Blogging Vs Vlogging: What Works Better For You?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is a blog?
• What is a vlog?
• Blogging vs Vlogging: Differences
• Blog vs Vlog: Which one to choose?
• Decoding the Dilemma (conclusion) 
• Key Takeaways 
• FAQs

Before getting the required information to understand the blog or vlog difference, it’s essential to first understand and learn the meaning of blog and vlog. Blogging and vlogging are completely different forms of content. Both have their merits and demerits. So it is important to choose the right one. 

Wondering what the right option for showcasing talent in content is? Confused between blogging vs vlogging? We’ve all been there—the world of content creation warrants such confusion.

Every content creator faces such dilemmas, and we are here to guide you through them – we’ll help you understand the difference between a blog and a vlog, and after that, you can make the right choice.

Let’s dive into the article, and by the end of it, hopefully, you’ll have more clarity between blogging vs vlogging and picking the right one for yourself. 

What is a Blog?

In layman’s language, a blog simply refers to any piece of content in the written form published on the internet and has the potential to reach masses all across the globe. 

It is a shorter form of a weblog. It usually shows recent uploads on top, the older and remaining ones below. Most blogs have a table of contents distinguishing written content into categories and subcategories.

A blog is different from a website but is often confused as similar. Websites can be of multiple kinds. They can be built to share pictures, sell items, etc. However, a blog is meant only for adding written content that can be backed by images. 

A blog can be started for various reasons, including the promotion of businesses, startups, college/school projects, personal journaling, etc. It provides the exposure to reach like-minded individuals globally and frequently provides networking opportunities at an affordable return of investment. It simply can fulfill one’s hobby or be the beginning of their career. 

The main prerequisites for starting a blog are having an electronic gadget such as a laptop, computer, tablet, etc., along with a website domain that stands out –  in terms of its name and through a unique layout. 

Knowledge of SEO is more crucial than the written content; although secondary, first come the tiny bits of knowledge that help boost traffic on your blog page. 

How to start blogging

The system of blogging has changed tremendously over time. Blogs nowadays don’t just refer to a simple piece of content written and shared on the internet but are indeed more than that. They contain a footer with contact, location, privacy policies, social media profiles, and so much more.

Above it is the information regarding the blogger (a person who writes a blog or owns a blog page), also known as a byline, and this area can also hold space for reviews and testimonials submitted by the viewers/readers. There is also space for a slide bar above these or on the right or left side with advertisements, important notices, etc.

The part covering most of the blog page is the main content, the blog itself, mostly an introductory blog describing the page having links that redirect one to the other blogs. 

The top of the blog page consists of the blog’s name and a short, one-liner of what to expect from the blog page. 

There are three lines or dots on the top right or left side of the blog page, which is the menu wherein all the parts of the page are linked one after the other, which will take the visitor directly to their desired part of the blog. 

Each of these serves a different purpose but combines to be a crucial part of the blog. 

There are a lot many platforms to start blogging. Some of them are Blogger, Medium, etc., wherein you share the same writing space with different bloggers worldwide. 

Use a creative and easy-to-remember blog name to give your blog a unique identity. Then choose a design template from the pre-existing options or create your own; you can even get it done by a professional designer.

Add content to your blog that is not repetitive; adding ads in them can add monetary value to it, and self-promotion can help gather more traffic. Sticking to a niche often proves to look professional, but there are no boundaries to the topics you write about. One can write about anything ranging from travel to finance to infotainment; everything is welcome in the world of content creation. 

What is a Vlog?

Source

A vlog refers to content made through videography using a mobile/professional camera. It is the shorter form of a video log. It is more famous than blogs, especially among the Gen-Z and millennials. Vlogging came into existence with the emergence of platforms like YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, etc., wherein any sort of video content could be shared with a wider audience. 

There are various vlogs like those showcasing one’s private life via snippets, travel journeys, lifestyle, behind the scenes of movies/music videos, etc. Nowadays, short-form video content, also known as Reels, has become a part of the vlogging culture.

Vlogging holds immense power, so much that being a vlogger these days is considered a profession that pays well. People everywhere now want to learn this skill and everything involved, from video shooting to editing to uploading and monetization, etc. 

These days, people hire a team full of vloggers to excel in their content.

To start a vlog, it is even more important to identify your niche or area of expertise. It can range from video games to baking, cleaning, organizing a space, etc. 

Having a laptop/computer/tablet/smartphone is equally crucial, and so is the availability of equipment to shoot the content. That said, some of our country’s top vloggers started with just a smartphone! Additional tools like microphones, lights, etc., are always useful in enhancing the quality of a vlog. 

Downloading good editing software and learning how to use it can smoothen the vlog creation process. You can also hire professionals for the same. 

How to make a vlog

The next important step is to create a brand name, tagline, intro, outro, and elements other than the main vlog.

After collecting all of this, shooting and editing the vlog are done.

Post-processing a vlog is when special effects are added, background music is set, and other necessary additions are made to beautify the video.

Once all of this is done, the video is finally set to go online! It can be uploaded for the audience to view on your desired platform. 

Every platform has an analytical tool that shows the reach and traffic. Considering this data, rectifications can be made, ensuring that all the hard work is going in the right direction. 

Vlogging Vs Blogging: The Difference

• Vlogs include video content, whereas a blog consists of written content.

• Platforms for sharing blogs vs vlogs are different. For blogs, there are platforms like Tumblr, Blogger, WordPress, Joomla, etc. For vlogs, there are platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, DailyMotion, etc. 

• Only written content can be shared via blogs, but vlogs can also inculcate excerpts of texts. 

• According to several studies, vlogs tend to attract more audiences than blogs. 

• Vlogs can be monetized via video and static advertisements, while blogs can only be monetized through static advertisements and affiliate links. 

• Blogs have been in existence since the 1990s, while vlogs have come into the picture more recently, since around the 2000s. 

• One of the greatest advantages of vlogs is sharing video content live, starting instantaneously with less or sometimes no imagination at all. In contrast, a blog requires to be written properly with a lot of research, keeping in mind SEO and several other guidelines. 

• Consistency is necessary for both; however, video content can go viral much faster than blogs, which can take time due to the nature in which they are consumed.

Blog Vs Video: Which to Choose?

You need to consider many factors while choosing between blog vs video as your preferred content type. Some of them are as follows:

1. Priority

It is very important to first learn about your interests. It is not important to know everything about blog vs vlog; you learn through the process and eventually grow in a certain field every day. 

Perhaps, explore both or go with the one that sounds more interesting to you and see whether it works for you or not.

Gather knowledge and information about it through your own experience and research. For example, your peers are all in for video content making, maybe because they are good at it or because of their field of expertise. You are free to make your own choice regarding the same; you are not obliged to follow the crowd. Follow and pursue what you like.

2. Choosing a niche

Before making the tough choice of becoming a blogger or vlogger, it is important to consider the field that will go by the category of content you make or are planning to make. 

For example, if you wish to create content in the niche of travel, then video is a better option. It gives the audience an advantage to see places visually despite being anywhere on earth. However, if you wish to create content around stock markets according to your expertise, a written blog with appropriate pictures and stats might be better. 

3. Money matters

Both the fields of blogs and vlogs generate money, but a certain amount of investment must. Although platforms for making and sharing blogs and vlogs are available for free, some features can only be unlocked on payment, which could help enhance the content. 

Consider the return on investment that will be the factor of motivation for you to go ahead with the platform and field. Indeed passion, knowledge, and choices are important, but so is the monetary value of your skill and hard work. 

For example, if your budget allows you to begin with blogging, but your blogs have the potential to generate some good return on investment, then there is nothing wrong with starting with a blog, even if initially it’s not something you’d do as a first choice. 

You may also begin with video, engage some good amount of audience support and go into the field of blogging. 

4. Audience preferences

Along with personal choices, the choices of audiences also matter, because eventually, they will be the consumers of your content. After having clarity of your niche of content, identify the best platform for audience engagement and traffic and flexibility for the audience. 

The platform that goes according to audience interaction and rapport should be a vital point of consideration when choosing between blogging vs video logging. 

For example, if you wish to create content wherein you decide to share your self-invented recipes that lead to a healthy lifestyle, and you can afford to do videos, you should go for a vlog over a blog. Because seeing the recipes TAKING shape from the chef’s point of view will give audiences a sense of authenticity. 

And if you choose to share information and create content related to writing research papers, then obviously, a blog will do them justice as both have the essential component of written content. 

5. Market status and trends

While keeping in mind your personal choices and that of the audience, you should also check what is happening around you.

 Looking at what others are doing can help you get inspiration; that is the real deal, and putting it into the correct place may be the deciding factor to solve your puzzle of choosing between blog vs video. 

Always try to be updated with the type of content you are going to create or are already creating to go in hand with the market trends; this can also ensure more traffic and audience engagement since creative and fresh content is always on top, and trends help get on the bandwagon. 

For example, look for videos on how somebody made it and became successful in their field related to blogging vs video-logging or look up blog articles as to how to go about it or do it with correction. 

It will be a kickstart, and you will not feel alone or frustrated. 

Key Takeaways

• In layman’s language, a blog refers to the written content about a specific topic published on the internet on platforms like Blogger, Tumblr, etc. 
• Vlogging is about videography, and all the steps that lead to sharing a vlog like editing, ideation, shooting, location, etc., shared over the internet via platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and others.  
• When choosing between a blog and vlog, consider the pre-requisites required for creating them, gain some practical knowledge and do some research on which you can afford and for which you are ready to invest. 
• Set your priorities after considering your availability to start blog vs video. 
• Choose your niche and try to produce content that has the potential to be unique. 
• Understand the audiences’ perspective and consider their likes and dislikes to be able to achieve more traffic. 
• Analyze the content creation market and choose wisely between blogging and vlogging. 
• Trying both is optional but can help you to get the required clarity. 

Conclusion

These are just some of the few things one should consider before choosing between blogging vs vlogging. Noting down the pros and cons of each can ease the process and help you make a quicker decision. Speaking to a professional in the field can also help.  

So before or even during deciding between blogging vs vlogging keep in mind all the pointers mentioned in the article and let us know if you have any other suggestions. 

FAQs