Video Or No? The Pros & Cons of Video Blogging

Lights, camera, action!
There's a new phenomenon emerging on the blogging scene.
One that not everybody is embracing, but interesting nonetheless.

It's called Video Blogging, or Vblogs.
Now, I'm no expert at this technical stuff.
Heck, truth be told, I not too long ago found out how to do text messaging on my cell phone. And I was tickled pink. Word! :-)

Anyhow, Video Blogging, at least from my understanding, essentially is another interactive medium that allows bloggers to "engage" their audiences with video messages as opposed to text-type posts.

In other words, it's like you're watching them on T.V.
Pretty progressive, huh?

Seems that many of my favorite sites have taken the plunge. Some I've enjoyed. Some, not so much.

And, as with all things, there are inherent advantages and disadvantages.
Today, let's discuss a few of them.

Here's the 4-1-1 as I see it:

ADVANTAGES:

1. It allows the blog host to present another side of their online personality. You get to see the "person behind the words" and get a better feel for who they are through their tone, sincerity, and body language.
Right?

2. It provides variety and can serve as a visual aide of sorts. It can be particularly useful if you're trying to demonstrate a task or teach a skill via your blog.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. In my opinion, it can magnify communication flaws. In other words, if you have a habit of saying "ah" and "um" and stumbling when you speak, (and let's face it, um, most of us do), it can take away from an otherwise "smooth" image.
Consider this.
When we write our blog posts, we can view it, edit it, take all the messed up stuff out, and ultimately shine. Not so much with video blogging.

2. Sometimes the presentation comes across as unnatural or awkward. Or like a low budget movie. It all depends on who is doing it, what's being done, and a few other variables.


And while we're on the topic, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that one of my blog followers and colleagues just wrote a book on this very topic!
It's called the ABCs of Live Blogging. I hope to get my hands on it soon.

In the meantime, check it out here: The Write Design

Okay readers, your turn. How do you feel about Video Blogging? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Have you tried it?

Image suphakit73