10 Simple Tips for Better Video Blogging

A guest post by Jill Gordon from BestcollegesOnline.com (a college information portal).

If you’ve decided that you want to take your blogging to the next level and start making videos rather than typing out your ideas, then you need to start learning a little more about what it takes to succeed as a video blogger or vlogger. There’s more to it than just having a video camera and something to say, much like there’s more to blogging that just having fingers (or whatever else you type with) and the ability to string words together. Here are some tips to help you build your skills as a video blogger.

1. Do several takes. Chances are good that unless you’re a real pro at talking in front of a camera that you’re not going to be perfect on the first take. Do it at least twice to see if you can get it right the second time around.
2. Pay attention to how you’re speaking. The speed at which you’re talking, your tone, emphasis and other elements of your speech will have a big impact on the watchability of your clips.
3. Avoid just rolling out of bed and vlogging. As superficial as it may be, appearance counts. Take a shower and brush your hair before you start blogging.
4. Learn to edit video. There are few things more awkward than dead air. Learn to edit your videos down to professional looking segments. There are many places to do this for free online, so fancy software isn’t required.
5. Have a script or notes. While a select few out there might be able to wing it when it comes to video blogging, most people will need something to work from. You don’t have to and shouldn’t just sit there are read from a paper, but at least have a reference when you’re speaking.
6. Actually have interest or expertise in what you’re blogging about. No one wants to hear me vlog about sports because a) I know nothing about them and b) I don’t care to. Keep your vlogs on topics you can actually get inspired by or have a clue what you’re talking about otherwise you’re not going to get many repeat viewers.
7. Keep it within a reasonable time limit. Generally, about five minutes is a good length for a video blog. Making it too long will pretty much ensure viewers will turn you off before you’re done talking.
8. Realize that public speaking rules still apply. All the things that you remember when you’re giving a speech in public or talking in front of a group of people still apply when video blogging, so keep that in mind.
9. Give a summary. Most people don’t want to have to watch a video in order to know if they wanted to watch it in the first place. Always offer a short summary about what each video contains so visitors can get the gist beforehand.
10. Learn from the best. These days, even the President gets in on video blogging of sorts. Listen and learn from what the bigger names in video blogging do and emulate the things they do well.

This post was contributed by Jill Gordon, who writes about the top online universities. She welcomes your feedback at Jill.Gordon25@ yahoo.com