Video blogging or “Vlogging” has become one of the most popular forms of content creation over the last few years. Creators like Casey Neistat and Devinsupertramp have changed the way people view and create video content. Vlogging typically refers to a subject who is also the filmmaker, sharing an experience or activity to viewers. The vlogger will speak directly to the camera as if the viewer was there with them.
Vlogging is a great way to provide regular content for your user base because it doesn’t require as much time and money to create. You don’t need an expensive camera or video equipment and a lot of successful vloggers had no video skills before they started. Vlogs generally are lower production quality and focus on sharing an experience in a raw and candid format. It’s that simple style that makes it an appealing form to so many people. It also feels more organic to watch where the viewer gets a more realistic view into whatever the vlogger is documenting.
I started my own vlog to document unique experiences in my life. It’s hard to change your mindset from “perfection in video production” to “quick and dirty.” But the reality is you don’t have time to create a perfect production for everything you want to document so why not do a less professional job and still have the memory? After 15+ vlogs of adventures, and unique experiences in my life I look back and watch them and am so happy that I did create them. I don’t look back and think I’m the best vlogger (actually quite the opposite) but it’s still great to have the experiences I’ve done on video.
I wanted to share an easy formula for people who are interested in documenting their experiences through vlogs who don’t necessarily have any prior video knowledge. I have taken the various vlogs I have done and come up with a simple template that involves the least filming, editing, and time requirements. With this template you should be able to start vlogging right away with whatever camera you might have access too. This may just be your smartphone. If you are completely new to video then I would highly recommend taking my Udemy “How to Make Videos and Start Your Own YouTube Channel” course as well.
VLOG SAMPLE
THE TEMPLATE
- 10 x Talking Clips – 15 seconds each
- 50 x Accompanying Clips – 3-5 seconds each
Terminology/ Notes:
Clips: A clip is a 3-5 second video recording. Clips should not be longer than 5 seconds unless you are talking to the camera.
Recording: Don’t press that record button for everything you come across. Limit yourself to only pressing it when you absolutely need to.
Wide and Tight Shots: Always capture a mix of tight and wide shots. Wide shots are clips showing a whole scene vs tight shots are close shots of someone’s face, shoes, hands, etc.
Plan Ahead: Think of the experience you are planning to document. Decide when you will be doing your talking points and accompanying footage before you start.
VLOG SAMPLE
EXPERIENCE VLOG RECIPE
Video Introduction: Summarize the experience you are about to do in a few sentences (15 seconds or less)
Capture 5 accompanying clips of yourself getting ready
Capture 5 clips getting to the start of your experience
Add some details about the experience you’re about to start, expectations, things you’re excited for (15 seconds or less)
Capture 5 clips of start of the experience
Capture 3 clips of the first 1/4 of the experience
Provide an update on how things are going, things you’ve learned, things you like, etc. (15 seconds or less)
Capture 3-5 clips that relate to the things you have said in the previous talking clip
Provide an update 1/2 way through your experience. How things are going now, things someone should know, etc. (15 seconds or less)
Capture 5 clips between the 1/2 way point and 3/4 point
When you are close to completion update camera with your status, how you’re feeling, etc. (15 seconds or less)
Capture 5 accompany clips of the last part of the experience
Update the camera at the moment you finish the experience. How are you feeling, what is it like finishing, etc. (15 seconds or less)
Capture 3-5 accompanying shots of what you are speaking about and scenery around you
Provide a closing few lines summarizing the experience you just had compared to your original expectations. Offer any suggestions to someone who might be interested in doing this same thing. (15 seconds or less)
Capture 5 clips leaving, finishing, etc.
FINISHED!
VLOG SAMPLE
What to do when you’re done?
If you have successful captured the above footage you can use any simple editor to combine the footage, add some music and you have a Vlog! For more detailed information on best cameras to use, how to edit, best editing software, and other tricks on perfecting your video skills make sure to enroll in my “How to Make Videos and Start Your Own YouTube Channel” course. This course is a complete beginners guide on how you can start making great videos as fast and as easily as possible.
I hope this helped you start your journey into video production and document the things you’re passionate about.