Here are some of the many vlog categories you can choose from:
Daily Vlogs: Show your viewers what a day in your life looks like
Travel Vlogs: Show famous travel destinations through your lens. You can also share travel tips, your favorite local restaurants, and lessons you learned on your last trip.
Technical Vlogs: Post how-to or setup videos about various tech products or apps
Music vlogs: Cover your favorite songs, react to newly released music videos, or help others learn musical instruments
Review vlogs: Share your opinions on movies, books, TV shows, tech gadgets and more.
Challenges: Participate in the latest fun YouTube video challenges making the rounds on the video platform
You don't have to choose just one vlog category and stick to it. You can choose 4-5 vlog styles from
3- Find your target audience
To become a successful vlogger and content creator, you should have a clear idea of who your potential subscribers are. Based on the purpose and niche of your vlogs, you should determine the following details about your target audience:
What do they like and dislike?
What are their main ages and demographics?
Where are they primarily located? In what time zones are most of your subscribers located?
Who are the popular vloggers they follow?
With a clear idea of who your target audience is, it will be easier for you to customize the content for your vlogs and steadily build an engaged audience for your vlogs.
4- Get inspired by other vloggers.
Get inspired by other vloggers to learn what they are doing right and how they are doing it. Start by picking a few top vloggers in the same niche as you and spend some time studying their vlogging style, editing techniques and general vibe.
By carefully analyzing successful YouTube vloggers, you will be able to understand more aspects, such as:
What topics should you vlog about?
How can you engage with your audience?
How do you edit videos to make them engaging?
Should you film your vlogs in one take or combine multiple takes and stitch them together?
How should you title your vlogs on YouTube?
How long should a vlog be?
5- Get your vlogging equipment.
It's true that many successful YouTubers now use expensive filming equipment that can easily rival that of professional filmmakers. But they didn't all start out that way, and you don't have to either.
To start a vlogging channel on YouTube, you don't have to spend a lot of money on an expensive video camera and sound equipment. You can start recording with your smartphone camera or a digital camera you already own.
Consider investing in video equipment once your YouTube channel starts to grow. While aesthetics can set you apart, it's also important to remember that the quality of your content is always more important than the quality of your videos.
Vlogger equipment for filming a movie or video blog drone steadicam camera stabilizer and laptop.
6- Video editing for your vlogs.
What really makes vlogs stand out is... how you edit them! Some vlog channels have gained a huge following simply because of their particular editing style. You don't need unique or groundbreaking editing styles or an expensive video editing program to create good vlogs.
You can get started simply by reading up on vlog editing principles for beginners and using a free video editor, and make sure your videos look clean and professional or fun and quirky - whichever direction you choose!