The Pros + Cons of Daily Vlogging
I've recently wanted to start daily vlogging again but am torn with the complete opposite idea as well - to never do it again. I thought today, I would list some pros and cons of daily vlogging and see what you guys thought as well. I honestly miss it, especially when I'm watching other YouTubers online uploading vlogs every week on their second channels. Then again, there are parts of it I don't miss. If you're a subscriber to my Vlog Channel, you might know that I stopped daily vlogging a little over 2 months ago, mostly due to one major reason but also some of the others. Let me know if you guys would like to see more personal blog posts like this!
Why I Stopped Daily Vlogging
One reason I stopped was because I felt pressure from others. Especially people in my personal life who live in Missouri still. My husband and I are from Missouri and we moved to Los Angeles, CA a few years ago. I occasionally get comments from friends and family every once in a while about my vlogs and that they watch them. They want to know what Kyle and I are up to.. some of them I rarely ever even talk to anymore.. maybe it's the distance or maybe our relationship has drifted apart a little? I'm honestly not sure, but I felt pressure to keep vlogging even when I didn't want to because so and so is watching and they want to stay in our day to day lives. Anyway, I found myself not having fun with it but continued not for me, but for them.
I also got criticism from people in my personal life. Whether it was, 'you should vlog like this person' or 'you should do this instead' ---- I got tired of hearing that. I was also creating the vlogs in the style I liked so... really, if someone didn't want to watch my vlogs, whether they know me personally or not, why watch? I'd rather they didn't.
So those are the main reasons why I stopped daily vlogging, but let's look at the pros and cons because again, I honestly miss it and I think I could get past the criticism and whatnot in the future.
If you're creating something you enjoy and makes you happy.. why stop?
Pros:
1. If You Enjoy It, It Is Fun
I like having a visual diary from some of the moments/events in my life. When you're in the mood to vlog and you're happy doing it, you get a rush from it in my opinion. Like when I upload a video to my main channel and share it, I get all excited and yeah I'm a total dork about YouTube but I think it's fun.
Plus you keep those moments. I love Snapchat and Instagram Stories but I really love being able to go further, past days, weeks or even years and see where I was and where I am now.
I also loved editing the silly vlogs. When I would sit at my desk, edit and not be able to stop laughing.. I miss that..
2. Meet Other Vloggers!
I've made a lot of friends online who just love creating videos as well and have similar interests that I didn't with my friends who didn't/don't create videos. I especially love connecting with (in particular) vloggers because we have something even more in common we relate to over the reg. once a week uploader.. vloggers seem to share more about their lives I think.
It's wild being able to talk with friends from all over the world who are connected through this platform and if you do get to meet in person, you feel like you already know each other.. kind of haha =)
But really, it's a great community whether you're a comedian, foodie, lifestyle vlogger or whatever!
3. You Get Paid
If you're just uploading content and are monetizing your videos, you get paid from YouTube each month for your video view earnings. If your vlogs start gaining more views and your channel gains more subscribers, sponsorships could happen, if that's something you want to do.
*If you'd like to see a list of websites that connect brands with influencers let me know because I've recently come across a few new ones I don't think many YouTubers or bloggers even know about yet! These go beyond Famebit & Grapevine!
(so here's a small con about networks)
I've been a part of a few networks and now steer clear of them because when you're a YouTuber at my size, honestly nothing they will offer you is a good deal - I can't stress this enough and learned so much about this topic when I went to Vidcon and listened in on other YouTubers' advice. On top of that I get emails from YouTube networks every week - most of them continue to follow up with me but I just don't want to be stuck in a contract that's simply.. not a good contract.
It doesn't offer you anything unless you're a much bigger YouTuber already. You have to do the work yourself and a network isn't giving out handouts. No one is.. again, you have to make it happen for yourself.. (I could talk about this topic all freaking day but I won't)...
As a YouTube partner, I get to keep all of my earnings too - another plus of NOT being a part of some network. And when events happen, I realized I didn't need a network for those either.. I've just gotten emails straight from the brand or event.
Either way, getting paid to do something you love doing is definitely a perk, and currently, YouTube is my full-time job and I work from home for myself. Being my own boss is honestly the best and I love creating. I like the idea of being able to be anywhere.. ANYWHERE and make an income as long as a have wifi lol - Kyle and I are planning to travel a lot in the next year and I like the idea of filming it all and being able to work while traveling around the world.
I also have a very flexible schedule now to go on shoots, attend events or meetings with brands, etc.
And, I have the freedom now to start on other projects I'm launching this year that I'm really excited about. I still plan on making YT videos because I like doing it, but I'm also pumped to show off my other creative projects that are not YouTube related at all =) i.e. podcasts (yes podcasts) music, writing, directing, etc.
Cons:
1. It's Time Consuming
When you start daily vlogging and find that you're running out of time in the day to edit and upload your vlogs, you realize quickly that it's very time consuming. I loved making my vlogs very raw and un-edited because those are the vlogs I like to watch but it is also a plus to not have to edit a vlog like I do my main channel videos where I color balance each clip, pay more attention to any unwanted second of footage, etc.
At the end of the day, you edit and upload your vlog or do it first thing in the morning. I think this is why some channels like my second channel tend to be inconsistent when uploading daily vlogs. Editing video takes a lot of time as well as uploading the video, adding everything into the description bar (even when you have your 'upload defaults' up to date) then making it live and sharing the video on all of your social platforms is time consuming.
2. If You're Not Comfortable Vlogging, It Isn't Fun
I think I used to be camera shy years ago but you get over that quickly when you film all the time. I still however find myself getting a little nervous or shy when vlogging in public. People stare at you and THEY DON'T STOP... even when you look right at them, thinking they'll turn away, they don't.
It's like you're their personal television irl
3. Don't Vlog If You Like Your Privacy
I know - I've done it too.. I've made vlogs before where I BARELY put any of my day in the vlog and just sat in front of the camera and rambled on about something random. Those are the days I think I wanted a little more privacy and I didn't want everyone to know about my day. I also do like those vlogs as well btw. But sometimes, you just like having your space, you know?
I've made vlogs that were only 5 minutes long too haha... =P
Anywho, those are some pros and cons I was thinking about and then thought; why not just vlog a few times a week? That wouldn't be as big of a commitment as vlogging everyday and that would be consistent. I think I would also enjoy that much more =)
I also want to incorporate more of a vlogging style to my main channel videos! I think those look more interesting and fun I think because it feels more personal. A good example I think would be Shay Mitchell's channel.
Hope you're all having a great week and let me know your thoughts! I'll let you know if and when I start vlogging again on my second channel! ;)
XOXO
-SARAH
