The Benefits Of Vlogging With WordPress

Want to learn how to vlog? Video blogging, or “vlogging” as is it better known, is the act of recording a blog in video format. Fundamentally the same as blogging, it is an entirely different process to work with.

Vlogs are a very popular means of providing content to your readers/watchers. It allows you to engage with your audience using sight and sound and is a much more interesting way to promote yourself. Not only are you promoting your content, whatever that maybe, but you are also adding a visual element into the mix. Your followers will become accustomed to your physical appearance on their screens and in some cases, viewers will become extremely attached to someone via this form of media.

What Is Vlogging?

Vlogging, or video blogging, is a phenomenon that has really taken off in the last 5 years. In the shot, vlogging is a video blogging trend, as opposed to written blog posts. Although initially seen as a pastime for the younger generation, vlogging has more recently become a great option for all ages.

Vlogging can be based on topic, making it an ideal medium for individuals and businesses alike. Just pick your niche and start recording. However, making interesting videos that attract an audience can be much more difficult. Try not to let this put you off! There are many benefits to vlogging, and whatever your business or personal goals, vlogging can be an effective way to help you achieve them.

Vlogging Platform

The majority of vlogging happens on YouTube. With over 1 billion active users each month, YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google. It enables individuals to create their own YouTube channels, produce labeled playlists of uploaded videos, stream live videos, live chat with their audience, as well as offering many other features. This makes YouTube an ideal platform for vloggers.

There are also other channels that are popular among vloggers. Depending on your vlogging niche and audience, you may want to consider vlogging on Vimeo, Facebook or Facebook Live, and even Instagram. If you have a website you should also publish your vlogs on your site. However, if you post to other platforms, always do so alongside YouTube. The sheer number of YouTube’s visitors makes it the go-to place if you want to become a successful vlogger.

Vlogging Benefits

There are multiple benefits to vlogging, making it an ideal pursuit for businesses and individuals alike. So let’s take a look at a few of the best pros…

Find New Views

Using YouTube as a platform for your vlogs enables you to reach a wider audience. This search engine ensures that your videos are more accessible to the masses than if you just posted vlogs on your WordPress website. Once your videos are being viewed by a new audience on YouTube, then you can use your vlogs to drive traffic to your website, generate leads, sell products, and much more.

Talk To Your Audience Closer

Vlogging enables you to engage directly with your audience. By ‘getting to know you through your vlogs, your viewers will quickly come to trust you and see you as an expert in your field. By connecting in this way with your community, your target audience is more likely to remember you, use your service, or buy from your site.

Be a Reference

Some of the most famous vloggers have accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers, and their videos are watched by millions. Not only have they become celebrities, these vloggers have made big bucks through advertising on their videos. Popular vloggers can be paid by companies to promote their products, wear their brands, and send traffic to their websites.

Traffic to Your Website

Many bloggers and businesses use vlogging to drive traffic to their website. Watching videos is fast becoming the norm and the preferred online media type. Many people will now watch a video but pass up on a written article. So websites often use vlogging to attract new visitors, as well as help them retain current ones.

Promoting Yourself by Vlogging

Vlogs can be used as part of your marketing strategy. Whatever your online site is selling, use vlogging to promote it. If you run a membership site, explain why viewers should sign up. If you have an eCommerce store, display your products and tell those watching why they should make a purchase. Or want people to visit your blog? Then sell the content to them through vlogs.

Starting Your Vlogger Journey

So now you know a bit about what vlogging is and the rewards that can come of it. Next, let’s have a look at how to get started as a vlogger.

Planning Your Video Contents

As always online, content is key. If you want to build up a large vlogging following then you need to be producing interesting videos. Find a niche that interests you, or is related to your WordPress website. Then take your time deciding what content will be in your videos. Consider posting how-to videos, interviews, comedy sketches, or anything else that will be valuable or entertaining for your viewers.

Some vloggers plan out what they will say, others just ad lib. Either way, make sure your videos are fun, informative, and relevant. Your vlogs must connect with your target audience and inspire them to become regular followers.

Recording Your Video & Vlogs

When filming vlogs, make sure you use a camera with high video quality. Test the sounds quality, and if necessary invest in a microphone. And record your videos in a well-lit room to ensure they aren’t too dark. If your vlogs are low-quality and hard to watch or hear then your audience won’t hang around, so take your time to get it right.

Video Edit Process

Once you have recorded your video you will need to edit it. iMovie for Mac or VSDC Video Editor for Windows are both effective free editing software tools if you are just starting out. However, for those looking for a premium solution with more advanced features, Filmora Video Editor is a great choice.

When editing your video, add your website logo as well as an end page displaying calls to action. Ask people to like your video, comment in the discussion below, follow your YouTube channel or visit your website. This is a great way to build a community on YouTube, get your content shared, and drive traffic to your WordPress website. As soon as your video is complete you are ready to upload it to YouTube.

Vlogging on YouTube

Do it right YouTube is an important part of the vlogging process. Firstly, you need to grow your following and then convince them to visit your website. Secondly, sign-up to your email list, buy products, or do whatever else your vlogging objectives may be. Here’s how to do just that.

Create Your Own YouTube Channel

YouTube allows you to create your own channel, where you can upload all your vlogs. You can add your own image or logo and description to your channel’s page, create your own playlists, send messages, reply to comments and lots more. Your fans can then follow your channel, making it easy for them to find your vlogs.

Videos Metadata to Each Vlog You Post

Every time you upload a new vlog, you need to add metadata. This will help your vlogs rank in YouTube and Google, as well as make it easier for new viewers to find you.

Write a title and description for each video, including keywords as you would with a blog post. Add your website’s URL in the descriptions so viewers can easily access your site. And incorporate calls to action, encouraging people to share your video, add a comment, or follow your channel.

YouTube Cards Usage

YouTube cards enable you to add interactivity to your videos. Firstly, YouTube allows you to add five cards to each vlog. These cards add annotations to your videos. Secondly, depending on the cards you use, you can show customizable images, titles, calls to action, and URL links to your website. As a result, These cards can be very effective in helping you achieve your vlogging goals, like sending traffic to your website or increasing your online store product sales.

Videos on Your WordPress Website

Displaying your YouTube feed or most recent vlogs on your WordPress website is a great way to link the two platforms and encourage your site visitors to follow you on YouTube. A quick and easy way to do this is to install the free YouTube Embed plugin.

YouTube Embed will enable you to embed your YouTube channel or playlist, or even a live stream, as a feed in your WordPress website. This plugin is very customizable and has a range of impressive features. This gives you the ability to showcase and promote your vlogging to your website audience, encouraging them to become followers.

Vlogging With WordPress Theme Options

A quick way to add your vlogs is to use WordPress’ built-in oEmbed support for videos. Simple copy the link (not the embed code – just the url) for your Youtube video and paste it onto any post or page to have it automatically added and formatted.

Another option is to use your theme’s support for featured post or page media, as well as any page builder elements. For example the Forum WordPress theme includes a video post format as well as a custom video page builder modules so you have plenty of options to add-in your vlogs.

Getting Paid

Wondering how to vlog and get paid? Once your vlog is reaching over the number of subscribers and viewers a month, it’s time to start monetizing. You can achieve this by a wide range of tactics, but the most common for vlogs is to get sponsorships.

If your vlog is targeted at hobbyists, you might find yourself entertaining sponsorships from the producers of goods for the niche. Using exercise as an example, you may be approached by local gyms asking for promotions, who will gladly pay you for your work.

Other ways to monetize a vlog is to market your own products to your loyal audience, who already take your word as an authority, so will much easier to sell to than strangers. The influence that big-time vloggers have over their audience is what attracts internet marketers to professional vloggers.

Needless to say, after a lot of hard work, Vlogging can be an extremely profitable venture indeed. Some of the top-performing talent in the field easily make 6 figures a year from ads alone. Let alone the other opportunities that can be capitalized upon.

Conclusion on Vlogging

In conclusion, now you know how to vlog. It’s time to take action and create your own vlogging adventure! In addition, YouTube provides useful analytics of your channel and audience’s behavior. So once you have been vlogging for a while, monitor your YouTube analytics to see what type of vlog content is resonating with your viewers.

Remember, building a vlogging fan base can take time. But if you follow the steps above you will immediately be ahead of the competition. Good Luck!