Developing Your Vlogging Voice

A strong vlogging voice can make your collection of videos more cohesive so more people can find just how awesome you and your videos are! To get there, let’s start with a few basic questions.

WHAT: What kind of videos do you want to make?

In the world of online video, it helps to narrow down what kind of content you want to be creating. Imagine YouTube is a shopping mall. You want your channel to feel like one of the specialty stores inside of the mall: welcoming, easy to identify and close to the food court if possible.

That all starts with making your video content known to your current following and newcomers alike. It may be obvious to you what kind of videos you make, but is it obvious to on your channel and to your audience?

List out your 3 most recent videos (or video ideas) and answer these questions:

  • What is this video about?
  • What kind of videos am I making?
  • Does this video fit my channel? (i.e., Does this belong in my store?)
  • Is it clear on my channel that I make these type of videos?
  • Do I have other videos like this in a playlist?

Additionally, take a look at your channel and see how well your “store” is represented. In the same way you know what part of the store to buy pants or shirts, see how easy it is to find the different types of videos you make. For example, if you make product review videos, make a designated playlist for the different products you review. This will make it easier for people to find exactly what they’re looking for once they get to your channel.

WHO: Who is your audience?

A common mistake people make while making videos online is trying to appeal to everyone. John Lennon said it best:
“Trying to please everybody is impossible – if you did that, you’d end up in the middle with nobody liking you. You’ve just got to make the decision about what you think is your best, and do it.”

A common mistake people make while making videos online is trying to appeal to everyone. 

Going back to the YouTube Mall analogy, each store knows what they have to offer and they know who their customers are. Knowing who your audience is will help you focus your voice. Instead of trying to create videos for the general public, you’ll be to speaking directly to the people whose interests match your videos. It’s like having a conversation with someone versus yelling in the middle of the food court.

Refer back to your 3 most recent videos and answer these questions:

  • Who am I talking to when I make my videos?
  • Who do I want to reach?
  • What benefit does my audience get from watching my videos?
  • What is getting in the way of my audience reaching me?
  • What can I do to make it easier for them to know my content is for them?
  • Now look at your channel and answer these questions:
  • Looking at your channel from a stranger’s point of view, would they know what your channel is about?
  • What is getting in the way of people knowing what you do?

HOW: How is your video presented?

How you present your videos is a vital part of your voice because it’s the platform from which you speak. Now that you know who your audience is and what kind of videos you want to make, let’s focus on how you present these videos. Every store in the mall has it’s own feel, style, and aesthetic to it; so should your channel.

Take a blank sheet of paper and answer these questions:

  • What is the tone of my videos? (i.e. humorous? serious? light-hearted?)
  • Do my videos feel consistent with one another?
  • How am I different from other creators who make videos like mine?

No matter your style of content, consistency across your videos is vital. As you are going through these questions be sure to check if these answers are true for all of your videos.

WHY: Why do you make the videos you make?

Famed author and New York Times Best Seller Simon Sinek is well known for his “Start With Why” principle of acquiring clients and empowering leaders. Simon’s theory is this: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy WHY you do what you do.” The same thing applies with your online videos and voice.

People won’t care about what you do nearly as much as they’ll care about why you do it. People who make videos online only to make money have a harder time since they lack authenticity. Not only that but they get burnt out on making videos because it takes a lot of time and hard work before money even gets into the picture. On the other hand, many of the most success creators online are ones who started with a strong why.

Take a blank sheet of paper and answer these questions:

  • What are you the most passionate about?
  • What is my motivation to make videos?
  • What impact am I looking to make?
  • What unique point of view do I have to offer?

Finding your vlogging voice is more than what you have to say about a certain subject. Finding your voice is about knowing what you do, who you do it for, how you do it and most important, why. Follow this guide and you will not only have a strong and well defined voice, but you’ll be able to better share your message with the people who you see your videos.

Ricky Anderson II is an entertainer and video producer. He has been making online videos since 2006.

Ricky Anderson II
Ricky Anderson IIhttp://taketwoproductions.tv/
Ricky Anderson II is a Texas-based video producer and editor with over 10 years of experience in creating engaging and entertaining videos online.

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