To blog or vlog

Not long ago, I headed out on a little hike that turned into a not-so-little hike. I found myself on a 20 km lake trail through the forest.

As I often do, I started thinking about the different ways we communicate. On a marked trail, I welcomed the posted signs to let me know how far I’d travelled or better yet, how much further I had to go. There were flashes to ensure I stayed on the trail and warning signs to stay away from private property or better yet, out of the poison ivy!

Let’s look at the pros and cons of writing a blog versus creating a video blog.

So you want to vlog

Vlog — the social space where you regularly post short videos.

Why would you vlog? Here are a few thoughts.

• Visual content naturally grabs attention, keeping viewers entertained and more engaged.
• You can connect with your viewers through facial expressions, tone and body language.
• People often prefer watching a quick video over reading a lengthy article.
• Videos tend to perform well on social media, increasing reach.

Why might you not vlog?

• Filming, editing and publishing require more time and technical skill. Something I obviously don’t have!
• Cameras, microphones, lighting and editing software can be expensive.
• It can take more time and effort to produce high-quality video regularly.
• Users can’t easily scan a video for key points like they can in a blog post.

The written blog

Blog — A website or social space that is written for readers.

Let’s look at a few pros and cons of writing a blog.

• Blogs require minimal equipment—just a computer and good writing skills.
• Readers can scan through your posts and revisit them long after publication.
• You can add as much detail or as little as you’d like in a written blog. Long-form content is great for explaining complex topics in depth.
• Written content is easier to repurpose. My favourite!

Blogs have a few cons.

• Written content can be less engaging leading to some readers losing interest quickly, especially if the writing isn’t compelling.
• Without photos or graphics, some topics may feel dull.
• Without voice and facial expressions, tone is harder to get across and can sometimes be misinterpreted.
• Written blogs aren’t shared as often, so don’t spread as quickly on social media as videos.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your audience, style and what you’re most comfortable with.

Want engagement, personality and a wide reach? Go for video. Want depth and evergreen content? Stick with a written blog. Or better yet—why not combine both?