How To Start A Vlog: A Step-by-Step Beginners Guide

Makeup Vlog,’ ‘Food Vlog,’ ‘Travel Vlog.’ We all are familiar with such titles and have watched dozens of videos on them of various people, laughed, and discussed it with our friends. With vlogging becoming the latest trend these days, it’s normal to feel like making one of your own and simultaneously you may also be wondering how to begin with it.

Well, just like every other field, there is always some space for your uniqueness and the world is always in search of new and different content people bring to the plate. However, before jumping on the bandwagon it’s necessary to know what vlogging is.

What is Vlogging?

Short for Video Blogging, a vlog is a blog in video form. In simple words, it’s content that you would write a personal blog on, but instead make a video on it and talk about it. Take it as your own little online TV show, starring you or sometimes your close family and friends, produced and directed by you.

In this step-by-step guide, we’re going to provide you with all the necessary tools, tips, and tricks to begin vlogging and become a successful vlogger!

Step#1 Know Your Niche

So, dear budding vloggers, if you have decided to jump on the bandwagon, rule number one is to decide your topic. You should know the topic or category your interest lies in and can build interesting video content on it.

If you have decided to start a vlog, you must have a good picture in mind as to what you will showcase to the world, what it will be based on, and what it will look like.

This is the foundation of beginning any video content as it will give you a sense of direction to work towards.

Since this work is going to be long-term, choosing a theme that you are utmost comfortable and familiar with has great significance.

Step#2 Understand Your Audience

Once the interested niche has been decided, it’s time to get to know your audience: their interests, likes, and dislikes. It is the audience that has the power to make you or break you. Therefore, as a vlogger, you should know what will excite your target audience.

YouTube is a versatile platform so you’re going to find plenty of video styles to choose from. The same fun and casual video style used by video bloggers may not work for middle-aged individuals. Hence, to increase the probability of your success, you have to post content that serves your audience.

Step#3 Know Your Platform

Before embarking on the vlogging journey, it’s vital to be well-versed with the medium you’re going to use. Youtube is the go-to place for all vloggers. So, you practically should be aware of every aspect of it: all its features and the way its algorithm works.

Knowing the interface of the platform you’ll be using is the most vital ingredient. Most freshers commonly fail to understand their respective platforms which affects their overall work process.

Once you have good knowledge about the platform, you’ll be able to plan and strategize following the platform’s structure. So feed on your desired platform knowledge as much as possible before commencing that vlog of yours!

Step#4 Build Your Channel

To board the plane you need a boarding pass, similarly, in order to post and share your video content, you need to have a channel.

Now, you must be wondering what a channel is. No, it’s not your regular T.V. channels, a channel is an individual’s presence on YouTube, quite similar to other social media sites.

YouTube comes with a place where you can easily browse through all the famous Youtube channels and can subscribe to them if you wish to do so.

Now that we are clear with a channel is, it’s time to create one. This is where the fun stuff begins. Creating a channel is easy. Just have to sign up if you don’t already have an account with the help of some basic information and you’re good to go.

Once an account is created, head over to your YouTube settings and click on your profile icon then click create your channel In the top right corner of the screen.

Step#5 Be Updated & Consistent

Another point to be noted here is to keep your profile updated. Have a look at your favorite vloggers and take inspiration from them.

The majority of them have a display picture that highlights their channel theme, an appealing banner photo, and links to any social media accounts they may have.

You can also use different animated logo designs online for a more attractive look. While it may not seem like a big deal, these small details matter significantly as they make your channel look authentic.

Make sure you use high-quality media that attracts your target audience. In addition to this, another factor that holds a great amount of importance is being consistent.

Updating your channel has no value if you’re not posting consistently. Consistency is the key. Dedicate a specific day as your video-posting day, build a schedule, and stick to it!

Step# 6 Invest in Good Gadgets

A good vlog demands a good camera. Though many smartphones today have quality cameras, you cannot make videos using your cellphone forever. Thus, do some research on cameras and other important tech items required for vlogging that are used by different vloggers.

Moreover, the channel theme also plays a major role in deciding the right gadget. A camera that is appropriate for indoor vlogs might not be suitable for travel vlogs. Hence, never stop researching and updating yourself.

The camera isn’t the only equipment required. Some necessary items include a mike and good sounding equipment to record your voice, a tripod stand for your camera to be fixed in the right position, lighting equipment for the audience to be able to see your video, and a teleprompter to reduce the number of takes while recording.

These are the basic items you need to have to begin vlogging like a pro. You can keep upgrading the items as you and your budget grows.

Step#7 Craft An Outline

Once you have gathered all the necessary gadgets for recording your video, the major step is to make an outline which is the script or content of your vlog.

It’s recommended to be spontaneous rather than reading out from a full script since it’s going to make your video boring and monotonous.

Therefore, it’s better to just craft a basic outline of the topics or aspects you’re planning to include.

However, it more or less depends on the type of vlog you are creating. If you’re doing a basic informational or talking vlog, jot down some points and put the paper near you to help yourself stay on track.

Step#8 Get Ready-To-Roll

The gadgets are set, the script is ready, what’s left is recording the video and uploading it to your channel.

As exhilarating as it sounds, this step is the most difficult and where most newbies get nervous. If you want to start vlogging you need to begin somewhere.

Make use of your crafted outline. Just relax and be yourself. YouTube users value authenticity. They enjoy when vloggers are spontaneous, real, and having fun. Interact with your audience, connect with them through personal ways, and don’t be afraid to enjoy.

Once the video is made, don’t forget to edit it before uploading it. Editing is extremely vital to make the content look clean, professional, and understandable.

Crop out any awkward silences and compile clips into one smooth video. The level of editing entirely depends on you. After that, hit the upload button and watch your first vlog on your channel.

Step# 9 Stay Hopeful

A very important step. Many people lose hope when they don’t get enough likes and views. Remember, this is a slow process.

Many YouTubers went unnoticed before becoming famous. Keep moving and improving yourself.

There are a lot of features on Youtube that can help you enhance your video as per your audiences such as the audience retention graphs which show the duration that people spend on your video when they stop, and more.

Such data can be used to edit your videos the next time as per the response. So, stay observant and don’t lose hope.

Conclusion

While the format of the video and the medium is fixed, the rest is your creativity. You can style your vlog in whichever way you want. It can be educational or instructional or humorous. It can be just a video or a video with text, images, or anything that makes the vlog entertaining. Creating a vlog is easy if you’re passionate about it. All it requires is determination and enthusiasm to learn, grow and upgrade yourself! With the help of these rules, I’m sure you’re going to reach heights!