Internet celebrities abound and many of them are vloggers. But the ones that enjoy longevity are those with real value to offer their followers. Whether they vlog about traveling, healthy lifestyle, or those DIY videos, viewers naturally gravitate to channels that are of good video quality and engaging content.
With hundreds of vlogs now on YouTube and other social media channels, the key to starting your own is either doing something trendy or something unique.
Here are some important steps to take if you’re thinking about starting a vlog channel.
Find Your Passion
Your passion will dictate the topics and niche you want to take on. Don’t just rely on what’s trending out there or what type of videos get the most hits. The way to making your vlog fun is if you really like what you’re doing, you talk about things that interest you, and you’re willing to do the work to deliver content to your viewers.
As time goes by, you may find it increasingly difficult to do your vlog if you’re not genuinely interested in what you’re doing. If you like traveling, do a destination or cultural vlog, if you love basketball, talk about that.
It’s easy to be diverse and creative if you’re passionate about your topics.
Set a Goal
Setting a goal is important if you want your vlog to be successful over time. For example, what is your purpose for doing the vlog? Is it to inform, entertain, or help? How many views do you want to get in the first six months? How many subscribers?
Do you want to get ads and sponsorships in the future? How are you going to promote your vlog?
Understanding your goal for the channel will help you answer these questions. You can start with small, short-term goals and just go about things blindly.
Learn Basic Video Editing
You won’t have the budget to hire a professional video production company, at least not at the start. That will come later when you start doing sponsored videos that require high-quality production and editing.
No, you will have to do everything yourself for your vlog: shooting, editing, and rendering.
Learn video editing basics and techniques before even starting your vlog. There are free courses online and, well, YouTube channels that will give you useful skills and tips on how to create videos and the right equipment to use. You can also follow some good vloggers to watch and learn from their videos.
Focus on Telling a Story
Part of making your vlog successful is knowing who your intended followers are and then telling them stories they will find engaging. A vlog is no different from a blog; it’s a story told orally.
Instead of giving your viewers a random compilation of clips, turn your vlog into a story. Like you’re making a short film. It should have a beginning, a middle, a bit of twist, and a good ending.
When doing a travel vlog, for example, don’t just tell them about the actual place. Include the journey and your experiences – the details, sights, the challenges of reaching your destination. Put some emotion into it and make your audience feel as if they are traveling with you.
Follow the Trends
Yes, we said not to rely on trends. But the ones that are related to your niche will help you get attention. Videos on popular trends have a high chance of going viral and getting shared. But remember to always stay in your niche.
Finally, don’t think that doing a vlog is easy work. It takes hard work, smarts, and dedication to run a successful vlog channel. Keep creating and uploading your work, but make sure you stay on your niche and your goals. The key here is consistency.
