DIGITAL:// How to Vlog 📹📲

🛸 Brought to you by AI

Hey y’all —

I often use AI to figure out how to do work things. I wish I had my AI back in 2017 because it would have answered so many of my questions as I entered the content creator world full bore.

With models like ChatGPT, you can ask it literally anything, and it will answer. This must be treated with care, and remember it is learning more about you than you are about it with everything you ask.

Anyways, that’s not the point of this post. The point of this post is about getting acclimated to video content.

Despite being publicly online for over a decade now on various platfroms, one thing I’ve never done before is vlog.

I always wanted to, especially with all my travel (which was especially at its peak in 2017), but it seemed too much to learn, and I got overwhelmed.

Back in the pre-2020 days, the only resource really was Google, but to be honest, truly the best source was people already doing it.

TikTok wasn’t a thing (which also has GREAT advice btw), Instagram was trying hard to make IGTV a thing (which ig is now Reels?), and for whatever reason, no one was really using their phones for vlogging; it was all digital cameras.

Despite the help I graciously received from friends in the influencer world and my personal research, I never got to it. I kept getting overwhelmed.

As life, and especially travel, ramps back up (it’s feeling a lot like 2017 travel-wise), I’ve had the itch to vlog again.

I’ve also wanted to make cooking videos and some interactive wine content for a long time. Not to mention, there’s so much I want to video for Plaza. Also, it’s no secret that video is king and will continue to be for the next decade.

I recently went on YouTube for some “how-tos,” but I’ll be honest. I found it a little too complicated, similar to how I did years ago. BUT! This time, I have AI, so I decided to take it there.

Honestly, the advice was simple, concise, and precisely what I needed. I figured I’d copy/paste here as a reference point for anyone else looking for this.

Sure, this may be super basic advice, and sure, some stuff I knew, but this is still a topic I’m a complete novice on. I am starting from 0 with this. Even the things I knew were nice to have in a “checklist” formula.

I will be using this camera for vlogging (my husband got it for me in 2017 so I could start vlogging!! Seven years is better late than never!!!), so I asked for that specifically with GPT.

AI:// How to Vlog

The Canon G7X Mark II is a popular choice for vlogging due to its compact size and excellent video quality. Here are some tips to help you get started with vlogging using your camera:

1. Understand Your Camera Settings:

Video Quality: Set your camera to record in the highest quality possible. For the G7X Mark II, this is typically 1080p at 60 frames per second.

Aperture: Take advantage of the wide aperture (f/1.8 at the widest setting) to get a nice blurred background.

ISO and Exposure: Learn to adjust these settings based on your lighting conditions to avoid underexposed or overexposed videos.

2. Stabilization:

While the G7X Mark II has built-in optical image stabilization, consider using a tripod or a handheld gimbal for smoother footage, especially if you’re moving around. (note: I use this & this)

3. Audio:

The G7X Mark II has a decent built-in microphone, but consider using an external recorder or microphone for higher audio quality. Since the G7X Mark II doesn’t have a microphone input, you might need to sync audio and video during editing. (if anyone has reccs, lmk)

4. Lighting:

Good lighting is crucial for quality video. Natural light is your best friend, but you might want to invest in additional lighting equipment like ring lights or softboxes if you're indoors.

5. Composition:

Use the rule of thirds to frame your shots. The G7X Mark II’s flip screen is helpful for framing your shots when you’re in front of the camera.

Keep your background interesting but not too distracting.

6. Battery Life and Storage:

Have spare batteries and memory cards on hand, as video recording can consume much power and storage. (slightly off-topic, but I always stock up on memory cards and digital storage during Prime Day sales. I can do this in a separate post - and I’m still working on a system, lol - but every year gets its own hard drive. This is actually quite convenient since I started this ~2020 so now in 2024 I’m at v4.0)

7. Editing:

Editing is as important as shooting. Use software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or more beginner-friendly options like iMovie or DaVinci Resolve to cut, refine, add music, and adjust your videos.

8. Practice Makes Perfect:

The more you shoot and edit, the better you’ll get. Experiment with different styles, angles, and settings to find what works best for you and your audience.

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How to Film

To start filming on your Canon G7X Mark II, you must switch from photo to video mode. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Power On: Turn on your camera using the power button.

2. Mode Switch: Look for a dial or a switch to toggle between photo and video modes. On the G7X Mark II, there is a dial on top of the camera that you can rotate to switch between different modes.

3. Selecting Video Mode:

• Rotate the mode dial to the video icon, which typically looks like a video camera or a movie camera icon. This sets the camera to video mode.

• Once in video mode, you can press the record button to start and stop recording. The record button is usually designated with a red dot and may be located on the back of the camera or near the shutter button.

4. Adjust Settings: Before you start recording, adjust your settings as needed. This includes setting the resolution, frame rate, and exposure settings. You might also want to set the autofocus to continuous mode to keep the focus on you as you move.

5. Frame Your Shot: Use the flip screen to help you see what you are filming, especially if you are in front of the camera. Frame your shot according to what you want your viewers to see.

6. Start Recording: Press the record button to start filming your video. Press it again to stop recording.

If you’re having trouble finding these settings or buttons, I’d recommend checking the user manual for your camera, as it will have diagrams showing where everything is located. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be able to start creating your vlogs in no time!

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How to Edit

Editing vlogs can be a creative and rewarding process that allows you to enhance your footage and effectively communicate your story. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through editing your vlogs:

1. Choose the Right Software

• For Beginners: Software like iMovie (Mac), Windows Video Editor (Windows), or Adobe Premiere Rush is user-friendly and sufficient for basic edits.

• For Advanced Users: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, or DaVinci Resolve offer more advanced tools and greater control over the editing process.

2. Organize Your Footage

• Import all your video clips into your editing software.

• Organize clips into folders or bins based on the sequence or topics to keep your workflow organized.

3. Create a Rough Cut

• Start by laying out your clips on the timeline in the order that makes sense for your story.

• Trim clips to remove unnecessary footage, focusing on keeping only the most engaging or relevant parts.

• Adjust the sequence as needed to ensure a smooth flow and logical progression of events.

4. Refine Your Edit

Cut on Action: Make cuts during movements to help transitions feel smoother and more natural.

Keep It Tight: Avoid long pauses or redundant content that might bore your audience. Keep the pace engaging.

Add B-Roll: Use B-roll (supplementary footage) to add visual interest or cover cuts. This can include scenery shots, close-ups, or other contextual footage.

5. Add Effects and Transitions

• Use transitions sparingly. Simple cuts are often best, but smooth fades or creative transitions can be used to enhance the storytelling.

• Add effects if needed, but be mindful not to overdo them as they can become distracting.

6. Work on the Audio

• Ensure that your dialogue is clear and audible. Adjust the audio levels of speaking parts to be consistent throughout the vlog.

• Add background music to enhance the mood. Make sure the music does not overpower the dialogue.

• Consider using sound effects to enhance the storytelling or to add humor.

7. Add Titles and Graphics

• Use lower thirds to introduce speakers or add context.

• Add opening titles and closing credits to give your vlog a professional look.

• Include call-to-action graphics, like prompts to subscribe or follow your social media.

8. Color Correction and Grading

• Adjust the colors to make sure the footage looks consistent across different shots.

• Use color grading to enhance the visual style and tone of your vlog.

9. Export Your Video

• Export your final video in the appropriate format. For YouTube, typically a 1080p or 4K resolution in MP4 format works well.

• Check the platform's recommended settings for other specifications like bitrate and audio codec.

10. Review and Feedback

• Watch your edited vlog several times to catch any issues with audio, transitions, or pacing.

• Consider getting feedback from someone else before you publish, as fresh eyes might catch things you missed.

Remember, editing is as much about storytelling as it is about technical skills. With practice, you'll get better at deciding how to cut, transition, and pace your vlogs to keep your audience engaged. Enjoy the process of bringing your vlogs to life!

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Organizing Footage

Organizing your footage effectively is crucial for a smooth and efficient editing process, especially as your vlogs become more complex or when dealing with large amounts of video content. Here’s how to organize your footage better:

1. Create a Project Folder

Start by creating a main project folder on your computer or an external hard drive. This folder will house all the files related to your vlog.

2. Use Subfolders

Within the main project folder, create subfolders to keep everything organized. Typical subfolders might include:

• Raw Footage: Where all your unedited video clips go.

• Audio: For separate audio files, if any, like music tracks or voiceovers.

• Graphics: For any still images, logos, or graphics you plan to use.

• Exports: A place to save your final versions and drafts.

• Project Files: For saving the actual editing software project files.

3. Label Your Files Clearly

Naming your files clearly and consistently can save you a lot of time during editing. Include details like the date of shooting, location, and what the content generally covers. For example, `2024-05-01_Healdsburg_WineryTour.mp4`.

4. Group Clips by Type or Scene

Organize your video clips either by the type of shot (e.g., interviews, B-roll, main content) or by scene (e.g., introduction, main activity, conclusion). This makes it easier to find and sequence clips during editing.

5. Use Metadata

If your editing software supports it, adding metadata to your clips can further enhance organization. Metadata can include tags, ratings, or comments about what each clip contains or how you plan to use it.

6. Create Bins in Your Editing Software

Most advanced editing software allows you to create bins or collections within your project. You can mirror the physical folder structure in your project, making it easy to locate your clips as you edit.

7. Use Timelines for Different Sequences

If you’re working on a particularly complex vlog, consider creating different timelines for various parts of your vlog (e.g., one timeline for the introduction, another for the main story, etc.). This can help manage and edit sections independently before combining them.

8. Regularly Update Your Project Save

As you organize and edit, regularly save new versions of your project file to avoid losing progress in case of software or system issues. Incremental saves (e.g., `Vlog_Edit_v1`, `Vlog_Edit_v2`, etc.) can also allow you to go back to previous versions if needed.

9. Backup Your Files

Always have backups of your raw footage and completed projects. Use external drives or cloud storage to ensure you don’t lose your data.

By taking the time to organize your footage and related files at the beginning of your editing process, you'll make the editing itself much more straightforward and enjoyable. This organization is especially critical if you find yourself returning to old projects to reuse clips or remix content.

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Here are some additional tips to enhance your vlogging experience with the Canon G7X Mark II:

1. Experiment with Angles and Perspectives:

Don’t just stick to one angle or level. Try high and low angles, and use unusual perspectives to make your vlogs more interesting and dynamic.

2. Utilize the Flip Screen:

The flip screen is incredibly useful for vlogging. Use it to monitor your framing and ensure you’re always in the shot as you intend.

3. Take Advantage of the Touchscreen:

The G7X Mark II’s touchscreen can be used to quickly set focus points or adjust settings without fumbling through menus, which is very handy while recording.

4. Plan Your Content:

While spontaneous vlogs can be engaging, having a plan or a script can help keep your content focused and ensure you cover all the points you intend to.

5. Keep Your Content Engaging:

Try to keep your content fresh and engaging. This could mean incorporating interesting facts, humor, or varying the content type (interviews, tutorials, day-in-the-life segments).

6. Engage with Your Viewers:

Talk directly to your audience, ask questions, and encourage comments. This can help build a community around your vlogs.

7. Be Consistent:

Regular uploads can help keep your audience engaged. Try to stick to a schedule, whether it's daily, weekly, or biweekly.

8. Edit for Pace:

Keep your editing tight to maintain pace and interest. Cut out any unnecessary parts that do not add value to the narrative or message.

9. Optimize Your Videos for Search:

Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags to improve visibility on platforms like YouTube.

10. Learn from Feedback:

Pay attention to the feedback from your viewers. It can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t, helping you refine your approach.

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TikTok v YouTube

Vlogging on TikTok and YouTube can be quite different due to the platforms' distinct audiences, video length preferences, and content styles. Here are some tips tailored for each platform:

Vlogging on TikTok:

1. Keep It Short and Sweet:

TikTok videos are typically between 15 seconds and 3 minutes. Capture your audience's attention quickly and deliver your content concisely.

2. Leverage Trends:

Participate in popular trends, challenges, and use trending sounds to increase the visibility of your videos.

3. Vertical Videos:

Shoot in vertical format to align with the way users interact with TikTok.

4. Engage with Your Audience:

TikTok thrives on user interaction. Encourage viewers to comment, and try to reply to comments to boost engagement.

5. Use Strong Hooks:

Start your video with a compelling hook to keep viewers watching. The first few seconds are crucial in capturing interest.

6. Edit for Impact:

Use quick cuts, vibrant effects, and engaging transitions to keep the energy high and maintain viewer interest.

7. Incorporate Music and Effects:

Utilize TikTok’s vast library of music and sound effects to make your videos more entertaining and relatable.

8. Post Frequently:

TikTok favors frequent posting (& unseriousness lol but gpt didn’t include this word i did lol). Try to post at least once a day to maintain visibility in your followers' feeds. (& don’t take it seriously!!!!! srsly why so serious????)

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Vlogging on YouTube:

1. Longer, More Detailed Content:

YouTube viewers generally prefer longer content, allowing you to delve deeper into topics. Aim for videos that are at least a few minutes long.

2. Focus on Quality Production

Invest time in editing, sound quality, and visuals. YouTube videos benefit from higher production value compared to TikTok.

3. Optimize Video Titles and Descriptions:

Use keywords effectively in your titles and descriptions to improve SEO and visibility on YouTube.

4. Create Engaging Thumbnails:

Thumbnails can significantly affect whether or not people click on your video. Make sure they are visually appealing and accurately represent the video content.

5. Consistent Posting Schedule:

Unlike TikTok, you don’t need to post daily on YouTube, but maintaining a consistent schedule helps retain audience interest.

6. Interact Through Comments:

Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and asking for feedback. This can help build a community around your channel.

7. Include Calls to Action:

Encourage viewers to like, comment, subscribe, and share your videos. Calls to action can be more direct and detailed on YouTube.

8. Utilize YouTube Stories and Community Posts:

Engage your audience between video uploads with Stories and Community posts to keep them interested and active on your channel.

By tailoring your content and engagement strategies to the specifics of each platform, you can maximize your reach and effectiveness as a vlogger on both TikTok and YouTube.

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Reels v TikTok

Instagram Reels and TikTok are similar in many ways, particularly in their focus on short-form video content. However, there are a few nuances in how you might approach creating content for each platform due to their different user bases, discovery features, and integration within broader social networks. Here’s a comparison and some tips for optimizing your vlogs for each platform:

Common Ground

1. Short-Form Content: Both platforms emphasize videos that are short, typically up to 60 seconds for Reels and up to 3 minutes for TikTok, though TikTok now supports videos up to 10 minutes.

2. Vertical Format: Content is predominantly vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) on both platforms, which is ideal for mobile viewing.

3. Music and Audio: Both platforms offer extensive libraries of music and sound effects, which are crucial for engagement and trend participation.

4. Trends and Challenges: Participating in trends, challenges, and using viral sounds are effective strategies on both platforms.

Instagram Reels

1. Integration with Instagram: Reels benefit from being part of the larger Instagram ecosystem. This means your Reels can be shared not just in the dedicated Reels tab but also on your main profile, stories, and the explore page.

2. Audience: Instagram typically has a more diverse age demographic, including a significant number of users in older age groups compared to TikTok. Tailor your content to your specific Instagram audience, which might differ from your TikTok viewers.

3. Content Style: Reels content often overlaps with broader Instagram aesthetics and themes, such as fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle, maintaining a slightly more polished look.

4. Discovery: Tags, hashtags, and integration with the rest of your Instagram content play a significant role in how users discover Reels.

TikTok

1. Platform-Specific Features: TikTok has unique features like Stitch (allow users to clip and integrate scenes from another user's video into their own) and Duet (users can create content alongside another user's video), which foster more interactive and collaborative content.

2. User Engagement: TikTok’s algorithm is adept at quickly pushing content to a wide and relevant audience, often leading to viral trends. If the content resonates, engagement can be rapid and widespread.

3. Content Diversity: While TikTok also supports a range of content, it’s particularly known for its creative, humorous, and often less polished videos, which can make it a platform for more experimental video styles.

4. Algorithm: TikTok’s discovery algorithm is heavily based on user interaction and can quickly adapt to promote trending content that keeps users engaged for longer sessions.

Strategies for Both

Adapt to Audience Preferences: Understand what your audience on each platform prefers. Instagram might require a slightly more curated approach, while TikTok encourages spontaneity and humor.

Optimize Posting Times: Analyze when your audience is most active on each platform to maximize engagement.

Cross-Promote: Use your presence on one platform to boost the other. Share your TikToks as Reels and vice versa, especially if you’re growing your audience.

Consistency is Key: Regular posting helps keep your content in front of eyes and algorithms active.

By understanding these differences and commonalities, you can tailor your content strategy effectively for Instagram Reels and TikTok, maximizing your engagement and reach on each platform.

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With your background in wine country lifestyle and as a sommelier (lol like i said, it knows me and it knows me well), you can create unique and engaging content that showcases your expertise and the beautiful locales. Mixing in your knowledge of wine with vlog segments could provide a rich, informative, and entertaining experience for your viewers. Enjoy creating your vlogs, and feel free to reach out if you need more help!

OK!!! that was a lot!!

I gotta go film, but if you have any questions or want me to take it a little bit further with the AI, just lmk <3

& from Shannon the human, I hope this inspires anyone to pick up a camera and start creating!! If this post inspires you to start, please let me know so I can be your biggest cheerleader. I applaud you for starting; the first step is always the biggest and the hardest. It’s a big rock to push, but the initial push and momentum are everything.

I’ve been in this game for 10+ years now and there’s nothing I want more than to see more and more people in this game with me. Especially more sommeliers (espppp CMS) and wine influencers, or those passionate about hospitality as a whole.

Remember, anyone worth anything will never look down on you for starting. Only those worth nothing will.

After over a full decade of being online (and as someone in the center of many group chats gossiping about me and what I do online even to this day… and I’m like basically 40 now lol), one thing I can say with 100% confidence is that those who mock others for attempting something creative does so because they wish they could. They are too scared to put themselves out there and be perceived by others, so they ridicule others to feel better about themselves.

I saw this quote on Twitter once, and it completely stuck with me (& it was both a hard lesson and a bitter pill to swallow):

“Unfortunately, some people are not here to evolve; they are here to remind you what it looks like if you don’t.”

There’s also this one from The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (a must read for all creatives — I revisit this book often):

“The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had the guts.”

& another. You see this quote often on TikTok, but it’s true. Think about the job you want and those that have found success. Everyone had to take the first step. I promise you they won’t judge you for starting, no matter how “cringe” the beginning is:

“A millionaire won’t judge you for starting a business.

An athlete won’t judge you for working out for the first time.

A musician won’t judge you for trying to create your first song.

A creative director/influencer/youtuber won’t judge you for starting your platform & creating your first piece of content.

It’s the people going nowhere or who went nowhere that judge for you trying to do something with life.”

and added by me: A sommelier won’t judge you for blind tasting for the first time (which idk if you’ve ever done but blind tasting with somms, esp master somms, as an aspiring somm is SCARY!!! wayyyy wayyy scarier than any gc could ever hope to be lol)

Don’t let their own fear of perception stop you from creating. Fear is the opposite of love and faith. Do not be afraid. Those that want to snuff your light and stop your shine only want to because they feel dark and dull. May your shine refine them and allow them find the shine within themselves. Don’t let others ever dull your shine. Blind them with your beautiful, brilliant light. Create, create, create!!!!!!!

There is so much incredible opportunity online. There’s more opportunity online than there is in the physical world in many of these industries and niches. You can create anything you want and carve out your literal dream job. Do not let other people’s fear, envy, or insecurity stop you from the abundance that eagerly awaits you.

Embrace the abundance and embrace the absurdity of being online. Embrace it with open arms, and it will embrace you back.

I’ll admit, there is a bit of a catch. The more people that join this world, the more abundant it gets. I want you in this world with me because I want new, creative, fun, fresh content (plus I need some good wine & somm content to binge). I also want you in it with me because it will be more abundant for us both. We both win more together. The opportunities multiply rather than divide. Come on in, and you’ll see fast that there is no competition.

PS - one last thing to chime in with for my somms/wine ppl, TikTok is notoriously hard on this kind of content (wine, even wine country, anything with the word wine, anything somm or sommelier, etc). It won’t index. IG/Reels is much, much, much, muuuuuch more lax on this kind of content.

I can make this a whole other post, but if you are an aspiring wine influencer, I DON’T recc wine content on TikTok. If you do, keep a ratio of 20/80 (20% wine // 80% everything else whatever else that is) and then flip that on Instagram.

It’s important for TikTok to index you on other interests or topics because it won’t index you for wine. This is where you can just let your glowing personality show. :-)