So, you wanna vlog like a boss?! 🙌

If creating video to tell a story — YOUR story— is your passion, vlogging may be your match made in heaven. Getting in front of the camera to share your experiences and connect with an audience is such a valuable skill, so why not leverage it to your advantage?

Whether you’re dipping your toes in the virutal water or looking to step up your growing YouTube channel, this is your ultimate checklist to letting your light shine online!

The Beginner’s Guide to Vlogging Like a Boss: Everything You Need to Start Your Virtual Empire

The ‘How’

• How will you create your content? What tools will you need?
• How will you distribute your content?
• How will people find it? Will you use social media?

To create your vlogs, you’ll need some equipment. Those needs will differ depending on how and where you want to film. Decide if you’ll be on-the-go often or if you’re setting up shop at home, then research cameras and equipment (here’s a helpful guide) to see what works best for you in terms of size, function, and budget. To give you a place to start, here’s what I use to create my vlogs:

• Camera Body
• Lens
• Adapter for lens on a Canon
• Microphone I use (external and requires syncing in editing process)
• Microphone that will attach to camera (so you don’t have to sync audio like I normally do)
• Lavalier option (I like this one instead of a shotgun mic!)

Once your gear is in order, you must determine how people will find it and engage with it. How will you tell your story?

Some creators choose to let their vlogs live on their own unique website or blog, and some use social media to gain an audience and reach new people. Determine the vehicle by which you will get your content to the viewers, and start researching how you can best leverage it to your advantage. Pro-tip: Watch content by some of the big names that catch your attention and learn the tips and tricks from those who have succeeded!

The ‘What’

• What are you trying to show?
• What is the purpose of your vlog?
• What is your niche, if you have one?

When you begin your vlog, have an idea of what you are vlogging. It sounds like common sense, but creators can often lose sight of the vision for a vlog if they capture too much footage with no focus in mind. Know what the purpose is when you begin the process and keep it clear in your mind throughout filming.

Another ‘what’ to keep on your radar is what niche you will fall into on the platform you choose. Are you a beauty vlogger? A travel guide? A product reviewer? If your purpose aligns with an existing community, lean into it. Learn what you can from that community and use it to create the vision for your work.

The ‘When’

• What days will you post?
• What time will you post?
• How often will you post?

Consistency is key when it comes to building a committed audience. Set a schedule for yourself so your viewers know when and where they can expect you to show up. And once that schedule is set — stick to it! Do what you need to do in order to reverse engineer your content so you can account for filming and editing time.

You don’t have to post a video every day in order to be considered consistent. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. But pick a few days in the week where you can space out your content and keep the conversation going with your viewers!

The ‘Where’

• Where will you post your content?

Make a choice about where you will post your content based on the goals you have for yourself. Are you looking to grow a following and become an influencer? Or are you just creating because it’s what you love to do?

The different media platforms will allow you different advantages and disadvantages when sharing your work. Platforms like YouTube are ideal for longer videos, while apps like TikTok are a great way to share bits and pieces of your life through the day. Think about who you’re trying to reach and what you’re trying to show them, and choose where you’ll share your work.

Knowing the in’s and out’s of where you’re posting your content will play a major role in being consistent with your content. If you know that your viewers are most active on your chosen platform at noon, always post your content at noon. If they’re active at night, aim to post at night. Help your audience know where to find you by showing up when they’re already there!

The ‘Who’

• Who are you talking to when you turn on the camera?
• Who is your audience?
• What do their lives look like?
• What do they need from you?

Get specific with your audience. Like, really specific. Create an avatar in your mind for your target audience member. Give them a name, a face, a career, a life. What do they do? And what do they need from you in order to do it?

Getting clear about who you are speaking to in your vlogs will make it feel like a one-on-one conversation. You will begin to look at the camera as a person you are trying to reach, rather than a clunky piece of equipment. This is when you can make the connection that truly matters and draws an audience into your content!

The ‘Why’

• Why vlogging?
• What drives you to be in front of the camera?
• What is the reason behind the content you create?
• Are you helping people? Educating them? Entertaining them?

There are hundreds of mediums you could choose to express yourself and connect with an audience — so why vlogging? Examine what motivates you to get in front of the camera and tell a story.

As with any passion, getting clarity on your ‘why’ will quickly become the driving force behind what you do. Once you know your reason for something, it’s pretty hard to un-know it. What is it that you want? Why does it matter to you? And why is this the path you’ve chosen to get there?

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QOTD: Do you vlog? Where can we watch? 🤩