How To Film A Vlog Better Than Others: A Beginner’s Guide With Best Tips

So, you want to start a vlog but don't know where to begin? No need to worry because everyone starts somewhere. This guide will walk you through how to film a vlog and avoid the common mistakes most beginners commit. You'll learn everything from picking your platform to promoting your finished video with practical tips that work today.

Part 1. What Is vlogging?

Vlogging simply means video blogging - people record themselves talking about their lives, interests, or skills. Vloggers share their daily routines, travel adventures, expertise, and opinions through video instead of written posts.

Vlogging took off around 2005 when YouTube launched. Back then, most vloggers just talked to their webcams in their bedrooms. Today, vlogging has exploded into a major part of internet culture. Outdoors are one thing that works for vloggers, but if a topic covers something about a bedroom, you may also see bedroom setups that have evolved into professional studios. In short, vloggers now cover almost everything you can imagine.

People watch vlogs for many reasons. Some want to learn new skills, and others want to feel connected to those with whom they share their interests. Many viewers enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at different lifestyles or careers.

This type of content is more personal than traditional media. The creator speaks directly to their audience, shares their actual experiences, and builds a community around their content. This connection between them and their viewer creates a following that wants more of their content.

Part 2. Do vloggers Make Money?

Yes, vloggers can make serious money once they get an audience. The most successful vloggers earn millions, but even smaller creators with loyal viewers make a decent income.

So, how do they make money? Mostly from ads. Also, the companies pay them to talk about their products. A small vlogger might get $200-500 per mention, but the famous ones grab a $10,000+ check for the same thing.

Vloggers can sell their own stuff and make money, too, like t-shirts, hoodies, or whatever the viewers want from them.

There are monthly memberships through Patreon or YouTube as well. Vlogger fans pay $5-20 each month for extra videos or early access. Some just want to support them.

The thing is, YouTube only pays after you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. You need fans before you see your first dollar. You can get ads and sponsorships once you have a few thousand loyal viewers.

Part 3. How to Film a Vlog: A Step-By-Step Approach

Now, let's break down exactly how to film a vlog for the first time. We'll walk you through each step so you don't miss anything important.

1. Pick Your Platform

First things first, you need to decide where your videos will live. Each platform has its own feel and crowd.

• YouTube is still the biggest spot for vloggers with the most viewers and money-making chances. It's really good for longer vlogs about pretty much anything you can think of.
• TikTok pulls in younger viewers who like short, quick videos under 3 minutes. The whole thing runs on trending sounds and challenges that blow up.
• Then there's Instagram, with both Reels for short stuff and IGTV for longer videos. It's awesome if you already have Instagram followers and want to show off your lifestyle.
• And don't forget Twitch. It's mostly for live streaming, not recorded vlogs. Gamers love it, but people do cooking, music, and just talking streams, too.

Some vloggers post everywhere, but let's be real - when you're new, it's way easier to get good at one platform first.

2. Select Your Niche

Random videos about everything won't get you followers, so you gotta pick a main topic for your vlogs.

Here are a few choices:

• Travel vlogs show your adventures in different places. People just love seeing cool spots through someone else's eyes.
• Daily life vlogs work when your personality keeps people watching. You can film your day, family stuff, or even your job.
• Tutorial vlogs teach people how to do something. Cooking, makeup, DIY projects, tech tips - all that stuff makes good tutorial content.
• Review vlogs are about the things you've bought or tried.People trust real opinions when they're deciding what to buy.
• Gaming vlogs show you playing games with your commentary. Your reactions matter way more than how good you are at the game.

So what's the best topic? Something you actually like talking about for a long time.

3. Get the Right Equipment

Let's talk about gear. You don't need fancy stuff to start vlogging.

Your smartphone works great for beginners. Most newer phones shoot in 4K and have decent mics built in. Just make sure you have enough storage space for video files.

If you want to step up, a good vlogging camera costs between $400-$800. Look for cameras with flip screens so you can see yourself while filming. The most popular choices are Canon G7X and Sony ZV-1 series and for a good reason.

Audio matters more than you think because bad sound always ruins good footage. A simple clip-on mic costs $20-50, which makes a huge difference compared to your camera's built-in mic.

For lighting, start with natural light by filming near windows during the daytime. When you're ready to upgrade, ring lights cost about $30-80 and make your face look way better on camera.

Don't blow your budget on gear right away. Start simple and upgrade as you go. Many successful vloggers started with just a phone and basic video upscaling skills. The content matters more than having the fanciest equipment.

4. Learn Camera Settings

Camera settings might look difficult to understand, but you only need to know a few basics to get started.

The resolution is about how sharp your video looks. 1080p works fine for most places, but 4K looks even better if your gear can handle this kind of upscaling.

And there's frame rate - it's all about how smoothly your video moves. Go with 24fps or 30fps for that movie-like feel, or bump up to 60fps for super smooth action like in gaming vlogs.

Your exposure needs to be just right. Not too dark, not too bright. Most cameras handle this automatically, so you don't need to stress about it at first.

Manual focus is super helpful when your camera keeps getting confused about what to focus on. Just tap your face on the screen, and you'll stay nice and clear.

5. Plan Your Content

Before you hit record, take a few minutes to check out what other vloggers are doing with your topic. Then, figure out your own take because viewers come to you for stuff they can't get elsewhere.

Then, write a script. It shouldn't sound like you're reading. Instead of writing every single word, just jot down the main points to cover, so when you talk, it should feel like it's coming from your heart and you mean what you say.

Make sure your vlog flows nicely from start to finish in the script. Tell your viewers what to expect immediately, give them exactly that, and then wrap up by asking them to subscribe or leave comments and letting them know what's coming in your next video.

If you are planning for a longer vlog, break it into chunks to keep it interesting. You can even add timestamps in your description so people can jump to the parts they care about.

And don't forget to let your personality shine through. Your own stories, jokes, and takes on things help viewers connect with you, not just your content. This matters way more than perfect gear.

6. Choose Your Filming Location

The location where you film dramatically affects how your vlogs turn out.

Indoor spots give you way more control over light and sound. Just find a clean area without tons of junk in the background. And let's be real - your messy bedroom probably doesn't have the best look unless that's precisely part of your vlog style.

Don't forget about noise - it's a huge vlog-killer. Turn off fans, shut those windows, and silence your devices before hitting record. If neighbor noise is driving you crazy, try filming super early or late when everything quiets down.

If you are filming outdoors, they bring their own headaches. Wind noise can totally wreck your audio, and changing light conditions make filming a pain. Some people also want to get in the frame. It is better to scout the location first and see which time of the day works best for you to avoid nasty surprises.

7. Master Basic Filming Techniques

Good filming technique is one of the most important things in filming a vlog. Keeping your camera steady makes a huge difference. You can use both hands or grab a small tripod if you have one. A shaky video just looks amateur and honestly makes viewers feel dizzy when watching.

For framing, you might want to try the rule of thirds. It's when you imagine your screen split into nine equal boxes. Most vloggers put themselves along those lines instead of right in the middle - it creates a more natural, pleasing look.

Also, the lights, whether coming from windows or a light source, should be in front of you, not behind. Otherwise, you'll end up as a dark shadow. Getting close to your mic and cutting down background noise helps a ton. You should always test your audio first so you don't waste hours of filming.

8. Create Engaging Thumbnails and Titles

After filming, thumbnails and titles really get people to click on your videos. They matter more than you might think.

For thumbnails, use bright colors that stand out even on tiny screens. Show your face with clear emotion, and add big text people can actually read on their phones. Also, make sure your thumbnail matches what's in your video. For titles, you want something that tells people what they'll get, but it sounds interesting, too. "My Day" gets way fewer clicks than something like "24 Hours As A Vlogger: The Stuff Nobody Tells You."

As you may already know, vlogging is all about posting videos in a series about a topic. Therefore, it is best to look familiar when it comes to thumbnails for branding so your fans can spot your videos instantly.

9. Publish and Promote Your Vlog

Once your vlog is ready to go, you need to get it in front of actual people.

Timing matters more than you'd think. Try posting when your audience is actually online. For most platforms, evenings during the week and mornings on weekends seem to work really well.

Don't skip filling out all those description boxes. Add relevant info, links, and timestamps for longer videos. Hashtags help, too, as long as they actually match your content.

Right after publishing on YouTube or TikTok, share your new vlog on your social media. Little clips or interesting moments make perfect promo material for places like Instagram or Twitter.

One of the best things you can do is reply to comments on your first video. This builds your community because they feel you are connecting with them on a personal level. After being a hit, you don't have to do that, as most top vloggers don't.

Part 4. Improve Your Vlog Footage with HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer

After filming your first vlog as a beginner, you don't want to spend hours using software to improve its quality. Let HitPaw Online Video Enhancer take this burden off of your shoulders. This online tool uses AI to enhance your video and does so quickly in three simple steps.

Simply upload your vlog video and choose any of the 6 AI models to fix:

• Facial imperfections
• Graininess and noise
• Blurriness
• Faded or dark spots
• Low resolution

There's an animation model that can enhance the quality of your gaming vlogs.

Part 5. FAQs of How to Film a vlog

Conclusion on How to Film a vlog

Starting a vlog takes work, but anyone can do it if they try.

Start with the basics. Pick where to post, find your topic, and use whatever gear you already have. Your content and personality matter way more than expensive equipment.

Plan before filming, keep getting better at the technical stuff and post regularly. The top vloggers who inspired you to know how to shoot a vlog have posted for years before making it big.