Dateline: 15 May 2017
Video blogging is now where it's at with savvy online marketing. Whether it's the marketing of ideas or products, more people will pay attention to you if you make a movie and put it on YouTube.
I've come to terms with that reality, and have now launched a new vlog titled This Agrarian Life. And, of course, every vlog must have it's own web site: www.ThisAgrarianLife.net
This new vlog has been a long time in the thinking. But my thinking was that I would not video blog. The reason being, my lack of technical and stage prowess, along with the amount of time it has taken me in the past to make the few YouTube videos I've managed to crank out.
Written words have always been my strong point anyway. They have served me well. I'm comfortable with words. I'm not naturally inclined to put my live self into the medium.
But I've been feeling that I need to be a little less introverted. And then it occurred to me that the prospect of video blogging was overwhelming to me because I was complicating it.
What if I just filmed real short clips (less than 3 minutes) of various small-subject things that I've done, or am doing, here on my little homestead? With a single-take, short, focused video, I could eliminate the time-consuming production work of putting the video together.
And, instead of adding a "proper" introduction, with music and all of that, I would just have a 3-second introductory title frame. That would save me even more time.
And, with my spotty, low-bandwidth internet service, I might be able to upload a short video to YouTube in only a couple of hours (instead of overnight, and then some).
So, I made 7 short vlogs last Friday and uploaded them to YouTube over the weekend. With my scaled-down approach, the videos were easy to shoot and produce. And they uploaded to YouTube so much faster than previous (longer) movies I made.
Initial viewer response has been pretty good. I'm encouraged.
I have not thought this vlogging journey out too far into the future. I'm just taking it a vlog at a time. But I hope to make a lot of these mini-movies in the days ahead.
I invite you to join My YouTube Channel and watch all the episodes of This Agrarian Life as they come out. You will find all my YouTube videos at that link.
I am not expert Herrick, but it looks good to me: short, informative, and to the point.
ReplyDelete"not an expert"...
DeleteThank you for the encouragement. :-)
DeleteGreat format....really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteShort videos under 10 minutes are very easy to watch. I have enjoyed every one of your vlogs on Youtube. I believe you will be selling many more great Whizbang inventions now that your audience can actually see them functioning. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYea, back in business
ReplyDeleteHello Herrick. Thanks for the email with this link. I've watched all your content, and I commend your approach. I miss your blog, but I believe you are right that the era of the blog is over. I've been toying with the idea of starting a YouTube channel for our homestead, and you may have given me the last bit of necessary encouragement. All the best from North Carolina. Jim Huskns
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. Let me know when you get your channel going.
DeleteShort and sweet. I'd love to watch all the 10-minute long videos people post, but don't have the time. Three minutes I'll do. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteWell, that is validation for me, and I thank you.
DeleteHi Herrick -
ReplyDeleteThese are fun and interesting, but I'm wondering if you will continue to write here at Upland? You have a way with words, and I always find your posts informative, educational, and thought provoking. I do hope you'll continue.
Best -
Sue
Sue,
DeleteI'm undecided about what to do as far as blogging. I think Jim Huskins (above) is right in that the era of the blog is over. Not completely, but mostly. As long as there is something like YouTube, most people are going to gravitate to watching over reading, especially when it comes to following daily or close to daily. From my perspective, a whole lot less time is needed to make a short film than to sit and write a blog post. I'm into new territory with vlogging. I'm not comfortable with it, but I hope to get better. Maybe by Episode #100. :-)
While I too have enjoyed the new youtube videos, I second the suggestion to continue writing blog entries. I have always enjoyed your writing and still re-read (and have my sons read) entries from "The Deliberate Agrarian".
DeleteTim(fromOhio)
Mr. Kimball--
DeleteI too hope that you will continue blogging. I have had some very difficult times over the last two years (because, as an executive on the outs, I was sidelined at work and had literally nothing to do for eight hours a day) when I stumbled across the Deliberate Agrarian. It was a godsend when I so desperately needed one, and I moved with you to Upland during that time.
I will occasionally watch videos, but the written word seems much less ephemeral. Even on a web page. And as you said...written words have served you well. They've served Sue, Anonymous, and this Anonymous well as well. I do so hope you continue, but I know you have to do what's best for you.
In any case, God bless...
I agree. I understand why you chose to move to videos; however, I think there are still many people who benefit from your writing. I never watch videos so I am missing your blog posts and hope you choose to continue writing at least a bit. I am thankful for the many ideas you have given me!
DeleteHi Herrick, Ok, take this with a grain of salt. I've been on Youtube for 10 Years On August 17, 2017, so I do know what gardeners love and "Misc. watchers" in particular. First rule, if someone is bad in your comments, ignore them, or delete them, NEVER take seriously anyone that is nasty or mean. some are paid to do that, delete them. It's a VIDEO, not a MOVIE, and for some unknown reason, the seasoned Youtubers don't like the name movie, I think it has something to do with the work they put into them themselves, and that it was their work? 3 minute videos are wonderful, however "seasoned" Youtubers consider at least 5 minutes to be the perfect length to offer. (I must also add here, that when I watched a couple of yours, I wanted more)in some way, that is good, but in another, feeling left out. I watch videos that are hours long, but only 2-3 of the ones I sub who make those kind of videos. I find your videos to be MUCH clearer, great views, have really good sound, and much better than most on Youtube, and that is not an exaggeration. I watch almost "state of the Art" videos and some that are very bad as far as videos go, and I can tell you, it's about content, that's what gets videos to go viral. BE YOURSELF, and let yourself laugh, it's the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING you can do on a video. You have already shown me a few things that I'm really excited about, and I know that, that will continue. Last, Please put ALL links to a product either down in the (Show More) under the video, or put the link in a comment. People want to go right to the link if they are interested. Nothing worse than to have to stop and search for a link. I purchase a lot of my needs/wants in the show more section or in a comment left with the link in it. I really didn't want to write this, your good at all you do, but sometimes it's best to know what the "regulars" like and want. I know your going to grow, now that your on a very active site where people just love to share their experiences and the ups and downs of growing food, and working on a homestead. God's Grace to you and yours, Sheila
ReplyDeleteI second all that Sheila! Hear hear.
DeleteI got a chance to watch several of your videos this morning, and think they are informative and entertaining. Your 3 minute limit is a real plus; I rarely have enough time to watch 20 minute videos in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteLove the videos Herrick. Perfect length.
ReplyDeleteThis is a winner for you Herrick. You're a natural on video and with your wealth of knowledge you have an endless amount of content. I'd suggest updating your Deliberate Agrarian site with weekly links to your YouTube channel and a sidebar scroll on this site with your YouTube content - like you have with the FourDay Carrots.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Muns
Hope this doesn't mean an end to your written content. Videos have their place, but contribute to the shrinking attention span of people in general. I think the best approach is to use vlogs to promote the blog and vice versa. Best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteThank you All for your comments and feedback here regarding my new "This Agrarian Life" vlogging adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe way it looks now, I will not write blog posts here for the rest of the summer and growing season. These are busy months for me and vlogging short videos takes SO MUCH LESS TIME to do than sitting and writing. Come winter, I tend to be indoors more and my mailorder business slows down. I don't think there will be much to share or teach by way of a vlog at that time. And winter is a more contemplative time for me. So, I expect that I'll be more inclined to return to blog writing here at then.
If you watch all the YouTube episodes you will get a pretty good visual overview of what I have blogged about for the past 12 years. My life here in Upland is busy with productive activity, self reliance, and home-based entrepreneurial ventures. All on a pretty modest scale. I'm doing the best I can, where I am, with the resources God has entrusted to me, to live an agrarian lifestyle, with contentment and thankfulness. This has been my "message" in writing for all these years.
Thank you everyone for joining me on this journey.
Elizabeth L. Johnson said,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to encourage you, Herrick, to let us know what's going on at Agriphemera. I haven't seen anything here about it. I've enjoyed my notebook of articles so much, for the history of it right now, and maybe some day I'll need to know about fruit butters, caponizing, hogology, and subsistence homesteading, among other titles. I know the Lord's doing mighty things in this nation, and that the chance for an economic down-turn is very real, soon. In that case, we'll need to know through Agriphemera how to reconnect with the land.
Hello Herrick!
ReplyDeleteI hope that it starts snowing soon where you live. I'm hoping that might get you writing again! You ( and your insights) are missed...
While I look forward to your return to blogging, I've thoroughly enjoyed the vlog, and have watched just about every episode (sometimes several times if it's dealing with a how-to I'm curious about). It's become a regular thing to switch on the TV or computer and say, "Wonder what ol' Brother Herrick's got to say?"
ReplyDeleteGratitude and blessings,
David Smith
Good upland
ReplyDeleteHi Herrick,
ReplyDeleteJust wondering your thoughts on bitcoin with everything that is going on in that direction? I hope you'll find time to pen us a few words. Merry Christmas and God bless to both you and Marlene!
Marney
Hi Marney,
DeleteI started buying Bitcoin back in June. I have a couple other cryptocurrencies now too. It is a significant new technology and we are in the early stages of a new economic system. Not sure where it will lead, but I'm intrigued by it all. I invested (to a small degree) for the historical aspect and for the wild ride. Thus far, it has proven to be a good move..
Where have you disappeared to? We miss your posts!
ReplyDeleteAre you watching my video blogs at YouTube? I have posted 170 episodes so far this year. I haven't disappeared. Just moved to a different format.
ReplyDeleteYeah, But I have a hard time trying to find a spot to just send a message on the blogs, for something of a completely different subject. Should I just use your email addy for that?
ReplyDeleteHi Everett,
DeleteEmail me any time: Herrick@PlanetWhizbang.com
gg
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