I’ve worked on a couple of projects lately where I’ve been asked for a few quick tips and/or guidelines to follow when creating a video blog (or vlog).
I find a lot of people are intimidated by vlogging because they think they need to have the perfect production quality or they just don’t feel comfortable being (or seeing themselves) on camera.
Rather than repeating myself over and over again in meetings or via email, I thought I’d put together a quick video with my simple tips for vlogging. My hope is that you’ll stop fretting about the “right” way to vlog and just do it.
And, believe me, I’m not a professional vlogger. These tips are ones that I’ve picked up along the way since I’ve started to use video on my blog.
Is this video perfect? No
Did I worry about my hair and makeup? No
Does it accomplish what I want it to accomplish? Yes
Will it be helpful to those are interested in incorporating video into their blog? I sure hope so.
Watch the video and let me know what you think.
Are you a vlogger? What vlogging tips would you add to this video?
Janine Huldie says
February 3, 2014 at 7:05 amI totally pinned this and you are so right when I clogged it was never perfect, but I definitely tried my best to get my point across. Still not a huge fan though to be honest and the writer in me feels like I would rather write would have to share then video it, but that is just me (if that makes sense).
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 3:19 pmI feel like vlogging is a nice way for readers to get to know the real person behind the writing. I like hearing people talk and seeing their personalities. It does take getting used to though!
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Rabia @TheLiebers says
February 3, 2014 at 8:57 amI really want to try vlogging this year. I’ve got an iPad Air, so I’ve got the camera and iMovie already in place. These tips make it sound less frightening, Jennifer, so I think I’m gonna go for it this month!
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 3:19 pmSo glad to hear, Rabia. Go for it. I can’t wait to see you vlog!
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Chris Carter says
February 3, 2014 at 9:30 amLOVE those tips!! I just love how you get to the point on each one of them- so clearly!!! I am seriously considering doing more vlogging…. SCARY!!!!!
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:31 pmYou so should, Chris! Your comments are so animated. I’d love to see your vlogs!
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thedoseofreality says
February 3, 2014 at 10:09 amIt is my dream/goal to get Lisa to do a vlog with me! I do think our biggest challenge would be that we both can be kind of rambling and we could wind up with a 35 minute vlog! 😉 You are ADORABLE! And gave excellent tips! :)-Ashley
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:38 pmI cannot tell you how much I would love to see you and Lisa vlog! They key is to edit before you publish! Record away and then cut the excess out later. 🙂
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Tamara says
February 3, 2014 at 11:22 amI’m not a vlogger..maybe I’d like to try it. I’m so painfully shy/terrible with being in front of any cameras because I feel so born to be behind them. Obviously, there are ways to be both.
So important to look at the camera! So many people can’t make eye contact with their audiences! And my husband would applaud you about holding the phone horizontally. It’s his pet peeve to try to watch vertical phone videos!
Gotta love that you say people don’t listen past 2-2.5 minutes and you wrapped it up at 2:20!
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:42 pmI’m getting better at cutting my time. A much more experience vlogger told me that 2 – 2.5 was optimal, and she was right. You can be longer if you are engaging, but even the most engaging people can’t keep our attention for very long!
And the horizontal phone thing drives me nuts. I made that mistake once and had to reshoot. Never again!
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Michelle says
February 3, 2014 at 12:24 pmHonestly, I’m not even sure how to get started, even equipment wise. I know I have everything I need to get started but I really need a tutorial. Know of a good one?
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:46 pmI just use my phone, my laptop or my iMac. When I started, I didn’t even bother with editing. I eased into it. I didn’t use any tutorials, but I did get involved with Mama Kat’s Vlogging Workshop (http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/?s=vlogging+workshop). Great community to get involved with. I need to get back to it!
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vicki M. Taylor says
February 3, 2014 at 12:29 pmGreat tips I’m going to start creating vlogs and I need all the help I can. How do I make them available on my blog?
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:48 pmI upload to YouTube and then embed the video in my post. In WordPress, all you do is paste the video link in the post (in a line by itself) and WP automatically embeds it. That way you have it on your blog and YouTube for optimal traffic. You could also upload to Vimeo and embed or upload it directly to your blog.
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vicki M. Taylor says
February 8, 2014 at 9:36 amJennifer, thanks that helps. Uploading to Vimeo will give me a way to embed into my Blogger blog. Or, do you know of a tip for Blogger?
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anotherjennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 10:51 amI’m not familiar with Blogger at all. Sorry Vicki!
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Alexa says
February 3, 2014 at 2:33 pmThose are really great tips Jennifer. I’m not worried about actually videoing myself, I really struggle when it comes to editing and putting different videos together. So I think you need to do a second tutorial on “from recording to posting…”
🙂 Oh and I let the youtube continue running, and it went straight into the meltdowns resolutions video… I hadn’t watched it yet. It’s great! And you are definitely meeting your resolution of being Awesome!
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:53 pmThanks, Alexa. 🙂
Like I told Michelle, I eased myself into editing. The problem is that there’s so many different ways to edit and post. I use my computer or phone to shoot and then edit in iMovie. You can also upload the video to YouTube privately and edit there. When in doubt, search for more tutorials on YouTube!
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Crystal says
February 3, 2014 at 4:17 pmGreat tips! Passing along!
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anotherjennifer says
February 3, 2014 at 8:53 pmThanks, Crystal! Appreciate it. 🙂
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Lisa @ The GoldenSpoons says
February 3, 2014 at 9:28 pmGreat tips! I’ve only vlogged once for our MOAM resolutions. I not crazy about it, but I’m getting better about it. I haven’t done any editing, though. I need to work on that! I have one coming up this Friday for Finish The Sentence Fiiday!
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 8:29 amLove it, Lisa! Can’t wait to see your vlog on Friday! As I said in previous comments, I eased myself into editing. At first, I was just focused on feeling comfortable in front of the camera.
Real Life Parenting says
February 3, 2014 at 10:35 pmI’ll be doing my first vlog this week. These are great tips!! Here’s to hoping that I don’t get stage fright on my first one! LOL
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 8:30 amAwesome! I’m sure you’ll be fine. At least if you get stage fright, no one will see! 🙂
Ginny Marie says
February 4, 2014 at 7:53 amI think those are all great tips! I just joined a facebook group for vlogging bloggers…would you be interested in joining us? We’d love your input! (Mama Kat is also a member!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/452055554899466/
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 8:31 amI’d love to join! Thanks for sharing. I miss being a part of Mama Kat’s prompts every week. I just got so busy that I had to step back a bit. Hoping I can get back into it. The prompts don’t always speak to me though…
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama says
February 4, 2014 at 12:19 pmYou are a vlogging rockstar! I imagine I’ll venture into this territory at some point. When I figure out how to clone myself, of course!
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 1:35 pmHa! Thanks, Nicole. Good luck on the cloning thing… 🙂
Ronnie says
February 4, 2014 at 12:25 pmExcellent tips! I’ve vlogged a few times and one of my goals in 2014 is to do more of them. One tip that helped me is I put a big sign on on my closed office door that says “Recording”. It’s hard to stay focused when you’re either worried about interruptions or because you’re feeling a little silly!
anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 1:37 pmGreat tip. I tend to shoot my video when no one else is around, which is nice. However my dogs have been known to bark while I’m trying to record!
Jenn @ So This is Love says
February 4, 2014 at 8:40 pmAw, I felt like we were having coffee again! Thanks for the tips. Maybe casey and I will give it a whirlllll…
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 9:09 pmYes! I’d love to see you and Casey vlogging. And to have coffee with you again!
Dana says
February 4, 2014 at 8:42 pmGreat tips, Jennifer! The first time I vlogged I tried to memorize what I had written – next time I’m just going to talk and see where it goes. Wish me luck!
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anotherjennifer says
February 4, 2014 at 9:20 pmGood luck, Dana. I know you’ll rock it!
Bev says
February 6, 2014 at 10:57 amYou make it look so easy! These are great tips, and unfortunately I have nothing to add as I have yet to vlog, but perhaps one day…
anotherjennifer says
February 6, 2014 at 11:13 amI bet you could do some fun tutorials on making jewelry! Unless you don’t want to reveal your secrets, of course. But it could be a fun way to see you pieces in action, so to speak!
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Jennifer Steck says
February 6, 2014 at 9:19 pmYou have me inspired, Jennifer. I’m going to give it a shot.
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anotherjennifer says
February 6, 2014 at 10:06 pmThat’s great to hear, Jennifer! Good luck!
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Jennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 10:08 amHello to another Jennifer from a different Jennifer. 🙂 Great tips for beginner vloggers. Just pinned it for future reference.
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anotherjennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 4:10 pmAwesome, Jennifer! I hope you vlog soon!
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Tenns @ New Mama Diaries says
February 8, 2014 at 12:47 pmI used to vlog a few years back. I was one of those Youtube beauty gurus. I joined the military, and well the everyday makeup wearing went out the window and so did my vlogging. When I got pregnant and starting back blogging, I started back vlogging too, to chronicle my pregnancy. I’ve since kept up a bit with it, but want to get back into it way more. I usually post a video weekly or every other week.
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anotherjennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 10:02 pmNeat! Do you have a YouTube channel? I didn’t see one on your blog. Was looking to subscribe!
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Tenns @ New Mama Diaries says
February 8, 2014 at 10:09 pmI do! Its not much since it’s a spinoff of my old channel and mostly has pregnancy vlogs. It’s http://YouTube.com/perfecttennvlogs if you want to check it out.
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Leslie Limon says
February 8, 2014 at 8:04 pmI am SO glad I found your blog through the #SITSSharefest! One of my New Year’s Resolutions this year is to start vlogging. I’ve wanted to vlog for a couple of years now, but I always worried that I didn’t have the right kind of camera or the lighting in my house is horrible, which it really is, or that I looked like a hot mess. I will be taking your advice to heart and just have fun. 🙂
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anotherjennifer says
February 8, 2014 at 10:06 pmI’m glad you found my blog too, Leslie! The light in my house is pretty terrible, but it’s never been so bad that I didn’t record. And I stopped worrying about what I looked like. I will always think I look like a hot mess! I’ve actually found people enjoy it more when I’m just me. I hope you do start vlogging. Let me know when you do!
Roger Maindru says
February 9, 2014 at 2:48 amThese tips are awesome for beginner vloggers! Totally agree that there’s no need for a script and eye contact is really important as well! Speaking in front of a mirror can be a great way to practice or get more comfortable with vlogging. Overall, great video!
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anotherjennifer says
February 9, 2014 at 10:22 pmSpeaking in front of a mirror is another great tip. Thanks for sharing! And for your kind words.
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