What is a Vlog and How to become a successful vlogger

What is a Vlog?

The term "vlog" comes from the word "video blog". A video blog is simply a blog that uses video as the medium of communication rather than written words.

 

Someone can run a fashion blog and write about makeup and clothes. Similarly, this person might have a fashion vlog where they talk about their makeup and showcase new clothes.

 

A video blog is most often a personal video that is shot by the blogger himself. Another important aspect of vlogging is regularity. YouTube vlog channels often upload videos on a weekly or even daily basis. Like bloggers who write blogs, a vlogger is generally expected to release new content regularly.

 

When did vlogging start?

People usually associate vlogging with YouTube, but the concept of "vlogging" has been around for a long time. The first "vlog" can be traced back to the early 2000s, but it wasn't until YouTube came along that the idea of ​​vlogging really caught on.

 

Vlogging has become a subgenre on YouTube. Even the person mentioned above creating fashion vlogs would not necessarily be considered a "vlogger". This term has evolved into something more specific.

 

Currently, a "video blogger" is considered to be someone who creates personal videos in which the main topic is themselves and their lives. These types of videos are also usually released on a strict schedule, sometimes even every day of the week.

 

Even by modern definitions, vlogging has been around for a long time. Adam Contras is known as "the longest running active vlogger". He has regularly uploaded vlogs to his YouTube channel for over 15 years. They may not look like the vlogs you see from today's bloggers, but he does vlog nonetheless.

 

How to become a successful vlogger

If you think you have something you could vlog about, the next step is to put it into practice. Getting started is easy enough if you have a device that you can use to record, a computer, and an Internet connection.

 

The more difficult part is figuring out how to build your channel to get your videos actually viewed.

If you want to have a lot of loyal viewers and subscribers, it's important to develop the habit of uploading videos as often as possible. The more content people watch, the more likely they are to keep watching each time they download.

 

To make sure you have videos to release, it's a good idea to have ideas ahead of time on what to tape, as well as a stock of videos you can post in the future if possible.

 

Turn on your viewers

 

Another way to increase your video views is to try to interact with the people watching your videos. When you make a video, ask people to comment on their opinion or ask them questions and answer them. This will help keep your viewers engaged and possibly produce more in the long run.

 

Use social media to your advantage

 

Most vloggers also use platforms like Instagram or Twitter to engage with their viewers and grow their following. It's also a very easy way to spread the word about your channel. Following and commenting on other people's profiles is a good way to get people to pay attention to your profile, which in turn can lead to your video being viewed.

 

Make sure your channel is linked to your social media profiles and vice versa so it's easy for people to find them.

 

Personalize your channel

 

Another thing you can do to attract new viewers and subscribers is to make your channel unique and express yourself through it. Adding a profile picture, banner, and creating playlists of your videos all help.

 

It also helps a lot to have a consistent editing style , as well as a short intro and outro that will help people remember you. Make sure you don't overdo these things, as this can degrade the actual content of your video.

 

Is vlogging right for you?

If you're trying to decide whether or not to venture into the world of vlogging, you might want to take a look at your motivations as well as your current lifestyle. While creating a vlog channel is relatively easy, if you want it to be successful, it will likely take a lot of time and effort.

If you work and spend a lot of time working, it can be difficult for you to balance both your channel and your work. Depending on how much you want to get from your channel, vlogging can really become a full-time job. Especially since you are probably going to shoot, schedule and edit videos yourself.

 On the other hand, if you just want to vlog more for fun or just to see where it leads, you can certainly make your channel much more relaxed. Nowadays you just can't expect videos to get a lot of views out of the blue, for most people it takes a lot of work. This is because so many people are trying to do the same and there are so many channels out there now that it's hard to stand out unless you put a significant amount of extra work into them.

 

However, don't get discouraged. If you provide original and unique content and genuinely enjoy making vlogs about a particular topic, authenticity needs to shine through, and that alone can go a long way in getting reliable followers.