Have you ever wondered how to start a vlog?
If so, this blog post will really help you out.
I started vlogging about 3 years ago and since then, I’ve uploaded over 100 vlogs to YouTube and accumulated well over 150,000 views.
My three most popular vlogs on YouTube have 60,000, 25,000, and 17,000 views respectively.
These are not the most fantastic numbers (there are vloggers snatching up 1 million views per video).
However, I am pretty proud of myself because I basically taught myself everything I know about how to start a vlog.
If I could rewind 3 years, I would have LOVED to have a guide like this one to help me start my vlog in the right way.
Don’t Wait to Start Your Vlog
Before we go into the specific steps of how to start a vlog, can I give you some quick encouragement?
I strongly encourage you to start your vlog today.
Don’t wait.
Don’t talk yourself out of it.
If you really have something to share, get a camera, and just start.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need perfection. You just need to start and give yourself grace to grow from there.
Okay? Okay! Good :)
Let’s get into this guide!
How to Start a Vlog – The 5 Most Practical Steps
Step 1: Pick the Right Vlogging Camera for You
This is the vlogging camera that I personally use.
It is also the vlogging camera that Maya Washington, one of the top 10 vloggers on YouTube recommends for beginners.
PS: I bought the camera in white (instead of black) because it was $100 cheaper! See it on Amazon
Now that I have this camera, I see why Maya recommends it so highly.
It’s relatively affordable, light weight, and it has a flip screen so you can see yourself while recording!!!
There is nothing worse than recording a 20 minute video only to realize that
- You forgot to press record
- You weren’t in focus
- You weren’t even in the frame
Yes, I committed all of these offenses in the past Lol. Let’s just say I’m thrilled to have this camera now.
I was also pleasantly surprised that this camera has a custom case made just for it. I purchased that as well and I love it! I have the custom case in dark brown.
Step 2: Pick the Right Video Editing Software
The software I currently use for editing my vlogs is Filmora by Wondershare.
This vlog editing software is really good if you’re thinking of becoming a:
- Business Vlogger
- Family vlogger
- Travel vlogger
- Beauty, fashion, or hair vlogger
I’d recommend this software for these types of vlogging because of the special effects that come with it.
However, I don’t want you to delay starting your vlog because you feel that you need some fancy, complicated video editing software.
You really don’t!
When I was first thinking of how to start my own vlog, I went straight to Movie Maker.
I quickly outgrew it because it didn’t have many features that I wanted.
I then upgraded to the iMovie app for iPhone (yes, I was editing vlogs on my iPhone…the struggle was so real).
Then I finally upgraded to Filmora by Wondershare and that’s what I use until today.
Step 3: Get a Matching Blog
You might be wondering what this step has to do with how to start a vlog.
Let me explain.
Think of all your favorite vloggers – Marie Forleo, Zoella Sugg, Patricia Bright, PewDiePie, Shirley Eniang, Naptural85 and on and on.
They all have blogs in addition to their vlogs. All of them.
This is because they know that there is often the need to share information that doesn’t fit a vlog format.
In this case, a blog comes in very handy to share that information.
Having a blog in addition to a vlog also allows you to further expand your audience beyond just YouTube.
This is particularly important if you plan to make money from your vlog.
It is also important if you intend to use your vlog to launch your career into other creative endeavors like writing a book (which I did) or doing Speaking engagements (which I also did).
To start a blog, follow these 3 simple steps:
1. Get a hosting account and domain name from www.bluehost.com
I’ve used Bluehost for the past 6 years and don’t plan to move anytime soon.
The cool thing about Bluehost is that they even help you brainstorm a good domain name for your blog (you can also use this tool if you need help naming your vlog). See below.
I’ve used this tool several times to brainstorm. Just type in as many different options as you can think of and it will give you variations of the ideas you type in. Pretty cool.
The other neat thing about Bluehost is that they make it easy to save some cash. If you see a screen like this, pick the basic plan.
You don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles with the other options when you’re just starting out. Also, even though you pay one lump sum with the starter plan, you save more money in the long run.
2. Set up WordPress on Your Blog
Once you’re up and running with Bluehost, they have a very nice in-depth tutorial on how to set up WordPress on your blog. Simply login to your account and find the WordPress icon.
If you prefer, they usually have reps on hand 24/7 to walk you through.
You can talk to them over the phone or chat on the website and they’ll take you through step by step.
3. Make it look good with a high quality theme!
In the beginning, I spent a lot of time googling the best themes to use for my blog.
Now, I don’t waste time doing all of that.
If I need a new theme for a blog, I simply go to Theme Forest.
Without question, they have the best quality, best looking, amazing themes I’ve seen on the internet.
I’ve built a few websites for my friends and family and I buy everybody’s themes from Theme Forest.
I even bought the theme for my wedding website from there.
Step 4: Pick a Topic
If you’re wondering how to start a vlog, chances are you already have a topic in mind.
However, it doesn’t hurt to think extra hard before settling on a topic.
When you watch some vloggers like Gabe and Babe or Jamie and Nikki, it’s tempting to think that they don’t have a topic (or that they talk about just anything).
They seem to just casually record their day to day lives and get hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of views.
In reality, they actually have a very specific topic – love and family.
Anytime you watch any of their videos, it’s about love and family – always.
So, try your best to complete this statement:
When my viewers watch my vlog, it will be about __________ – always
Step 5: Post the Video!
This is where I got stuck when I wanted to start vlogging.
I would record a video, critique myself to death, and never post it.
My hair was never perfect. My teeth were never white enough. My jokes were never funny enough. The lighting was never just right.
There was always something wrong with the video.
Eventually, I realized that if I was every going to start a vlog, I had to overcome my resistance and just upload the video.
I strongly encourage you to do the same. Don’t wait until you have the “perfect video”.
Nobody ever has a perfect video.
See the imperfections but upload the video anyway.
You will get better over time.
You will be an inspiration to people that will see you shine!
I sincerely hope that these 5 tactical, practical tips on how to start a vlog have helped to point you in the right direction.
If you want to go beyond just learning how to start a vlog, keep reading.
BONUS: Do You Want to Make Money from Your Vlog?
I’ve put together a free chart showing how the most famous vloggers are making serious cash from their videos. There’s no need to waste time and effort re-inventing the wheel. Download this free eBook and get inspired by what is already working.
In addition to the chart, you’ll also receive free weekly tips on how to become an amazing vlogger.
