Would you believe me if I said you could be a successful YouTuber/vlogger?
YouTube is saturated. 500 hours of video are uploaded every minute to YouTube. Bloggers and YouTubers with millions of dollars are creating thousands of hours of video every year.
How can you break through the noise?
Let me tell you, video blogging still holds great potential.
Why you should blog
Take a look at the growth in video ad investments between brands and agencies, and where it's expected to go.
Although it may not be as simple as it used to be to get into the vlogging world, video is essential to create a profitable online marketing strategy.
Why?
First, video is still one of the most effective and efficient ways to get to know someone.
Leads form a trusting impression of you when they see you. You are not an anonymous content creator who is trying to drive your business. You are a real person.
Video is second most preferred way people can access information. These stats are not misleading. Video pages are 2.6 times more popular than pages without it.
The third is that the price of quality equipment continues to drop, and our smartphones keep getting better cameras.
Fourth, video can have a significant impact on user experience and SEO. A video on your website can increase SEO traffic by 15%. This infographic will help you understand the concept.
Video blogging can also be very lucrative. The highest-paid YouTubers and Vloggers earn between $14 million and $22 millions a year.
Video is unquestionable in its power.
This brings us to the question: How can you be a YouTuber of success?
These are the steps to make YouTube a success, starting with a vlog and coming out with ideas for a series. Then you can start making quality videos and making sure people find them.
How to Create a Concept for a series of Videos
Many people begin by having one idea for a video. This would be similar to starting a blog with a single article idea. You probably already know that this won't get you far.
In this video, I show you how long it takes to market content.
Like any other type of content marketing, video requires a long-term strategy that includes a subject, voice and approach.
Here's a question you might ask:
“What am I trying convey to my audience?”
Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can create your vlogging content.
- What format should it be? Do I need screen captures that show step-by-step instructions or should I just do them? Do I need to be out talking with people? Should I speak into the camera
- What is I can do with video in a way that I cannot do with other formats, such as the written word?
- How frequently will I make videos? What time can I devote to them?
To determine if your plan is feasible, you must document it.
People need consistency to understand why they should subscribe.
It will be difficult to convince people to follow your videos if they are random and sporadic.
Your success will depend on the content of your video.
This is only possible if you create quality videos.
How to Make Quality Video Content for Your Vlog
Video production is a complex profession. You'll be worried that you won't ever be able create something like this after you look at all the elements involved in shooting a TV broadcast or feature movie.
You probably won't be able to, and that's OK.
Your viewers aren't expecting to see a Steven Spielberg production when they watch your video on your blog.
Vlogging is understood by most people.
Quality is still important. Quality is still very important.
The cost of making quality videos is steadily falling and will continue to fall. There are more and more types of equipment available that can make your video go from amateur to professional-looking.
Step 1. Step 1. Get a Camera and Tripod
It is possible to be tempted by your iPhone.
Cameras on smartphones have become amazing over time. You've probably already taken great photos and videos with your smartphone.
For the following reasons, serious video blogging with smartphones is difficult:
- They are difficult to mount correctly.
- They have a very narrow field of depth
- They have very limited exposure options
- The sound is sucking
For Instagram Stories, selfie videos work best.
These can be an important part of your video strategy, but they shouldn't be the core of it.
Cameras come in a variety of quality, with basic models starting at $100 to professional equipment which can run into the tens of thousands.
Many DSLR cameras have video modes. However, they are not as extensive as those on smartphones.
DSLR cameras are like this:
Good news: If you aren't chasing snow leopards wild, you don't need fancy settings.
You need a good camera that can capture high-quality video. You don't necessarily need 4K, but enough quality for you to be able add anything.
For less than $200, you can buy refurbished HD digital cameras similar to this one.
Mount the camera on a tripod. Shaky video is the worst.
While you could place your camera on a shelf or table, tripods allow you to have complete control over your filming.
You can get full-size tripods for less that $20 so there is no reason to not have one.
Step 2. Step 2. Get a microphone
There are two options: You can get a camera that has a microphone-in jack so you can plug in an external mic (something you can do while filming with your smartphone) or you can purchase a USB microphone to record the sound to your computer.
It all depends on what conditions you are filming in. However, you don't usually want to record sound directly from your camera.
The challenge of having sound and images synced later on is added when you separate the recordings between the two devices.
This can be overcome by making a clap sound to increase the volume of your audio visualizer during each syncing. Then align it with the audio in the video.
It is crucial to have great sound in your videos. Sound is an essential sense and should be part of your marketing strategy.
Here are some ways you can harness the power of sound.
Poorly recorded audio can make people turn off and hinder your ability to get your message across.
Step 3. Step 3.
Lighting videos can be an art form in and of itself. It's easy to achieve a stunning effect with only three primary lights.
It is important to distinguish yourself from the background. This can be achieved with focus and depth-of-field. It looks great when the lighting is different.
A professional lighting setup is not necessary.
A few lamps around your house can be used to create decent lighting.
There are also LED boards lights available that diffuse well and don't get too hot, which is one of the downsides to using incandescent bulbs. If you don't want to shoot in controlled environments, you can purchase versions that can be mounted on your camera.
It's generally better to be brighter. Because the camera captures more light, and thus more detail, the image will be clearer.
Step 4. Step 4.
It's wonderful to be able speak off the cuff easily. Some YouTubers have a natural style that works well. Take Freddy My Love, a beauty YouTuber. Years of practice have helped her create a natural look that is effortless.
You will likely need to hire help in order to present content in a structured and clear manner.
It is possible to memorize key points and take a few shots. You can then assemble the best parts.
This is a slower process than using a Teleprompter.
Teleprompters make it easy to get the most important points across without having to memorize or awkwardly switch between them. A script could be written to be followed verbatim.
It's not just a time-saver. It dramatically improves your interaction with viewers.
If you have notes or something written on the screen, it can cause you to lose eye contact with your audience when you are directly speaking to them.
Cornell University has found that humans will increase eye contact when they are surrounded by people we admire and like.
We are more likely to make eye contact with uncomfortable or embarrassing subjects.
YouTubers and Vloggers that they admire will get more subscribers. While reading your script, bullet points or script, you can see directly into their eyes.
Although teleprompters may seem complex, they are actually quite simple.
Teleprompting uses a slanted glass piece to reflect the words, so that you can see them clearly.
The camera will not pick up light reflected from text on the glass as long as there is darkness between it and the lens. You will be the only one that the camera can see.
However, you will be able to clearly see the text while it scrolls. This is how it looks:
You can purchase a teleprompting set and use an iPad or tablet with the teleprompting application.
You can also hook up to foot pedals that allow you to control the speed at which text scrolls.
You can build your own CD case with your smartphone if all of that seems too overwhelming.
Step 5. Step 5.
This may sound controversial, but I understand that you want to be able to make the best of all options to succeed. People like to watch videos with people who are well-organized.
This is why many movie stars are often terrible at acting.
Brad Pitt is not your only option. You can't be Brad Pitt but you should try.
A HD camera is attached to a lighting system. You've never been seen so clearly by others.
You will notice shiny areas on your skin when you lighten yourself. This is your natural skin oil.
Most makeup uses a powder that absorbs oils so your skin looks smooth and doesn't reflect too much light.
Test your lighting setup to see if your skin is too shiny.
This applies to men just as much as it does for women.
Apply a powder, if necessary. You will be able to make your video look professional.
Step 6. Step 6.
Making videos is just like any other skill. It will become easier as you practice it.
Video editing can make your life easier. It makes it easy to quickly cut between the best take to create your content.
Video editing software is simple to find and easy to use. iMovie is available on all Macs as well as iOS.
It's easy to use the drag and drop interface.
YouTube has tons of videos that will show you how to make things easier, such as shortening a transition or overlaying an image.
You should create a lot of content. You might not use the majority of it. You get better with every new thing you do.
You should also be cautious about sharing too much. You should instead focus on a qualitative approach.
You can't fail to make mistakes, even if it seems like you did it right the first time.
It's impossible to predict when you might stumble upon something amazing.
Now that you have the tools to make your videos, it's time to get to the hard part.
How to get people to see your Vlogs
You are the one who controls everything when you create a video.
You choose how much time and money you are willing to invest in creating your video. You choose who and what to work with.
You then decide when to post it online.
It doesn't matter if other people see it.
It is possible to only grab their attention.
It can be hard to get people to view your video. However, there are steps you can take that will increase your audience and encourage more people to click play.
Step 1. Step 1.
Many people will first see the thumbnail in the player before they begin the video.
This is actually the communication piece that reaches all people who see your video, but don't watch it.
Digital real estate can be your small promo box that drives engagement. Make it beautiful.
Two examples are from Gary Vaynerchuk. He alters the style of the thumbnail by using a photo collage and the title in a YouTube-style.
When his subject matter is more inspiring, he will adopt a more serious and elegant tone.
The title is the one thing that you will always see in your thumbnail.
This is crucial real estate you can personalize to make people click.
While you will need to adhere to the brand guidelines and values, you can create your own to ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
Click on the thumbnail icon in your video manager to add it to your video.
You will then see some images from your video in the middle of your screen. These can be selected as your thumbnail.
To upload your custom image, click on the Upload Image button. The maximum size is 1280×720 pixels. Since that is the layout, a 16:9 ratio is the best.
Keep in mind, however, that your thumbnail must not exceed 2MB.
Step 2. Step 2. Optimize your video for search
This is not just about Google search.
YouTube is the second-largest search engine. These searches drive an incredible amount of views.
Optimizing for search requires that you improve your descriptions. YouTube cannot crawl your videos the same way Googlebot crawls your website.
To get YouTube SEO right, you need to help. Here are some things you can do to help YouTube SEO succeed.
- A description of 250 words or less that describes the subject matter of the video is required.
- Include your keywords in the title and at least three to four times in the body.
- Your keywords should be included in the title of your video.
- Add tags. When people watch other videos, tags help them to show up in the related videos section.
A few advanced settings can also be turned on. These features can be found under the “Tags” box, as shown in the above image.
You should include a localization if your video is focused in a specific area.
You want to drive as many views possible, so make sure you enable the following options: notify subscribers and allow embedding.
People can share your video via their websites and you can use their traffic to increase views.
It would be absurd if your subscribers didn’t know that you have a new video. You can check it automatically, but double-check.
Step 3. Step 3.
Anyone who has seen your video from the beginning is likely to be very interested in what it contains. This is the best time to capture them.
YouTube created end screens to help people pay attention to the end of your video.
You can show related or featured videos 20 seconds before and/or a little after the end of your video.
Go to YouTube Studio and click on Content. This will open your YouTube Studio account. This will open your videos. Choose the video that you wish to add an ending screen to. Data boxes will also open. You will find an “end screen box” on the right side.
The end screen is an extra portion of your video that adds time. It allows you to promote other videos and encourage people to subscribe.
Click on the Add element link.
A dropdown menu will appear with several options. They are all great for driving traffic.
YouTube offers three ways to promote your videos and playlists. These options are quite great.
You have the option to choose to highlight your most recent videos or to choose a video you wish to promote.
You can also let YouTube automatically recommend videos that are most relevant to each viewer.
If you wish, you could link to videos from other people.
You can add a video to the gallery. It will display the thumbnail, title, and duration.
You can resize and move the video.
To expose as many people as possible to your videos, you can add up to 4 elements.
Step 4. Step 4.
You must increase your subscriber base if you are going to make a successful video blog.
Views change.
Subscribers can be more than just people who happen to have seen your video.
These are people who were so pleased with the video they wanted to see more. They anticipate that you will give them something even better.
Additionally, YouTubers are a key metric for media outlets and brands that want to partner with them.
Add the subscribe action is the most important. You will see the avatar of your channel in a circle once you have done this.
This button can be placed wherever you like on the screen.
To increase your subscribers, you can also use the screen at the end we mentioned above.
Add a link to subscribe your website, email signature and Instagram bio. It is not enough to just add the YouTube link. It's important to tell them something as simple as “Subscribe for more videos”
Step 6. Step 6.
Digital marketing is moving to live video. There are many opportunities. It is much easier to feature on the Live homepage than on the regular YouTube homepage.
I have written everything about how to go live on YouTube, and why it is important.
You can also interact with others live, while they are watching you.
Instantaneously reply to chat questions. This allows you to build a real-time connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start a vlog.
Start by selecting a platform. YouTube, Facebook and Instagram all host videos. Next, you will need to decide what content you want and begin researching your audience.
What is the maximum amount of money I can make from vlogging?
It depends on the industry you are in and how successful your reach is. Most channels pay only a few cents for every thousand views. You can promote other products and services with your vlog.
Are there any expensive equipment needed to start a video blog?
No. No. You can also edit your videos with free or inexpensive tools.
What can I do to use a videolog to market my company?
You can include vlogging in your content marketing strategy. Or, you can use video content as a way to encourage subscribers to purchase paid products and services. If you plan to use vlogs to market your business, make sure that they offer value.
How To Vlog Successfully Conclusion
Video blogging is increasingly important in content marketing.
Video marketing is a great way to get started.
You can organize your thoughts and sit down to create a concept for a series of videos.
Your video, like all content marketing, must provide value to the viewer, regardless of whether it is educational, entertaining, or informative.
Next, create the video with the best quality possible for your budget and time.
You might find it helpful to read books on cinematography. Gustavo Mercado's The Filmmaker's Eye is a great book. To learn more about shot composition, you can read the entire book.
Finally, no matter what you do, make sure your video is visible to the world.
Although you could create the most amazing video ever, that doesn't make it a YouTube sensation.
How have you found YouTube and vlogging?
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By: Neil Patel
Title: How to Vlog: A Complete Guide to Start Vlogging in 2021
Sourced From: neilpatel.com/blog/vlog-successfully/
Published Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2021 21:00:00 +0000