Just Shoot Yourself and Vlog About It
We’ve written about the subject of video blogging (aka, vlogging) this week and how you really can’t ignore it as an emerging technology. Something else we can’t afford to ignore is the rapid rise of micro-blogging. More of our information comes via 140 character tweets than we could have possibly imagined just two years ago. Many are taking advantage of some innovative ways of bringing these two technologies together. So grab a camera, shoot yourself, and blog about it.
The marriage of micro-blogging and video has produced micro-vlogging, a trend in its infancy perhaps, but some believe it’s a growing platform for the future of online publishing.
Jen Hinton is a lifecaster who enjoys sharing video blogs on her introspective blog Keep It Classy, hosts an online radio show called Chicks Who Chat, and is currently doing a 365 Vlog Project on her YouTube channel. She shared her thoughts about micro-vlogging with us…
We all know that micro-blogging has literally exploded within the past couple of years, but what if we took it a step further?…
Vlogging is the next big leap we will all make in the blogosphere in my opinion. Some people are still very scared of the idea but we should ask ourselves why? We share our every move through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and our blogs… I always wonder though who the person behind the blog is. I can only imagine what you look like and the true sound of your voice. If I am reading your blog on a regular basis then the likelihood is that I am interested in your world.
Micro-vlogging is basically twitterizing (love that word) your videos; giving only a brief snippet of yourself on video. There are great platforms out there like 12seconds, TwitVid, and BubbleTweet (my personal fave) that allow you to micro-vlog with a user friendly platform. The reason that micro-vlogging is the next big thing is because people do not have a lot of time. They hop online during their brief lunch break or when they sneak away from their kids throughout the day. It’s quick and easy. So give it a shot!
For anyone ready to give micro-vlogging a decent shot, here are ten platforms worth checking out:
12seconds.tv
Bubble Tweet
TwitVid
Robo.to
Twiddeo
TweeTube.com
Twitcam
Camtweet
TwitC
TwitLens
In addition to serving as Editor of Fuel Your Blogging, Brandon is also a Pastor at Saddleback Church and Online Community Coordinator for Pastors.com. He’s also a web designer, blogger, and church communications consultant. Catch him on his own blog or on Twitter.
Great post.. I watch vlogs like crazy.. its def the next thing coming..
Dustin, I’m beginning to be right there with you.
Awesome post! I think you’re right — video posts are definitely making their way into the mainstream.
I think it’ll take a while though — not just to catch on, but for people to become comfortable with exposing themselves to the web … I know that sounds ridiculously 1992, but hear me out …
While blogging and status updates provide a glimpse into your life, nothing reveals you for who really are than video — because of this, web publishers might be hesitant to expose themselves through this medium because it will eliminate any sense of mystery … which is a sense of security for web publishers.
With video, publishers have to work a little harder to brand themselves or make the impression they want to make with their viewers.
For those that are camera shy, video posting will be more of a challenge because they might find it easier to strike the tone or style their readers look forward to through the written word.
How disappointing would it be to see a video post from the wittiest blogger on the web only to realize they’re boring and slow in person?
I know it will definitely be a challenge for me personally –I’ve always preferred to be behind the camera, working with words.
Christopher, I definitely struggle with that very fear, and I do think that’s pretty common. Video is risky and sometimes risks pay off and sometimes they don’t.
Jen Hinton knows her stuff! She is my go-to gal when I have questions about social media. After chatting it up with her over the last year… I kinda consider myself a bit of a go-to gal. Thanks Jen! Keep up the good work!
Jen’s quality work is what drew my attention to her for this particular topic. I think you’re right!
I love vlogging and I agree with Jen – except I don’t think it’s a big leap anymore. It’s just the next step.
Can’t say I’m very fond of the micro vlogging either – I like to record a minute or two. Maybe if I could record and send from a mobile device I would do more of the micro vlogging.
That’s a good point, and I do think that’s where micro-vlogging’s success will lie – as more people utilize mobile devices for online publishing.
This is an excellent post Jen. I just bookmarked it so I can check out all the sites you referenced.
I’ve been watching the 12seconds trend take off over the past few months. I’m not a big video watcher myself, so I have a hard time making myself do vlogging. It’s hard for me to conceive anyone watching it, because I don’t. haha
Maybe it’s time I got over myself!
Of all the sites listed above, I think Bubble Tweet looks really cool!!!
It definitely has a nice user interface and a sweet design.
I love these new services. Jen Hinton is my vlog-go-to-gal!
This is pretty cool and makes things even faster to get around. I was thinking on the topic of… What about video and audio commenting on blogs?
Does this strike a cord with anybody?
Good article Brandon. :)
Thanks Eric. Before Seesmic went into the business of social networking apps, they offered the ability to do video comments on blogs that utilized them. It didn’t fly too well at the time so they wisely shifted models, but I see it coming back soon as video grows in popularity and availability.
Brandon, I didn’t realise that. It’d be interesting to see how video commenting works out in the future. I think it’d be a huge hit for a lot of people including those just starting out who aren’t too shy about getting involved.
Though I’ve been more than aware of vlogging over the past year, I’ve only dabbled in it myself. Micro Vlogging might be more my style! I find that it takes so long to edit vlogs that it deters me from doing them…much easier to just type my thoughts. If I can do little 12 second videos, that may help me cross the blogging/vlogging barrier. Great Post
I don’t think I’ve ever edited a video – I re-shoot, but I never post anything more than just a few minutes anyway.
I’ve learned lots over the past year from Jen! I love to vlog ~ I also think that live streaming will continue to grow and that the person that masters the ability to real time video chat (tinychat, stickam…) without horrible delay will be a very very wealthy person. And I will personally kiss them!!
Haha – have you checked out Tokbox? It’s a pretty cool service and has decent response time.
I love vlogging too. I think it’s where it’s at now. :D
With you on that.
I LOVE Jen and she is always on top of the next big thing (and always in the know) but I have to agree with Jendi unless I can find a mobile device that is easy to record and send from I will most likely not be doing much of micro vlogging! On the other hand Jen has me doing more vlogging than I ever thought I would so you never know!
Jen Hinton is one of my vlogging-idols! She’s got the goods on all things social media and loves to share it! I agree with Jendi that vlogging (micro or otherwise) is the next step. Now, if I could only stop worrying about my hair, I would do it more myself! :)
Haha, your concern is widespread – the self-consciousness issue is huge but if we get past it, vlogging is quite fun.
just loved all that you wrote , thank you …. will you write some more ? Bookmarked!