How To Start a Vlog Like a Pro and Make Money in 2024: Your 9-Step Guide

D o you want to know how to start a vlog and use it to make money online?

You’ve come to the right place. Years ago, we created a vlog for this blog. We’ve since branched out into several other niches and want to share all the lessons learned along the way. 

So, below I’ll show you:

• How to start vlogging step-by-step
• Best Practices 
• Tips for making money with vlogs
• Great ways to promote your vlog
• And more! 

Key Takeaways on How to Start Vlogging and Make Money

• Define Your Niche: Focus on areas you’re passionate about and knowledgeable about or on the same niche as your blog. Research market demand and potential competition to set a solid foundation.
• Create Quality Content: Ensure your videos have clear visuals and excellent audio. Stick to a regular posting schedule to build audience anticipation and loyalty.
• Invest in Basic Equipment: Start with your smartphone—most these days offer a good enough camera and microphone—and invest in better equipment as your channel grows.
• Choose the Right Platform: Select platforms based on your content style and audience. One simple strategy is to use YouTube for long-form content, then cut it up into quick, engaging clips on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram.
• Engage Your Audience: Interact with your viewers through comments, social media, and, if you’re willing – livestreams. Viewer engagement can increase loyalty and boost your visibility through algorithmic recommendations.
• Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions, create engaging thumbnails, and encourage viewer interaction to boost your video’s visibility.
• Monetize Your Vlog: To earn income from your vlogs, explore various revenue streams such ad revenue from YouTube’s Partner Program, sponsorships and brand deals, merchandising with print-on-demand platforms, or crowdfunding on platforms like Patreon.
• Analyze and Adapt: Use analytics to track your performance, better understand your audience, and refine your content strategy.

What is a Vlog?

Normally, I believe someone searching for instructions on how to do or start something doesn’t need a definition. But in the case of vlogs, I want to avoid any possible confusion! 

Vlogs are a very specific type of video. Short for video blogs, vlogs are a form of video content where creators regularly post video updates about their lives, opinions, or specific topics of shared interest with a potential audience.

And like old-school blogs before the rise of SEO content, video blogging can often be made with a personal, conversational style to give viewers a sense of connection with the creator (see a comparison of vlog vs blog here).

Arguably, the key characteristics of a successful vlog are its consistent, often episodic nature, with regular glimpses into the vlogger’s world or expertise.

How Vlogs Differ from Other Types of Videos

Vlogs have some unique characteristics that set them apart from other video content:

1. Personal Touch: Unlike scripted or highly produced videos on an animated science channel like Kurzgesagt—In a Nutshell, vlogs often feel more spontaneous and authentic.
2. Regular Schedule: Vlogs are typically released on a consistent schedule, creating a sense of continuity for viewers.
3. Direct Address: Vloggers usually speak directly to the camera, which creates a one-on-one feel with the audience.
4. Narrative Structure: Many vlogs follow a day-in-the-life or journey format althout they can still include standalone informational or entertainment videos but not quite as often.
5. Community Engagement: Vloggers often build strong communities, encouraging viewer interaction and feedback.
6. Evolution Over Time: Viewers often follow a vlogger’s journey, watching their vlogging channel and production style evolve over the years.

How are Vloggers Different From Streamers?

It can pretty easy to confuse the two, but streamers and vloggers are indeed different.

Vlogs are pre-recorded and edited, relatively quick videos with some sort of structure or cohesive narrative. Think Mr. Beast, old Jake and Logan Paul, and Casey Neistat videos.

To ensure we’re absolutely clear on what a vlog is, here’s an excellent example:

Streams, on the other hand, are more free-flowing, unfiltered ‘streams of consciousness’.

An example would be video game streamers like Ninja, who stream themselves playing games as they talk.

Streamers generally film themselves for long periods as they do some activity, interacting with a live audience in the chat. Vloggers, on the other hand, are more separated from their audience and can choose to interact with them in the comments, their DMs, or if they ever do a special livestream Q&A.

And, of course, many do both.

Generally, vloggers upload and share their content on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Streamers use Twitch, Kick, YouTube Live, Facebook gaming, or another live streaming platform. So, their monetization is also different. Because streams are live with generally little rewatch value (IMO), streamers generally earn income from subscriptions and donations from fans and sponsorships from brands and streaming platforms.

Vloggers, on the other hand, have more ways to make money, including ads and affiliate marketing (but we discuss all this in our section on how vlogs make money).

Personally, I’m quite partial to pre-recorded vlog-style videos despite the more work involved. But just to ensure we include an unbiased look on the subject, here are some of the nuanced benefits of streaming.

How to Start Vlogging? Your Step-by-Step Guide

Vlogs are an awesome way to start creating video content for a YouTube channel or social media.

And just like when you start a blog, you learn a ton of valuable skills in the process. 

One little highlight I want to ensure is covered at the start though is to avoid going out and investing in expensive camera equipment or a studio setup as a beginner.

You need to get some reps in before you know this is something you’re interested in. That’s why I’ve created this beginner’s guide on how to start!

1. Choose Your Vlog Niche/Subject

For example, when starting a blog, it’s best to pick a niche before posting it into the void.

Your niche selection is the foundation on which you build all of your content and audience around. 

Here’s how to approach this extremely important first step:

Hone in on your passions. Start by listing topics you’re genuinely interested in. Your enthusiasm will shine through in your videos, which, in turn, will make them more engaging.

Consider areas where you have knowledge or skills. This could be from your profession, hobbies, or life experiences. And if you do already have a blog, you could strongly consider creating your first vlog around the same topic.

(This way, you can simply repurpose your top-performing blog content into video – an easy solution!)

Here’s an example of a vlog we did for this article on how to start a blog:

Otherwise, you can research market demand. And use tools like Google Trends, YouTube search suggestions (like People Also Ask in Google), and keyword research with a tool like Ahref’s free tool or TubeBuddy to gauge interest in your potential topics.

Research your potential competition. Look at existing vlogs in your chosen niche. Is there room for a fresh perspective, or is the market oversaturated?

Consider monetization potential. Some niches are more lucrative than others. Think about how you might monetize your content in the future.

Balance specificity and breadth. Choose a niche specific enough to attract a dedicated audience but broad enough to provide ample content ideas.

Test and refine. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different subjects initially. Pay attention to which videos resonate most with your audience and adjust accordingly.

Remember, your niche should be something you can consistently create content about over the long term. It should excite you enough to motivate you through the challenges of building a vlogging career. AND it should be a niche that can eventually make you money down the road (if you care about that at all).

According to this study by TubeBuddy, the top 5 most profitable niches are:

1. Make Money Online with a CPM of $13.52 (CPM meaning the amount advertisers are willing to pay YouTube per every 1,000 views)
2. Digital Marketing
3. Personal Finance (Pretty surprised this isn’t number 1)
4. Educational
5. Tech, Cars, and Gadgets

So you’ll want to choose wisely – and carefully! 

2. Research Your Target Audience Competition

Understanding your potential viewers and fellow vloggers is crucial for success. Here’s how to approach this research:

So, once you’ve selected your niche and identified your target audience (ideally, people similar to you), you’ll want to consider factors like age, peripheral interests, and general online behavior.

There are lots of cool free and paid tools to help you research other channels, like:

• YouTube Channel Statistics – ViewStats
• Modash.io | Find, Analyze & Monitor Influencers
• YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, & Instagram Statistics – SocialBlade.com
• Boost Your Views And Subscribers On YouTube – vidIQ

Study successful vloggers in your niche. Watch their content, noting what works well and what doesn’t. Pay attention to their posting frequency, video style, and audience engagement.

Analyze your competition’s growth strategies. Look at how they promote their videos, collaborate with others, and engage their audience.

Stay updated on trends. Look for emerging topics and styles in your niche to stay relevant and capture new audience segments.

And identify gaps in the market. Look for topics and in particular, topic angles that aren’t being covered by other vloggers. These can be easy wins to stand out.

Because the goal isn’t to copy others. You’re going to use this research to learn from them and find your unique angle. Use this research to inform your content strategy and help you carve out your space in the vlogging world.

As you get going, you can access granular details via YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok analytics regarding your user demographics, preferences, and the inspirations tab (which is absolutely awesome)!

3. Choose Your Primary Vlog Platform

Selecting the right platform for your vlog is obviously key because it affects your reach, audience interaction, and monetization options. Each video platform has unique features that take time to internalize and master. 

Here are some of the best video platforms:

• YouTube is the best choice for long-form video content and my personal favorite. It offers robust monetization options and a massive audience – as the second biggest search engine in the world. And YouTube Shorts – although not great for monetization, can help you go viral and gain traction for your longer content! Check out our complete guide to starting a YouTube channel here!
• TikTok is ideal for short, snappy content. It’s great for reaching younger audiences and going viral quickly, thanks to its algorithm, which can quickly boost new content if the initial viewers stay engaged. 
• Instagram Reels are also perfect for shorter videos. It’s popular among younger audiences and offers sponsored posts and brand partnership opportunities.
• Twitch is a popular live streaming platform, especially in the gaming and creative/crafts niches.

So, when choosing your platform, you’ll want to think about your content format. Does your niche work better with short clips or longer, in-depth videos?

In my opinion, if you want to actually make money vlogging, you’ll want to be in a niche with a target audience that consumes long-form content on YouTube.

This way, you can repurpose and splice up short-form clips that you can post on other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms. 

You also may want to consider their built-in video editing software, live streaming options, and especially community-building features.

And, of course, last but certainly not least – consider each platform’s monetization opportunities! Consider each platform’s monetization policies and requirements.

4. Plan your Content

Now that you’ve completed that initial but essential research, it’s time to focus on your actual vlog content!

You’ll want to research to determine what topics people in your niche are actually interested in. 

One mistake you’ll want to avoid is dumping a bunch of time and effort into topics that won’t bring much of a return. 

So – even if no one sees your first vlog, you’ll want to start with the right foundation and mindset for what will eventually bring results. 

So go don’t skimp on the research to see what topics are doing well for others in your niche. 

5. Scripting Your Vlog

This will obviously depend on your niche. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For instance a travel vlog all about spontaneity and new experiences would be tough to script out. But a cooking vlog or educational vlog could absolutely use scripting. 

And even if you do script, your approach should largely depend on your personal style. But here are some helpful tips to keep in mind regardless. 

1. Start by Creating an Outline
Even if you’re not writing a full script, having a clear structure can be super helpful. Even if you just jot down the main points you want to cover. This simple step can keep your vlog focused and coherent, preventing those dreaded “um” and “uh” moments. You or your video editor will thank you(rself)!

2. Craft a Strong Opening
Your vlog’s first few seconds are crucial. As I believe I mentioned above, you need to plan a strong hook to grab your viewers’ attention right off the bat.

This can be something like an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a teaser of what’s to come in the video. Some ‘vlog’ channels that do this really well are:

• StarterStory, 
• My First Million,
• and Jay Clouse (check out this as an example):

3. Keep It Natural 
Whether you’re reading from a script or speaking off-the-cuff, you want to aim for a casual, conversational tone. You want to talk as if you’re speaking to a friend. This approach will help you create a connection with your audience or at least boost your likeability!

4. Plan Out Your Transitions
You’ll probably want to think about how you’ll move from one point to another. This way you can keep your viewers engaged throughout and at least have some strategy for how to keep the value coming throughout!

5. Consider Your B-Roll
If you’re planning to use supplementary footage, make notes in your script or outline about where these clips might fit. This forethought can save you time during editing. 

6. Be Aware of Your Timing
Be mindful of your target video length. It may be tough to tell at the start but even having a vague target can really help you structure your content accordingly and avoid rushing through important points or rambling on too long. But do ensure you leave room for authenticity.

7. End with some Call to Action
Plan a strong conclusion for your vlog. Just like with a blog, it’s best to think about what action you want viewers to take next. Whether that’s subscribing to your channel, leaving a comment, watching another video, checking out your products or services, whatever!

Ideally, the goal is to strike the balance between preparation and authenticity. As you go, you’ll see what level of scripting works best for you and resonates with your audience. And of course, feel free to experiment and iterate on your approach.

If you want some help with basic YouTube scripting and titles, etc., check out this free Notion template by the scriptwriter for Ali Abdaal and other prolific YouTubers. 

5. Shoot Your First Video (Practice!)

Of course, in the beginning, getting your reps in is key. Only a complete narcissist will be comfortable in front of the camera from the jump (kidding!).

Your first series of videos will likely be your worst; but rememeber – there’s a good chance no one will see them at least until you grow your channel. That’s just how it is. 

But as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. 

So it’s time to start shooting and not overthink it! Press record and start talking.

For your first attempt, I’d aim for a 3-5 minute video. This makes the process less daunting and easier to edit. And the topic could be something like an introduction to your channel or a subject you’re passionate or really know a lot about.

So, simply set up your equipment using whatever camera you have, even if it’s just your phone. (But do ensure you have good lighting and clear audio as that will be important when you upload.)

6. Edit Your Video

Editing is crucial for creating engaging vlogs. Here’s how to approach it as a beginner:

Start simple. Begin with basic cuts and simple transitions. You also want to prioritize trimming your vlogs of unnecessary fat to keep them concise and as engaging as possible.

Choose a user-friendly video editor. For beginners, I’d recommend avoiding something like Adobe Premiere Pro. This will be just another skill to learn and it’ll be much easier to use alternatives like iMovie (for Mac), Filmora, or even Canva to get going. These options give you intuitive interfaces and basic features that’ll do the job.

As you go through this process, practice ordering your video clips to tell a coherent and compelling story. With all content creation the name of the game is engagement – and as a creator – you can reach out to friends and family to get their thoughts before hitting publish.

You may find it helpful to include text and/or titles to introduce yourself or key points. Especially for edutainment vlogs this can be really helpful. 

7. Upload Your Vlog

Check video quality. Make sure your video is clear and watchable. But it doesn’t need to be perfect. Even if it’s not perfect, it should be good enough for viewers to enjoy.

And make sure your sound quality and voice are audible and clear. Poor audio is usually worse for viewers than poor video quality.

Here are some specs to reference for uploading to YouTube:

File Format

• Container: MP4 is the recommended container.
• Video Codec: H.264 is the recommended codec.
• Audio Codec: AAC-LC with a sample rate of 48 kHz or 96 kHz.

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

• Resolutions: YouTube supports a range of resolutions from 240p to 2160p (4K).
  • 2160p: 3840×2160
  • 1440p: 2560×1440
  • 1080p: 1920×1080
  • 720p: 1280×720
  • 480p: 854×480
  • 360p: 640×360
  • 240p: 426×240
• Aspect Ratio: The standard aspect ratio is 16:9. Videos with other aspect ratios will be processed to fit 16:9 screens.

Frame Rate

• Frame Rates: YouTube supports common frame rates 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 frames per second (fps). But you’ll likely just want to use the native frame rate of your video camera.

Bitrate

• Bitrate: The bitrate depends on the resolution and frame rate of your video. I’m no rocket scientist but here are the recommended bitrates for uploads:
  • 1080p at 30 fps: 8 Mbps (SDR) / 10 Mbps (HDR)
  • 1080p at 60 fps: 12 Mbps (SDR) / 15 Mbps (HDR)
  • 1440p at 30 fps: 16 Mbps (SDR) / 20 Mbps (HDR)
  • 1440p at 60 fps: 24 Mbps (SDR) / 30 Mbps (HDR)
  • 2160p at 30 fps: 35-45 Mbps (SDR) / 44-56 Mbps (HDR)
  • 2160p at 60 fps: 53-68 Mbps (SDR) / 66-85 Mbps (HDR)

Audio

• Audio Channels: Stereo (2 channels) is recommended. And YouTube also supports 5.1 surround sound.
• Bitrate: 384 kbps is recommended for stereo audio.

Other Important Requirements

• File Size: The maximum file size is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.
• Video Length: Standard accounts can upload videos up to 15 minutes long while verified accounts can upload videos longer than 15 minutes.
• Thumbnail: Custom thumbnails should be 1280×720 pixels, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The recommended format is JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG, under 2MB.
• Bonus Inclusion – Video Chapters: If possible, you’ll want to add video chapters in the video description to let viewers quickly navigate through the video.

8. ‘SEO’ Your Video 

To succeed on a platform like YouTube, you must optimize for discoverability. 

Your topic selection earlier will certainly help focus you in the right direction. But then it’s also important to add keywords to your titles and descriptions. 

Ideally you’ll want to keep your titles to under 50 characters if possible. And make them as engaging as possible without clickbaiting! 

You’ll also want to include a detailed description – front-loading important information and keywords in the first few lines.

You can also use tags strategically, first with your main keyword and then including both broad and specific terms related to your content.

Part of the ‘SEO’ on a vlogging platform is also the thumbnail. Arguably, even more than the title, it’s what gets people to click.

So, be sure to create eye-catching custom thumbnails that stand out in search results.

And along with your CTA mentioned above, make sure to encourage viewer engagement by asking for likes, comments, and subscriptions. You can help boost these interaction signals yourself though to get the ball rolling by making sure to respond to any and all comments.

But don’t get lost in the weeds. Over time it’ll all get better. And, like with blogs, the key is to get going. And likewise, while ‘SEO’ is certainly important – reating high-quality, engaging content should always be your primary focus.

Good SEO helps viewers find your content, but it’s the content itself that will keep them watching and eventually clicking to your other videos. For bonus help, check out this guide by the great YouTube SEO platform TubeBuddy:

9. Track Your Progress and Keep Going!

After creating your first vlogs, watch it back and note what you like and areas for improvement.

Remember, every successful vlogger started with their first video. The key is to start, learn from the vlogging experience to improve with each new video you create. Your vlogging style and technical skills will naturally develop over time as you gain more experience.

Find your vlogging style. Experiment with different approaches. Are you casual and conversational, or more formal and structured? Try both and see what feels natural.

Organize your videos into themed playlists to increase watch time and use keywords in playlist titles and descriptions. As you grow, analyze your video performance using YouTube Analytics and adjust your strategy accordingly. Consider creating series of related videos to establish topic authority, and collaborate with other YouTubers for wider exposure.

How to Make Money as a Vlogger

As you build a solid audience, monetization becomes the natural next step. 

YouTube Ads

This is typically the first monetization method for YouTubers.

Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program.

I remember the excitement of seeing my first ad revenue, even if it was just a few dollars. Just like those first first adsense dollars on a blog, it’s passive income that grows with your channel.

Affiliate Links

Affiliate marketing – when done correctly – can be a game-changer.

Just like on Blog Tyrant, I include links to products I genuinely use and recommend in my video descriptions.

When viewers make purchases through these links, I earn a commission.

It’s a win-win: my audience gets trusted recommendations, and I get financially rewarded for sharing valuable information.

Sponsorships

As your audience grows, brands in or around your niche (targeting the same audience demographics) will probably start reaching out. 

You can also be proactive about it, reaching out to brands you like or think would be a good fit to initiate a partnership. 

For longevity though, the key is to only partner with brands that align with your content and actual values. 

You’ll want be selective and transparent about sponsorships to keep the trust with your audience. 

And also – don’t sell yourself short. Brands actually can get more value with a ‘micro-influencer’ with an actually engaged audience than some mega-influencer with no real connection to their audience. 

Sell Merchandise

Creating merch can be both profitable and rewarding.

And with print on demand companies like Printful, Printify, or TeeLaunch (quality may vary), you can pretty easily test the waters with your own branded merch line. 

Lots of vloggers do this with pretty significant success. 

And Printify recently did a study from their top 30 content creators (by sales) to see what categories were most popular:

Other Creative Monetization Methods:

1. TikTok Creator Fund: The TikTok Creator Fund can provide some pretty measly income based on your video views and engagement. But it’s typically very little – but hey something is better than nothing right?
2. YouTube Channel Memberships: YouTube offers exclusive perks to viewers who pay a monthly fee to be “members” of your channel. Just note that the platform takes around a 50% cut. 
3. Super Chat and Super Stickers: Are a special feature of YouTube partner program (see additional requirements) where during live streams, viewers can pay to have their messages highlighted, which equals money to your in real-time.
4. Digital Products: You can always create and sell ebooks, presets, and online courses related to your vlog channel (check out our Easy Digital Downloads review).
5. Patreon: Patreon (and Patreon alternatives) can be helpful ways for fans to support you each month in exchange for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, or other goodies.
6. TikTok Shop: For those with a significant TikTok following, the TikTok Shop feature lets you sell products directly through your videos and live streams.
7. Virtual Meet and Greets: For those with fans around the world, it’s possible to also host paid virtual events or webinars where fans can interact with you directly, ask questions, and get personalized advice from your vlogging journey (just as an example). But I certainly wouldn’t recommend charging your audience money to just interact with you!

What Makes a Good Vlog? Vlogging Tips & Best Practices

Here are some essential keys that you should never forget! 

Be You, Be Authentic

With video – as so in life, authenticity is your greatest asset ;). Viewers can spot inauthenticity from a mile away.

It’s always hard to tell what content will resonate with others, so it’s best to just be yourself. And I’ve found that my most popular vlogs are the ones where I’m genuinely myself, quirks and all. 

So don’t try to mimic other vloggers – your unique personality is what will attract and retain viewers.

Consistency

Consistency is actually super important for the YouTube algorithm as well as other platforms like TikTok, especially in regards to posting schedule. (And not just for the algorithm but for working the vlogging muscle!)

It’s helps to upload weekly or bi-weekly. For instance, posting every Wednesday. 

This regularity will help build anticipation and a loyal audience. 

And depending on the person it may help to not put too much pressure on yourself like diving in and aiming for too consistent a posting schedule. This could set yourself up for disappointment if you ever can’t make it. So just set a goal you’re comfortable achieving!

Have a Strong Opener To Hook The Audience

This is not so much in the cliche that people have ‘short attention’ spans and so they can’t consume long-form content. But moreso as there’s just sooo much other great content out there! 

And again, your first 15 seconds are critical. I always start with something intriguing and engaging – a surprising fact, a funny moment, or a teaser of what’s to come.

This hook should give viewers a reason to stick around for the entire video. But as I get into more below, you need to offer value or entertainment of some kind Throughout the video! 

Provide Value Throughout The Video Length

Every minute of your vlog should offer something to the viewer. It can be entertainment, information, or inspiration. But you need to give them something.

Constantly ask yourself, “Why would someone want to watch this?” If you can’t think of a reason for any segment of the video, then it belongs on the cutting room floor.

Don’t Overdo The Editing

Editing is important, but over-editing can be distracting and detrimental.

I hear fellow vloggers and video content creators mention it surprisingly often: that the videos with the least video production value and effort performed the best. 

This also goes back to the importance of authenticity. 

People are inundated with ads and glossy marketing content made to manipulate and sell viewers all day long and people know it today more than ever. So when a video is both entertaining and real, you’ve got a winning formula. 

So – you’ll want to prioritize a natural flow over a highly polished, overly-cut video. Smooth transitions and basic effects are great, but you don’t need editing tricks to overshadow your content or personality.

Adapt As Needed

Just like with blogging, you also need to nimble and agile with vlogging. 

Stay updated with YouTube’s algorithm changes and open to refine your approach based on new trends or data you see in YouTube Studio.

So pay attention to your analytics, again – check out the Inspirations tab in YouTube Studio, read comments, and be open to feedback – from people who know what they’re talking about! 

I’ve pivoted my content several times based on reasonable viewer feedback, and I’d recommend you do as well. 

Basically it’s the same as anything. We need to stay true to ourselves, but also willing to evolve and try new things.

How To Promote Your Vlog Content

Besides the YouTube SEO tips shared above there are other things you can do to help improve your reach. 

Say if your primary platform is YouTube, you should still make use of the others platforms like TikTok, Instagram (see also our guide on blogging on Instagram), Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube shorts, and if applicable – even LinkedIn. Again you can splice up longer videos into bite sized ‘previews’ to help spread the word. 

If you also have a blog, you can always embed your videos in related blog posts. And ensure those blogs rank via good SEO for better organic reach. 

If you really want to increase your numbers, you can also run ads on your videos. These could be YouTube ads, Google ads, or Meta ads running to a landing page where you can get email and YouTube subscribers. This way, you can build and keep in touch with your audience. 

If possible, you can also collaborate with fellow content creators to reach a new audience. Kinda like guest blogging but in video form.

This could be a podcast interview or a collab on a specific topic, or even teaming up with a group of fellow vloggers in your niche. So, you cover similar topics around the same time and cross-promote each other’s videos for various takes. 

What Equipment Do I Need to Start Vlogging?

To start vlogging, you need:

• Camera: Your smartphone is sufficient to begin. Later, consider a dedicated vlogging camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (which I use and love) or the Sony FDR-X3000, although it’s quite old now—but still popular among travel bloggers.

• Microphone: Start with your camera’s built-in mic, but an external microphone like the Rode VideoMicro can greatly improve audio quality.
• Editing Software: Free options like Canva, iMovie (Mac) or DaVinci Resolve (Windows/Mac) work well for beginners.
• Tripod: A simple tabletop tripod or flexible option like the Joby GorillaPod helps stabilize your shots – but the DJI Pocket 3 Creator combo includes a microphone, tripod, and more.

Successful Vloggers For Inspiration

There are successful vloggers in all sorts of categories. 

You can easily search for the top vloggers (by numbers) on a site like Mr. Beast’s ViewStats or Social Blade. 

But I’d like to take the opportunity to give a shout-out to some of my personal favorites who do a good job of engaging and entertaining their audience:

• Casey Neistat: Perhaps the most well-known YouTube vlogger, Casey would upload daily vlogs on all sorts of topics and getting into all sorts of shenanigans in the Big Apple. 
• Oompaville: This guy is great. His content is engaging, entertaining, and it’s usually just him in front of his computer sharing some ‘video blog’ on various topical… topics :S. 
• Shiey: This is a rather unique ‘travel vlog’ and this guy lives my personal dream. He goes around with his GoPro exploring abandoned places like Chernobyl or train hopping across Eastern Europe, and other unique adventures. 
• Olga Zarr SEO: This is a lesser-known SEO channel than, say, the Ahrefs vlog channel, but don’t sleep on this one. Olga is an SEO consultant with over a decade of experience who covers a range of SEO-related topics to help you do better in the SERPs. 
• Ryan Trahan: Another successful vlogger who typically does fun ‘challenges’ like crossing USA with $0.01 or doing something for an extended period of time wearing VR goggles or something. Just good old, wholesome fun. Oh, and his popular videos lack all the typical crazy editing tricks of Mr. Beast ‘clones’. 

How To Start a Vlog FAQ

Here are some answers to common questions about vlogging and making money with vlogs!

Which Topic is Best for Vlogging?

There is no universal answer to this. The best topic for vlogging is one you’re passionate about and can consistently create content about. Most successful vlogs revolve around lifestyle, travel, tech reviews, cooking, personal development, or learning some type of hobby or trade like carpentry.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t cover something else you’re interested in. I’ve seen vlogs about niche hobbies like lock picking or urban foraging grow dedicated followings. Just check out all the different subreddits out there and you’ll understand just how many obscure interests there are!

Can You Start a Vlog With Your Phone?

Absolutely! I would actually recommend starting with just a smartphone. That way you don’t waste any money and can see if it’s something you could continue doing long term. And new phones these days from Apple and Samsung have great built-in cameras and microphones. Plus, there are tons of apps for editing on your phone.

As you grow and continue, you might want to invest in some external microphones or a vlog camera. But just remember that compelling content matters more than having fancy equipment.

Can Vlogging Make You Rich?

Vlogging can certainly be profitable, but I certainly wouldn’t get into it expecting to get rich. It’s important to have realistic expectations. Vlogging has been a thing since the beginning of YouTube back in 2005 and an estimated 3.7 million videos are uploaded to YouTube every day. And 34 million uploaded to TikTok. But don’t let that discourage you. I know successful vloggers who make a comfortable living. Granted, it generally took years of consistent work to get there, but if vlogging is something you enjoy doing, then the money will eventually come.

And as we saw above, there are many ways to monetize a vlog.  But building and Keeping a substantial audience takes time, effort, and often a bit of luck. So, focus on creating value for your audience first, and monetization opportunities will come as you grow.

How To Start Vlogging and Make Money in Closing

There you have it. You now have everything you need to start a vlog and get it off the ground. Whether or not you make money from it will be up to you and if you stick with it.

Just like we’ve sometimes shared about blogging, when you start and grow your skills you may want to freelance to further hone your skills – which can be another great way to make money from vlogging. But ya