In the age of the internet, content is king.
No matter where you look, we are constantly bombarded with videos, articles, and posts from individuals and businesses vying for our attention. For the most part, we consume this content without a second thought.
But what about those individuals who are creating this content? Surely, they must be getting something out of it, right?
Absolutely! In fact, there are many people out there who are making a great living by creating and sharing content online. And with social media being as popular as it is and platforms like YouTube and WordPress being so easily accessible, it’s no wonder that everyone wants to get in on the action.
Blogging vs. Vlogging
If you’re looking to make some money online, you might be wondering if blogging or vlogging is the right route for you. While both of these methods can be extremely lucrative, they do require different skill sets and have different investment costs.
In my opinion, the best way to determine which method is right for you is to compare and contrast the two side-by-side so you can see which one will suit your skillset and experience best.
The good news for you is that I’ve already done this comparison for you! Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between blogging and vlogging.
What Is Blogging?
To put it simply, blogging is the act of creating and sharing written content online. This can be in the form of articles, listicles, eBooks, opinion pieces, or even stories. The written content is then published on a platform like WordPress or Medium and can be read by anyone who comes across it.
The great thing about blogging is that it’s relatively easy to get started. You don’t need any fancy equipment or years of experience. All you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and something to say.
On top of this, you can start a blog on pretty much any topic you like. If you can think of it, there’s a good chance someone else is interested in reading about it. This makes blogging a great option for those who have a specific passion or expertise they want to share with the world.
If you do a bit of searching online looking for advice on blogging, it won’t be long before you come across somebody trying to tell you that “blogging is dead.” Trust me, it’s anything but.
A whopping 77% of internet users read blogs, which goes to show that there’s still a huge demand for written content. And while it may not be as easy as it once was to make a living through a blog, it’s still as popular as ever, and there are plenty of people out there making a great living from their written content.
What Is Vlogging?
Vlogging, on the other hand, is the act of creating and sharing video content online. This is usually done through platforms like YouTube or Vimeo and can be in the form of anything from a skit or comedy routine to a “day in the life” type video or even a vlog documenting someone’s travels.
Like blogging, vlogging is also relatively easy to get into. You don’t need expensive equipment or years of experience. All you need is a camera (which can be your phone’s camera), an internet connection, and some video ideas.
With that said, competition is high with vlogging so you will probably need to have some sort of production value or hook if you want to stand out from the crowd. Although, this doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are plenty of ways to create great-looking videos without breaking the bank.
It’s also worth noting that vlogging isn’t just about YouTube. While YouTube is certainly the most popular platform for bloggers, there are other platforms like Vimeo and Twitch that can be just as lucrative.
According to a recent study, 44% of internet users say they watch vlogs each month. While this is lower than the percentage of people who read blogs, it’s still a significant amount, and it’s only going to continue to grow as vlogging becomes more and more popular.
What Skills Do You Need for Each?
Now that you know a little bit more about blogging and vlogging, let’s take a look at the skills you need for each.
Blogging
- Writing: This one is pretty obvious. If you want to be a blogger, you need to be able to write well. This doesn’t mean you need to be the next Shakespeare, but you should be able to put together a well-written article that is free of errors.
- Research: A good blog post is usually based on some sort of research. Whether you’re writing about the latest trends in your industry or sharing your expert opinion on a particular topic, it’s important to back up your claims with evidence.
- SEO: If you want people to actually read your blog posts, you need to make sure they can find them in the first place. This is where SEO comes in. Learning the basics of SEO and how to optimize your content for search engines is essential if you want to drive traffic to your blog.
- Social Media: In order to get people to read your blog, you need to let them know it exists. And the best way to do that is through social media. Promoting your blog on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram is a great way to reach new readers and grow your audience.
- Content management and web design: If you want to create a successful blog, need to be able to design a great-looking website and manage your content effectively. This means knowing how to use platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix (or hiring someone who does).
Vlogging
- Filming and editing: The most important part of being a vlogger is, of course, creating great video content. This means having some filmmaking and editing skills (or access to someone who does).
- Personality: While you don’t need to be the life of the party to be a successful vlogger, it does help to have some personality. Being able to keep people entertained and engaged is crucial if you want people to keep watching your videos.
- Consistency: Like with any type of content, consistency is key when it comes to vlogging. If you want people to keep watching your videos, you need to be posting new content on a regular basis.
- Equipment: You don’t need the latest and greatest camera equipment to start vlogging, but having some decent gear does help. A good camera, microphone, and lighting setup will go a long way in helping you create high-quality videos.
- Ability to write scripts: Unless you’re naturally good at improvising, you’re going to need to be able to write decent scripts for your videos. This is especially important if you want to create more complex videos with multiple scenes and a narrative arc.
Investment – How Much Does It Cost to Get Started?
Here is a quick breakdown of some of the costs associated with starting a blog or vlog:
Blogging
- Domain name: $10-$20 per year
- Hosting: $5-$10 per month
- Theme: $0-$100
- Plugins/Extensions: $0-$200
Vlogging
- Camera: $50-$2000
- Microphone: $50-$250
- Lighting: $100-$1000
- Editing software: $0-$300
- Tripod: $25-$100
As you can see, the upfront cost of starting a blog is pretty low. You can easily get started for less than $100, and you can even find free themes and plugins if you’re on a tight budget.
The cost of starting a vlog is a bit more expensive, but it’s still not prohibitive. You can get started with just a decent camera and microphone (such as your phone) and some basic editing software. Of course, the more you’re willing to invest in equipment, the better your videos will be.
Earnings – Which Method Makes the Most Money?
In terms of earnings, there is no clear-cut answer. It really depends on a lot of factors, such as the quality of your content, how often you’re posting, and how big your audience is.
That being said, in general, blogging tends to be more profitable than vlogging. This is because it’s easier to monetize a blog through things like advertising and affiliate marketing. Vlogging can be profitable as well, but it’s typically not as lucrative as blogging.
If you want to check out how much some blogs are making, use the search term “inurl:income-reports” on Google. This will bring up a list of blog income reports, which will give you an idea of how much money bloggers are earning. Here are some of the reports I found:
- Financial Flamingo – $1,000 p/m
- Hangry Woman $2,600 p/m
- Two Wandering Soles – $14,000 p/m
- The Savvy Couple – $43,000 p/m
As for vlogging, you can search YouTube Income Report (+your niche) to find plenty of videos of vloggers revealing their income.
The Pros of Blogging vs Vlogging
There are a few key advantages to blogging over vlogging (and vice versa), which we’ll explore in more detail below.
Blogging
- Can be done from anywhere
- No need for expensive equipment
- Can be written and scheduled in advance
- Better for those who like to express themselves through writing
- Can be easier to monetize
- Easier to grow an email list
Vlogging
- Can be more personal and intimate
- Can be more engaging and entertaining
- Is better for those who are comfortable being on camera
- Possible to build a more loyal audience
The Cons of Blogging vs Vlogging
Of course, there are also a few drawbacks to consider before you decide to start a blog or vlog. Let’s take a look at a few below.
Blogging
- More time consuming
- Writing is a more difficult skill to master
- Writer’s block is real
- It may take longer to find results
Vlogging
- Requires more time and effort to edit videos
- People who lack confidence may find it intimidating
- Uploading videos can be time-consuming
- Can be expensive
- Requires more regular posting
- Can be difficult to monetize
Blogging vs Vlogging: Which One Is Best?
Now that you know pretty much all there is to know about blogging vs vlogging, it’s time to answer the big question: Which one is best for you?
Well, I hate to say it, but there’s no easy answer. It all depends on what your goals are and what you’re comfortable with. At the end of the day, we are all different people, with different skills and interests.
Some people may prefer to lock themselves in their room in the evenings with a cup of coffee while they blast out a few blog posts. Others may prefer to spend their evenings setting up their tripod and filming a vlog. And there are plenty of people who enjoy doing both!
Let Your Niche Decide for You
With all that said, I do believe there are some niches that are more suitable for blogging and others that are more suited for vlogging.
For example, if you want to start creating content in the health and fitness space, I believe a blog would be a better option.
This is because people who are interested in health and fitness are typically looking for detailed information and advice, which is something that can be better delivered through blog posts.
They can also easily consume the bits of content they need without having to watch an entire video. And if they want to know more about you, they can always check out your About page or social media profiles.
On the other hand, if you want to start creating content in the travel space, I believe a vlog would be a better option.
This is because people who are interested in travel tend to enjoy watching videos more than reading blog posts. They want to see the places you’re visiting and get a feel for what it’s like to travel to those places.
They also want to get to know you as a person, which is something that’s much easier to do through videos than blog posts. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. And if you’re a particularly good writer or video editor, you may be able to find success in any niche.
