Last updated on March 4th, 2024 at 08:26 pm
At the end of last year, I decided I would take that huge plunge into the vlogging world, a new adventure. A world that I knew hardly anything about except for the hours of it I watch myself of other bloggers. I had no experience (and still don’t) on the videoing front but I jumped in the deep end of it like I always do.
I am a firm believer it’s either sink or swimming and there is no reason to half ass anything in life so ‘go all in, or don’t go in at all’ is my motto. So am I sinking or swimming?
Well that is debatable and probably depending on who you ask. If you ask me, it’s more of a ‘back float’ going on right now. A survival tactic that is useful when you are feeling like you are struggling but one big thing I love about vlogging is the more you do it the easier it gets. It’s all about practicing.
Yes, I have embarrassing, cringe-worthy, vidoes on my youtube channel. Yes, I have videos that I filmed with my iphone the wrong way up and have black sides on them. No, I won’t delete any of them. I thought at first, as I got better, I would go back and delete those horrible no starter videos. The ones full of bloopers before I figured out how to use imovie. The ones full of umm, and shakes before I knew how to edit them out. But I think they are all part of the learning curve and the learning process so there they will stay for all to see.
I like sharing my whole journey from start to finish and see how much I have either learned or things I have improved on. It’s like our blogs, we would go back and delete all those first posts we posted would we? I think the same goes for vlogging.
While I am still learning and practicing now, I have one part of my vlogging I absolutely love so much and really enjoy doing whether its popular or not. It’s my new series called “Bloggers Insight”. This was born because throughout my first whole year of blogging last year I attend numerous conference and blogging events and yes, I did learn from them but I learned MORE from the actual bloggers I met. So a thought occurred to me that I should interview inspiring bloggers once a month on the skills and knowledge they have to offer the rest of us.
My very first interview was with the sweet Lisa from Hollybobbs, who I met and roomed with at Blog Fest. She knows her vlogging inside and out so I thought who better to start my journey of vlogging and interviewing with than her.
I learned so much from Lisa in just a little amount of time. I am still trying to put all that into practice now each month with my vlogging. Lighting is always an issue for me and getting a clear videoing image too. I usually film on my iphone which is great and handy to upload but lately I have been using my dslr to see if the quality will improve in my uploads. Lisa is right, I just need more practice too!
My second interview was the lovely Morgana from Butwhymummywhy, whom I have known for years before I ever was a blogger. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her and her amazing family before blogging was a part of my life but when we found out we were both blogging she really has been such a HUGE supporter and coach to me. I owe her so much. I am so proud of her starting her business, a life time dream. She works so hard and here she shares with me how blogging got her to that point.
Blogging can open so many doors for people like it has for Morgana and even me after a year of blogging I have had opportunities I never thought possible like working from home.
My latest interview was with the beautiful Charlotte from Write Like No One Is Watching. I met Charlotte on a number of occasions at conferences and one taxi ride later we have become close friends. Her knowledge on beauty is amazing and her makeup is always flawless.
Charlotte taught me a lot in just a little time together about what makeup I should be looking for or buy, if I am just starting out. I could drool over her makeup supply and her beautiful home.
I truly learned a lot from my interviews of all various topics. And I look forward to interview many more inspiring bloggers. We learn from each other and I think even the new bloggers have something to share. That’s the beauty of the blogosphere we support, love and help each other so much on this writing, videoing, sharing journey. I am so blessed to be a part of it all.
Thank you ladies for being inspiring and allowing me into a little piece of your heaven for my interviews. And I look forward to sharing many more “Blogger Insights” with all of you lovely readers.
Such wonderful interviews – I love everyone you have interviewed! I am useless at being in front of the camera so will stay firmly behind it for the foreseeable future! x
Oh you never know Donna I might be coming for you. Hahaha Yhey are fun because I only ever ask casual easy questions and I like to keep it light and fluffy for my guests to put them at ease. Glad you like them.
I love this post. You are so adorable 🙂
I would love to meet up with you one day, although I expect our videos would be totally silly 🙂
xx
Yes me too! We will have to make that happen!!! Lol thank you hunny.
What a fabulous series of vids – I’m looking forwards to lots more! I really want to get into vlogging, I just need to get a bit braver!
I had to just jump in and forget all the nerves. It was hard and the first few did really suck. But the more you do it, the more you get comfortable talking to yourself and to a camera! lol I say just try it you don’t have to push publish unless you want really want to. hahaha That’s the beauty of it no one will know it may be your fifteenth video redone! lol
Well I love your new adventure – I’ve really enjoyed all your videos – I watch them while I’m doing the washing up and they always make me smile and feel like I’ve got company!!
Ahhh bless you for watching them all. I love that you did it while washing up. My voice while cleaning not sure how good that would be. lol I will have to come do your interview soon on how you get it all done Carie!!! 🙂
Ah Jenny, I love you on camera. These are such beautiful women who are so inspiring too – so well done you for doing these interviews. THey’re all fab. Well done lovely x
Thanks hunny. Glad you enjoyed them. Oh yes all inspiring amazing ladies indeed and such good friends. I am so lucky to have the honor of knowing them outside of blogging online. I look forward to doing more. It’s great because I just ask ten questions that others like myself want to know about that person so it makes it casual and fun.
I’ve only made 1 vlog and i was nervous at 1st I’m glad ive got over the dreaded 1st & I was more worried about the hubby teasing me! Im going to pop back & watch your vids when it’s not 3am & Everyone is awake.
Oh no to 3 am and everyone awake. Yes please do, I love feedback. I was so nervous for my 1st, 2nd and even still now get nervous if other people are watching. I look back though and realize I have improved a little already just with location, lighting, and a little editing.
Glad you’re enjoying your vlogging Hun!! I’m so sorry I can’t watch because of how ridiculously limited we are here on internet (maybe one day they will sort it out!!)
You’ll have to come over and do one here
No worries babes, maybe one day you will have speedy wifi. Bless you. I wouldn’t mind flying to you for an interview. lol That would be amazing. Maybe next time you are in the UK. lol
Sounds like your Vlogging is going from strength to strength hon. I completely agree that we learn from each other in the blogging world, which is why the community is such a fab thing to be a part of 🙂
Thank you hunny. Yes, most definitely and there is always something new to learn too. That’s why I love blogging and vlogging all together. The community is amazing.
You know I LOVE YOU TUBE! I think I am a bit rubbish but the only way that you can get better at things is to do it regularly isn’t it? We didn’t all start good at things. I love your manner. I love your videos and I love you stuff for Mum Talk TV! x
Thanks Emma you are so sweet and so supportive. I am very happy that you asked me to be a part of Mum Talk TV. I just hope I do everyone proud. haha Easier when it’s your own channel to mess up. lol I agree it’s definitely a learning curve.
I defo wouldn’t have the confidence for vlogging so well done you! I can’t imagine many wanting to listen to and figure out my scouse accent either! I love attending these events, I was at BlogFest too!!
Thanks for #sharewithme linky xx
Thanks Ally. Oh I can’t stand my own voice either I don’t think many do to be honest. Vlogging is a learning process for me at the moment. lol I need so much more practice.
I’m so glad I found your blog through the link up … especially because I’m about to give vlogging a go so I’m glad to know that it will get better (because I’m already predicting the first few will be bad!) and that there’s others just finding their way through. It’s sometimes hard not to get caught up in how other peoples are doing things in a better way … but I figure if I take it one day at a time, I’ll get there in the end. Thank you for the link up. x
Hi Brooke welcome to LTM and SWM. So glad you found me too. Yes vlogging definitely is a learning thing in progress even for me and I have been doing it for a few months. It just takes practice and finding the light and angel that’s best in your own home then learning to edit and to speak without the umms and ahhhs too. It’s fun learning it and as long as you can laugh at your first few and still share them. You are doing great. I did that a lot comparing to vloggers that have been doing it for awhile silly me. Start out new with new vloggers you will see we are in the same boat together. lol
Such a great idea to do a series of interviews with other bloggers – for me, the blogging community is one of the best things about being a blogger – getting to read (and watch) posts from so many inspirational people and learning so much along the way. Glad you’re enjoying vlogging 🙂
Thanks Louise. I couldn’t agree more. They have been so much more to me than blogging itself has being an expat it really has made this more home for me, and made friends through the community and met other expats that feel the same as me. So it’s been an amazing journey.
Ah, you are all such gorgeous ladies – which helps when you’re putting your face on film 🙂 I definitely need more practise with vlogging, it doesn’t come naturally! You are captivating to watch though, love your vlogs x
Thanks Steph you are too nice. I wouldn’t call it captivating just yet. lol I am still learning to stop saying uhhhh and stop playing with my hair while people are talking and moving around. lol But it’s been a fun journey so far. Glad you like it.
I love your vlogs and I think you are doing a grand old job in what you’re doing 🙂 x
Thanks Anna Marie you are always so supportive and lovely to me. Its still a big learning curve for me. I need more time to practice more but time is always the issue isn’t it? Hope to be doing more soon!
Love all the interviews Jenny. So brave as I did a vlog with my daughter about a toy she was reviewing and I was SO nervous and probably rubbish !! Good luck on your new adventure though I am sure you will be fantastic. x
Thanks Tracey. I don’t think you are rubbish I bet its just how we feel as we are our own worse critics. I hate most of my videos there are a few recently I think finally I get the lighting and the umms out of my speech! lol Hoping to get more time this summer to do more.
Lovely post and such great videos! I love watching vlogs as I’m so nosey and I especially love your interviews with fellow lovely bloggers. I’m just starting out and this post has shown me don’t be scared to write what you want and to be yourself. Thank you x
So true hunny you really just got to go with what you want to do and what you think its fun and great. Its hard not to compare those that have been doing it a long time but we are all in this together and everyone for the most part seems so supportive. If you look back some of my first vlogs were horrible!!! lol But that’s my learning journey! 🙂
I actually found some of your youtube videos the other day. Well done for trying something new. I always feel so awkward in front of the camera so I’m not sure I would be brave enough!!
Oh Emma I do too. The most recent one with Charlotte, even though I know her outside of blogging and were friends I was shaking like a leaf. I don’t think my nerves will ever be calm and collected when I do them but hoping the more I video the more it will get easier. Try it you might surprise yourself.
I think it is great you have tried something outside your comfort zone. Keeping the first slightly dodgy videos is a way to show how you have grown and you should definitely keep them the same way you’d never delete your first blog posts #sharewithme
Exactly. I wouldn’t ever delete them so I can show everyone you don’t start off calm and collected it’s a journey and learning curve just like everything else. I have really been trying to show every what’s reality lately and not what sometimes perfect photos and perfect vlogs appear to be. I even videoed myself with children crying and crawling all over me no makeup and in my pjs. Because that’s reality of a mom’s life. lol It was embarrassing and I still want to push the delete button but it was necessary to make a point. lol 🙂
Love this beautiful introduction to your flogging – and you’re so right… It is a process and we don’t have to know everything …We just gotta jump!!
Your interview series is a fantastic way to connect with other bloggers too and provide for a need – insights – for the rest of us 🙂
#sharewithme
Thanks Steph, I think we learn so much from each other so its’ so fun to do too though. I can’t wait for my next interview each month and finding who to learn from. Glad you like it. I still have a lot to learn in my interviewing skills though. lol
Ah Jenny, I LOVE your enthusiasm for everything – it really is so infectious! These ladies are all fabulous and soooo interesting too. Well done you x x
Thank you Suzanne, you are sweet. I am the crazy one that likes to jump all in with a smile and hope she swims. But at least I can say I did it if I do fail. lol Instead of what ifs! You are too right these ladies are amazing and inspiring. I will be coming to your house next with the recorder!!! LOL
I just love this post – I am so embarrassed to try vlogging as I have a strange accent I think – when I hear myself I cringe but you sound as though you should have been doing it all your life! I really should take the plunge too – I love your saying – we say Go Big or Go Home here 🙂 Have to say that I loved the vlog you made about your real life, that made me laugh because my children use me as a climbing frame/seat too…
I think we all cringe at ourselves. I have an american irish english twang going on so don’t worry about accents. Jump in and if its not for you the great thing is you can always push delete!!!! Glad I am not the only one with climbing monkeys. lol
What great interviews! I’d love to do vlogging but am not all that confident in front of the camera.. I like that you have the attitude all or nothing. 🙂
Thanks Bek. It’s one of those that has really helped me in life to have attitude like that as I would otherwise just over analyze myself and over think things. So I jump in and hope it works and if not the great thing about vlogging is you can push delete and try again. AlthoughI prefer to show the bloopers too. lol
Fantastic interviews – and all lovely ladies to boot 🙂 I think we have all spouted rubbish on our vlogs at some point! I would love to get back on top of mine – and I will do at some point. Plus, I wish I was closer to you – I would love to be interviewed 🙂 x
Oh I would love to interview you too for my Bloggers Insight my lovely. Next time we are at a conference together I will have to steal ten minutes of your time so we can do it. lol
A fab idea – and well done on the vlogging. Vlogging isn’t for me – I prefer reading (I rarely watch TV), and I certainly couldn’t do it myself – I have a really thick Birmingham accent and no would understand me, plus videos show up my lazy eye and wonky teeth, but anyone who has the confidence to do it gets a big thumbs up from me! #sharewithme
Of course it’s not for everyone. I am still trying to figure out if it’s for me even. lol But words will always be my main priority and mail love. Thanks hun.
i will definitely always be on the filming/watching side of the camera. But I love watching videos and think your attitude of diving in is fab!
Thanks Sian. Oh you never know I might get you on my couch one day for an interview. lol teasing it’s not for everyone but its’ good to give it a try for me. Words will always be my number one love though. 🙂
Well done for taking the plunge! I totally agree, I am learning everyday as I’m still quite new to blogging and I learn so much from other bloggers, they’ve been my saviour!!
Oh me too. They have been so much for me too. I can’t imagine being without it now. The community is amazing both with blogging and vlogging. Glad you feel the same. 🙂
What a fabulous idea! I can’t believe how brilliant you are at everything you do and your videos are no exception. It is so true that we learn from each other and I have SO MUCH TO LEARN!!!! Thanks for sharing these!
Oh Vicki I think you give me too much credit. I still have SO MUCH TO LEARN too and if you see one of my youtube videos I have no makeup on pjs on and my children are climbing all over me and crying. That’s reality of mom life. But thank you so much I hope I am improving. I need more practice though and more time.
Oh I love this post! What better way to learn than from those who inspire you? Well done, and I hope it all goes so well for you x x x
Thank you so much darling. Yes so true we can all learn from each other that’s the beauty of it. I can’t wait to do more interviews. Need to start lining them up! lol
That’s a lovely post. It’s great to know that you have had so much support from the blogging community. I have found it very open and willing share secrets as well 🙂
You are right, going in full steam ahead is often the best way to go!
Good luck with vlogging xx
#sharewithme
Thanks Joanna. Glad you have had the same experience. It’s such a great place to be a part of.
I love how you’ve shared your journey, I really like that approach. I am going to do more on the vlogging front too, and I love the learn as you go approach. I don’t mind talking and being on screen, it’s the editing I need to learn more about #sharewithme
Oh me too hunny. I barely can put my name on the screen and a title for it. Hahah I need to learn so much more and practice more too. Good luck with yours. It’s addictive and fun.
I think you are a natural on screen Jenny – you’ve always come across comfortable in your own skin and enthusiastic about your subjects. I can’t imagine putting myself out there on YouTube but I love watching other people’s – it is interesting to see how people who’s blogs you read come across in person! X #sharewithme
Thanks Sam. Oh yes most definitely. That’s why I love vlogging because it gives you more about the person and shines more of their personality into it too. I still get so nervous tho. In charlottes I was shaking like a leaf. Hahahah need to get more topic for my vlogging going on too. I love watching others and being nosy too. Lol
I love this post Jenny and I love watching your You Tube vids- you have such a happy, cheerful, upbeat persona- I certainly couldn’t do it! Here’s too many more! xxx
Thanks Katie so much. Oh yes I hope you can your my next victim. Hahaha jks. It’s nerve racking and I still shake but hoping I am getting better and better at it. Look forward to interviewing so many more bloggers soon.
Ha Jenny, I can’t imagine you doing anything ‘half-assed’, you really throw yourself into everything, which is inspiring, and tiring to watch in equal measures! Good luck with another productive year x
Haha I love that people keep saying that. Lol well I do feel extremely tired most days haha does that make you feel better. Lol I still have so much to learn though so if I don’t jump all in then it would take me years to learn it all. Lol I definitely half ass clean tho. Lol no joke I hate cleaning last on my list but hate a dirty house too. Catch 22.
I quite like the idea of vlogging, I love yours, but I struggle to find the time to write let alone video myself 🙂 Maybe one day!
I feel this way. If one week I am working on my vlogging then my blog gets off track then vs blog gets attention and vlogging doesn’t. It’s hard to do both I am finding. Lol so you aren’t alone.
Thanks for featuring me lovely lady, it was so much fun to fool with you! Xxx
Thanks Lisa babes. You are a star. I enjoyed it.
This is fab, I have made a few blogs with music, but have not been brave enough to speak. I am going to be brave and make an introduction video, thank you x
I haven’t tried vlogging (we are considering it for our blog though…) but I did have to get in front of the camera for a work vlog. I’m quite gregarious so I thought, ‘How hard can it be?!’ Well, it’s HARD! I only had to recite a paragraph but I fluffed my lines about 30 times, my facial expression solidified and the cameraman got more and more frustrated with me. So kudos to you and hope your vlogs go from strength to strength! x
Thanks Nicky, oh I still get nervous and mess it all up and have to cut things out. So much to learn and practice and it’s hard when everyone is staring at you to get it right. Bless you.
Grace & Lucas says – We love it when the Mothers video us for the blog – it’s really fun. Sometimes we’re a bit naughty and deliberately do something a bit cheeky, hoping that they’ll keep it in!!!!! he he #sharewithme
Jenny – as always I admire your tenacity and your determination to try something new and excel at it. These are great videos and it was great to learn more about bloggers and put ‘proper’ faces to names. Fab job x #sharewithme
What a fab idea. Vlogging isn’t something I have tried yet as a) I’m scared b) i’m a terrible ‘umm-er’ and c) I know how time consuming it is. However, I also know it’s the way forward. People like to watch videos online – it’s so much easier than reading onscreen. I know I will get to it at some point and can’t wait to watch your interviews for some inspiration and a kick up the butt 🙂
Well done – nothing ventured, nothing gained! You’ve inspired me a little x
You’re very brave! I haven’t watched the interviews yet – will when I have more time to enjoy them! I’m not brave enough to do any vlogging yet, think I’ll stick to hiding behind my written word for now!! #sharewithme
Oh don’t say that Lisa until you have seen my videos they are not professional and so many things I need to fix and learn still. It’s a work in progress. I still get nervous and shake and say umm all the time too. Need to perfect that. 🙂
I can’t watch the video’s right now – I have sleeping children in the next room – but I will be popping over to your youtube channel tomorrow and checking them out! I love watching vlogs and seeing how people sound – I hate the sound of my voice though so can’t see me vlogging anytime soon 🙂
Oh I think we all hate the sound of our own voices I can’t stand mine. I hate even editting my voice because I have to listen to it over and over. lol Would love to know what you think, leave a comment on youtube if you have any advice on what I need to work on. It’s a huge learning curve for me still.
It will be fun to watch all your old vlogs years down the road and see how far you’ve come!
Or laugh at how ridiculous I sound and the crap I come up with. hahahaha At least either way it will be entertainment in years to come if not for me at least for the kids. lol
Great videos. I feel all inspired to start a business or buy some make up lol…looking forward to seeing what you share next month 🙂
Hahaha Thanks I know. I have some good ones lined up next few months. Will have to pop over and interview you soon lol hahaha
I have only watched the video with Charlotte so far but I will watch the others straight away. I think it’s a great idea for a vlog series and I love seeing lovely bloggers together (although I’m also jealous ;). I love YouTube and have watched it for ages, so I love that more and more of my favourite bloggers are now making video’s.
I’m glad you have decided to keep your older video’s; I think it’s the right thing to do. When you see people with their perfect video’s I think you forget that they had to start somewhere too and they probably weren’t very good at it once.. It’s inspiring seeing how far someone has come by being able to look back on their old video’s or blog posts xx
Thanks Louise. I agree. I really think no one should ever delete those old videos or blog posts that we all cringe at. We all starts somewhere indeed. I am hoping to do more vlogging as I go along and especially when my little one starts school as I will have more time.
I love watching these videos! I’v yet to take the plunge…I just can’t decide if I have anything useful to say though. Watch this space! xx
hahah I feel like that everyday. And why I haven’t been vlogging as much as when I first started because I just think why would anyone listen to me etc. lol I think we all think this about ourselves but yet we love watching everybody else because we are curious and nosey and love it. lol Jump in and try it.
A great idea for a series. I don’t do vlogging but I was interviewed on TV a couple of times last year (long story, about a petition I started) and I know that I sounded completely different in the interview to how I think I sound.
It’s funny hearing your own voice and I wonder why it doesn’t just sound like normal to us. Lol I cringe at my own.
Very brave doing vlogging. Wouldn’t be for me to be honest. I can’t talk as much. Lol #sharewithme
Hahah I struggle and I am a big blabber mouth and still get nervous and lost for words. Hahaha
This is amazing, Jenny! I think you’re doing a great job, and kudos to you for that attitude. I don’t think I could ever do it, but love your videos 🙂
Thank you so much Tarana that means a lot. I am trying to get better and practice makes perfect or near enough. Just need more time to practice now. hahaa
Jenny!!! This is SUCH an amazing series. What a fantastic idea (you are so brave) and what a way to share the blogging love. I know that vlogging is not for me but I do enjoy watching others. Really wish you the best of luck with it and I will be back, that’s a promise! x
Thanks Esther you have just made my night reading your lovely comment. Glad you like it and coming back soon. I hope to have a lot more vlogging for you next time too!
Fab post and some great videos! Congratulations on this amazing venture, keep em’ coming! xx
Thank you so much Natasha. So sweet of you. 🙂
I do enjoy watching your vlogs 🙂 I don’t mind talking to camera a bit myself but I couldn’t be a vlogger as such – I like writing too much and prefer my videos to add context to my posts. x
Me too. It’s never going to be a main focus for me but I like to do various ones and family adventure videos on my youtube. 🙂
Look at how much everyone loves you! All of those kind and lovely comments. You absolutely rock and I’m SO GLAD you asked me to be a part of it. We need to get more filming done! xx
Oh thank you ever so much you are too sweet to me Char. Yes definitely need to do more filming together would be so fun! 🙂 We are a good team.
I’m learning so much from other bloggers including yourself. And it’s so true about the first posts. I took me a little while to find my voice and my style but I can’t bring myself to delete any of those first posts! #sharewithme
Me too. I cringe when I read them back and especially when I look at really old recipes the food photography was horrible!!!! 🙂 It’s great to learn from each other glad I help you too. I think we all can teach each other something! That’s why I love the blogging world.
These videos are brilliant! You could be a chat show host!! xx
Thank you Sam. That’s a huge compliment as that’s what I have always wanted to be. Hence the name lets talk “Mommy” as in lets talk Jenny. I thought if someday I ever get my own talk show it could be called that. Hahaha
I wouldn’t have the nerve the vlog. I hate the thought of other people watching videos of me and having access to them, maybe one day I’ll build the confidence though. love these videos though really interesting!
#sharewithme
http://www.ninaspersonalspace.wordpress.com
Thank you so much. They are beginner videos though and I really need to practice more. I am still so nervous and say umm alot. lol Time and practice hopefully will fix that.
Good luck in this new venture, you are a complete natural in front of the camera and your personality really shines through! I have done the odd vlog but I end up saying “ummmm” about 200 times throughout 🙂
Hahah Thanks hunny. Me too though I just edit out all those ummm. as much as I can. lol I still have a lot to learn and need to practice more.
these are great. I’ve been thinking about doing some vloging, but my house is such a mess, and i don’t look very good on camera, so keep putting it off.
Don’t put it off. Your house doesn’t have to be clean just stand in front of a white wall and face a window for light. You should try it a few times you would love it. You can always push delete. 🙂
Hi I love the idea of vloging but like some of the other comments my house is too much of a mess and I am too self conscious. I hate the sound of my own voice. You on the other hand seem to be a complete natural. x
Thanks Amy but I assure you I still get nervous and shake and I also hate the sound of my own voice. But I think everyone hates their recorder voice because it sounds unnatural to us. You should try it. You could always delete. It’s addictive once you get going! lol
Lovely interviews and well done on taking the plunge into the vlogging world. Look forward to watching more! x
Thanks Laura. I still have a lot to learn though. Need more time to practice.