8.1 Introduction

In prior modules, you learned the how, why, and value of vlogging. With a good knowledge about creating your vlog, the next consideration is how to create your onscreen presence and boost your visibility online. First, let's look at what on-screen presence means for a vlogger. A captivating on-screen presence is a vlogger's most valuable asset. Successful videos across all online video and vlog platforms possess a recognisable presence. Like branding for a company or product, your on-screen presence provides a familiar look and feel that gives subscribers a feeling of belonging and builds your on-screen presences.

Throughout history, successful logos for large corporations created instant recognition. Coca-Cola, Nike, BMW, British Airways, Amazon, and McDonald's: the simple act of reading these names instantly brings a picture of their logo to your mind. You know immediately what each company is famous for. This is their branding; their on- screen presence.

 There are 'billions' of users viewing videos on YouTube every month; watching more than sevenbillion videos every day.

Your on-screen presence determines how successful you are at reaching a vast audience of viewers. Whilst some of your vlog videos may not have you or another person as the presenter, a great rapport with your audience and subscribers ensures they will return regularly. You, the vlogger, are responsible for this relationship with your viewers. Your on-screen presence is your most important tool.

We have all known the children and adults who are donned as 'natural actors.' You may be one of those gregarious people and being in front of a camera comes naturally. Or, you may be the wallflower who shies away from the camera. You might be terrified of the thought your friends might see you on YouTube. Once you roll the camera, your mouth becomes dry and panic sets in. Water is very important. Have a large bottle of water with you when you are planning and shooting your video. Drink often: water keeps you hydrated and helps your skin to have a healthy tone. Water also relaxes your throat, giving a richer tone to your voice.

Practice standing up—not sitting down. Sitting constricts your posture and puts pressure on your diaphragm, restricting your breathing. Standing up gives you the ability to move around and helps you feel confident. These are all simple recommendations and help you overcome doubts you can be a vlogger. This module will help you learn how to put your best 'face' forward.

8.2 The Best Practices for Developing an On-Screen Presence

If you had the time and money to hire a professional to train you how to film great videos, you wouldn't need to take this course. This is a costly investment and not a feasible one for the everyday vlogger. However, doing things like taking this course and taking cues on techniques from the successful vloggers and watching their videos helps you create the 'you' people want to see.

Video cameras, or even smartphones, are quite revealing and at times, intimidating. Some people focus on the lens staring at them and tense up, forgetting their mission. Some of what you are learning in this course is to be prepared before you videotape. This gives you time to relax, breathe, and be yourself. Now we need to look at the fine-tuning of the tools to a great on-screen presence.

8.3 No Clones Allowed

Vloggers, hungry to create a popular video channel, may peruse famous vloggers and work to mimic their style and presentation. The keyword here is 'work.' You cannot replicate or clone who you are to match another vlogger. You'd look uncomfortable, and viewers will notice your attempt and consider you a phoney. If you load your vlog with videos created to mimic another vlogger, you'll lose any chance of creating a list of loyal subscribers. Be who you are!

8.4 What Type of Vlog are You Creating?

Have you chosen to be a fashion vlogger?

You might love current trends and especially love bargains on name brand clothing and accessories. Passion flows through your veins as you speak about the week's fashion news. Great: you have the first ingredient to creating an exciting on-screen presence. You can do the same with any type of vlog.

Would you switch from fashion to a computer software review channel? Not if you had no interest in computer software and hardly knew how to make your smartphone do smart things. When you choose a type of vlog, pick something that makes you happy: what brings a smile to your face and lights up your personality.

What you love makes sense for your content. It gives you an instant edge while working on your onscreen presence and branding. Your topic of choice provides the proper language for your subject and shows your emotional attachment. The most successful vloggers make videos of what they love. The time they put into videotaping and creating their vlog is driven by enthusiasm; and it shows.

Fact

'Jelly,” the UK vlogger of comedic gaming videos, has over one million views and an 'influencer score' of 806. His infectious laughter and sound effects draw in thousands of new viewers every day. The influencer score, created by Tubular Labs, measures a vlogger's influence on their subscribers. Scores rate from 0-1,000, with 1,000 being the most influential.

Source: Businessinsider.com

8.5 You are What You Love

Once you fall in love for a vlog topic, based on a long-standing pursuit of the subject, it is up to you to create authentic videos.

This module includes good videotaping habits for your vlog. After the topic choice is decided on, find out first where your strength lies and what elements of your topic are you most familiar with. This provides a good foundation for the first series of videos. Once comfortable with the process and you as the presenter, additional topics can be added to your repertoire.

Your video content needs to reflect your personality and style no matter what type of vlog you choose.Whether fashion or computer geek, there is no need to dress like someone else or take on their style. When you try to force yourself to act like someone else, the result is a robotic, talking-head, looking like they are reading from a script. Viewers will feel your awkwardness and you will look uncomfortable with who you are. Your video reflects this and makes you look unprofessional.

Take your own personality, add a few enhancements like playfulness and spontaneity, and your video will be a natural representation of your true style. If you are not accustomed to giving away parts of yourself, work on transparency. The more comfortable you are, the more you'll share off-the-cuff comments about your hopes and dreams. Everyone loves a dreamer. Be yourself, and the followers will come.

8.6 Who is Your Audience?

As you create your vlog, consider who'll find your topic appealing.Remember the skeleton outline in the previous module? The arms represented your audience and who you want to reach. Are you targeting women in their fifties who need a make-up makeover? Or do you want to reach teens starting their journey into the world of make-up choices. Your age will determine which angle you take, and your videos will focus on the particular audience you want to come back to your vlog often.

A certain on-screen presence appeals to a particular group of viewers:

A soft-spoken, gentle personality doesn't need to be worked on if you are doing videos on meditation and relaxation.

A personality bursting with energy and enthusiasm is perfect for sports vlogs, comedy, pranks, and other 'fun' subjects.

Consider what your target group wants to see if they are emotive, electronic music lovers. This eclectic category consists of music created using synthesizers, computer generated sounds, and other electronically replicated instruments. The genre appeals to a typically younger audience accustomed to the current age of technology.

Can you pull off a video review of this music? Do you listen to it often? These are questions for your topic choice, which in turn begin the early steps of creating an attractive on-screen presence.

Test the Waters

If you already have an idea of how you want to come across on camera, test out your strengths and weaknesses.

Start by videotaping yourself talking about your topic and review the footage. This is as simple of an informal Selfie video with your smartphone. Did you accomplish showing the personality type you intended? If not, you may be pushing yourself into an area you are not ready for. Choose another topic and try it again.

Even though you will end up getting sick of seeing yourself on camera, unless you love to do this, early formation of your character is important. Personalities are not all the same; the type of people in the world is as numerous as the billions of people on earth. Even if you are a boisterous person, some subjects may cause you to freeze.

Knowing your character traits leads to a good idea of what vlog you want to launch.

A Private, Personal Inventory

You live in your own skin. You have spent every waking moment since birth looking in the mirror, choosing your own style, and embracing your personality traits. One day, someone comes along, a friend or family member, and points out a character flaw or strength you possess. The first emotion you feel is shock. That's not me, you consider in your head. After seeing that you do possess this character trait, it makes sense. It is a trait you never knew you had.

It's a good idea to get familiar with yourself before you embark on a vlog. If you are feeling brave, include a few trustworthy, lovingly honest friends of relatives. Put on your armour and let them have a private session with you, discussing how they see you. Of course, this can be frightening, so be sure you pick only people who you know can deliver their assessment in a gentle manner. Be ready to find out things you never notice and to evaluate yourself appropriately.

This is certainly not meant to be a session where you tear yourself apart, but it is a powerful way to get to know yourself better. Is this a scary idea? Yes, it is. So, choose carefully and put on thick skin. The result, if you take all the opinions into consideration, will enhance your adventure as you start a vlog and make it possible to have a successful on-screen presence. A Google search for 'personality tests' can provide a bit more information, but be sure and choose recognised websites such as Psychologytoday.com.

Activity 1

Estimated time: 10 - 20 minutes

Do this activity alone. The influence of friends or family in the room while you are videotaping, skews the actual 'you' that is looking into the camera. Start simple: use your smartphone to record yourself. Pick a quiet, private place; even if it has nothing to do with your topic. Take a few minutes to compile a small script in your head that would last one to two-minutes.

If make-up is your choice, it could be a simple review of the different types of foundation colours according to your skin tone. Music ideas could include a short clip of you imitating a particular dance move that your favourite musician does on stage. Whatever your idea is, make this video without inhibitions: don't try to be a professional or to impress anyone. Watch the clip when done.

Did your personality fit the subject? Were you relaxed and energised when you danced around, performing that timeless move? Were you able to examine your own skin tone close to the camera lens and not feel shy? These are good indicators that you are on the way to building a recognisable on-screen presence.

8.7 It's Time to Get Hands On

Vloggers spend a lot of time creating and regularly updating their vlogs.

It takes work and dedication to be a successful vlogger. A vlog typically consists of one producer and one videographer—you. Rarely does a vlog have a team of people sharing the work-load. Vlog videos, once you find your niche, must be consistent and you must remain persistent. The beauty of creating a vlog is having your own schedule and time frame to work with.

You may not be looking to earn a lot of money or get rich as a vlogger, but if you are interested in a vlog channel, it is likely you want to present your best abilities and even showcase your talent. A vlogger is self-made; typically without formal training. 

Most popular vloggers started without even thinking about what they were creating and suddenly they were dominating YouTube. Creating videos over and over, finding what worked and didn't work, and watching the views go up or down, built their skills and confidence. It is time well-invested to prepare and learn your skills before you launch your vlog, allowing you to improve on an already good vlog.

Your Branding

Highly successful vloggers like, PewDiePie, the top vlogger in the UK, started out as Felix Kjellberg, a university student with other aspirations. His channel offers hilarious dialogues and entertaining pranks. His vlog is a sensation with a view count approaching 15,200,000,000. His YouTube description? 'I make videos.'

There is no logo or branding except his natural ability to make people laugh, think, and have fun watching his vlog. He joined YouTube in 2010 and hasn't stopped filming and uploading since. And it is just him. PewDiePie doesn't have a channel name indicating his content or type of vlog.

How do you become the top blogger? It is possible to simply start videotaping and uploading, never planning a purpose or goal. Yet, starting out now, in today's video environment, makes it tougher to be popular right away. Creating a brand gives you a boost in visibility. If you have some graphic skills and software, think of a channel name that works with your topics and a clean, simple logo idea.

For example

If you choose guitarist tips and tricks for your topic, a good channel name may be 'sixstringshred.' Your logo can be an outline of an electric guitar with fingers flying across the fret board. That gives you a brand: an on-screen presence with a particular look. Your branding should include creating videos in similar settings like a guitar studio, periodically mixing it up with a live performance. On-screen presence with a theme is an eye-catcher when viewers are browsing their search results for a certain subject; in this case guitar tips and tricks.

Fact

The top vlogger in the UK is PewDiePie. He left his

education behind to vlog full time and has more than 54 million subscribers—the most of any vlogger in the UK.

Source: Vuelio.com/uk

Your Look

Branding gives you a basis for your on-screen presence. The centre of your videos is typically the presenter; you. Your look is part of your branding. If you film your guitar tips and tricks video as soon as you get home from work, wearing a medical assistant uniform, the viewers will be confused and distracted. It ends up looking unprofessional and could ruin your credibility. Dress to match your topic. It is not necessary to dress exactly like a famous guitar player; just look like you would when you give a lesson in person.

Other topics, such as make-up, can be dangerous if you film your video with no make-up on, looking quite dull.

However, if you are illustrating a facial transformation, you may start your video without make-up, applying it during the vlog. For any subject, keep in mind how your look adds or subtracts to your on-screen appearance and presence.

Your Personal Touch

Another valuable on-screen presence skill is to relate to and connect with your viewers. You won't know people's names and never want to narrow your video to a small group of people, but you do want even the first-time view to feel like your best friend or buddy.

Start out with a welcome message you pre-recorded, or create each one on the fly, addressing your viewers in different friendly ways. You could call viewers your 'bestie' or 'friends,' include a question like 'How goes it?' or something a bit more formal like, “It's great to see you again.' Your viewers will almost feel like they've gone and visited you face-to-face.

Activity 2

Estimated time: 30 - 40 minutes

Go through your wardrobe and take inventory of your clothing choices. Do you have different pieces of clothing to wear for your video that match your topic or subject? Check any accessories you have to complement your clothes. Think of pieces you may need to add; considering second-hand shops for inexpensive additions.

Put together an outfit for your first video. Change into the clothes, add accessories, fix your hair how you like it and add any make-up, if needed. Parade in front of the mirror a bit, rehearsing a bit of dialogue. Once you feel ready, do a short, Selfie video with your smartphone and review the footage. Think of ways to make your appearance more attractive to your particular audience of viewers. This is a great way to know what to wear ahead of time.