2.1 Introduction
If you are new to the realm of video blogging (vlogging) there is no question that the entire process can be a bit intimidating and nerve-wracking.
Vlogging is a true internet sensation. While there are lots of platforms and people who claim to be “revolutionising the internet” vlogging has actually done this. Are you ready to get started? Do you have a great idea? Do you want to share all the knowledge and information inside your head in a fun way that people are going to love? If so, then vlogging may be right for you. However, before you dive in, it is a good idea to learn a bit more about this internet sensation. Modern society is impatient. Modern people have thousands of distractions coming at them from all directions.
As a result, it is harder than ever before to get someone to start - and more importantly finish text, blogs, or articles you have written. However, with vlogging, this isn't an issue. Vlogging is a mix of audio and video that brings what you know and talk about to life. Vlogging is an effective marketing tool and a great way to have your voice heard. If you are an expert on something, are interested in something or just want to share your opinion, then you may be ready to begin your own vlog.
However, don't jump in if you are still apprehensive. Instead, take some time to learn about some of the most famous vloggers of all time (approximately the past decade). Learning about how they started their vlogging career, strategies and methods they used, and the success they have had can help you shape your own vlogging efforts.
Fact
71% of marketers currently use visual assets as a part of their content marketing strategy.
Source:Impactbnd.com
2.2 What Makes a Vlogger Famous?
Before you dive into the famous vloggers through history, it is a good idea to learn a bit more about what makes these individuals so famous.
Believe it or not, it is a combination of a myriad of factors. While having millions of viewers doesn't hurt, as a vlogger you begin with zero - everyone does. This means you have to find other ways to catch people's attention and get them to keep coming back. When you post amazing vlogs, the few viewers that you have are going to keep coming back and - if you are lucky - share your vlog with others.
However, there are some other ways you can grow an audience, as well. For example Share your vlog, advertising your vlog, and keep making new vlogs. Once you have an audience, you need to figure out when you can consider yourself “successful” or “famous.”
Some of the ways you can rate your “fame” while vlogging include:
-How many social followers do you have?
-Do people interact with comments on your posts?
-Do you have a pretty consistent audience?
-Are you making any money (even a small amount) from your vlog?
Considering these questions will help you figure out whether or not your vlog is gaining in popularity, and if you are going to be vlogosphere famous eventually. Not all vloggers are famous, but they may be popular.
For example
If you cater to a niche audience who loves drones, you may not ever be a worldwide name; however, you may be extremely popular within this niche. The difference is that once you venture outside the realm of drones, few are going to know who you are.
Don't worry, you don't have to be famous to be a successful vlogger - but it doesn't hurt. Instead, focus on creating something that other people will want to experience. If you are bored by the discussion, your viewers will be as well.
After all, if you are using vlogging as a marketing tool, you want to create something that will resonate with your target audience. While this may not make you famous, it will help increase your business visibility and may even boost your bottom line.
Activity 1
Estimated time: 10 - 15 minutes
Now you understand that being famous and being popular aren't the same thing in the vlogosphere. Which would you prefer? Do you want to create a vlog that earns you worldwide fame or would you just like to be popular in your niche or industry? What is better for businesses that are vlogging for marketing purposes?
Think about the difference and write down your personal vlogging goals. When the goal is in writing, you have a much higher likelihood of success.
2.3 Famous Vloggers - The Beginning
The most popular platform for vloggers is YouTube. Since this channel emerged in 2005, it has become the de-facto starting point for the next generation of notable names and celebrities. When you begin browsing this list of famous vloggers, there are likely to be a few familiar names and there may be some unknowns.
The fact is, you can build a huge following for yourself in some niche or obscure sector, however, you have to be a bit braver to take this path. While vloggers are the new voices for the teen and tween generation, there are many benefits to vlogging for businesses as well.
You don't always have to be nice to find vlogging fame. Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg aka PewDiePie is a Swedish video game commentator with a rather foul-mouth. For the past few years, he has dominated many vlogging channels. His videos show his experience with different video games. The unique part of his videos is the small box in the top corner of the screen where you get to see his reactions to what is going on.
Kjellberg has, to date, broken a number of YouTube growth records and jumped from having 12 million subscribers in August of 2013 to more than 20 million the following January. There are many vlogging pros who associate this success with all the attention he pays to his fans. According to those who watch him regularly, Kjellberg spends quite a bit of time talking about his viewers and answering the questions that show up in the comments section. He also has a loyal community of video gaming “bros.”
One of the things that vlogger PewDiePie does that other vloggers don't is engage with his fans. The fact is, the fans are what will keep you around and what will help to make your vlog important and popular. You have to put time and effort into interacting with the people who do bother to watch you. It doesn't matter if you have created a vlog for personal purposes or to market your business, you have to make sure that you answer questions and let your viewers know you appreciate their efforts to “tune in.” If you ignore your fans, it doesn't matter what you post, or how great you are, your fans are eventually going to start ignoring you. The good news is, spending just a few minutes each day interacting is usually enough to keep fans satisfied.
However, when you get “big,” you may need to spend more time attending to your viewers.
Smosh: 6.18 million views - 32.81 million subscribers
Smosh is a unique vlog that features a comedy duo that is made up with veterans to YouTube Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. Smosh is considered to be one of the very first vlog sensations and become known for the slapstick comedy videos, pop culture, and parody video games.
While the duo has been running strong for several years, they show no signs of slowing down and are now streaming their vlogs on multiple channels. They even have created an app for the content they produce. To date, Smosh has a total of eight YouTube channels where they produce all types of content. The eight include Anthony Padilla, SmoshGames, ElSmosh, WatchUsLiveAndStuff, IanH, and Smosh. They have even been discussing the potential of taking their comedy content to TV.
DisneyCollectorBR : 3.69 billion views - 2.81 million subscribers
Who would have thought that opening and playing with Disney toys would gain you fame? Well, this is exactly what DisneyCollectorBR did. This is a YouTube channel of a Brazilian woman's hands. You may occasionally see her face; however, her name is unknown.
The channel is completely focused on her opening, putting together, and playing with various Disney toys. All this is done while she comments on what is going on in a soothing and relaxing voice. Many children love this vlogger. It is calm and the kids love it because they are getting to see new and exciting toys. Tobuscus/TobyTurner/TobyGames: 2.91 billion views - 14.99 million subscribers
Toby Turner is, by far, one of the most popular internet comedians around.
Turner has almost 15 million subscribers across three different YouTube channels and is growing daily.
His vlogging career began in 2006 when Turner created a parody of the movie, “Click,” by Adam Sandler. Since his initial hit on the internet, Turner has created “CuteWinFail,” which is the vlogging equivalent to “America's Funniest Home Videos.”
Turner has also been working to transition to traditional media and has scored a few roles in several advertising campaigns. This past July, he signed with Maker Studios and left his former company, the video power player Machinima.
2.4 Spreading Content Around
As a vlogger, you may think that sticking just to YouTube is a greatidea.
After all, this is the biggest social video platform out there. However, today, there are a myriad of options to consider.
Some of the other vlogging platforms you may want to consider using are, for example, Viddler, Vimeo, DailyMotion and Facebook.
There are also new ones being introduced all the time. Each vlogging platform gives you the opportunity to reach a new audience. This makes it easier to grow your viewership and your audience. In the long run, expanding your vlogging efforts beyond YouTube will be beneficial.
Activity 2
Estimated time: 10 - 20 minutes
Your fans are a crucial part of your success. If you don't engage with them, you may never get your vlog off the ground. In this activity, brainstorm a few ways you can engage fans and let them know they are valued.
Take some time to make a list of efforts you could try. It is also a good idea to create a ranking system that allows you to see how successful or unsuccessful these efforts are. When you listen to your fans, you can improve the vlogs you create and ensure they keep coming back.
2.5 Finding Your Niche
While you may think that you have all the latest styles and trends that would make you a great beauty vlogger, you need to consider this decision carefully. Beauty vlogging is a huge - extremely large, massive - sector. Trying to compete with the vloggers who are already in the top spots is virtually impossible. The solution? Find a niche within the beauty industry.
Are you the master of the smoky eye? Do you make beach waves like a pro? Do you know how to safely get rid of ingrown toenails without causing pain? These are all niches where you can become a star much more easily than taking on the entire beauty vlogging sector. Take some time to think about what you are really great at. Is there a way to hone it in to become popular in a smaller niche area?
Creating Something New from Something Old
If you are ready to create a vlog but unsure how to go about doing this, then try to create something new from something old. Just like Toby Turner, you can take older, successful shows and turn them into something related to your vlog. Be creative. You don't have to be funny, it can be serious, dramatic, or anything else.
There is nothing wrong with utilising and changing someone else's idea. Of course, you don't want to copy them, but you can get ideas from other people's success. This is a fun way to start vlogging and get comfortable with what you want to do.
Fact
In 2016, approximately 7% of internet users state that they find out about new brands, services of products via vlogs; however, this number is increasing month after month.
Source: App.globalwebindex.net
2.6 Seven Secrets of Famous and Highly Effective Vloggers
There are a myriad of reasons you may want to start vlogging. For some, it is a desire to express an opinion about an issue they are passionate about. For others, it is a way to make money by being a YouTube partner. There are others who just want to find a way to engage people online or on social media. Regardless of what your motivation is for creating a vlog, there are a number of tips that can help you become a more effective and potentially famous vlogger. Here you can learn the seven secrets of extremely effective vloggers.
Do Your Homework
Before you dive into the realm of vlogging, it is a good idea to go on YouTube, or another vlogging platform, and watch some of the best vloggers around.
You can start with the names on the list in this module. Learn how they got their shot and look at their early videos, compared to the ones they are creating now. Look at vloggers in the industry or niche you are considering, as well. This can help you see what others are doing and what you can do differently. Take the time to learn from those who have already found success with vlogging.
Select Your Niche
As mentioned before, in most cases, choosing a smaller niche is best. However, while making this decision, remember, authenticity is crucial. Anyone will be able to spot a phony from a mile away. As a result, you need to make sure you choose a topic that you are passionate and knowledgeable about.
Make sure that you let your passion show. People love real emotion and they will relate to what you are talking about. Some common niches to consider include beauty, cooking, politics, music, sports, and comedy; however, there aren't any limits here. Find a topic that you care and know about and get started.
Purchase a Tripod
Have you ever watched a vlog where the camera was constantly shaking? Chances are you didn't stick around too long, did you? No one likes images produced by a shaking camera. This makes buying a tripod a crucial investment.
If you are a serious vlogger, make sure that the vlogs you create are professional and steady.
Sites such as Amazon and Asda have tripods for under £30. Also, having high quality equipment, such as green screens, top microphones, and a high quality camera does not hurt.
However, even if you decide to use your smartphone for your vlog, you need to make sure you have a clean camera lens and that the lighting is good. It is shocking how many people forget these simple rules.
Don't Forget About SEO for Your Vlog
If you plan on putting in time and effort to create a vlog on a specific topic, then you also need to take some time to use the Google Keyword Planner to optimise the content you create. This is a great way to research common phrases and keywords (for free) that people use to find content like yours.
You can use these phrases and words in your title and description. Make sure you also tag the vlog with popular phrases and words that are related to the topic. When you do this, will help ensure your vlog is found in the search engines.
Upload Your Video
Keep in mind, not all videos are created equal.
When it comes to traffic, YouTube dominates. It is bigger than Daily Motion and Vimeo combined.
If you plan on loading your vlog to several sites this is a good idea. If you are only posting to one, your best bet is going to be YouTube.
YouTube owns Google, and if your video is able to rank first on YouTube for a certain keyword or phrase, then there is a good chance that it is going to rank well in Google searches for that phrase or keyword, too.
Be Social
In addition to posting your vlog to the popular vlog sites, you should also post it on social media platforms. This includes LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. When it is relevant, you should vlog about a topic that is currently trending on these different platforms.
Here is the reason why - these are topics that already have some traction. As a result, you are targeting an interested and built-in audience that may enjoy what you have to say. Also, comment on vlogs that are related to the subject matter that you are focused on. When you take the time to use social media, you can spread your vlogs further than you may have imagined.
Thick Skin
When you are on stage, you are bound to get a few boos. You need to treat the comments that are posted on your vlogs as information - this means they aren't 'live or die' feedback. If someone has something nice to say, make sure you thank them.
Use the construction criticism to help to improve your efforts and ignore the negative comments that you may get from internet trolls (and you will). Think of the popular pop song, 'Haters goanna hate, hate...shake it off.'
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