Vlogging has transformed countless individuals into influential figures today, with icons like Casey Neistat and Cesar Millan being prime examples of this phenomenon. These individuals have amassed millions of followers by simply sharing their ideas and experiences through video content. However, a question arises: Where did they start from? More importantly, where should you begin your vlogging journey? Let’s explore seven essential steps to kick-start your path in vlogging successfully.
Step 1: Establish the Objective of Your Vlog
Generally, you’d be vlogging to build subscribers and a fan base, but understanding your ultimate goal is crucial before you dive into content creation. Do you want to partner with brands to promote their products, or aim to get more clients for a service you offer? Your goal could be anything, but you should decide what it is from the outset. This initial step guides every action you take on your vlog.
For instance, if your primary objective for vlogging is to gain customers for your freelance design business, your video content should focus on educating audiences about design. Alternatively, if your goal is forming brand-influencer partnerships, you’ll need to choose the types of brands you want to work with—be it banks, consumer tech brands, or corporate tech brands. Your videos should then be tailored to attract the audience of these specific brands. For example, if you aspire to be a brand ambassador for consumer-tech companies like Samsung or Oraimo, you should produce engaging content centered on phone reviews and other consumer-tech products.
By clarifying why you’re building a vlog audience, you’ll be able to create a coherent strategy that helps you achieve your end goal. This foundational step not only shapes the nature of your content but also significantly influences how you promote and grow your vlog.
Step 2: Choose Your Main Subject
We’ve touched on the importance of this in the initial step. Your topics will inherently determine the type of audience you will attract to your vlogs. For example, by creating vlogs on marketing, you will draw in marketing enthusiasts, professionals, marketing managers, and others interested in the subject. Therefore, it’s vital to determine your main topic to craft content that appeals directly to your target audiences.
How do you choose your main topic? Ideally, you should select a topic you either know a lot about or are incredibly passionate about. For example, if you have extensive knowledge or a genuine passion for cars, then automobiles might be the perfect subject for your vlogs. Cesar Millan, for instance, carved out his niche in dog training because it was something he was both knowledgeable and passionate about. Determining your primary topic helps streamline your content creation and ensures you deliver consistent value to your subscribers.
Deciding on your main subject lays the groundwork for your vlogging journey. A carefully chosen topic ensures you have a reservoir of ideas and can maintain sustained interest from your audience, helping you build a loyal viewer base over time.
Step 3: Master Video Editing
You’d need to learn how to edit vlogs effectively, and you have two main options: either hire a video editor or do it yourself. For most beginners, affording a video editor right from the start might be financially unfeasible, so learning to edit your videos is necessary. There are various tips and tools that can help you produce high-quality vlogs without professional assistance.
First, create attention-grabbing titles for your videos to capture and hold viewers’ attention. Avoid overusing different types of transitions within a single video; simplicity often works best. It’s also vital to ensure that your audio is clear and free from background noise. Tools like Audacity can help you edit your sound to remove any unwanted noise. Additionally, using subtitles in your videos can be beneficial as many viewers watch videos with the sound off, relying solely on subtitles to follow along.
Using timestamps allows your audience to skip to the sections of the video that interest them most, thereby enhancing their viewing experience. The process of mastering video editing can be a steep learning curve, but using software like iMovie (for Mac users) or Adobe Premiere can make this journey more manageable. Despite the learning challenges, becoming proficient in video editing is essential for producing polished vlogs that engage and retain viewers.
Step 4: Set Up Your Page on a Video-Hosting Platform
You need a platform where you can build your vlog audience effectively, and YouTube is arguably the most popular video-sharing platform at present, offering an unparalleled reach. With over 1.7 billion users, YouTube has become home to many of the world’s most renowned vloggers who have successfully built massive followings.
Facebook, with nearly 3 billion users, is another powerful platform for video content. Videos on Facebook, especially compelling ones, often go viral, offering another avenue to grow your audience. Instagram’s IGTV is also a viable option, provided your videos are under fifteen minutes long. You don’t need to restrict yourself to a single platform; using multiple video-sharing sites can help maximize your reach. Regardless of where you upload your videos, the most crucial aspect is ensuring people actually watch them, which leads us to the next step—promotion.
Choosing the right platform is crucial for visibility. Each platform has its unique advantages, and leveraging these can significantly impact your vlog’s success. By diversifying where you host your content, you can tap into different audiences, thereby increasing your chances of growing a dedicated fan base.
Step 5: Publicize Your Vlogs
While platforms like YouTube and Facebook have massive user bases, merely uploading your videos won’t guarantee views. Promoting your vlogs strategically is indispensable for gaining traction. Although some videos go viral without a structured promotion plan, such instances are rare. Therefore, leaving your vlogging success to chance isn’t advisable.
Start by mobilizing your friends and family to share your vlogs. If you can persuade ten people within your circle to share links to your vlog, you can potentially reach at least a hundred initial viewers, assuming each person has ten connections who check out your video. Encourage them to add personal endorsements or enticing captions to boost curiosity and engagement. This grassroots approach can give your videos a critical initial push, helping you to expand your influence.
Participating in online communities or groups, such as those on Facebook or WhatsApp, can also amplify your reach. Ensure you contribute genuinely helpful content, and seek permission from group admins before sharing your vlogs. By actively engaging in these communities and sharing value-rich videos, you can organically grow your audience and bolster your vlogging success.
Step 6: Build an Email List
Building an email list is a vital step for any vlogger aiming for long-term success. Social media platforms are under constant evolution and can change their policies or algorithms in ways that might negatively impact your reach. Having your own email list ensures a direct communication channel with your audience, bypassing platform restrictions.
Most people, especially working professionals, check their emails frequently. This behavior provides you with an opportunity to alert them about your latest vlogs through a medium they are likely to engage with regularly. To start building your email list, create a landing page where you can persuade visitors to provide their email addresses. This can be achieved using tools like the GetResponse landing page creator.
Offer value in exchange for email sign-ups—this could be exclusive content, early access to videos, or even branded merchandise. By presenting compelling reasons for people to join your email list, you can build a robust database of followers who are genuinely interested in your content. This step not only offers stability but also allows you to maintain and grow your audience independently of any social media platform’s whims.
Step 7: Monetize Your Platform
Once you have built a substantial following, monetizing your vlog becomes a feasible and rewarding goal. There are multiple monetization options available:
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