How Bloggers Can Use Video - Part 1

We're all used to seeing the Vlogger rant where a blogger sets up in front of his or her computer camera and talks and talks at us.

I'm more interested when thoughtful bloggers try their hand in video in more unusual ways.

Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project created "The Years Are Short."  She hosted it on YouTube last year and it's happily driving traffic to her blog.

Gretchen told me,

"I wrote the text of the videos myself, but worked with someone else to make them into videos.  I did it because I know that some people connect better to an idea that is told more narratively and visually, than in a few paragraphs.

As much as possible, I try to mix up the way I deliver information. I myself am always drawn to the written word, but I try to shake things up when I can.

I’ve had great success – in particular, people really seem to love “The years are short.” I get a lot of comments about them, and a lot of people come over to my site and my newsletter from them."

Takeaways:

• Use video to shake up your blog
• Craft the story first
• Think in visuals
• Ask/barter/pay for help if you want your video to stand out (and drive traffic)

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Comments

[Danny Brown]

Wow, Chris, I have goosebumps after watching that.

I agree, that is such a cool way to do a video blog without just the usual blogger in front of the lens. Loved it, absolutely loved it.

Thanks for sharing this, I think I have a new blogger to check out.

[Christopher Ming Ryan]

Glad I could help. Do you think that bloggers would spend valuable time and try to craft interesting videos like this? I would like to think so...

[Keenan]

Well done brother. You have a VERY creative sense. I love the suggestion. It's crisp, clear and yet oddly enough unexpected.

Thanks for the education. You have me thinking.

Well done!

[Christopher Ming Ryan]

Thanks Keenen.  I think when you have only two minutes or so you gotta build in the unexpected to be memorable.