It can be difficult to decide whether you want to blog or vlog. What are the benefits of each, and which one is more worth your time and investment?
If you’re just getting started online to make money or build a brand, it’s very important to choose the RIGHT platform.
Both blogging and vlogging have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, both may help you earn money online.
As a result of this confusion, I’ve created this in-depth article for you.
Blogs and vlogs are an effective marketing tool for many types of businesses and individuals. There are blogging platforms like WordPress, Wix, Tumblr, and Blogger that can be used to create a blog or website.
For vlogging we have Youtube, Vimeo, TikTok and Instagram among other sites where you can post your videos.
What is a blog?
A blog is an online journal or informational website that consists of blog entries and pages where individuals may express their opinions on a variety of issues.
Blogs are created with the intention of growing an online presence, whether that means building a personal brand, generating traffic, or making sales. Some blogs exist purely for entertainment value and to share opinions on various topics.
In the year 2003, Google acquired Blogger, which was then the most popular blogging platform. WordPress debuted in the same year, and it is now the #1 CMS (Content Management System) in the world.
What do I need to Start a Blog?
In order to start a blog you will need a domain name and hosting. Your domain name is your blog’s address on the internet (ex. yourblogname.com). Hosting is where your website’s files are stored (think of it as renting space on a server).
If you’re just getting started, I recommend using WordPress to create your blog. It is the most popular blogging platform and it’s very user-friendly.
You can get started with WordPress by signing up for Bluehost. They are one of the largest web hosting companies in the world and an official WordPress partner.
Use this link to get a discounted rate on hosting + a free domain name.
You will also need a WordPress theme, there are many free themes out there that you can use to get started. If you want a more professional looking blog, you can purchase a premium theme. I recommend using GeneratePress.
Read more – How to Start a Blog
Blogging Statistics
- Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.
- There are about 70 million posts being published each month by WordPress users.
- 43% of people admit to skimming blog posts.
- Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source for gathering online information.
- 77% of internet users read blogs.
- WordPress powers 43% of all the websites on the Internet,
What is Vlog?
The term vlog comes from the phrase video blog, which implies that they are linked in some way.
A vlog is a new approach to distribute content. The primary distinction is that while in a blog, you mostly use text, in a vlog you mostly utilize video to convey your narrative.
What do I need to Start a Vlog?
You will need a camera, editing software, and a hosting platform.
For cameras, you don’t need anything too fancy or expensive. A lot of vloggers when they start out use their smartphones to film their videos. If you want to get a little more professional, you can use a DSLR camera or even just a point-and-shoot camera.
As for editing software, again you don’t need anything too fancy or expensive. I recommend using iMovie if you have a Mac. If you have a PC, then you can use Windows Movie Maker. Both are free and easy to use. Eventually you will want to upgrade to a professional video editing suite such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro, but when you’re just starting out these free programs will do the job.
Finally, you’ll need a video hosting platform. The two most popular options are YouTube and Vimeo. I recommend starting with YouTube because it’s the largest video sharing site in the world and it’s free to use.
Read more – How to Start a Vlog
Vlogging Statistics
- Over 61% of vloggers upload more than one video a week
- Around 20% of YouTube channels upload Shorts
- Approximately 4 out of 5 creators prefer TikTok over YouTube Shorts
- 1 in 15 creators outsource editing
- 20% of creators have had sponsorship deals that lasted for more than one video
- More than 86% of creators use royalty-free music for their videos
Pros and Cons of Blogging
Pros:
-Allows you to share your thoughts and ideas with the world
-Can help you connect with like-minded people
-Can be a great way to build an audience for your business
-Can be a great marketing tool
-Can be very rewarding
Cons:
-Takes time and effort to build a following
-Can be difficult to stand out in a crowded marketplace
Pros and Cons of Vlogging
Pros:
-Allows you to share your thoughts and ideas with the world in a more personal way
-Can help you connect with like-minded people
-Can be a great way to build an audience for your business
-Can be a great marketing tool
-Can be very rewarding
Cons:
-Takes time and effort to build a following
-You need to be comfortable being in front of the camera
-Editing can be time consuming
-You need to be comfortable with technology
-Vlogging can be expensive if you invest in professional equipment
-There is a lot of competition out there so it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd.
-Can be difficult to find sponsorships or monetization opportunities.
Can You make more money from Blogging or Vlogging?
In recent years the media has been full of headlines about the huge sums of money some Youtubers are making. In fact some Youtubers have now become household names.
However these people are a rare exception and not the majority.
There are many successful bloggers out there making hundreds of thousands of dollars every year and very few people know who they are.
Both blogs and vlogs offer similar ways to make money. These include sponsored content, affiliate marketing, product reviews, and ads.
The bottom line is that you can make money from blogging and vlogging. It really depends on which platform you are more comfortable with and which one you can produce better content for.
Should I start a Blog or a vlog?
The following 4 elements can help you decide whether blogging or vlogging would better suit your needs:
1. Your topic
It’s difficult to say exactly which topics are more suited for writing than others, as different situations call for various approaches. Most likely, complicated issues are simpler to express in a blog.
A vlog should be brief (just a few minutes long at most) and thus isn’t appropriate for subjects that require extensive explanation. If you want to produce a video about a more complex problem, consider creating a series of vlogs. Each vlog might focus on one particular aspect of the topic.
On the other hand, you have subjects that require a lot of visual assistance. These topics are ideal for vlogging.
2. Your audience
You should consider your target audience when decide whether to blog or vlog. Different age groups may have different preferences, but it’s important not to make assumptions and to do your research.
Audience research is vital to understanding what topics your audience wants to know more about, the types of content they prefer and how you can best interact with them. Creating vlogs or blogs gives you an opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level and build stronger relationships with them.
3. Your personal qualities
Some people have a natural ability to come across well on screen, whereas others are natural writers. Your own qualities should determine whether you blog or vlog. Or the personal qualities of those involved in the creation of content. You should continue writing (and vlog occasionally to vary things up a bit) if you’re an excellent writer. If you’re able to attract attention while talking about subjects on camera, spend a little more time developing vlogs.
Perhaps you feel that vlogging isn’t a good fit for your business. Or maybe you’re afraid of being on camera. There are several different ways to create films other than simply appearing on camera.
Some vloggers have had lots of success without appearing on camera especially when they are unboxing and reviewing products or food bloggers who show you how to decorate a cake.
4. Your resources
Although it may be easy to open the camera app on your phone and start recording, making a high-quality vlog requires just as much effort as writing an excellent blog post. You should take some time to think about the type of video you would like to create. For example, you will need a decent camera to shoot your content and excellent editing skills.
In addition, consider if your surroundings are visually appealing, check that there is minimal background noise, and that the sound quality is clear before hitting record .
You will also need to consider creating a transcript of the video and adding subtitles to your videos for accessibility. It can seem like a lot of effort just to create one short video.
So which is better, a blog or a vlog?
It all depends on your topic, your audience, the members of your team and the resources accessible. That being said, if you already blog on a regular basis, I would strongly advise giving vlogs a try. It’s a terrific method to deliver interesting and unexpected material while also engaging with your audience in an engaging manner.
Jamie Spencer
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