At 5 Minutes for Mom there is a post titled A Guaranteed Method For Improving Your Photography by Tasra Dawson. It’s a great post and while I was reading I realized that her 3 tips could really help serious vloggers as well.
Tasra’s main point is to take a picture every day.
It works for video too. Take a video every day! You might not get a complete video filmed every day, but you can get a clip or two that you can work into a finished video later. You might not use the clip, but you’ll gain experience.
First she says to carry your camera with you everywhere. I’ve said before that it’s good to always take your video camera with you. These days cameras are small and easy to slip in a bag – don’t forget to throw in some extra batteries. You never know what you’ll happen upon or what you’ll think of while out and about – especially if you have kids.
Second she says to begin to see things differently. Once you’re thinking about video you’ll start thinking more like a director or editor. You’ll think about what would make a good story that others would like to watch. You’ll think of what would be a good background, or what would be funny to add to a vlog, or how you’re going to tell your watchers about what happened. I do it, and even my children have picked up on it since they have fun with their camera.
Thirdly she says to get off automatic. If your camera lets you change settings – go for it! Some video cameras do not let you change settings so lets think of this in a slightly different way. Let’s say – get out of your comfort zone. Do you tend to always record your videos in front of your webcam? Try going outside! Do you film a lot in your car? Open the door and get out! Try a close-up or a far away shot. Do a different type of video – if you do a lot of reviews try to sit and talk, if you always sit and talk try a cooking video, etc.
Push yourself and you will grow.
P.S. The points are from her article; the rest is from me. Tasra Dawson also does great videos called Real Women Scrap TV.
BioGaia Probiotic Straws
They help your children stay healthy so you have more time to make a video.
Zippity Doos Hair Products – all natural hair products that repel lice and work well.
They help your children look nice for their videos and make sure you don’t have to spend time taking care of lice.
Build-a-Bear $10 Gift Card – a way to spend time with your children and give them something to do later while you make or edit a video.
P.S. I’m working on the video reviews but having technical difficulties – which is a nicer way of saying that I’m frustrated out of my mind!
Link Love is early this week to give you lots of time to visit these wonderful sites!
Each of these guest posts is different. When I guest post I do not give them the exact same content as anyone else. It’s my gift to them for allowing me as a guest. Please take some time and check them out. [Psst - these are all great sites that I enjoy.]
If you want to add some vlogging tips to your site I have some free reprint articles at Articles Base. Feel free to email them or post to your blog; just keep them as they are with the author info.
Today during my live show at 2 pm EST I will be hosting 2 giveaways! Come and chat via text or through your webcam about anything video or vlogging related.
First is something to help keep your children occupied while you vlog – a My Little Pony. They would love for you to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
The second giveaway is something to help your children look nice when you video them – a $25 gift certificate to Likewear. My readers are invited to use the code VLOGGING to get 25% off their non-sale purchase.
The winners will be picked from the audience of my live show at 2pm EST on MomTV.
Here’s avideo contest about declaring your classroom independence. The winner will be picked from the videos with the most views. Grand prize is $1,000.
Next is a mother and her kids illustrating/talking about grapheme-color synesthesia. The daughter associates a color with each letter of the alphabet. Pretty interesting.
Turn Here makes excellent videos. Here’s a post from their site that shows 4 different coffee shops. Check out the way they transition, use b-roll, use close-ups, etc.
I’m going this year. Mostly because it’s close to me, but there are other reasons. I already started a list of people I want to meet. I will -of course- be taking my video camera.
This video has been around for a little while and I think it’s really neat so I wanted to make sure you’ve seen it. A math teacher at Biola University experimented with mixing video and live action. First he did a video for Halloween and then a different one for April Fools.
A special thanks to Mommy Reporter for posting about my webinar!
Lastly, here’s a feel good human interest story about a Little Soldier Girl Welcoming Daddy Home. While you’re watching check out angles, cuts, close-ups etc. and see what you like/don’t like.
Another comment/question I often hear is , “How do you do videos with 3 kids?” Lots of ways!
When I first started it was all about nap time. Now, it’s usually just about occupying them for a couple minutes. I planwhat I’m going to say and where. Then I only need them to be quiet for a couple minutes while I record.
Here’s some things to try if you don’t want your children in the video:
1. Ask them to watch through the camera. Not hold it – just watch it. They can be the Director.
2. Let them watch a favorite video.
3. Tell them that if they be quiet while you record you will make a video of them next. Kids love to watch themselves on the computer!
4. Give them a snack.
5. Nap time and bed time, of course.
6. Ask another adult to watch them. It will probably be less than 10 minutes.
7. Give them their own camera to record something else while you’re recording.
8. If all else fails, bribe them with candy.
If you’re comfortable having your children in online video you have more options, but might have to do more editing or takes. If the content of your vlog pertains to kids your video could be better with a child in it.
Do you do videos with your children? Any tips or tragedies to share?
One of the questions on my guest post is a question that I often get asked, “Should I put my kids in my vlog?” There is an article on ReelSEO.com that asks Are Parents of YouTube Stars Exploiting Their Kids?He makes some very good points.
I’m going this year. Mostly because it’s close to me, but there are other reasons. I already started a list of people I want to meet. I will -of course- be taking my video camera.
