You really, really don’t want to show your face in a video?  I think you should, but here’s some ideas to help you start vlogging without being stressed out about your face.

1. Reviews: Zoom in on the product and show it working while you are explaining.

2. Take a walk and show the scenery

3. Children or pets:  If you feel you aren’t cute maybe somebody else in your house is.

4. What about part of your face?  Can the side of your face be in the video? Or just from your eyes up?

5. Screenshots for tutorials

6. Interview someone else while you are off camera asking the questions.

7. How-tos: Show your hands doing the work while you narrate.

8. Video a show, concert, seminar and add a running commentary.

9. Be creative with an editing or webcam program that disguises you.

10. Wear a mask. [okay - that's tongue-in-cheek because I ran out of ideas, but wanted to make it to 10.]

Be creative if you really don’t want your face in the video. However – I think that by not showing your face you will lose the main draw of vlogging. Isn’t vlogging about communicating and connecting? Go for it! Don’t let How You Look Stop You From Vlogging.

1. A smile. I can guess that some people would debate this.  Maybe if it’s a really serious issue you wouldn’t want to smile, but how often do we want to watch really serious things?  Think of the viral videos you’ve seen.  Are they usually serious or funny?

2. An introduction. “Hello, I’m so-and-so from here-and-there.”  It could be just a “Hi y’all!” or a very formal, “This is Dr. Knowsalot from Whatsamatter U.”  It’s courtesy and it’s just a nice way to start.

3. A point. Why are you making the video?  You did have a subject in mind before you started, right?  If you ramble try to get back to the main point.

4. An ending. Wrap it up nicely.  Put the period at the end.  It wouldn’t hurt to smile again either.

5. A place to find out more. Put your url in the video somewhere – or the url of whatever you’re talking about.  If you don’t edit at least say where the watchers can go to find out more.  If it’s a tricky spelling go ahead and spell it out.

Think about a movie preview.  It grabs your attention while satisfying some of your curiosity; but leaves you wanting more.

You can while away hours plus more hours by watching video clips online. My kids would love to do it all day. Here’s a list of sites where you can watch – and upload – videos.

• 1. Blip.tv – first one I used. Easy to use. Clean looking player.
• 2. Vimeo – seems to be the most highly recommended by people in the know, but I have problems with it.
• 3. MomTV - easy and fun to use plus they are on Twitter and accessible if you have questions.
• 4. NewBaby – MomTV’s older sister site and a great place for expectant mothers and mothers of little ones.
• 5. YouTube – Guess I have to mention this one. It’s integrated with what seems like everything on the web.
• 6. Motionbox – designed for private sharing of videos with relatives, friends, teams.
• 7. MonkeySee - videos by experts. Lots of good ones to watch. Not for home videos.
• 8. Mindbites – You can sell your tutorial videos here or buy others.
• 9. Flickr - 90 seconds or less can be shared privately or publicly.
  
• 10. Photobucket – You can upload videos up to 5 minutes long and share them with the world.

The rest of these I don’t have experience with. I’m just listing them so you’re aware of them. Do you use any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.

1. 11. Viddler
2. 12. Revver
3. 13. Daily Motion
4. 14. Veoh
5. 15.Metacafe
6. 16. Sevenload

These sites are geared to instruction, how-to’s, and tutorials.

1. 17. Graspr
2. 18. 5 min Life Videopedia
3. 19. Howcast
4. 20. Sclipo

Did I miss any that you’d like to add? Leave me a comment!