What Do You think Of Vlogging?
I’ll admit, I never thought it would be for me.
The idea of seeing yourself on camera, of other people seeing you on camera…just the thought of it made me shudder. I’m not exactly photogenic, you know? And I hate my voice. And a whole host of other reasons mostly centred around my insecurities.
That’s the great thing about blogging, isn’t it? You can hide behind the computer, you can do it in your PJ’s with you hair stuck up every which way if you like, with kids hanging off your legs or whilst lying on bed. You can do it in those ratty old jogging bottoms and that top with the bleach stain down it that you wouldn’t be seen dead in, or yawning your head off over your first cup of tea of the day.
You could even do it on the toilet, if you wished, it doesn’t matter, no-one would know. Blog naked lying in a vat of jelly and no-one would be any the wiser.
And yet, this vlogging, capturing ones self on video, has drawn me to it. Why is that? I’ve certainly never held any aspirations to be famous or on TV.
I blame Dan at All the Comes With It. It was watching his magnificent coke and porridge experiment that first had me considering it. Got me thinking that there might be more to the whole thing than having to sit still in front of a camera looking pretty. That it could be fun and silly and still compelling viewing. And that maybe people might be interested to see a bit more of Lapland through video as well as words (for your viewing pleasure I shall be posting a video tour of my farm tomorrow).
Realising that if you all turned up at my house you’d find me without make up on anyway, and with whatever dodgy style my hair had fashioned itself into that day, I decided to throw vanity to the wind, not bother with making myself look all pretty, and just be me. And so I took my first nervous steps into vlogging with that marshmallow vlog, you remember the one, the one where I stuffed as many marshmallows into my face as possible (no amount of make-up in the world could have made that pretty) and then dared a couple of others to do it too.
And the crazy thing is, they did.
Watching them I began to realise why I like this vlogging thing so much, what it is that appeals to me. Watching those bloggers on camera, even though I had only been reading their blogs for a few weeks, I suddenly felt as though I knew them. Watching them talk, seeing their mannerisms, hearing their accents, it was like meeting them somehow. I felt connected and still feel closer to those people, as though I have actually met them, than other bloggers whose blogs I have been reading for longer.
So I guess I’m sold on it, as something fun and different to do, I’m not sure I’d want to watch people instead of reading them but a once a week vlog by the bloggers I read would be great, at least I think so, what about you?
What are your thoughts on vlogging? Do you like watching vlogs or do they bore you? What sort of things would you like to see on a vlog and what wouldn’t you? Would you ever vlog yourself? If not, why not?
If you have already, feel free to leave a link to it in the comments section, I love getting a glimpse of bloggers.
I'm Heather, an ex expat, now back in blighty and living in Lancashire. Which is just like Lapland... only less snowy and stuff.
Too shy. Or perhaps too awkward in front of the camera. Or perhaps still vaguely anon with my blog. Not sure but not comfortable with it yet. However, I enjoy yours!!
I don’t think vlogging is for me. Too many insecurities and too much dissatisfaction with how I look and how I sound which doesn’t match up to the “literary” me (which I’m far more comfortable with). Plus I’m not very good at thinking on my feet. I need to deliberate and craft. I guess I could write a preprepared script but composition and performance are two totally different disciplines. I think I’ll stick with what I know – but I’ll never say never!
I’m shy and anonymous online, so that would be a problem. (I’m slowly “outing” myself to some family and friends.) I do the cartoon version of me, though – and she likes a vlog as much as the next person. I have to admit I like to see everyone else and their accents/faces/etc.
I think you know I’m fully behind vlogging but I do know that it’s not for everyone! I’ve done & posted 6 vlogs now and have 3 more “in the can” waiting to be uploaded & posted. I never would have imagined that I would do this. I too liked the anonymity of my blog & I think I have a way with the written word so I enjoy that aspect of blogging. But I think vlogging, for me, is very natural. I love to talk and am enjoying trying something new that not everyone else is doing. It sets me apart from the masses a bit which is a good thing in this day of thousands of UK Parent Blogs! Loving your presentation style and looking forward to your farm tour as well!
Karin
I haven’t watched any of them rather in the same way I don’t watch any of the view clips on the BBC News website (actually it pisses me off muchly when I see and interesting story there and they ONLY have it in video format grrrrr). I don’t watch because they are noisy. It is rare for me not to be surrounded by other people and if I play something with sound they all come over and lean over me trying to see what I’m doing – and I HATE it when they do that! The kids plug themselves into headphones for trawling through YouTube, the TV is never off, someone is always playing music, or doing homework, or marking homework. I crave silence. That and the sound on this laptop is shite.
I have those insecurities too! Just tried out my webcam, I sound like a chipmonk – highpitched! Not my usual voice! Do I need a microphone? Could do a silent vlog!! D
Hi Heather: I have to admit I enjoy watching vlogs but I don’t think I would venture into that territory myself…I have a tendency to stutter and I cringe at the sound of my own voice…indeed I do hide behind my words! But as they say, never say never..!!!
Bubble tweet? i’ve never heard of that, what is it?
I know the feeling. i ummed and ahhed over iot for ages. Sat and watched my first one back over and over, i hated it, i thought it was funny, i hated, i thought is was funny…and on and on. In the end I just thought to hell with it, and posted it up. I think (she says hopefully) that not being all made up and looking professional kind of makes it more watch-able, more real somehow. Like really sitting down with me. then again i guess it can put some people off. I don’t know.
This was a huge thing for me too. when writing i can get everything out and then sit down and craft it and tease it into shape, make it better than me, somehow and on video well, i’m just me. And i’m not sure if that’s enough somehow. If maybe people will be disappointed, think less of me… i decided to hell with it, and went for it and am finally comfortable with it, but I wasn’t at first.
It’s nice isn’t it? A deeper level of connection somehow. although who says you have to be in front of the camera on a blog? You could hold the camera and show things – what I do on my farm tour vlog tomorrow.
You, my dear, are the vlogging queen! You have the tiara and everything to prove it. For the more talkative it probably comes easier, more naturally, i guess. I swing between being wildly talkative and being really reclusive so both blogging and vlogging suit me, and yeah, anything that helps your blog stand out a bit has got to be a good thing, right?
I agree with this as well, even though I have made vlogs i find watching them sometimes hard when the kids are about, they are immediately hanging off my legs and wanting to know what it is. Likewise with the news clips. Perhaps an option to watch or read is a good idea…
You could use a microphone, or perhaps the settings on your webcam can be played with? I don’t know, I just use mine as is and hope for the best. a silent vlog could be interesting, there’s nothing to say you have to have sound…could be quite fun actually…
I made a couple of vlogs that will never see the light of day due to my stuttering, umming and ahing etc, and weird facial expressions i pull when I get tongue tied. the more I’ve played around with it though, the more confidence i have.
Someone left a comment on my blog last week about vlogging (that I should try it) and I am embarassed to say I had to google it *blush*. I have put up one clip of one of my children because he is my happy thought and I love the clip, but that is as far as I have ventured. I like the idea though, just have to buy the video camera!! Jen.
I’ve never tried vlogging, but loved the funny one about flipping pancakes here last week.
I enjoyed vlogging for the marshmallow thing but I’m not sure I could do it all the time – maybe as a treat once in a while. The reasons being are similar to those that you have mentioned… I’m not photo/camera-genic, I hate the sound of my own voice (see note below) and I always get interrupted by someone in our house wanting to know what I’m doing.
Note: On my marshmallow vlog, that’s available on facebook too, one of my friends asked why I was “talking in that posh voice”!!! I realised then that I have a “normal” voice and a “vlog/telephone” voice. HHmmmm
I’m still not sure about it all to be honest. Blogging for me, was all about being able to hide behind the screen, allow people to read your work, and a little bit of anonymity thrown in. I’m happy to do a vlog and I fully intend to do one soon, but I’ll have to brush my hair and put some slap on first. Right now, I much prefer blogging. It’s a safer option. Also, I don’t have a great deal of confidence and blogging has helped me in that region. Vlogging is a whole different thing. A bit like being seen on telly. Do you think there will be a Vlogging Oscars or something? And a red carpet? And Martin Shaw?
CJ xx
I think I am just plain and simply lazy. LOL! I try to blog now everyday and it seems it takes me ages. I think maybe when I get more experienced and things are going faster I can devote more time to experimenting with Vlogging.
BTW-I don’t like mushrooms! But better that than the cock fish bread thingee. LOL!
I love vlogs! I love seeing other people looking as nasty as me! Mommies especially – I remember one a while back where a mom was trying to do a 3 minute video tutorial that turned into 7 minutes because of interruptions from kids. Apparently it was her third time trying to film it so she went ahead and posted anyway.
Not brave enough to do my own yet, though. Although I’ve been thinking of easing my way into it by doing a hands-only tutorial.
We’ll see. I must watch your marshmallow one!
I love vlogs too. I sort of want to do my own one but I just don’t think I’m brave enough! I think they really do give you a bit more insight into other people and it’s great to hear a bloggers voice.
I watched yours, very good. I was particularly impressed by the sheer amount of marshmallow you can get in your mouth.
We seem to be on the same page on so many things. I felt exactly the same about vlogging as you did! Really wasn’t so sure, but after seeing yours and seeing how it does really help you to feel you’re getting to know the vlogger I decided to give it a go too. I completely understand other people’s apprehensions though. I’ve done lots of public speaking, have second degree in Speech & Drama and started career in radio but I still felt bloody nervous!
Just watched your marshmallow vlog and I’m impressed…you have quite a capacity!
Vlogging is definitely not for me – on my blog I can pretend I’m slim, blonde and utterly gorgeous (as are my beautiful and perfect family) and you need never know that I’m actually 4ft tall, weigh 17 stone and have a face like a boxer (the canine variety)…
I may do another vlog, it would have to be the right subject though!
Award for you at mine:
http://sandycalico.blogspot.com/2010/02/secrets-sunshine-and-being-published.html
I’d love to give vlogging a shot, however I don’t ever visit vlogs myself. My sister and I had a laugh doing this one Christmas and keep meaning to do more!!
http://crunchiemummy.wordpress.com/2008/12/25/the-christmas-special/
You saw me? You saw me in that vat of jelly?
Never considered vlogging before; but I can see the charm. Your marshmallow post had me laughing.
I had no idea what vlogging was a couple of months ago either, you’re not alone. You don’t have to be on the camera either, you can be behind it walking around and talking about places or things that are on the camera – could be a nice way of getting to see around people’s neighbourhoods or places they visit A webcam works well though in the house and they are quite cheap.
thank you! it was really nerve wrecking making that especially as my husband walked in just as i was about to start and was laughing at me all the way through it. i felt like such a tit.
I do this too*! I totally have a telephone voice and my normal one and yes, i use it in my vlogs to! Cringe.
I don’t think i could do it all the time but I quite like it for something different to do.
vlogging Oscars? oh deary me, i’d better put a frock on the next time I do one then! Want to look at my best…lol.
i know exactly what you mean about hiding behind the screen. I never in a million years thought i would get in front of a camera. i must have been having one of those rare flashes of confidence – it was probably a good hair day.
I thought it would be a major faff doing videos but I did one today about my secret post club parcel that arrived and it was so much faster than writing a post, taking pictures, uploading them etc. It took all of 5 minutes to plug the camera and do my thing and then it’s done.
Yes! that is such a brilliant thing isn’t it! its so nice to see real people and know that you are not lone looking like that or struggling with kids, or anything. Like going to someones house for a cuppa. A hands only one is a nice idea for easing your way in…why didn’t i think of that?
I do have an enormous gob, it’s true. Getting up the confidence to do the first one was hard, that was why i went for the marshmallow thing because i was supposed to look stupid.
you do? oh no, that’s got to be cheating! surely you should have been made to disclose that before you did yours?!
It is lovely to see people though, I’m glad my shoving food into my gob managed to break the ice for people, i love the fact that it’s not all about looking pretty and stuff – at least mine isn’t – but about fun and real people and getting to know people more.
I do have a large gob! it’s true. Never thought it would come in so useful!
I doubt very much you have a face like a boxer dog – in fact i think you should do a vlog just to prove it!
well, myself and Karin from Cafe Bebe may just have come up with something that may give you such subject…watch this space, nudge nudge, wink, wink.
I’ve just watched that, that was hilarious! i loved it, you should definitely do more!
that was you? It was hard to make out the face all covered in jelly like that. although i was impressed with your laptop balancing skills!
Thank you. it does have a charm i think, once you get over the whole ‘oh my god, people can see me!’ thing that is. It took me a while.
It’s not something I’ve ever considered. And I must admit, I don’t always click onto videos to watch them. Maybe it’s the proofreader in me that is just drawn to words more than videos. But I’m definitely going to take a look at your marshmallow vlog as that sounds like my kinda thing!
I’m staying fairly anonymous at the moment as there aren’t that many people in the world that know about my blogging subject but maybe, one day, I’ll be brave and give it a go!
that’s interesting, until i started vlogging myself i usually ignored
videos, and i rarely click on youtube stuff and music videos. i think Dans,
that i mentioned in my post, was the first one i really watched and it
changed my whole thinking on them. Dan has a lot to answer for.
22.2.2010 20.25 Disqus <>:
I have definitely considered, but feel so kind of self-important already with my blog, that I’m not sure if I could get into it. (This coming from someone who has been an actress since she was 8 years old! If I had a character…that would be a different story.)
I enjoy watching other people’s to an extent, but then again, I am naturally more inclined to reading than watching anything on my computer. Even youtube takes me months to watch if someone sends me a link.
I am not, however, opposed to making small films about trips, etc.
Good post!
small films about trips and things can be fun, i agree. would be
interesting to see some places that i’ll never get the chance to visit.
22.2.2010 21.02 Disqus <>:
Definitely don’t want to see myself on vlog – don’t like having my photo taken on the best of days and am rather surprised when hearing my own voice. i’lll leave it to the pros.
By the way, I tagged you on my blog for a ‘Sunshine Award’. Stop by when you get a minute between eating marshmallows to take a look.
ooh some more sunshine, I am feeling blessed today, thank you!
I hate having my photo taken, i always look like a prize fool, and yet somehow blogging doesn’t bother me so much, maybe because it doesnt have that one moment of suspended time like a photo that always catches me at my worst…
Aaaargh, you hadn’t seen the face? I needn’t have confessed?
it’s out there now, no taking it back!
Blimey, you get a lot of comments.
I forgot that I intended to come back to this one.
I occasionally use video in my blog (I refuse to call it vlogging
), but tend to do so only when it wouldn’t work in a written blog post. I wouldn’t be interested in doing it (or following someone who did it) all the time. It’s good to mix stuff up now and again.
And again, thanks for the link
I couldn’t vlog, mainly because of being anonymous but also as I hate seeing myself on video. I like seeing others vlogs because you can see the person and have a nose at their house! Generally I prefer written blogs as I like having my music on.
I did mention to Sandy at Baby Baby that I might vlog if I get myself a balaclava…
Don’t think I could Vlog. No one would be able to understand my accent and like you I hate the sound of my voice played back to me!
I got brave and did it. And then I figured if I was being brave I might as well be super-brave and let it all hang out (no, no nudity, worse!). Check it out when you get a sec. I also started a little contest with this one. A contest which I will probably, sadly, win as I doubt there’s anyone better/worse than me
http://www.readilyaparent.com/2010/02/shame-oh-shame-my-first-vlog.html
I love watching vlogs – they’re so fascinating. The person you’ve come to know online in the flesh. It’s intriguing. As for ME vlogging? No frigging way. It terrifies me. Plus I hate hearing myself speak and I get weird about the facial expressions I pull. But in terms of adding value to a blog, I’d say definitely a good idea.
Hi Dan, you’re welcome, I loved that video (wont call it a vlog) and I
agree, sometimes it’s good, all the time it would get dull. i think we are
all fundamentally readers and writers – what drew us to blogging in the
first place.
balaclava vlogging – you could start a whole new trend!
oooh, now i’m curious and want to hear your accent…what is so strange
about it? where are you from?
I know what you mean about facial expressions – i have to wonder if I pull
those in real life too and the videoing just captures them or if they are
special just for the tape.
oh yes! i am excited, coming right over!
Vlogging? There’s a new word for me–and we thought adding pictures to the blog was a big step! I was talked into doing a few youtube thingies and we posted that on the blog–does that count if I’m reading? You can check one out here if you wish, let me know:
http://aprodigaltourist.blogspot.com/2009/12/you-did-what-to-tony.html
That was brilliant! Loved your video, and the accents were hilarious! and
yes, it counts. In fact i think it’s one of the best I’ve seen yet!
I can see the pros about blogging, like you said, behind the computer no one can see you, on the other hand vlogging brings you to the next level. One where you can connect with your readers and vice versa. Personally I have never done one, but maybe I will take a peek at yours and maybe just maybe I will too take the plunge into vlogging. By the way my favorite vlogger is my personal and close friend Nando over at http://www.Nandoism.com.
go on, give it a try. it is lovely once you get over than initial stage
fright. Thank you for the link, i will go and pay a visit.
My first reaction to the Vlogging was ‘eurgh! no way would I have the guts to do that!’ for all the reasons you’ve cited – I hate my voice, I am not the most photogenic person, I don’t like my nose… but I’m starting to see what a wonderful way it is to really connect with the blogging community! It makes everyone a lot less faceless and a lot more personal. I’ve just been tagged to do the ‘what’s in your bag?’ meme and am considering having a go at the vlogging malarky for that (good hair day dependent, naturally
naturally!
Give it a go, it’s really nice once you’ve done it and i love seeing people,
feels like i know them so much more!
And they said it wouldn’t catch on! You go girl!