Blogs and Vlogs

by | Apr 23, 2016

I’ve conducted my own study of blogs and vlogs . . . and video tutorials . . . 

People do love talking about themselves and what they’re doing . . . or about members of their family . . . which includes friends . . .

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I don’t seem to share a lot about what I’m doing . . . but maybe I do more than I realize.

I do love holidays and special occasions that we have in common.

TwoCansOnAString.com is about sharing crafts and recipes and products . . . just stuff I find interesting and may also be of interest to you. I love giving free printables and templates so you can make your own without having to join some membership site or buy them . . .

I do appreciate all that the internet has to offer . . . for free . . . I do understand how some people do need to make money in order to keep their websites running . . . and to review products . . . to buy supplies and materials for their craft tutorials . . . or to afford to go where they need to go to vlog about different locations . . .

There are many vloggers and YouTube Video Makers who do make a nice income from what they’re doing.

I think that’s great! I love success stories!!!

Many are very generous in telling you how they make their videos, how they get subscribers, what equipment they’re using, how they set up their video studio . . . and the list goes on and on and on . . .

They have a confidence about them . . . they love what they’re doing . . . they’re having fun . . . they have a great personality that draws you in . . . and there are probably hundreds more ingredients that are necessary for a successful YouTube Channel with hundreds of thousands or even millions of subscribers.

The good news is that everyone can do it . . . the same with having a blog . . . your degree of success may differ considerably, but you can give it a try and see what develops.

Study the blogs and videos you enjoy . . . see what they’re doing that is so entertaining . . . decide what you can do that would be beneficial to others . . . and that you would enjoy doing . . .

Success comes in various forms . . . and comes at varying time frames . . . some people achieve success right away while others struggle . . . and never reach the level others have achieved . . .

This isn’t to discourage you . . . it’s just to not set you up for major disappointment.

This reminds me of a video I saw a few weeks to a month ago where someone signed up with a crafting site . . . a multilevel marketing venture . . . it does cost money to make money in some of those business opportunities . . . plus you need to sign people up under you . . . and since this is a crafting MLM, it’s an excellent way of building up your inventory or craft items in order to video making various products . . .

I guess the concept is to have the materials readily available to make a variety of products for various purposes. And, those who watch your videos may agree that they, too, want to buy into the MLM so they can do the same . . . make money while they’re making videos of products . . . some sell them on Etsy or other websites . . . some have worked out a way of getting people to buy finished products for some of their functions . . . so, it may not be the MLM that is bringing them money, but YouTube and their other marketing ideas . . .

Well, she didn’t make the strides she thought she would make. She made almost 100 videos. She didn’t have a lot of subscribers . . . and no one signed up under her for the MLM venture . . . thus, she was calling it quits . . .

It makes me wonder if she gave it enough time . . . or just got discouraged . . . or ran out of money . . .

There are many factors involved . . . but one observation I made was that she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself or engaging with her audience . . . I didn’t feel that what she had to share was of great value to me . . . I wasn’t drawn in . . .  She didn’t seem to have the confidence in herself that others seem to have . . .

We all can’t be socially engaging, confident and crank out winning videos . . .

Just food for thought . . .

And, it comes down to how much time are you able to devote to your blog, vlog, MLM, store, etc.

It does look like fun . . . and seeing people with expensive homes, going on major shopping trips . . . and traveling . . . or wearing expensive clothing and jewelry . . . driving fancy cars . . .

It is, obviously, more than meets the eye . . . they may have other employment . . . they may be wealthy with a trust fund . . . they may be lucky . . . or it’s all a scam . . .

I don’t have all the answers . . . I’ve just been making observations . . .

I have found that I genuinely have to care about the person before I’ll subscribe to their YouTube Channel. It’s like choosing a friend. Some people you’re drawn to . . . and others you’re not . . .  The same holds true for blogs . . . You share their interests . . . or you don’t.

The good news from all of this is that you can do what you set your mind to accomplishing. You may not become a millionaire, but you may decide that isn’t important to you . . . You may have other goals . . . and those goals will shape your blog, vlog, videos, etc. And, in the process, you’ll grow as your success grows . . . maybe with baby steps . . . but you’ll be moving in the right direction.

Another observation I’ve made is that some popular YouTube Channels lose their quality over time . . . either the people involved lose interest or become so comfortable that they forget their subscribers or they’re so “full of themselves” that they feel whatever they do will be loved by others. I don’t know . . . but I have unsubscribed . . . and if more people do the same, maybe the quality will improve . . . or the views will decrease . . . these are indicators that popularity is decreasing . . .

The same is true for blogs . . . fewer people stop by to read what you have to say . . . Yes, we all have bad days, but it is important to have something meaningful to say . . . from time to time . . .

I do appreciate your stopping by. Leave me a comment, if you so desire to do so. I’m interested in what you have to say.

Until next time,

Sharon

Eager To Get Crafting

by | Feb 24, 2016

I’ve been watching a lot of “how to” YouTube Videos lately.

They are quite motivating.

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SONY DSC

I’ve even thought of making some of my own. I love doing Christmas crafts throughout the year and I also like having some fun with Halloween. I do love the vintage feel of these holidays.

They’re a time of memories and just having some fun. You remember how it was when you were a kid. It was all so magical.

I like my crafts to reflect that magic and fill me with joy . . . if it’s making an album or scrap book page, it’s all about having fun and creating something out of paper and chip board that will be delight you and those who see it.

I am amazed by what can be created from paper.

I’ve given you many links of paper crafts you can print out and make . . . some you can fill with goodies or just set up as a decoration.

As with all crafts, they can be expensive, but essentially, they are a fun way to pass the time either alone or with others.

I was surprised to learn that I could use my camera to make videos. It’s just all a matter of setting up my camera on a tripod and gathering up my materials to make a tutorial. I think it will be fun . . . it’s just getting to it.

I was watching a video a woman had made 3 years ago. It was a windy day and she was distracted by the wind and the bangs and booms she was hearing outside. She moved the camera from her tutorial to show us what was going on outside her house. Yes, the wind was blowing and trash barrels were rolling around making such a racket.

She even had her husband break out in song downstairs.

I think it is absolutely delightful to record a video and make a comment about what is going around while you’re recording. Yes, not everything is ideal. We do drop things and our pets or children come running through . . . the doorbell may ring . . . it could rain or snow . . . or be windy . . .

We can avoid some noise by not doing our filming during noisy times of the day, but not everything is ideal.

Some people may not like the distractions. They “tuned in” to see how to do a project and they don’t care about the weather conditions. But I found it interesting. It made the woman real . . . just like us.

We do have distractions in our lives. Most of them are unexpected. I find it interesting how others react to them. I would be just like the woman and show you what is going on outside. I find it better than getting annoyed.

Maybe that’s what makes vlogging so popular.

I’m really not one who would record my grocery shopping or running errands.

But many people do and they’re surprisingly popular. Some focus around the activities of their kids. Others include their friends. There are those who take you with them to fix breakfast or dinner. Or go out to a restaurant or fast food place.

I haven’t seen too many vlogging out and about, but maybe I haven’t been looking that closely. I’m usually tuned in to what I’m doing. But, it could be helpful when you’re looking for a new printer or laptop or whatever you’re thinking of purchasing. Or you’re just looking and gathering information before you buy.

You’d be amazed by what people want to buy. And sometimes, you find yourself interested in that, too.

Maybe it’s the power of suggesting . . . or an impulse buy . . . then the thought comes, “Where am going to put it?”

I was talking with my brother last fall . . .

He told me he was shopping at Lowes.

I don’t recall what he was shopping for, but he was startled when he went by an automated witch who cackled at him. Yes, he was initially startled, but later he had great fun watching others who were startled when the witch “came to life.”

Yes, people watching is a favorite past-time of many. That may be why vlogging is so popular. Allowing others a glimpse into their lives.

It does seem a bit creepy to realize that we are being recorded wherever we go. There are cameras in stores and on the streets and parking lots. And, of course, people may be doing their own recordings, too.

Someone sitting on a bench or walking through a store. You never know what you’ll find.

I think I’d feel a bit self-conscious about doing it . . . but after awhile, it would feel “normal.”

Just as doing my own video tutorials at home.

I do need to figure out how to set us my camera. I don’t want to attach it to the wall or build some contraption . . . but maybe I’ll need to. The most important thing is not to break my camera in the process.

I know there is a simple way of doing it.vlogging

There usually is after exhausting other ways. I may be straddling the tripod or have it set up over my work space. I don’t have a flip out monitor on my camera . . . some have used a mirror . . . other do a hit or miss process . . . and do learn along the way where the camera is focused.

I’m going to do a lot of trial and error. It will be interesting to see how this works for me. But, first I need to decide on a project . . . and it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead instead of doing it on the fly . . . but that could be interesting, too.

When I think about it, I do like it when people are prepared. I can follow along. But, then there are always things that do go wrong . . . especially with crafts . . . the glue sticks and won’t come out . . . or a glue gun that doesn’t work . . . or a piece that doesn’t fit right . . .

I do have some interesting adventure ahead.

Let me know your suggesting when it comes to vlogging or making tutorials.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon