Blogging v.s. Vlogging

You probably haven't noticed, but I have not been posting here as much as normal.  And it is because I am vlogging.  Every.Single.Day.  Seriously.  I am like a maniac or something.  I can't stop.

But I really miss writing.   I miss writing sentences, rewriting them.  Rearranging them.  Trying to take the perfect photo.  It is challenging - but so rewarding.

Unfortunately, it takes up a lot of time, too. Time that I can barely squeeze in everyday.

Vlogging on the other hand is SO much easier to do everyday.  It takes a few minutes (literally - my vlogs are ~5 min long - or LESS!).  I never edit them.  I can do them with my kids.  And I have more than twice (almost 3 times!) as many followers as on my blog.  Which is so bizarre because I have had this blog for over 6 years - whereas I have been vlogging for only 126 days.

And in that 126 days I have figured out a few things about vlogging and how it is different from blogging.  Let me tell you some of the things I have noticed.

Time
This is the biggest factor that makes vlogging fit my lifestyle right now.  It takes almost NO time to make a video and upload it.  Just the 5 minute length of the video + the time it takes to connect my camera to the computer and hit upload.  (well, I do title it and add a really short summary - but that is like, 2 minutes max).  Contrast that with blogging: I probably spend about 1 -2 hours on the average post.  Ironically, it is SO much faster to read blogs than to watch YouTube videos.  The post that it took me 1-2 hours to write - I could probably read it in 1-2 minutes.  Unlike videos.  If the creator made the video last for 20 minutes - I HAVE to watch the entire 20 minute show to get all the content.  And most people do not use the description box - so I don't even get a summary of the content with out watching it.

Effort
It takes pretty much no effort to make a video.  I have done it plenty of times with my kids, unlike writing in my blog - which would be impossible to do with them.  When vlogging, I make them a part of the video.  I just whip out the camera and start talking to it.  Whereas writing this post has taken me (so far) 2 days!  I have to wait until they are asleep and feel inspiration.

Cost
You do have to have a camera (obviously) to vlog.  I suggest a fairly good one.  I use a Flip.

Audience
This one may or may not offend people.  But I have noticed that the readers/writers of blogs are a bit more intellectual than the watchers/makers of YouTube videos.   Of course people along the entire intellectual spectrum do both...  It is just that if I see someone writing LiKe DiS -I am probably not going to read anything they write.  But if that same person is making a video -  I would not even notice their horrific indifference to proper punctuation/spelling so I will watch their video.

Exposure
This one is probably what prevents most bloggers from making videos.  You are totally putting yourself out there by making videos.  People see you: your every twitch, your voice inflections, your pimple... EVERYTHING.  They see you.  Exactly as you are.  Because unless you are an amazing actor - you are going to have to eventually be yourself.  And video is a lot more exposing than a journal entry.

So, that is what I have noticed about vlogging, so far.  I really, really enjoy it.  You should try it!