The word vlogging comes from the combination of the words blog and video. Meaning that they are short videos that are posted on sharing platforms like YouTube that typically offer content on a specific subject.

Are you curious how people get set up vlogging? Do you want to learn how to start vlogging? Read on to find useful tips and tricks to get you started vlogging.

What Is Vlogging

It used to be that blogs were all the rage. People built websites and wrote articles that they posted on their websites. Blogs could be anything from sharing knitting knowledge to world travelers sharing their international experiences.

While blogs are still alive and well, people have turned to videos to share their information and content. As technology has advanced and become more accessible for everyone, vlogging has become easier for anyone to do.

Videos on vlogging channels typically run between 5 minutes to 20 or so minutes. They capture images and cover a specific content that the vlogger creates to share with an audience.

Why Vlog

People like to share their knowledge and people also like to see real people sharing their real experiences. This is the base idea for vlogging.

Do you have something exciting to share with the world? Do you have knowledge about a certain topic that might interest people? There are many reasons why people start creating vlogs. Maybe it’s for fame and fortune? A handful of vlogs on YouTube make a significant amount of money by having millions of followers. Of course, this takes a lot of time and effort to achieve, but is not impossible.

Types of Vlogs

The two most popular types of vlogs are the videos where the vlogger is speaking directly into the steady camera to the listeners and the ones where the vlogger takes the viewer with them while they share their content.

How Do You Start Vlogging

The most important thing is to choose a niche for your vlogging. Do you have photography knowledge that you would like to share? Do you have an interesting lifestyle (like living on a sailboat with your family) that you think people would be interested in getting a sneak peek into? Whatever it is, it's important to narrow down your content to a specific niche and to become known for that topic.

You need some equipment (that we’ll cover in the next section).

You also need to keep in mind that you have to create interesting videos that will keep viewers coming back to your channel. That doesn’t mean that you need to be jumping out of planes or doing crazy things. Keep your audience engaged by making them feel like they are a part of the experience. Be personable, interesting, and professional about your topic. That way you will gain trust and loyal followers more easily.

You can upload straight out of the camera videos or you can use video editing software to add texts, transitions, filters, and effects. Video editors like Adobe Premiere, for example, will make your videos look ultra professional.

Learning video editing will take some time and work. If this is what you want to do we recommend you take a short course to avoid some beginner’s frustrations.

You can also take courses like How to Become a Popular Vlogger & Make Videos People Love to get you started vlogging.

Scripting the video beforehand can help ease you through the capturing. But you may be a natural and be comfortable with the process and choose to improvise. It’s totally up to you. One important thing is to remain natural and authentic.

Start by telling people about your vlogging channel on your social media profiles and ask your friends and family to subscribe and also to share with their friends so that you can gain more followers.

In your videos, remember to encourage viewers to subscribe and like your videos so that you can gain momentum on the YouTube algorithms.

What You Need To Vlog

You need some basic equipment to start vlogging if you want to produce quality videos that will help you gain viewers and followers.

Some use professional DSLR cameras or action cameras like a GoPro or drones, but more and more people are using their phones to capture their videos.

If you want to vlog and speak directly into the camera to your viewers you need to stabilize your phone while you are recording your videos. You need a tripod to keep your phone steady to make these types of videos.

Are you the action type and want to take your phone out and about to shoot your videos? A stabilizer rig comes in really handy for that type of video.

You will also want to invest in a quality microphone to obtain the best sound quality that you can.

Lighting is important and makes your videos look more professional. Make sure the scene is well lit - you can purchase a ring light or a LED light to achieve this.

You will need a computer to upload your video to your chosen platform, like YouTube or Vimeo.

Let’s Vlog

Do you think that you will start vlogging? Do you have something to share with the world? Come join us in our Facebook page Shoot Like a Pro With Your Phone to share your vlogging channel and to mingle with other like-minded people who are passionate about phone photography and videography.