How to make behind-the-scenes music-making vlogs

Understanding Your Audience

Before you start creating vlogs, it’s crucial to identify your target audience. Are they aspiring musicians, fellow artists, or just fans of your music? Understanding their needs and interests will guide your content. Engage with your audience through social media to gather feedback and ideas about what they would like to see. You may want to create polls or ask open-ended questions to stimulate conversation.

Planning Your Content

1. Define Your Concept: Decide on the primary focus of your vlog. Are you documenting the recording process of a new song, showcasing your songwriting routine, or exploring your music production workflow?
2. Create an Outline: Sketch a rough outline of each vlog episode. This should include an introduction, main content, and conclusion. It’s important to have a clear narrative structure.
3. Set Goals: Establish what you hope to achieve with your vlogs. This could be anything from increasing fan engagement to showcasing your skills as a musician or sharing tips with aspiring artists.

Gathering Equipment

Investing in the right equipment is crucial for delivering high-quality vlogs. Here’s a list of essential gear:

1. Camera: You don’t need a high-end camera to start; many successful vlogs are shot using smartphones. If you opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, ensure they have good video recording specifications.
2. Microphone: Audio quality is paramount in music vlogs. Consider using an external microphone for better sound quality, especially if you’re recording music, vocals, or your voiceover commentary.
3. Tripod/Stabilizer: A stable shot is essential for enhancing the viewing experience. A simple tripod or a stabilizer gimbal can make a big difference in your video quality.
4. Lighting: Good lighting is crucial. Natural light is a great source, but you may want to invest in softbox lights or ring lights to maintain consistent lighting regardless of the time of day.
5. Editing Software: Familiarize yourself with video editing software. Options like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or even simpler ones like iMovie can help you cut down footage, add music, and include graphics.

Recording Your Vlog

1. Set the Scene: Make sure your recording environment is tidy and visually interesting. Consider decorating your recording space with musical instruments, artwork, or other elements that reflect your style.
2. Capture Footage: Film a variety of shots — wide angles of your studio space, close-ups of your gear, over-the-shoulder shots of you working, and candid moments during the creative process. This variety will keep your audience engaged.
3. Be Authentic: Authenticity resonates with viewers. Don’t fear showing your flaws or moments of struggle in the creative process. Share your thoughts, feelings, and even doubts as these human elements can connect deeply with your audience.
4. B-Roll Footage: Overlay B-roll footage of you interacting with instruments, adjusting settings on your gear, or even non-musical scenes that pertain to your creative process, like going for a walk for inspiration. B-roll adds depth to your storytelling.
5. Voiceovers and Commentary: Consider adding voiceovers to explain what you’re doing during specific parts of the music-making process. Explain your choices in songwriting, your feelings about the music, and what your audience should look for in the final piece.

Editing Your Vlog

1. Choosing The Right Footage: Review all the footage you captured and select the most engaging clips. Aim for clarity, brevity, and coherence in your storytelling.
2. Editing Techniques: Use basic editing techniques like cutting out filler words, speeding up repetitive segments, and combining various camera angles to maintain viewer interest.
3. Add Music: Since it’s a music vlog, your own music will typically take center stage. Ensure that any music you use in your vlog fits well with the visuals. Additionally, use royalty-free music for any background sounds or B-roll scenes where your music is not featured.
4. Graphics and Text: Use graphics to enhance your storytelling. This could involve titling songs, listing gear used, or adding captions for clarity.
5. Transitions: Use smooth transitions between scenes to maintain flow and keep it visually appealing.
6. Color Grading: Depending on the mood you want to set, consider color grading your footage to enhance the visuals, adding a professional touch.

Publishing Your Vlog

1. Choose Your Platform: Decide where you want to publish your vlog. Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are popular, but social media like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook provide great channels for shorter snippets or teasers.
2. Optimize SEO: If you’re using YouTube, remember to optimize your title, description, and tags to help people discover your content. Keywords related to music-making or your genre can increase visibility.
3. Engage with Your Audience: Promote your vlog on social media, encouraging fans to comment and share their thoughts. Respond to comments to foster a sense of community around your content.
4. Consistency: Establish a consistent upload schedule to keep your audience engaged and looking forward to new content.

Promoting Your Vlog

1. Social Media Promotion: Share snippets or behind-the-scenes clips on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, and direct viewers to watch the full vlog.
2. Collaborations: Partnering with other musicians or vloggers for cross-promotion can help expand your audience.
3. Email Newsletter: If you have a newsletter, announce your new vlog there to notify dedicated fans.
4. Feedback and Iteration: Ask your audience for feedback on each vlog. What did they enjoy? What would they like more of? Use this feedback to improve future content.

Creating behind-the-scenes music-making vlogs is about more than just documenting the process; it’s an opportunity to connect, inspire, and educate. The blend of authenticity, creativity, and technical skill will ultimately define the quality of your content. By investing time in planning, executing, and promoting your vlogs, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with viewers and draws them into your musical journey. With practice and persistence, your vlogs may not only enhance your relationship with existing fans but also attract new ones, providing endless possibilities for your musical career