Starting a YouTube vlog provides an exciting opportunity to share your passion globally.
However, did you know that the number of YouTube channels making over $10,000 annually is growing by 40% every year?
This shows YouTube vlogging can be a lucrative endeavor too.
With over 2 billion monthly users, the platform provides a massive potential audience. In fact, creative vloggers have turned YouTube into full-time careers.
The site sees 500 hours of new video content uploaded every minute on average. So it’s a great place to showcase your skills or personality. And with the right strategy, you, too, can leverage this massive platform to build an audience and generate income through YouTube vlogs.
This guide offers practical YouTube vlogging tips on how to start a vlog and make money, covering useful topics such as making compelling videos, attracting an audience, generating income through your channel, and ultimately building vlogging into a profitable side business. So let’s get started!
Why is YouTube Vlogging so Popular?
Vlogging is the process of creating video blogs and sharing them on platforms like YouTube. A vlog is like a blog, but instead of writing articles, the content creator makes videos about topics they are passionate about.
These videos are more casual and conversational compared to professionally edited videos. Through YouTube vlogs, creators build a personal connection with their audience.
Anyone can start a YouTube channel, upload videos regularly around a niche, and start vlogging. With consistency and high-quality content, you can gain subscribers and make money on YouTube.
Why should you consider YouTube Vlogging?
YouTube offers some major advantages for vlogging:
| Massive existing audience | YouTube is the 2nd most visited website globally. You get access to over 2 billion monthly active users. For example, the US is totally dominating when it comes to YouTube views! Americans watch a crazy 916 billion videos on YouTube every month. That’s like almost 3,000 videos for every person in the country! India and UK come in second and third with 503 and 391 billion views, respectively. |
| Global reach | Videos are accessible by anyone in the world with an internet connection. Asia-Pacific region accounts for a whopping 30% of all the views on YouTube, while Europe and North America tied for second place with 27% each. For more information on YouTube’s worldwide viewership, have a look at this link. |
| Multiple ways to earn | You can make money through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, etc. Check here to know the mind-boggling amount some of the top YouTube stars make each year. |
| Build a personal brand | Through regular vlogs, you showcase your personality and knowledge in a niche. This helps build your reputation and authority. It’s easier than you think! Just pick a niche you’re passionate about and start posting videos regularly to share your insights. Be your awesome self on camera, chat with viewers in the comments, and collaborate with other creators in your niche to reach new fans. Building an audience takes time but stick with it, and before you know it, you’ll have your own recognizable brand on YouTube. |
| User-generated content | The content comes directly from you. So you have 100% creative control over your brand and channel. |
| Low barrier to entry | Anyone can start a channel, upload videos, and start vlogging for free on YouTube. All you need is a camera (or even a smartphone) and a pleasing personality people would like to watch. |
Is YouTube Vlogging Right For You?
Before jumping in, assess if vlogging aligns with your strengths and interests:
· Are you passionate about a niche and have extensive knowledge to share through videos?
· Do you enjoy being on camera and have an engaging on-screen personality?
· Are you committed to vlogging consistently and creating high-quality videos?
· Are you willing to invest time into growing your channel and community?
If your answers are yes, then YouTube vlogging could be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor for you.
Getting Started with YouTube Vlogging
Creating a successful vlog requires some initial preparation and strategic planning. Follow these steps to get your YouTube vlogging journey off to a strong start:
1. Choosing a Vlogging Niche
One of the first steps is deciding on a niche for your vlog. This will determine the types of videos you create and your target audience. Consider niches like:
· Food and cooking
· Travel
· Fashion and beauty
· Gaming
· Technology
· Fitness
· Family and parenting
· Finance and productivity
Select a niche you have extensive knowledge about and aligns with your interests and personality. This passion will reflect in your content.
2. Setting Up Your YouTube Channel
Once you pick a niche, set up your YouTube channel. Here’s how:
| Channel name | Make it memorable and related to your niche. |
| Profile picture | Use a professional headshot or logo. |
| Channel art | Add a banner that visually represents your brand. |
| Description | Share your niche, type of content, and value proposition. |
| Keywords | Include relevant keywords so people can find your channel when searching on YouTube. |
3. Equipment Needed
To produce high-quality YouTube vlogs, some essential equipment is needed:
| Camera | Invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera for the best video quality. You can start with a smartphone. |
| Microphone | Improve audio with an external mic like a lapel or shotgun mic. |
| Lighting | Get a lighting kit with both constant and fill lights. Natural light also works. |
| Tripod | Essential for stabilization and framing shots. A gimbal can also help. |
| Editing software | Start with free options like iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, or Windows Movie Maker. |
Follow this checklist to get set up for vlogging success on YouTube!
Creating Great Video Content
The quality of your content will make or break your YouTube channel. Follow these vlogging tips to create videos that engage viewers and get those subscribe buttons clicking!
1. Find Your Vlogging Style
There are a few main vlogging styles to choose from:
| Conversational | Just chat to the camera about your niche. It should feel like a one-on-one talk. |
| Educational | Teach viewers about your niche through tips, lessons, and commentary. |
| Storytelling | Share stories about your life related to your niche |
| Adventure | Take viewers along on your travels and experiences. |
See what comes naturally based on your personality. You can blend styles too. But be authentic!
2. Structure Your Videos
| Hook | Catch attention immediately with a funny clip, question, or preview. |
| Introduction | Give context, and outline what’s in the video. |
| Main content | The meat of the video, keep organized. |
| Call to action | Tell viewers to like, comment, and subscribe. |
3. Optimize Video SEO
| Title | Put main keywords in the front; make it eye-catching. |
| Description | Include niche keywords for better discovery. |
| Tags | Add additional niche keywords as tags. |
These tips will help you create YouTube vlogs viewers love and keep coming back for!
Building an Audience on YouTube
Growing your viewership is key to YouTube success. Use these strategies to build an engaged audience for your vlogging channel:
1. Promote Your Videos
· Share videos on social media so people know about your channel!
· Collaborate with other vloggers in your niche to tap into their audiences.
· Optimize videos for search by using relevant keywords so new viewers can find them.
2. Engage Viewers
· Ask questions in your videos to spark conversation.
· Run polls
· Request video ideas
· Respond to all comments to build relationships with viewers.
· Offer value and entertainment so viewers want to watch more.
3. Be Consistent
· Post new videos consistently, like once a week. Keeps your audience engaged.
· Stick to a schedule so viewers know when to expect new content.
· Don’t disappear for weeks at a time, or viewers may lose interest!
4. Provide Value
· Inform and entertain your audience so they get value from your videos.
· Educate viewers on your niche to establish yourself as an authority they can trust.
Monetizing your YouTube Channel
The best part of YouTube vlogging is getting paid for videos! You can easily turn your passion into profit by exploring all your options for monetizing your vlogging channel! Here are some top ways to start raking in that cash:
Get AdSense Approved
· Monetize videos by putting ads on them through Google AdSense.
· Earn a percentage of the ad revenue your videos generate.
Sell Merch
· Design t-shirts, mugs, and other merch featuring your brand.
· Promote the merch in your videos and descriptions.
· List it on sites like Teespring and get a cut when it sells.
Use Affiliate Marketing
· Recommend helpful products related to your niche.
· Share special links that give you a commission if viewers purchase.
· Tools like Amazon Associates make this easy.
Get Sponsorships
· Reach out to brands relevant to your audience about sponsorships.
· Create sponsored videos promoting those brands and products.
· The more viewers and subscribers you have, the more you can make money from your sponsors.
Creating a Vlogging Schedule
Setting a consistent vlogging schedule is crucial for building a loyal audience on YouTube. Here’s how to create a rock-solid plan:
1. Choose an Upload Frequency
· Start by posting once or twice a week to establish a pattern.
The best time to post is between 2 pm and 6 pm on weekdays. Yes, right in that after-school and after-work timeframe when people are chilling at home scrolling through YouTube. That’s your sweet spot!
Now weekends are a whole different story. People sleep in and have more flexible schedules. So your ideal posting times are from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You still want to aim for those lazy weekend afternoon hours when your fans are relaxing on the couch in their PJs, binging YouTube. For more info on this, check this great source here.
· Choose specific days and times that work for your lifestyle.
· You can increase frequency later when you build momentum.
· You let viewers know exactly when to expect new videos.
· Make sure you stick to the schedule consistently.
2. Create a Content Calendar
· Plan video topics and themes weeks in advance.
· It helps ensure you have great content lined up for each post.
· You can draft titles and descriptions ahead of time too.
3. Get Organized
· Prep content batches – film/edit multiple videos in a day.
· Use schedules and checklists to stay on track.
· Being organized makes sticking to the posting schedule way easier!
Time to make your YouTube Vlogging dreams reality
Vlogging has exploded, with 114 million people identifying as creators, while top YouTubers making millions a year from their videos. What this means is there’s a good chance you can start and grow an amazing YouTube vlogging channel if you follow this guide.
Remember that making a vlogging channel a success story takes time, commitment, and smart strategies. But the effort pays off – literally! Make sure to bring value to your niche, and revenues will follow.
However, have you checked out this guide on the ten best tips for increasing YouTube earnings?
Or if you’re new to YouTube Shorts, this guide to earning money using this new YouTube feature can help you immensely. And in case you’re looking to make some quick bucks on YouTube within a short period, this article might interest you!
