Vlogging for Dummies
Dos and don’ts for the art
YouTube, considering it’s only a teenager, has swept into society and created many remarkable trends of its own, vlog culture being one of these. And no, it’s not just a hobby — although many would sail on it just the same if it were — a YouTuber-vlogger career could also fund your livelihood (depending, of course, on subscriber count, ads, and sponsorships). Now if you’ve decided or are considering a career in this field (since you can practically vlog about the whole nine yards, from fashion, make-up, DIYs, unboxing, travel, to educational vlogs), here are some tips on what you should and should not do while vlogging.
The Why
Like I’ve said previously (quoting the great Steve Jobs), you won’t persevere in a field unless you’re pursuing it because you’re passionate about it. It’s best to have your intent laid out (to yourself, at the very least) from genesis. Plus, a job done for trends’ sake will shout itself loud to your audience — a no-no. And you won’t be as creative, naturally, due to the forced nature of your undertaking, making you a roadside copycat — an absolute no-no. So clear out your passion for yourself. Some suggest making a personal mission statement, which is pretty advisable since you’ll have a short, powerful, self-composed kick on days when you don’t feel quite up to it.
The How
There are some things a vlogger must adhere to something that’s like their very own Ten (not-so-ten) Commandments. And then some matters are advisable, although not incumbent. Let’s look at some of these.
1. Have a story to tell
This requires creativity like a fish does water — but fret not if you don’t consider yourself naturally creative; we all have our passions which weren’t optimized since birth. Make it interesting, bring out its charm, even those everyday things not graced with a second glance. Thinking of fundamentals helps in this. Filmmaker and vlogger Casey Neistat suggests a vlog like a three-act play: set-up, conflict, resolution. He took it almost like a challenge, to see if he could make a three-act worthy piece from his daily life.
2. Story-tell well
Just an idea won’t float your boat. Since you’re not writing a blog but recording a vlog, you’ll have to narrate it to capture and keep your audience’s attention. And practice makes perfect. So do your best every time, it’ll work well.
3. Have a concept, for the love of God
I’m not sure about you but I’ve seen a lot of YouTubers vlogging their life haphazardly as it happens. The audience is most often composed of a judgmental mass of viewers and bad editing can ruin your entire image: be it your first video or ones at your career’s climax.
4. Invest in good hardware
If you want a good figure, you’ll have to spend your time; if you want a good video, more so a vlog, you’ll have to spend on the best camera you can afford. Vloggers everywhere suggest a good camera and other apparatuses. Video and audio quality make up an implicit factor by which your content is judged, and if you can better it, why not? Also, a tripod, monopod or gimbal should be given due thought because nobody wants to watch shaky videos — it strains the eyes and the brain.
5. Angels of light
— oops, I mean angles and lighting, the usual video technicalities.
6. Be consistent
Regardless of others’ performance in life, creators must be disciplined and consistent. If you’ve committed to a daily vlog, go do it. Which is why if you’re a beginner, you may want to consider a weekly or bi-weekly vlogging habit. Decide, and then stick to it.
The How Not
1. Shaky recordings, bad audio, haphazard and unplanned vlogging — the opposite of whatever we’ve said should be done.
2. Look at yourself in the flip screen
If you’ve got one of those cameras with a flip screen, don’t look at the screen, but in the lens, the eye of the camera. Your focusing elsewhere distorts the feel.
3. Care
Yes, you read right, don’t care. When the selfie culture’s just about been accepted, talking to a camera is still weird for most onlookers. You can’t let that bother you, or it’ll affect your product.
So, wait no more, get your motivation down in the field and start playing! Maybe vlogging was truly meant to be your thing.
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References:
“HOW TO VLOG LIKE CASEY NEISTAT by CASEY NEISTAT.” YouTube, 8 June 2017, youtu.be/Q980C74SdYQ.
“How To Vlog | How To Be A Vlogger!” YouTube, 21 May 2017, youtu.be/0aWvkw8Wqps.
