Finding Work as a Professional Vlogger

Written by Lizzie Learn On 31st Aug 2017

logging, or video blogging, is one of the newest trends in marketing and online engagement. For those who enjoy being on camera and have great value to share, vlogging is an exciting endeavour, and one that they might consider for a career.

However, finding work as a professional vlogger can be challenging. If this is a career you are considering, you should first determine if you want to vlog for a company or if you want to start your own independent vlog. This will help you figure out your next steps and how you can turn a passion into a paying gig.

Vlogging for a Company

The benefit of doing vlog work for a company is that you get paid for your job instead of having to build an audience and monetise the vlog by yourself. If you find a company that values the marketing aspect of content, your skills in vlogging could be in high demand.

Here are a few tips to help you land a job as a vlogger for a business.

You work in marketing or content - You probably won’t find a job that involves only vlogging. Most of the time, vloggers for businesses are those who work in the company’s marketing department and perform other tasks such as newsletter writing and distribution, advertising and traditional blogging. If this is your background, you can naturally add vlogging to your repertoire. You may need to work for a company for a few years and prove your marketing expertise before you bring up the idea of a vlog.

You have vlogging or video experience - If you want to perform vlogging services for a business, they’ll probably want to see what you’ve done in the past.

If you’ve run your vlog or performed vlogging tasks for other businesses, you already have a leg up on the competition. If you don’t have any experience, it’s a good idea to get some before applying for jobs in this arena. Even if you can show examples of how you started your own vlog for fun, it’s better than having no proof that you know how to run a successful vlog. You can show ROI - Most businesses will want to know what vlogging will add to their bottom line.

If you’ve worked with other companies and can show how it led to sales, more customers or increased loyalty, it will be easier to convince a new company to hire you. Helping another company start a vlog without asking for pay is a good way to develop a ‘case study’ that you can show to potential employers.

Vlogging for Yourself

Freelance vlogging is perfect for the individual who enjoys working for themselves and who is a self-starter. However, you have to have the right attitude and the right background to make it as a personal vlogger. You already have a niche - What will your vlog be about?

The most successful independent vloggers are those who have experience in a certain industry such as marketing, sales, writing or consulting and can translate that experience into value for their viewers. If you have identified a niche and know how to reach them through vlogging, you may have the foundation of a successful endeavour.

You know how to use technology - It might seem like a no-brainer, but if you want to create a career in vlogging, you need to be familiar with technology. Not only will you need to film and edit your vlog, but you’ll also need to know where and how to host it, how to promote it on social media and how to drive traffic to it.

You’ll also need to find a way to monetise your vlog if you plan to make it an income-generator. This could mean an online shopping cart, memberships or affiliate partnerships—all of which take technology knowledge. You have the time and resources to devote to your vlog - Let’s be honest: you’re not going to launch your vlog and suddenly start making hundreds of pounds a day.

Your vlog will start out as a labour of love. You’ll put a lot of effort and time into it for very little in return. Many independent vloggers start out while they are employed full time to take the pressure off their bank account. Others use pension pay to bankroll their vlog until it can start generating money. Make sure you have a plan in place to pay the bills and do not expect your vlog to replace your income. The new world of online marketing is gravitating more towards video, making vlogging an exciting endeavour for those who know how to utilise it.

If you are considering vlogging as a career, determine whether you want to vlog for a business or start your own vlog. Once you know which route best suits you, you can begin laying the groundwork for a successful and rewarding career.