We are all familiar with text blogging. Plenty of articles speak about text blogging, how to write it better and many more related issues. But only a very few provide you a clear picture of video blogging. This doesn’t mean the notion of video blogging is novel. It is just that the idea is not so popular or its potential still remains untapped.

A video blog, or Vlog presents an idea through video. A video, through its combination of moving images, texts, still images and music is sure to exemplify an idea better than mere text. As you all know, a picture is worth a thousand words. It offers a richer web experience to the viewers. A blogger can take advantage of this benefit of Video blog. He can be more expressive in presenting his ideas through Vlogs and can reach better to the audience. Before he sets out to create one, he must be clear with all aspects of video blogging, including the tools required, how to create, duration of the blog, platform to publish and major do’s and do not’s. Below are those aspects, with which you too can become a successful video blogger.

Tools Required

A camera to record short video sequences and a video editing software are the major tools required to do video blogging. A mobile phone capable of capturing videos can also do the task. It is also wiser to invest on microphone that can capture high quality sound. These tools are no more expensive in the current market. However, remember to choose a camera with good resolution and HD capability. This ensures that the final product is clear and suitable for any broadcasting medium. The video editing software you choose need not be a highly professional one. It can be a simple one like Windows Movie Maker or can be an advanced one like Adobe Premiere Pro. Cyberlink PowerDirect, Final Cut Pro, Magix Movie Edit Pro and many more are there to choose.

How to Create a Video Blog

Like text blog, a video blog too starts with a theme. Let the theme you choose be something unique and relevant for the time. Decide what you are going to speak and brainstorm your ideas properly. Think of your target audience and prepare the blog exclusively for them. The next step is the content preparation. Prepare a short and crisp script. It should not be rigid and you can improvise it while delivering in front of the camera. Let the script lasts for one to three minutes. This short duration will be sufficient to deliver a great story. We live in world of short attention span and let your script not bore the audience with its hefty length. It will also save you from the barriers of storage and bandwidth limitations.

You must also get your recording area ready with proper lighting and background. Single coloured background helps to keep the focus solely on the blogger. However, this is not mandatory.  The final preparation will be personal. Dress up properly for the shoot. Remember no one will be interested to see a dull and boring blogger. Once you are done will all these behind-the-screen preparations, you can go for the actual shoot. It will be necessary to take the help of a friend unless you are a camera expert in shooting self. Record several takes so that you have enough options while editing. Once you have edited your video, add a good title, text, background music, delete bad angles or insert images, graphs and so on.  Concisely, a good video blog is the result of factors such as good lighting, clear shots, clear sound, good editing, duration and of course, a good story.

Platform to Publish Your Video Blog

There are numerous free platforms to post videos online. You Tube, Blip.tv, BlogCheese, Freevlog, vidilife, Vlog Maker, vSocial and many more are there to choose. You can even request other websites to publish your Video blog, if the topic you handled is relevant to them. Wherever you post the Vlog, remember to post it on your own website or blog site.

Keep In Mind

• Be yourself. Never follow the news style kind of presentation while delivering speech.
• Be interactive and smart. Remember that Video Blog is a powerful medium that can even sell a product.
• Avoid slang and sarcasm in your speech. It is for the whole world and not limited to one area. Also, use simple words that even a layman can understand it. You are not there to present your vocabulary skill.
• Be careful on the audio. It is highly relevant for a better reach.
• Include striking scenes, beautiful visuals and music to make your Vlog interesting. But add them only in relevant places. Try to use free musics available online and never go for the music of a popular song or a film.

The number of people watching videos online is increasing day-by-day. Hence, the possibilities of video blogging too. Explore it better, with trial and error each time and keep improving your Video Blog, ultimately your reach to the audience. Start with the above guidelines and keep going.

This guest post was provided by freeinuk.co.uk