There’s no formal training to become a blogger. You teach yourself what you can and you learn from other more experienced members of the blogging community. That’s why blogging events are such a big deal in our world — we get to connect with our community in a face-to-face way and we also get to learn more about this crazy craft called blogging.
I just attended one of this “big deal” events — Blissdom Canada — over the past weekend (I attended last year too). Held in Toronto, 500 bloggers flocked in from all provinces to learn, network, and party.
To Vlog or Not to Vlog
I’ll tell you all about the fun and silliness, but for now, I want to ask you about video blogging, or “vlogging.”
Video is all the rage as the next trend in marketing because research is showing that videos bring in greater engagement with the content: more views, more click-throughs, more comments, and more follow-throughs on call-to-action. People just really like video (or really don’t like reading?).
I’ve noticed a number of bloggers successfully (“success” being defined subjectively by me as entertaining and professional looking) using video and I’ve often thought — hey, I should try that too! (But so far, the closest I’ve come has been agreeing to do this video interview).
So my question is: Would you like to see more bloggers, including me, doing vlogging? Is this appealing to you … and why?
Vlogging Tips to Share
Because the art of vlogging both intrigues and terrifies me, I chose to attend a Blissdom session with The Palinode (also known as Aidan Morgan) on this topic. He and his wife Elan are the co-founders of Ninjamatics and are well-known in the blogosphere for their knowledge of all things related to digital design and content.
Here are the tips I picked up on what I might need to get started:
- Aidan uses a mid-range camera with video for his vlogging work, but noted that you can also use your iPhone and download the iMovie app to get started.
- He also recommends Adobe Creative Cloud, which allows you to access all of the editing tools in Adobe’s Creative Suite for a monthly fee. An additional advantage of the Cloud service is that you can use it from any computer, at any time.
Here are the tips I picked up on peripherals:
- A tripod is essential gear, and the Gorillapod is a popular choice.
- Lighting is really key, and if you want to invest in lighting buy a light diffuser. Apparently you can get one quite cheaply from a photography shop.
Here are the tips I picked up on content:
- Open with a very strong/interesting visual and then immediately tell the viewer what they will get from watching.
- You’ll also want to be sure to announce your name and your website url.
- The first 15 seconds are critical to engage and hook your viewer.
- Make your vlog no longer that 3 minutes in total.
- Check out You Tube’s Creator Playbook.
- Also, if you want tons of traffic on You Tube, you need to be a cute kitten.
What did I miss?
If you attended this same session or if you have experience vlogging, please let me know any other tips that might be helpful!
P.S. I did the random draw from all of you who left comments on this giveaway post and the winner of the Cascades “My Pretty Playhouse” is Brenda A! Congrats Brenda! I will be in touch with the details by email.
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