Platforms such as YouTube have made sharing your thoughts in the form of a “vlog” easier than ever. As the name implies, a vlog is simply a blog in video form. You can use a vlog to discuss what’s happening in your personal life, share information that others might find valuable, and much more.
However, if you’re starting a vlog on YouTube, you likely want to maximize its chances of attracting viewers. There are numerous ways you can achieve this goal. To improve the odds of your YouTube vlog succeeding, keep the following essential tips in mind:
Watch Other Vlogs
Don’t overlook the basics when considering how you can position your vlog for success! Yes, you want to ensure your YouTube vlog represents your unique voice. On the other hand, you also need to remember that you can learn a lot from other popular vloggers you admire.
Make a list of vlogs you either already enjoy or at least know speak to the same type of audience you’re trying to reach. Watch the episodes of these vlogs that have the most views and take notes to determine why they are successful.
You might also want to consider using an app to download episodes of vlogs from YouTube and other such platforms directly to your device. This ensures you’ll almost always be able to watch and study them, even when you may not have Internet access.
For instance, if you’re on a plane or train without a reliable wifi connection, having a video already downloaded on your computer or phone can be helpful.
Keep it Consistent (in Some Ways)
You want your vlog to excite you. Because it can take some time for a vlog to gain a large viewership, you must find a way to ensure you remain passionate about filming episodes even when growth appears to be slow.
That means you don’t necessarily want all your episodes to be exactly the same. You will potentially grow bored if you’re filming and publishing the same type of content again and again.
On the other hand, it’s worth keeping in mind that many of the most successful vloggers on the Internet have managed to attract and maintain large audiences by ensuring their episodes seem “familiar” in certain capacities. Sometimes, they achieve this goal by including recurring segments in their episodes. In other instances, vloggers merely have catchphrases or theme songs with which they open episodes or close them. The main point to keep in mind is that you want to include some consistent elements to bring viewers back to your episodes when they first discover your channel.
Tell Ongoing Stories
Whether you’re vlogging about your personal life experiences or vlogging about your favorite recipes, it often helps to stretch “stories” out over multiple episodes. The way in which you can do so will vary depending on the type of vlog you start.
For example, it’s fairly easy to tell a story over the course of several episodes if you’re vlogging about experiences you’ve had in life. If your vlog involves sharing recipes, you can do a series on a particular type of meal. By turning your vlog into an ongoing story, you’ll once again give new viewers a reason to keep watching.
Just remember that succeeding as a vlogger requires persistence. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t immediately skyrocket to success. By consistently applying these tips, you’ll be more likely to grow a vlog that others will genuinely enjoy watching.