Should you blog or vlog for business growth?
This is a loaded question that depends on the product or service you sell, your goals, business, and needs.
Are you building a business and trying to make money online but not sure which platform will get you the best results? Both blogging and vlogging are great ways to make money, improve brand awareness, and get your product in front of people – but what will work best for you and your business?
We’ve got all the answers! Read on to find out.
What’s better for content marketing – a blog or vlog?
First, let’s dive into the differences between a blog vs. a vlog, their various advantages and disadvantages, and which one you should use for your business growth.
What’s a vlog?
A vlog is short for the word ‘video blog.’ It’s a way to share content via video as opposed to written content.
Vlogs are a significant part of any content marketing strategy – after all, video marketing is one of the fastest-growing content marketing tools. 88% of marketers say that video marketing gives them a positive ROI instead of only 33% in 2015.
Studies also state that consumers who watch how-to videos or videos explaining a product are more likely to buy the product.
As humans are visual creatures, this isn’t much of a surprise.
Video is great because it appeals to our emotions. A video can be compelling and can motivate us to take action.
Remember: YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine. Creating videos that offer people valuable content can increase your brand awareness, reach a larger audience, and grow your brand.
Here are some important video statistics you should know.
- 63% of people are more likely to purchase a product or service if they see it in a video
- On average, people watch 16 hours of videos online every week (52% more when compared to the last two years)
- Google users are more likely to click on a video in search results
- In ad campaigns, video provides a 34% increase in conversion rates
- 84% of marketers experienced increased leads when using video in their content marketing strategy
- Videos are one of the most used forms of content in social media marketing
Pros and cons of vlogging
Pros of vlogging
- Videos can start getting views right away
- Vlogs help forge connections with viewers because they can evoke emotions
- Vlogging on YouTube can potentially help a brand build thousands and millions of followers
- Vlogs help improve a brand’s image and increase brand awareness
- Vlogs are a great way to show off your personality and creative side
Cons of vlogging
- Vloggers must be comfortable on camera
- Editing videos is time-consuming and can cost money
- Buying the resources (a camera, editing software, etc.) is not cheap
- Vlogs require expertise in filming and video editing
- Vlogs don’t work in every niche
- Vlogging requires 100% commitment
- Lack of privacy if you share your personal life
What about blogging?
Blogs share content in the written form and appeal to audiences in a completely different way. One person or multiple people can write them, and their main goal is to provide readers with information, increase traffic to a website, and eventually increase online sales. That said, some people use blogs as a place where they can freely share their thoughts, opinions, or more online.
When you create a blog, you have to purchase a domain (a website) to post your content. The blog can work as a great tool to drive traffic to your website and promote your services.
Here are some interesting blogging statistics you should know.
- Websites that have a blog have 434% more indexed pages
- Websites that have a blog have 97% more links to their websites
- 34% of consumers state that a quality blog post has led them to make an unplanned purchase decision
- Blogging is the third-most common content marketing strategy businesses use
- Businesses that use their blog for marketing see 13 times the ROI than those that don’t
- Blogs receive most of their traffic from Google
- Businesses that post blogs get 67% more leads per month
- 77% of people using the internet read blog posts
- When it comes to SEO, blogging is the most effective way to improve your search rankings
With all of these statistics, it’s no wonder blogging is considered a great content marketing strategy. Not only can it bring people to your website and tell them about your product or service, but it can also help increase leads and sales.
But what are the pros and cons of blogging?
Pros and cons of blogging
Pros of blogging
- Once a blog starts to attract high-quality visitors, it can get better conversions than vlogs
- You can blog about any topic or niche
- You can sell any product or service from your blog
- Blogs build credibility
- There are countless ways you can make money from a blog: affiliate marketing, Google AdSense, sponsored posts, etc. (Find out the different ways you can make money from your blog here.)
- Blogs drive traffic to a website and convert the traffic to leads
- Blogs help with link building
- Improves writing skills
- Establishes you as a thought-leader
Cons of blogging
- It is difficult for new blogs to rank right away
- You must understand SEO
- It takes time to make money
- It can be time-consuming
- Unexpected technical issues can occur
- You must regularly update and post on a blog
- It can be difficult if you are not the best writer
Here are a few other things to consider when deciding whether you want to blog or vlog to grow your business.
- Your audience
- The platforms your audience uses
- The topic(s) you blog or vlog about
- Your skills
- Time and resources
So, blog or vlog?
Blogging and vlogging are both great ways to produce content. Videos are a great way to create engaging content with your audience, while blogs help inform. The one you choose depends on your needs. If you are looking for more popularity, to develop a brand identity, and to grow a following quickly, opt for vlogging.
If you want to create passive income, generate quality traffic, and sell your website products and services, you should go the blog route.
However, if you’re interested in combining the two and earning two separate forms of income, reaching a new audience, and expanding your brand, adding a blog and vlog to your content marketing strategy is the way to do it.
Click here for tips on how to build a better blog.
What are your thoughts? What do you think works better for business growth, a blog or vlog?