It’s a pretty ballsy step when you upload your first vlog. I mean, first you have to get over the awkwardness of actually talking to a camera…and seriously…you feel like a complete freak for a while.Not to mention that when you bring up that you vlog for the first time to non-bloggers they think it involves getting naked for some pervy 40 year olds. Ok, not really, but my friends think its really strange. “WHO USES A WEBCAM BESIDES P0RN STARS??”
Unless you are used to vlogging, you might feel a little bit nervous and find yourself stuttering when you don’t normally stutter, rambling incessantly and just really acting more awkward than you actually are. You all remember my first vlog, right? It was AWKWARD and I kept getting really frustrated at the amount of editing that I had to do because I kept messing up…so then I decided to just make it silly. And to top it off, before you actually release your vlog into the wild, you start to think about all those internet trolls and just generally rude anonymous people who might tear into you. You want people to like you. You don’t want to look like an idiot. You are putting yourself on display in an otherwise relatively anonymous platform (even if you do HAVE picture of yourself on your blog). You are showing, hey world, I haz a FACE! It’s scary, really.
I promised myself I would keep trying to vlog to get better at recording them and practicing my editing skills. I feel a lot better about vlogging now but let’s be honest…I’m still hella awkward. But I love it because I feel as though vlogging gives me a chance to actually show you who I REALLY am in a way that my writing might not. My boyfriend always shakes his head when I show him a vlog and says, “That really represents you SO well.” Especially my latest vlog.
Not only do I love vlogging (on my own channel and the Totally Booksessed channel) but I love watching vlogs. I like feeling like I’m getting to know the people I talk to and read their blog. It’s pretty exciting that vlogging is getting more popular and that people are stepping outside of their comfort zone to do it. Although..I typically only keep watching a vlog if it is interesting and engaging…or if I really heart the person.
I’d really love to find more YA (or adult) vloggers so share your channel with me if you vlog in a group or solo. Aside from Totally Booksessed, I know of the Interrobangers (a channel of YA bloggers formed by Pam at Bookalicious coming atcha on September 5!) and YA Rebels (a group of authors). I’d love to get a list together of bloggers who also vlog!
So, do you vlog? How did your first vlogging experience go? If you don’t vlog, why not? And do you watch vlogs or do you find yourself skipping over them?
Thanks to Jacinda for sparking the idea for this post with our conversation on Twitter today!
My personal Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/perpetualpageturner
Misty says
I have really grown to love vlogging. I was just chatting about it with someone the other day who was debating doing their first vlog. I like it because it can be so much more personable, like you're just having a conversation with someone. Your passion and enthusiasm and personality can come through, so long as you let yourself get comfortable with it and just have fun.
Amanda says
I used to vlog, then I got tired of my cat constantly walking in front of the camera. Stupid cat. Ruins everything.
Daisy says
I WANT to vlog, but I don't have a webcam.. And I haven't remedied that yet because I'm a) lazy and b) broke. But I see it happening in the future. I love watching vlogs 🙂
sarahsaysread.com says
I love vlogs! I only vlog for In My Mailbox posts usually, which I'm only doing about once a month or so. But I'm so inarticulate that I don't think I could handle doing vlog reviews.
Also, I don't really know how to edit videos… so I record and if I don't like it, I do it over until there are few enough mistakes that I feel okay posting it, lol.
Definitely enjoy vlogs though, makes me happy when I get to see a fave blogger "in person".
Cialina at Muggle-Born.net says
Oh cool! I don't think I knew that you vlogged! I'm definitely subscribing to you now.
I just started vlogging and started getting comfortable of recording myself. Right now I'm only recording IMM's but I've been tempted to do other stuff behind the camera.
http://www.youtube.com/user/vintagebomb
Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) says
I already discussed this with you of course, like you mentioned above!
I'm a fan of vlogs if they are shorter, less than 5 minutes or even way shorter than that. I don't have time to just sit around and watch videos, that's my problem. And as long as they are really interesting.
I personally don't check out YouTube ever and I don't subscribe to any channels, I may be the only person who doesn't do this.
I do understand wanting to vlog because vlogging and get you a different audience..it makes sense.
Ginger @ GReads! says
I think I've made like 3 vlogs in my entire book blogging lifetime. I feel extremely stupid & nervous when I record myself, which then makes me look like a complete weirdo & not the real me.. which then I'm embarrassed to show the world, ha! So yeah, I'm not good with the vlogs.
Mallory says
I actually just started vlogging. I usually spend, like, an hour just staring at my computer before I get up the nerve to start talking!
http://www.youtube.com/user/LilRedsHood
Farrah Penn says
I vlog on youtube.com/ieatwordschannel. whoopwhoop! And now with YOU on TB! 😀 I agree, like watching vlogs too 🙂
lisa [the nerd] says
agreed with the whole vlogging putting a face to the blogger. i LOVE watching fun vlogs (including yours).
also, your recent dancing rocked my world apart. just saying.
Rochelle (Books Like Stars) says
I've never vlogged. I have a cute little Flip but I haven't made an IMM with it yet or anything. It would probably take forever to edit because I fidget and play in my hair a lot! I do like watching vlogs if they're not too long. Sometimes they're funny and it's nice to put a face to the blog I read every day.
Jen @ A Book and a Latte says
I keep saying I'm going to post a vlog but I'm so freaked out at doing it! I think my work friends will laugh at me or make some snarky mean comments (I have no idea but this I fear). But I LOVE watching vlogs… they are the blogs I go visit most often and I like getting to know my blog friends better through them. I want to share that part of myself too and show my face :). I'm working up to it! ~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
Cat the Librarian says
I don't vlog because it scares me, and I also usually don't watch other peoples' because I'm usually in public or in the room with people when I'm blogging… But I admire the people who can do it!
Melissa says
I just did my first vlog last week for In My Mailbox. It was awkward and weird, but after reading your post I feel much better about it. I thought it was just me who felt that way. I started taping my next week’s IMM already and it’s 10 times better already and also shorter. I think it just takes time getting used to talking to a camera. I love watching other people’s vlogs bc you get to see the person behind the blog.
bookrockbetty says
hahahhaa you said INTERNET TROLL. <3
I love this because I posted a couple on a post last week and I felt sick about it. I say umm, uhhh, and like about 80 times in 5 short minutes. Plus, I have no editing skills so I was SOL. I need to watch all your old vlogs doyke.