Blogs, Vlogs, and Podcasts: Oh My!
By Valerie Bradley-Holliday, Ph.D.

PART 2
Some of the avenues available on the Internet can allow a person to do both VLOGS and PODCASTS. So, take up your favorite beverage to go as we explore a few options called Vlogs, and Podcasts on the Internet highway.

VLOGS
You guessed it! Vlogs are video logs. If you know You Tube, then you have probably seen many entertaining, puzzling, and sometimes outrageous Vlogs. I made one when we did the ice bucket challenge and I also made one for a book I was writing called, Elmwood. Please keep in mind, too, that video logs can feature your writing rather than you as the star. For example, I did watercolor pencil drawing, wrote Haikus to them and uploaded them to You Tube. By doing this, I also uploaded the link to my Writing Works Press, LLC web site. The great thing about Vlogs and Blogs is that you can distribute the links. What do I need for a Vlog, you ask? My response is that it depends on what approach you choose to take. You can do with as little as the camera and microphone on your own computer, tablet, or smart phone. Yes, I said smart phone. Wired.com lists four movie shorts that people filmed using their smart phones: Goldilocks, Les Ongles (The Nails), Paranmanjang (Night Fishing), and Two Scoops. If you decide to check this out, spoiler alert, they are in the horror genre. What makes them all the more realistic, particularly The Nails, is that it is shot from a smart phone. Vlogs and Blogs can be combined, although they depend on consistent work. If you are uncomfortable with starting a Vlog on your own, try and team up with someone who loves filming, either a professional or amateur videographer. Who knows, you may surprise yourself and just start video recording your own weekly monologue. Famous authors like, American Gods author Neil Gaiman, have videos of themselves reading their own books. For examples of the power of video, check out sites like You Tube and Vimeo. Aside from Vlogs, another venue that is garnering growing interest is the use of Podcasts.

PODCASTS
Simply put, Podcasts are digitally rendered audio files that you can upload to the Internet. So what? Well, again podcasts can be a way to reach your audience in a more personal way. They can get to hear the sound of your voice sharing techniques about writing, interests you love, or pertinent issues that you think others should just plain know about. Beyond that, you can also invite guest speakers to your podcasts. What about the equipment? Yes, you are right, there is always that, but you can use your Smart Phone or Computer to do your earlier files. Eventually, you might want to invest in a good set up having earphones with a microphone; I currently use a Sennheiser brand. You will have to decide what fits your personality, pocketbook, and style. Unlike Vlogs, where wearing headphones might be distracting or give you headphone hair for the entire world to see, podcasts are audio, so the wearing of headphones is of little consequence. The big thing here is having a quiet space or time to do your podcasts. With an amateur band and two dogs in my household, I still struggle with that myself. I still do the podcasts, though. Additionally, for people with reading issues, having audio is a plus and you have expanded your market base through your extra effort.
Blogs, Vlogs, and Podcasts are by no means the only ways to communicate with your reader audience, but they provide a basis for reaching new readers who are attuned to the Internet more than ever through access to their smart phones, which many carry 24/7.

Note: Be willing to use social media by having clickable links to social media accompanying your Blogs, Vlogs, and Podcasts. Also, be aware of accessibility issues. Please search your browser for Americans with Disabilities Act and making your website accessible. I am more than happy to address social media and accessibility in future articles.

- By Valerie Bradley-Holliday, Ph.D.