Have you ever thought of becoming a Buslife vlogger? Wouldn’t it be great to share your journey with the world as you travel? We think so! That’s why we are dedicating this article to spark interest in Buslifers to start vlogging. You can do so for fun, but you can also make it a side hustle or even as a full-time gig. We’ll dive into how you can monetize through vlogging, what equipment you need, and what to film. Our aim is that this article gives you a comprehensive overview to help you get started directly. 

What is vlogging? 

Vlogging is a playful word twist that originates from the word ‘blogging.’ Whereas blogging is related to writing, vlogging is related to recording video. Hence, some people also call it video blogging.

A typical vlogger creates at least one short video per day. Usually, they make a video of themselves using a mobile phone and a selfie stick. Videos are streamed live or pre-recorded and then uploaded via YouTube, Facebook, or other platforms. 

People vlog to share their day-to-day life with the world, such as their ideas, thoughts, dreams, and fears. Countless vloggers have gained great popularity through the years and have even managed to make an income with it! We’ll talk about how Buslifers like you can monetize through vlogging later in this article. 

Why become a vlogger? 

There are many reasons to vlog. First of all, people want to share something unique with the world. An idea, a philosophy, an opinion, or something else that may catch the attention of a large audience. Secondly, vlogging is the result of a trend that has been occurring over the past decade or so: the move away from reading and in the direction of watching videos. Indeed, vlogging is slowly taking over blogging! 

Think of this stat: In 2016 there were an estimated 700 million digital video viewers worldwide. That number has grown to an astonishing 2.6 billion in 2019! In addition, people spend more time watching videos than ever before. Back in 2016, viewers watched videos online on average 26 minutes per day. This has more than doubled to almost an hour of viewing time now. 

In recent years, mobile phone usage has overtaken desktop usage, which is the main reason why more people are watching videos nowadays. After all, you just need to pick up the phone, open YouTube and you’ll get shown various video options based on your preferences. 

The bottom line is: Our behavior online is fuelling the vlogger movement. Take advantage of that! Our message today is that you, as a Buslifer anywhere in the world, may find great satisfaction in sharing your stories, journeys, and ideas with the world by vlogging. 

What should I film? 

Here’s a list of ideas you could vlog about as a Buslifer: 

• Your favorite destination 
• Your bucket list
• Challenges of being a Buslifer
• Sharing your goals and dreams
• On the road (travel plans)
• Tour of your VW Bus
• Daily habits (meditation, exercise, reading, etc)
• Sharing your thoughts on life
• Cooking on the bus
• What do you eat in a day?
• What makes your bus unique?
• Inspirational messages
• Jokes
• Budget
• Tips
• Packing
• Q&A with your followers
• Giveaway contest
• Collaborate with other Buslifers
• How to be a Buslife vlogger

Vlogging equipment you need to have 

In order to vlog, you only need a few tools, such as a camera, microphone, and a selfie stick. In addition, we recommend getting lighting and a tripod. 

Here are some sample products to purchase, depending on your price range: 

1. Camera 

If you have a good phone camera, you could simply use that for vlogging. For guaranteed professional videos, purchase the Panasonic Lumix G100 4k Vlogging Camera. If you are shooting action videos, you might want to consider getting a GoPro Hero9. 

2. Microphone 

To ensure good sound quality, you need to have a solid microphone. The Altson Ultra-Compact Clip is a good option in its price range. 

3. Selfie stick 

Selfie sticks can be purchased anywhere nowadays. This selfie stick is of good quality and is compatible with most mobile phone devices. 

4. Lighting 

You’d be surprised at how many people get it wrong when it comes to lighting indoors. Just a minor touch will make your video clear and visible in all circumstances. Purchase this 8-inch Ring Light with Tripod Stand and choose between varying lighting options. If you’re using a camera, maybe an on-camera lighting option such as this Switti Camera Light would be best. 

5. Tripod stand 

The lighting and tripod combination mentioned in point 4 is a good option, but if you’re looking for a tripod with more options, consider buying this one. 

With these items, you’re ready to go! Time to think about how to present yourself. 

Creating a unique brand 

Staying true to yourself is the first step in creating a unique brand. People tend to create a different version of themselves online. If you’ve seen The Social Dilemma, you’ll know how many people live two completely different lives: One in the outside world, and one in the digital world. Our first suggestion is to make sure you be your authentic self when vlogging. People appreciate authenticity and like to hear you talk about things that will inspire them. So find your voice, style, format, setting, and camera with which people can easily recognize you as a brand. 

Creating value as a vlogger

After going through all of the previously mentioned steps, including purchasing the right equipment and creating a unique brand by staying true to yourself, you’ll now want to think about how to create value. More specifically, you’ll need to think about what your audience wants to hear. Creating value is really all about creating content that appeals to your audience. The key is to find out what your audience wants at any given moment.

For example, you can browse through the comments section of your videos to see what questions people ask. Then, in your next vlog, you could answer one or more of those questions. If you are tech-savvy you can also do a keyword research to find out which topics or questions are popular by using tools such as Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner.

For us Buslifers, being in a niche helps pave the way. Your audience most likely consists of fellow travelers or VW Bus enthusiasts. You can create value by offering information, tips, opinions, and reviews based on your travels. For example: 

• My top-5 places to surf in South America 
• 10 breathtaking spots to park your VW Bus for free in Europe 
• What to bring on a 6-month USA trip 
• How to access wifi on the road
• Travel in Europe during the Coronavirus pandemic

Since these are questions your audience is potentially asking themselves already, you’ll be offering your ideas and thus create value for them.

Monetizing as a Buslife vlogger 

Though it may sound hard, monetizing your vlogs is actually a lot easier than you might think. Earlier we mentioned that video has taken over the online space. People crave videos more than any other type of content. You can also take a piece of the pie!

The most way of monetizing your vlogging work is by setting up a YouTube channel for your vlogs. Start posting and sharing your vlogging content with the world. Attract new subscribers to your channel by creating a social media strategy, doing giveaways, and most importantly, by creating content that is valuable to your audience. Then, when you’ve reached a level of success, you can join the YouTube Partner Program. 

What is the YouTube Partner Program? 

The YouTube Partner Program is a deal between you, the content producer, and YouTube, the host. You allow YouTube to show ads during your videos in exchange for a part of the revenue YouTube is generating from the ads. Depending on several “secret” factors, you can earn an estimated $0.80-$2.50 per thousand views. If you’re videos get 100,000 views, you would be earning approximately $80-150 per video. 

Getting started

Though the monetization formula sounds simple, to get to the point of generating significant income can be a tough journey. We suggest not to jump into it with the sole purpose of earning money. Being a vlogger is something you need to be very passionate about. Then, by developing the right skills, voice, and style, you can gain traction and slowly grow your follower base.

To learn more about becoming a vlogger, we recommend following a course on Udemy. 

Did you enjoy reading this article? Leave a comment below if you have any suggestions or questions. 

Author: Darren Van Es