Vlogging is an industry that has become popular in recent years as a form of digital storytelling. It involves making videos and posting them online. Most videos range from DIY to comedy to also personal vlogs. Vlogging really has no definite formula or rules, you just have to have good content and audience to whom you make that content for. The rest just comes by with time.
This year, Kenyan Vloggers can celebrate, as BAKE Awards finally added a category for the best vlog. Already established vloggers now have a chance to showcase what they do best and win an award for it. It doesn’t get better than this right?
For guys who would wish to start vlogging, both as a future career or a hobby, this is what you need to know:
It’s data-heavy
If you were hoping to post your videos on YouTube using your one-week subscription to data bundles on your local internet providers, then don’t. You will just be wasting your time and money. They will be overcharging you and will have nothing to show for it at the end of the day. You have noticed watching YouTube videos on your phone is expensive. Can you imagine posting one? Instead, have a place that has free WIFI that you can regularly go.
You don’t need a fancy camera
You don’t need to invest in a 150k camera to start your vlog. There are phones on the market that have good cameras. Start with that one. Alternatively, you can use the camera on your computer. Windows 10 comes inclusive with a camera app that allows you to take videos via the laptop integrated camera or a webcam that plugs in via USB.
You need to know how to edit
Edit, edit, edit. You need to know how to edit. If you don’t, learn. You don’t have to be awesome the first time around. Practice. Well edited videos are what will make your audience subscribe to your YouTube channel and stay.
You don’t need to know your niche immediately
If you don’t have a topic to focus on right away. The most important thing is to just start and then go with the flow. With time, you will learn your strengths and weaknesses and then be able to focus on that.
It creates communities
Vlogs create communities where you can just learn from each other, share each other’s works, network and grow. Just remember to share your YouTube name on your social media platforms so that other people can see it.
In the long run, you will learn something
Vlogging can be lucrative in the long run and you might learn something. You will be good at editing, talking on camera and the like. It takes practice and perfecting such things take time, dedication and consistency. Don’t forget the passion. Doing what you are passionate about makes it worthwhile.
Hurry, start a vlog today. If you have one, remember to submit it to the BAKE Awards. This could be your year! Here is what you need to know.
Timeline – bakeawards.co.ke/timeline
Rules – bakeawards.co.ke/rules
Categories – bakeawards.co.ke/categories
History – bakeawards.co.ke/history