Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Vlogging Tips and Outtakes

Last week I posted a vlog.  I had never done a vlog before.  The thought terrified me.  It was a requirement for this fancy schpants partnership that I have with the Home Depot.  I’m not sure I’m cut out for fancy schpants blogging.  But I lived through it.  And true to be told, it was kind of fun.  Ike loved it.  He’s totally meant for film.

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In true blogger fashion, today I am going to share with you tips that I learned from “filming” my first vlog.  As a blogger, you are considered an expert once you complete something once.  True story.  (I hope you all catch my sarcasm in that statement.  I still have no clue what I’m doing.)

Oh, and there are outtakes at the end. Ike kills me with cuteness.

Tip #1: Choose a quiet location.

  • My entire series of posts for the Home Depot was about the outdoors. Filming indoors didn’t seem like a good fit.  Unfortunately, there are noises outside that you can’t control.  Like sirens.  Sirens that I hear maybe five times a year in my tiny town. The ice cream man, on the other hand, drives around every night. Our deck was a good spot otherwise because it’s fairly quiet and pretty.

Tip #2:  Be animated but yet yourself.

  • I’ve watched some blogs where the blogger was either too animated or bored with their own vlog.  Try to find a happy medium.  Use words you would normally use. Pretend like you’re talking to a friend. I pretended like I was telling Nate all about flowers and I then pretended that he actually cared.

Tip #3: don’t be afraid of the vlog

  • Vlogging is surprisingly fun. I understand that it’s hard enough to put your words out there for the world to read.  It’s another story putting your face and voice out there.  I always think it’s fun to actually hear the blogger behind those words I read every day. I received a lot of positive feedback and will be vlogging again soon.

Tip #4:  Include your cute dog for distraction.

  • I bet 65% of you didn’t hear a word I said.  And that is beautiful.  The dog adds an additional challenge but he does help make some pretty awesome outtakes.

Tip #5:  Edit your video.

  • We used our Nikon D5000 to film the vlog.  We then used a free trial of CyberLink PowerDirector to edit the video.  We were really pleased with the software. The video makes me look like I have my act together.  (Which we all know is not a true statement.)  We would buy the software if we did vlogs a lot.  Which we might.  Who knows!

And now for the good stuff.  Me telling Nate how to direct and Ike catching bugs.  HGTV is going to be knocking on our door any second now.

 

Have you posted a vlog?  If so, did you enjoy it?  If not, what’s holding you back?  Do you enjoy vlogs?

22 comments:

  1. A vlog still terrifies me and I won't be doing one any time soon, LOL. I think I'd fall over and pretend to be dead like an opossum or just talk complete nonsense. But you seriously rocked it!

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  2. Hmmm...haven't vlogged yet. That's uncharted territory. I think you did great! xo Kristin

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  3. Wow, Ike has got some mad fly snatching skills! More vlogs the better!

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  4. Ike is too cute! You and Ike would make a great HGTV pair! :)

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  5. Ike is the fly catching master :o)

    P.S. Natalie told me the other day that you were her favorite. And Nate. And Mark. And Lindsey. And Grandma. And Grandpa. (I think you can see the pattern here :oP She is super excited for to see you all on Saturday!)

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  6. I reeeeeally wish I wasn't at work right now so I could watch this. Not that I read blogs at work. But anyway. These are great tips and I will be watching the outtakes when I get home!!

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  7. I can't wait to get home and watch the outtakes with sound, but that last one without sound is hilarious. Go, Ike, Go!

    Vlogging still terrifies me, and I've done it about three times already.

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  8. you did great! And even though I voted for succulents (because this was up to a vote :-P) I loved how the flowers turned out!

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  9. OMG. Ike is hilarious! I would love to do a vlog at some point just to get the experience. I'm scared as hell, though. Thanks for putting yourself out there for us readers. Love your accent BTW.

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  10. haha outtakes are the best part of any vlog. I make videos with my students and they beg to watch the bloopers over and over again. :)

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  11. You are so brave! And did a great job - but out takes are way fun. :) Oh, Ike!

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  12. I love Ike! You did a great job, also! But, I love Ike!

    Louise in OK

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  13. I'm so scared to vlog, but maybe this summer I'll do one! Adding the pooch is a great idea too :) My dog is a screen stealer. I missed your vlog but I'm going to go back& have a look...

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  14. oh michelle. this kind of inspires me to do a vlog...ok no actually it does not but you are cute and seem relaxed! and obviously, ike adds a distraction that is oh so cute.

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  15. I was so nervous when I made a video tutorial for JoAnn, but doing a vlog for my readers sounds like a lot more fun! I may have to just go for it!

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  16. Very good tips, expert vlogger. I needed to edit, but I didn't. Because I'm lazy.

    And what do you think about vlogging in the bathroom? I'm asking for a friend.

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  17. Loved the out takes! Ike is too cute! Vlogging is terrifying but I always love to see the person in action who I've been reading about for so long!

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  18. Haha! Love the outtakes. I've done one vlog ever and it is truly terrifying! You rocked it!

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  19. I totally think you are professional vlogger after doing it one time. Seriously. I think you did such a great job!! :)

    And I loved the outtakes...Ike trying to catch bugs is hilarious!

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  20. I like that you sound just how I imagined you. Not that I imagined that a lot. oh now this is just weird. Seriously, you have done a great job being a fancy schpants blogger.

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  21. LOVE IT !!! Ike is hysterical. Well done Michelle!

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  22. I cannot stop laughing! I think I watched the end of that clip like five times. Ike is amazing.

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