Vlogging is a trendy way to engage with an audience and increase your following on social media. Since the inception of Youtube, vlogging has increasingly become a popular form of content creation to the point that it is now a steady stream of income for many.

But what exactly is a vlog? And what makes it so popular? Let’s find out.

What Is a Vlog?

guy vlogging on beach

Vlog is short for “video log” or “video blog”, and it is content in video format; this can be edited or unedited footage. It often includes various supporting texts, images, or other elements to help highlight the content.

You’ll find many vloggers recording themselves by phone or with a camera, candidly sharing their everyday activities. However, a vlog can be about any kind of topic. Whatever it may be, the main goal is to get it out in front of the camera and connect with people.

Some of the common types of vlogs include daily routines, travel vlogs, QnA sessions, and family vlogs. All these types of vlogs can include more than one person, but the vlogger will always be the main center of attention.

A vlog can range from a few minutes to several hours long. Youtube tends to be the go-to platform for vloggers, but there are many other free video hosting sites where you can find this popular form of content creation.

photo of a person vlogging on a phone

The concept of vlogging has been around for quite some time. You can trace it as far back as the 80s when Nelson Sullivan, an artist from New York, used to record vlogs around his city with the intention of turning the footage into his own TV show.

When the internet happened, it didn't take long for others to start posting clips of themselves online, where they shared travel experiences or daily routines. After the introduction of Youtube in 2005, vlogging took a leap forward and soon became one of the most sought-after forms of content creation.

Related: How to Start Vlogging: Tips for Absolute Beginners

Fast forward to today, all this craze around vlogging might make you wonder what makes it so popular.

Well, for one, vlogs are extremely engaging. It's a great way to grab an audience and connect with them. Through vlogs, people get to know more about you and vicariously experience your life.

Vlogging also gives you the freedom to express yourself. This method of content creation makes it easy for creators or influencers to share their journeys with viewers. Not only does an audience get to connect with their favorite star, but the sort of relaxed atmosphere of a vlog makes for easy-to-digest entertainment.

And, as with most content creation, you can profit from your vlogs. Who doesn't love making money by doing something they enjoy?

How Smartphones Have Impacted Vlogging

phone vlogging

The continual progression of tech has an impact on vlogging too. For example, portable equipment—this is often what vloggers seek out.

Smartphones are inherently portable, and with the rapid advancements of smartphone camera technology, it makes it easy for vloggers to get the job done without the hassle of using heavy and expensive equipment.

Now, we can even record videos in up to 8K resolution on our mobile devices. Most models also have features such as optical image stabilization, slow motion, and autofocus, all resulting in video footage with decent production value.

Smartphones are also easier to carry than cameras; simply keep it at arm's length and start recording. There are many accessories, such as selfie sticks and pop-sockets, that make the process of recording vlogs effortless.

Editing your vlog is necessary. And, as there's an app for everything, editing can easily be done using smartphone video editing apps.

Vlogging Is More Than Just a Hobby

You might think of vlogging as just a fun hobby or a creative outlet, but people make good money by doing it—one of the reasons it's so popular. As this industry continues to grow, it might be the perfect opportunity for you to snatch up an audience and share your passions.