Tip 1 - What Video Should I Start With?
Start out with a tag video. Everyone always asks me what video they should start out with as a guru, and I always say a tag. The reason why I think a tag is the best video to start out with is because they are very informative and helpful. People really enjoy watching tags like a What's in My Bag. You could even start out with a monthly favorites video like July Favorites. Viewers are more likely to watch a tag than another type of video such as a review.
Another good video to start out with would be a hair tutorial. As a guru, I have come to realize that my hair tutorials get the most views. Girls love to find new hairstyles, so they will enjoy watching your video.
xo -al
Another good video to start out with would be a hair tutorial. As a guru, I have come to realize that my hair tutorials get the most views. Girls love to find new hairstyles, so they will enjoy watching your video.
xo -al
Tip 2 - Lighting
Lighting can be a big problem for beginner gurus. Let me just start off by saying no one wants to watch a video with bad lighting! You need to find some natural light in order for a video to be clear. I would try to avoid filming at night because all of the natural light will be gone, and your video will look dull.
My camera is located parallel to my big window. For some reason the lighting is always very good in this spot. I wouldn't recommend filming with the window behind you because it will be too bright; therefore, making your video look dark. If you can position your camera so that the window is in front of you then you will probably end up with good quality; however, I really do think that having a window parallel to your camera is the best way to go.
One more thing I want to touch on is lamps. Try to get a lamp that you can swivel, so that you can position the light the way you want. I use a desk lamp from Ikea, and it works very well.
xo -al
My camera is located parallel to my big window. For some reason the lighting is always very good in this spot. I wouldn't recommend filming with the window behind you because it will be too bright; therefore, making your video look dark. If you can position your camera so that the window is in front of you then you will probably end up with good quality; however, I really do think that having a window parallel to your camera is the best way to go.
One more thing I want to touch on is lamps. Try to get a lamp that you can swivel, so that you can position the light the way you want. I use a desk lamp from Ikea, and it works very well.
xo -al
Tip 3 - Cameras
My advice for those of you who don't have a great camera is to simply save up until you can buy yourself a nicer one. No one wants to watch a video where your audio is lagging! It gets very frustrating for most people. I recommend saving up for a higher end camera before you jump into making videos. If you wait then you can brainstorm some great ideas, and get them out in the youtube community with excellent quality. The clearer the better.
I know it is hard to save up the money for electronics because they are so pricy, but it will work out in the end! I guarantee. A good camera is especially important when you make tutorials. I tried filming a tutorial on my webcam, and it was a complete fail! So I opted to use my Sony Cybershot. This camera was nice to start out with, but as I keep growing on YouTube, I want to switch to a camcorder for better quality! Hopefully sometime soon I can :)
xo -al
I know it is hard to save up the money for electronics because they are so pricy, but it will work out in the end! I guarantee. A good camera is especially important when you make tutorials. I tried filming a tutorial on my webcam, and it was a complete fail! So I opted to use my Sony Cybershot. This camera was nice to start out with, but as I keep growing on YouTube, I want to switch to a camcorder for better quality! Hopefully sometime soon I can :)
xo -al
Tip 4 - What if My Peers Find Out?
This is the most asked question I get asked from girls starting out on YouTube. It is only natural to be scared of what your classmates will think about your videos, but you should not let their opinions stand in your way of doing something you love. For most gurus, filming beauty videos is a hobby, not something they do for the money or for the free things. If it is something you love to do then what does it matter what other people think?
I am quite a shy person, but I know when to stand up for myself. If someone in my personal life ever insulted me for making videos I would stand up and speak my mind! You want to hear what I would say? I have a speech :)
"What is wrong with doing something I love to do? You play sports or dance, but I can't enjoy my hobby because it is different and unique? I am sorry if you do not appreciate what I do on YouTube, but that is your problem not mine. I am helping thousands of people everyday... I see nothing wrong with that."
All I am saying is that if you are debating whether to start out on YouTube or not, and your only concern is what will happen if other people find out then that is not reason too pass up YouTube. YouTube has been amazing to me. I get to meet awesome gurus and fantastic subscribers everyday. I think helping out people is worth any hate you might get from your classmates. If you are ever in a situation where someone is grilling you for being on YouTube, you can steal my speech and rip them a new one :) Good luck all my little gurus.
xo -Alex
I am quite a shy person, but I know when to stand up for myself. If someone in my personal life ever insulted me for making videos I would stand up and speak my mind! You want to hear what I would say? I have a speech :)
"What is wrong with doing something I love to do? You play sports or dance, but I can't enjoy my hobby because it is different and unique? I am sorry if you do not appreciate what I do on YouTube, but that is your problem not mine. I am helping thousands of people everyday... I see nothing wrong with that."
All I am saying is that if you are debating whether to start out on YouTube or not, and your only concern is what will happen if other people find out then that is not reason too pass up YouTube. YouTube has been amazing to me. I get to meet awesome gurus and fantastic subscribers everyday. I think helping out people is worth any hate you might get from your classmates. If you are ever in a situation where someone is grilling you for being on YouTube, you can steal my speech and rip them a new one :) Good luck all my little gurus.
xo -Alex
