How to start your own vlog?



Since the commencement of the lockdown, there has been an increase in the number of channels on video hosting sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Videos posted on these channels are called ‘vlogs’. A vlog is a portmanteau of “video” and “blog”. It is a form of blog where the medium of sharing views is video, instead of text.



Usually, a vlog means to take a video of yourself speaking about some topic and posting it on your blog. But today, with the rise in video hosting sites, the term has expanded to include any kind of videos hosted on such sites, with or without text.



A person who vlogs is called a vlogger.



Types of vlogs



Most vlogs found online can be broadly categorized into two types – personal vlogs and live broadcast vlogs.



Personal vlogs are the ones where people talk about different aspects relating to a main topic. These include beauty vlogs and travel vlogs.



These videos are usually recorded beforehand, and edited and uploaded at a suitable time. You can find personal vlogs all over the Internet.



On the other hand, live broadcast vlogs are videos aired live. A vlogger usually hosts a live video on the site and speaks spontaneously to a live audience. These vlogs remain on the site for about 24 hours after which they disappear. However, vloggers can save these vlogs and upload them later.



Some popular vloggers



There are millions of vloggers on the Internet, hosting vlogs on diverse topics. While some of them vlog for fun, some take it up as a career and make money through brand collaborations and monetization policies of websites. One of the most popular vloggers is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, whose YouTibe channel, PewDiePie, has over 100 million subscribers. He vlogs on gaming, comedy, satire and more.



Ryan’s Toy Reviews featuring 8-year-old Ryan Kaji is another popular YouTube channel with over 26 million subscribers. Ryan is one of the highest earning YouTubers. He usually reviews toys from around the world.



Starting your own vlog



If you are interested in starting a vlog, here are a few tips:



Talk to your parents



Share your interest with your parents and seek their support in helping you start a vlog. It is always helpful to have an adult around. They can also help you with ideas.



Decide on a topic



This is most important. Even before you pick up the camera and start vlogging, you need to decide on a topic. Topic can vary from travel, to food, to even Do-It-Yourself crafts. This is what will give your channel direction and set it apart from others.



Decide on equipment



Most professional vloggers invest in a camera and lights. However, since you are just starting out, you can use natural lightning and a smartphone camera. Just ensure the camera is not shaky and the audio is clear, as it can get very disturbing for the viewer otherwise.



Choose a video hosting platform



Now that you have decided on a topic and have your equipment in place, it’s time to decide on a video hosting platform. While YouTube is the most popular, there are other platforms such as Vimeo too. Do your research and see what suits you best.



Viewing rights and monetization



Before you upload your video, decide on who gets to view your content. If you are creating content only for family members and friends, you can make the video private and share the link with them. However, if you wish to monetize your content, making your videos public is a better option.



 



Picture Credit : Google


How to start and maintain your own blog?



It is stressful situations for many to be restricted indoors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Expressing yourself can help you cope with the situation. A blog is one of the best ways for you to do just that. A truncation of the word ‘Weblog’ (which is a portmanteau of the word ‘web’ and ‘log’) a blog is like your own website where you can post content you like. While it started initially as an online diary, where people could share their day-to-day happenings, today, blogs are used for a variety of purposes such as a marketing tool, a travelogue, a recipe blog or just about anything you want it to be.



Blogging is a great de-stressor and a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people. Now, that you have time in hand, why not start a blog of your own? Here are some blogging tips that can help you make the most of your journey as a blogger.



The right platform



Do your research and choose the right blogging platform for your needs. There are several blogging sites on the World Wide Web, some require you to pay a minimum fee, while others are completely free. There are also sites that let you blog for free but require you to pay if you want additional features such as customization. Different blogging sites offer choose the best platform for yourself. Keep all this in mind before you choose the best platform for yourself. For beginners, Blogger, WordPress, and Medium are some of the sites that are a good starting point.



Multimedia is your best friend



Gone are the days when blogging was only about text. Today, most blogging sites let you use a variety of media to express yourself. You can upload pictures, videos and audio along with text in a single blog post. Sometimes pictures can express what words can’t and videos can also add another dimension to what you write. So use multimedia to express yourself better.



Do not upload media that is not yours as it can lead to copyright violation. However, if you think a video online conveys what you wish to say, you can link the video on your blog but remember to give due credit.



Think before you post



It is good to express your view, but remember that the Internet is filled with diverse people. Do not post anything offensive against people or any culture or religion. And do your best not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Hence, before you click on the ‘post’ or ‘share’ button, read through what you have written, and if needed, ask a well-wisher to proof it for you. Only then, post your content online.



Build a network



If your wish to take up blogging as a career option in the future, promote yourself and build a network. Connect with like-minded individuals on social media platforms and share your work wherever possible. Similarly, share the works of people you follow or any good content online. Everyone is trying to do their best to express themselves. Sharing posts will not just fetch your blog more users, but will also get you feedback that can be used to better your blog in the future.



 



Picture Credit : Google


What is crowdsourcing?



When the online community (or crowd) is asked for services, ideas or content, it is called crowdsourcing. When a project is too vast and time-consuming for an individual or a small group of individuals to accomplish, they put the proposal online and invite netizens to contribute their ideas, insights and experience to complete it. The task is then divided among those who volunteer to work on the assignment either online or offline. Some projects pay the participants.



Crowdsourcing is essentially social networking used to gather scientific data, to locate missing persons, to raise funds for charity and to finance promising innovations and start-ups (also called crowdfunding).



The American Human Genome Project that mapped the sequences of all the 3 billion base pairs of human DNA was one of the major scientific projects to use crowdsourcing. The manmoth project took the help of researchers across Asia and Europe and managed to finish its task within ten years!



The term was first used in 2006 in an article by Jeff Howe for Wired magazine.



 



Picture Credit : Google


Which apps and videos will help you remain on top of your fitness game?



Sitting sill for hours glued to the computer or the television screen can affect our physical and mental well-being. Apart from the regular breaks you take in between your long sessions online, invest time in your fitness. Here, we list a few apps and videos you can refer to or download to start your workout programme in the comfort of your home.



Yoga for kids and family fitness



This app is not just for children, but for the whole family well. Offering interesting asanas as well as healthy recipes and nutrition facts, this app is a whole package. There are different difficulty levels in workouts to suit your needs. The animated characters that teach you the workouts are the most entertaining aspect of the app.



This app is available for free download on Android phones.



Fitness Pets



This app encourages you to stay fit in an interesting way, fun way. The app lets you choose a virtual pet and take care of it. Your virtual pet grows and develops when you walk a certain number of steps in a day. The app also has fun mini quests and games to keep you motivated.



This app is available for free download on Android phones.



Little sports



This YouTube channel has two animated characters showing different exercises. Their playlists have exercises targeting different body parts as well as full-body workouts. You can cast the workout to the television or stream it on your laptop. The videos are simple to follow and span anywhere between 10 mins and 40 mins.



Stand Up Kids – Movement break



This website aims to get kids moving and give up on their sedentary lifestyle. Under the Stand Up Kids movement break curriculum, you can find a variety of exercises that help you stay fit, not just physically but also mentally. The video are shot by coaches and physical education teachers and can be easily followed. They also have a YouTube channel with fitness videos.



Get kids moving



This interesting YouTube channel started by a health coach and personal trainer from London helps you realize your potential as a superhero. The channel has videos focused on moves from your favourite superhero and fantasy movies such as Wonder Woman, Captain America and Harry Potter. The workouts are short, fun and easy to follow. Time to put on your superhero game face.



 



Picture Credit : Google