Lists - Simple Vlogging Tips

10 Ways To Vlog Without Showing Your Face

Posted on: Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Comments: 1

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.

Five Things Every Vlog Should Have

Posted on: Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Comments: 0

1check list. 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.

21 Sites Where You Can Upload or Watch Videos

Posted on: Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
Comments: 0

Or 21 Video Hosts

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 should 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.
  • 11. Viddler – fairly easy to use. A tad more professional if you have a business.
  • 12. Daily Motion – a lot of young vloggers and not so family friendly content was my quick impression.

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. 13. Revver
  2. 14. Veoh
  3. 15.Metacafe
  4. 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!

Updated:

  1. 21. Don’t forget Facebook. They give you an embed code as well.

Not sure what a video host is? Watch this video.

Link Up Your Summer Fun Videos

Link Up Your Summer Fun Videos

Here’s a link-up for any videos you have that have something to do with summertime fun. Two week’s challenge: Interview Someone. I’ll be at BlogHer next Friday so I’m hoping to interview lots of people! The link-up will be back in 2 weeks. Thank you Yoly for linking up last week. Great music choice!

Think About Editing Before You Record

Think About Editing Before You Record

Here’s my Simple Vlogging Podcast episode 34. If you are brand new to vlogging and still learning editing – don’t sweat it! However, if you’re a more experience vlogger and somewhat comfortable with editing, a bit of thinking before recording will help you make a nicer video. Think about angles, distance, etc. I ask this [...]

How Many Computers Are In Your House?

How Many Computers Are In Your House?

It’s time for another Monday Mingle! These are hosted by eightymphmom.com. THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS (submitted by Robyn from Robyn’s Online World): 1. How many computers in your house? 2. Are you connected on the go (via cell phone with data service, netbook, laptop, etc.) 3. What is the longest amount of time you can go without the internet [...]

Using Sound Effects

Using Sound Effects

Here is a link-up for any videos you have that you have added sound effects too. Maybe you have done some voiceover or just added some effects from your editing software. Whatever it is whenever you made it feel free to link it up. Next week’s challenge: Summertime fun! This can be anything from swimming [...]

Who Should Video Blog?

Who Should Video Blog?

Here’s my Simple Vlogging Podcast episode 33. Are there requirements for a vlogger? Looks, voice? Who do you think should video blog? OR Who do you think shouldn’t video blog?

Monday Mingle Answers Edition

Monday Mingle Answers Edition

This week the Monday Mingle feels like Jeopardy…except harder. There was no categories. Just answers. This is what we got: 1. Facebook – most definitely! 2. Probably when I was about three – cooking with my mom. 3. I would have to say the city/town of Petrolia, California I was close with number one, but [...]