Why would people vlog? Video blogging is becoming increasingly popular, especially with such popular SEO/internet marketing bloggers as Darren Rowse of Problogger adopting the highly ineffective format. I mean, come on, what’s the point? Vlogging, if you’re a good conversational writer (HINT HINT [point at self]) is just as if you had taken your post and started reading it. BORING. Your reader can do that by themself. The only way to engage your reader moreso is if you’re either highly attractive, extremely funny, or have lots of cool stuff to show off in your video… but lets not turn this into a description of myself. It’s about vlogging, remember?
Ahh… so let me briefly summarize why you shouldn’t vlog. First off, you can’t optimize the content of a video for Google – just the page it’s found on. That means no keyword stuffing or any insidious strategies like that. Inevitably, video posts are going to get you less traffic than text ones. Second, you can’t present information concisely in a video post. You can write a post on most vlogs in ten bullet points or so. Third, video posts take longer to develop. It’s harder to memorize and write out a script to read (unless you’re a master at improvisation – in which case, congratulations!).
Then again, vlogging does have its uses. I suppose it could mix things up for your readers. Maybe you’re an amiable character and it’ll just make your readers like you more. It also helps build yourself as your own brand image – people can associate your blog with you if they’ve seen you talking, acting, and moving as opposed to just your face.
Overall, you can’t really do much in a video that you can’t do in a post in the SEO/MMO niche – at least not in a video that’s simply you talking. If it were an instructional screen capture on how to use WordPress, then a video tutorial would perhaps be the best option. Screenshots and post would still work too, though, and optimize better for search engines. It all depends on knowing what your reader wants.
By lunaticg on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi!
thank you for sharing this but I think you need to be creative and informative in everything you do to make your blog better. I saw some video done without a proper plan thus making a very good story less enjoyable to watch.
See you around.
By Nintendo ds on Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
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By douberpost on Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
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By hoteblog on Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
yeah but knowing your readers want is not enough. To get readers you need SEO and to delivered as media you need video and good quality contents
Regards
hoteblog.com
By steroids on Aug 17, 2009 | Reply
it’s harder to memorize and write out a script to read
By Greg Gauthier on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply
Not saying you’re entirely wrong, but there are striking counter-examples to what you’re talking about.
For example, http://www.freedomainradio.com/
He started out as a blogger and essayist, and eventually began podcasting. But it wasn’t until he moved the podcast to Youtube, that the listenership/readership really started to skyrocket.
People LOVE youtube, because you can get in a few minutes of viewing, what would take effort to actually read, and the temptation to distractions isn’t there, like with audio.
By Melvin on Jan 10, 2010 | Reply
Well I also have some take on it but I think its just a growing trend. In two years I think I just had like 2 video posts and I agree with the fact that it cannot be seo’d..
We’re not even talking about the fact that what if the readers don’t have DSL?
By bee on Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
listening…
By CB Predator Luis on Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
good points, and yeah videos are harder to SEO but they do have good ways to give your audience better personlaity of yourself, which can aid in trust
By jenny on Mar 9, 2010 | Reply
i think vlogs are nifty.
ok true on the SEO part but if you do a vlog, it shows some emotion that you can’t really put into a post when you’re writing it.. unless you use emotes xD and not everybody does.
but that’s just my opinion.
By Brian on Mar 22, 2010 | Reply
Totally agree with you on this one, even teaching someone how to do something with a video is awkward.
Have you tried to follow video instructions when you are actually trying to take some course of action. You end up watching the video and making notes that you can then follow, might as well have had the information in written form in the first place.
That’s just the practicalities, and I agree on the SEO thing as well but hadn’t really thought about that until you mentioned it.
OK I accept that using videos can be good for interest, people do like a bit of a mix and you want to entertain if you can. But you definitely need to be careful about when you use a video and it should be for the right reasons.
By Brian on Mar 22, 2010 | Reply
Whoops meant to put in ‘but even teaching someone etc.’ Sorry, can you edit on my behalf.
Cheers
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By income tax guidelines on Jul 17, 2010 | Reply
best way to express yourself show what you are doing and your friends what is going around you, everything in form of video .. footages for anytime anywhere use.
By geld verdienen online on Aug 8, 2010 | Reply
The reason of Video blogging popularity is getting more knowledge quickly,we can aware from what is displayed in comparison to written post.
By seun on Dec 13, 2010 | Reply
Regular vlogging is nonsense.
By Reman Toner on Dec 25, 2010 | Reply
For our business, vlogging is not that suitable. It will take time to a great and original video. And there’s really not too much new on our niche.
As of the moment, we can’t see how our website can benefit well from videos in terms of marketing or SEO.
By web marketing adelaide on Jan 31, 2011 | Reply
video posting and vlogging is new latest way to promote our product and services. Most of the people prefer to watch video rather to reading a blog.
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