Content creators from all over the world will celebrate International Vlogging Day on August 10 this year. This fun holiday first took place in 2018, and it's getting better and better each year. You too, can become just like the top YouTubers who speak at vlogging events, and you will eventually be able to inspire others to start a vlog and become a well known public figure in that field.
First things first, you need to think about what you truly love. It can be absolutely anything that you have an interest in and knowledge about. Football, knitting, culture, wildlife or in this case, Beauty. The moment you decide what niche you want to focus on, you can move on and dig deep in research of the different vlogger communities in that field. You need to understand the Vlogger communities in your niche and what it demands from you as an upcoming vlogger. You can start researching already existing popular vloggers in your niche and take note of what they are doing well and how you can implement their strategies when creating your vlogs. It is essential that you provide insightful and factual information in your vlogs as you will hopefully become a known person online that people can trust and respect, and eventually share your videos anywhere.
If, for example, you love everything makeup-related, you should definitely consider starting a beauty vlog. The first basic step is to choose a name for your vlog. You want to be unique, creative and relevant. You can get help from a business name generator tool or search for “trendy” channels while using relevant keywords and common questions on the Youtube search bar. Start with “Beauty vlogger”, "how to apply makeup for a summer” etc.
Once you have decided on a name for your vlog, it is then time to set up a YouTube channel. As of today, YouTube is the world's biggest video-sharing platform with over 2.68 billion users. What is even more mind blowing is that roughly 52% of internet users around the globe access YouTube at least once a month. Youtube is so popular that users view over 1 billion hours of videos every single day. This information clearly tells us that starting a vlog on YouTube has major benefits and opportunities for up and coming vloggers. As part of your vlogging journey, make sure that your videos are optimized for all types of viewing (desktop, mobile, television etc.) and that you have a well designed, eye-catching logo to fit your channel and niche.
We know all this information is pretty overwhelming to take in but just know you don't have to do everything all at once. Vlogging involves a learning curve, and it takes time
to perfect your craft. While creativity is important, you also need the right mix of skills to stand out from the competition.
Ready to give it a try? For starters, use these tips to create a successful beauty vlog and build your brand.
Narrow Down Your Niche
The beauty industry is extremely competitive, making it difficult for newcomers to break in. For this reason, it's crucial to narrow down your niche instead of trying to be everything to everyone.
A good example is Gabrielle Meloff, the beauty vlogger behind The Green Belle. She promotes herself as a "clean beauty" YouTuber committed to helping others adopt a greener approach to skincare.
Esthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith, on the other hand, runs a YouTube channel called LaBeautyologist. Her videos appeal to people of color, covering topics like the anatomy of black skin, cosmetic treatments, and beauty trends.
These vloggers and others are perceived as experts in a specific area. They don't claim to know it all but, by narrowing down your niche, you'll be better able to establish your
expertise and stand out from the crowd. For example, you could start a vlog on skincare for mature women, natural beauty, wedding makeup, or nail art. Another option is to focus on specific skin types and their unique needs, such as acne-prone skin.
Define Your Target Audience
Once you have chosen a niche, research and define your target audience.
Take natural beauty, for instance. According to a recent report, women are more interested in natural beauty products than men. Your audience could include women aged 20 to 40 who prioritize sustainability. This group can be further broken down into several categories:
- Health-conscious consumers
- Vegans and people who gravitate toward cruelty-free products
- Women with sensitive skin or allergies
- Wellness enthusiasts
For example, most vegans are against animal testing and prefer natural products that support health and well-being. Similarly, people with sensitive skin tend to use products without parabens, sulfates, and other potentially harmful chemicals.
With that in mind, create videos for different customer segments within your target market. See how they react, and then narrow down your focus.
Get the Right Gear
The most popular YouTube vloggers use cutting-edge equipment to shoot videos. However, you don't need a $5,000 camera and professional lighting gear from day one. At the very least, get a smartphone with a decent camera and some basic accessories, including:
- A tripod
- An external microphone
- A teleprompter
- Portable lights
- Memory cards
- Protective shade
You'll also need a video editing software to edit and refine your footage. Some good options are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, or free alternatives like DaVinci Resolve or HitFilm Express.
Later on in your vlogging journey, you can invest in more advanced equipment, such as a gimbal or stabilizer, a green screen, wide-angle or macro lenses, and softbox lighting kits. Alternatively, start with a basic vlogger kit and buy additional gear over the next few months.
Create Videos That Are Entertaining and Drive Engagement
Most vloggers have a clear purpose, whether it's sharing their knowledge, promoting their business, or raising awareness for a cause. No matter your goals, it's crucial to make videos that drive engagement so you can get your message across.
An engaged and entertained audience is more likely to take the desired action and like your video, subscribe to your channel and share your videos on social media. This can result in higher conversions, increased brand awareness, and greater online exposure.
It is essential that your content is of high quality and optimized for mobile devices. Over 60% of YouTube videos are viewed on smartphones, so it's important to frame and shoot your vlog with mobile users in mind. You also need to keep your message short and sweet. The average attention span for a human is a mere 8.25 seconds, meaning that your viewers can lose interest pretty quickly. Start your video with a powerful statement or interesting fact and get to the point within the first couple of lines.
For best results, add subtitles and headers to make your videos more user-friendly. Engage with your viewers by asking questions and encouraging them to share their thoughts. On a similar note, consider hosting Q&A sessions, live challenges, and other interactive experiences. Remember to include a call-to-action in each video. Your viewers should know exactly what you expect them to do and why they should do it.
Keep a Consistent Workflow
Vloggers Day is the perfect excuse to finally start your own vlog, but what you do afterwards matters more.
Just like with blogging, it's important to publish consistently and have a regular schedule. Be realistic about how much time and effort you can put into it, and then come up with a plan. Ideally, create your content at least two weeks ahead and publish the same number of vlogs each week.
Another option is batch filming. With this approach, you'll shoot several videos at once and share them on YouTube over several weeks. You could also dedicate an entire day to video editing, social media scheduling, and other related tasks.
Turn Your Passion for Beauty Into a Lucrative Business
Running a vlog is as easy or as complex as you want it to be. For starters, all you need is a decent smartphone and the drive to succeed. Later, you can invest in professional equipment and try new, different ways to grow your reach. Remember that vlogging is like any other business. It requires planning, consistency, and attention to detail. The more time and effort you put in, the better the results. Goodluck!
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