If you’re looking for an extraordinary career change, then vlogging could be the way to go. Although this used to only be a way of capturing vacations or other experiences, now it’s a way of life for many people. And with the potential to earn millions of dollars, it’s easy to see why.
But why is vlogging so popular? Over the last few years, vlogging has rapidly taken over. A giant community, people from all over the world come together to discover what’s happening in different people’s lives. This insight is perhaps the reason why it’s so popular.
If you want to get into this industry, it does, however, take time and effort. Becoming successful and profitable within it won’t happen overnight. So it’s important to know what you have to do to get your channel off the ground. To help guide you, here is a brief guide into what steps you’ll have to take:
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Do Your Research
The first step that you should take is to research some vloggers that you aspire to be like. By doing this, you’ll be able to identify why they are so popular, how they got to their position and what equipment they use to make their vlogs look professional. A useful step to take, it will give you an insight into what you have to do.
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Decide What Type of Vlogger You’ll Be
Now comes the fun part – deciding what type of vlog you’ll have. There are so many different types out there, from beauty vlogs to gaming vlogs and lifestyle vlogs. So spend some time thinking about what you want to film. This can be what you’re interested in, or a skill that you’re looking to develop over time. However, keep in mind that the type that you settle for will determine the amount of money that you’ll make.
For example, you could go down the beauty route and aspire to be like Lisa Eldridge or Fleur de Force, or instead create travel vlogs like Louis Cole (Fun For Louis).
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Invest in the Right Equipment
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice – invest in suitable equipment for your vlogs. As you want this to become a full-time career, you’ll need the right equipment from the get-go. Of course, not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars at first. But as you become more successful, you can upgrade your setup to match demand.
Essentials for vlogging include a good-quality camera, tripod, microphone and spare batteries (for the camera). If you’re looking to specialize in a certain type of vlogging such as travel, then you might also want to invest in a drone that can capture the incredible landscapes surrounding you (such as the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual).
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Work on The Lighting
One thing that people might not think of is how they will light the room for their vlogs. Now, it doesn’t have to be fancy – it just needs to be effective in giving off the right effect.
Your main goal is to ensure that you are the main focus while avoiding any shadows on your face. This can be done through a lighting setup, including a ring light, umbrella lighting or soft-box lighting.
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Hone Your Editing Skills
Before uploading your video to YouTube (or whatever streaming site you’re using), you’ll have to edit it so that it’s easy to watch and gives off the right impression.
To do this effectively, you’ll have to use editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Apple Final Cut Pro X. Although they might seem challenging to use, after following a few video tutorials/step-by-step guides you’ll be able to edit your own videos.
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Market Yourself
Now comes the final step – marketing yourself. Although this might feel scary and daunting, it’s key to getting the word out about your vlogs. There are many ways that you can market your videos, but the most effective is through social networks. To get them seen, not only will you have to use an eye-catching caption, but you’ll also have to include tags that are trending.
To then generate revenue, you could either use a scheme such as Google AdSense which gives them permission to display ads throughout your videos, create a brand for your vlog or start to advertise products/services on each vlog. The way that you generate revenue is, of course, up to you. But it’s important to recognize the most effective ways and see how you can incorporate them into your videos – without making it too in-your-face, as this will only turn viewers off.
Final Thoughts
So there you go! Those are 6 simple steps that you can take to become a full-time vlogger. The steps that you take, of course, is up to you. But by following the above, you’ll be on the road to success.
