"Required reading" for today's smart writer.

"Required reading" for today's smart writer.
Information & inspiration to hone your craft and increase your cash...Since 2009

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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

10 comments:

  1. Hey Jennifer,

    I know I've been a little slack lately. I've been a little slump lately, but I'm snapping out of it now. I haven't forgotten! ;)

    I personally like video blogging, but I don't like it so much on a blog. Sounds crazy! I like to do it sometimes on my blog, but I have to do a lot of editing to cut out the flaws. I'd rather keep my videos on YouTube for my video subscribers.

    I don't like going to a blog and all the blogger has are their videos. And the videos are usually on YouTube. So if I'm interested in the videos, then I can just subscribe via YouTube and never come back to the blog. That's something, I don't like.

    I must say that I enjoy writing what I have to say on my blog, instead of presenting it in video format. But I do enjoy videos every now and then.

    Thanks for sharing the link, I'll definitely check it out.

    Take care,

    Evelyn

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  2. In the words of Gomer Pyle, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" Fancy seeing you here today. :-)

    Hey Evelyn, girl it's been awhile. Glad to see you back on the scene. You bring up some valid points here, and good ones. I would agree that videos work in some forums and in the right circumstances. Thanks for sharing your spin on this. Don't be a stranger. :-)

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  3. I doubt that I'll really get into vlogging. For me, twitter and facebook are a way for me to connect on a little more of a personal level. Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather read something that's carefully thought out than sit up and watch stuff on youtube.

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  4. Jennifer Brown BanksMay 4, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    waningwoman,

    Hiya'

    I tend to agree. Though sometimes youtube presentations can be pretty entertaining! Thanks for weighing in today.

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  5. Thank you for plugging my eBook, The ABCs of Live Blogging: Quick Tips for Live Blogging Success. I provide tips and best practices on blogging in real-time. I personally enjoy it, but it requires more work than traditional blogging.

    It is available for download at http://www.thewritedesignco.com/abcs-of-live-blogging/

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  6. I've noticed this trend but hadn't given it much thought. Appreciate the 411. I think, for now at least, I'll stick with my written format. I like the idea that I can review and edit. That's a big plus in case I happen to NOT think before I speak! :D

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  7. Jennifer Brown BanksMay 5, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Marcie,

    Glad to do it. Hope it makes a million.:-)

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  8. Jennifer Brown BanksMay 5, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Hi Karen,

    I hear ya' on this. It's not 4 everyone.

    Thanks for adding to the mix.

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  9. Interesting way to blog and get content out there.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jennifer Brown BanksMay 11, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Thanks for your time and input, Wendy.

    ReplyDelete