More people are gradually abandoning mainstream media entertainment for niche alternative content that they find interesting. As a result, the content creation industry is brimming with opportunities to rake in handsome profits. The catch, however, is that you have to develop a brand and put out content that resonates with your audience.
If you enjoy audio-visual media, vlogging would be a great content creation avenue to explore. It is more engaging than written text and gives you more creative freedom. Still, as a beginner, there’s much to learn. It is not as easy as it looks. Read on for some tips to help you get started.
Table of Contents
Research Your Content and Target Audience
Before you begin, it is best to do some research on the kind of content you would like to present to your audience. Ideally, this would be a subject that you are passionate about or interested in. The goal here is not for you to know everything about the subject. It is to simply find out how you can structure it for entertainment or infotainment.
Research also helps you plan the future of your vlog. For instance, if you will be interviewing experts or taking trips, research gives you a chance to figure out the logistics. It equally gives you an idea of other topics you can explore and how to approach them in a fun way. This will help you post vlogs consistently because you would already have a list of content as opposed to just winging it.
Acquire Tools of the Trade
Anyone with a smartphone can shoot a video and post it. Nevertheless, if you are looking to make money from vlogging, it would be best to put your best foot forward. Aim for high-quality video and audio with crisp clarity.
Shooting HD video requires a quality camera and good lighting. If you are not tech-savvy or have no in-depth knowledge of camera features, make an effort to consult photographers or videographers. They would be well-placed to advise you on the brands and models that could work for you and are within your budget.
On lighting, sometimes it is as easy as just positioning your camera at the right angle. However, in instances such as indoor shoots, you may need to enhance light fixtures. A ring light would be a good investment for days when you do solo shoots with limited background. On the other hand, if you are shooting a wider area, it all needs to be well-lit. For this, you could consider LED strip lighting mounted in a LED aluminum profile. It is elegant, can cover long lengths and its brightness would not glare into the camera.
Cut, Edit, and Other Skills
After shooting your video content, it is important that you review it and make the necessary editorial changes. This will help you catch bloopers, inconsistencies in messaging, or even just cut out unnecessary parts. What no one may have told you is that it requires some skill, patience, and a selection of the right applications.
There is no harm in being a self-taught editor but you might save yourself lots of learning time by consulting a pro. They could teach you a host of skills that you would take months to learn on your own. Alternatively, if cutting and scoring video is not your thing, it is okay to hire someone to do it for you. That would, in fact, free up time for you to focus more on the creative side of vlogging.
Additionally, find out the rules of the site where you intend to host your vlog. Sites such as YouTube have strict policies on the kind of background music you can use among other copyright regulations. Try and catch such oversight during edits to avoid citations or the suspension of your channel.
Create a Schedule
If you get your vlog shoot right on the first take, they should put your face on money. Anyone in the business will tell you that is a rarity because content creation takes time and requires a bit of perfectionism. As such, it would behoove you to create a schedule for vlogging. More so if you are doing it as a passion project while working on other things.
Viewers equally appreciate consistency on their favorite vlogs. It gives them something to look forward to. If your posts are erratic, they may have a hard time keeping up and could eventually lose interest in the channel. Try and keep them engaged with off-the-cuff videos when you are not able to do a whole vlog. They may also appreciate a simple ‘no post today’ kind of heads up.
Have a Good Time
Watching a vlog is somewhat like watching a concert; if the artist is enjoying themselves, it rubs off on you. It draws you in to pay more attention and consume what they are offering. So, dare to have a good time. You would be amazed at how much of a following you can cultivate by just being yourself and enjoying it.
Conclusion
The highest-paid vlogger in 2020 made about $29 million and is only 9 years old. This goes to show how rewarding it can be to pursue your passion no matter how old you are. Will it work out overnight? Probably not but if you keep working at it, it could open a floodgate of opportunity for you.
