Ok, let me have a go at the questions! Back in Oct-Nov last year when we decided to open a channel, we discussed in depth whether it was going to be family vlogs or a kids toys channel. We settled on kids toys. The reason? We couldn't find an interesting hook for our family. But with toys and kids having fun, there are countless things we can do.
So what information does family vlogging provide?
Vicarious existence - different family makeup, different city, different tastes, cultures, adventures, etc. The channel needs to create a unique and interesting experience to draw in viewers. What's different about your life? Ex, are you a prepper, a hoarder, fussy, bossy and controlling with the kids, happy-go-lucky, whatever. Do you do something that other families don't, like have to ride ever water slide in the country. Something emotionally different, so it''s interesting.
Is it really as easy as it looks?
Depends, Is it a hobby or do you want to supplement income or have full-time income from it? Each requires a different commitment level. If you want a full-time income, it's a full-time commitment. There's research, location scouting, props prep, scripts, filming, editing, marketing, all the things a business needs.
Why is your audience watching?
There's the emotional and the technical reasons. The technical reasons are you've hit many of the requirements of the YT algorithm, and YT places your videos in suggested and top of search for the keywords you target. That way people see your thumbnails and click through to watch. The emotional reasons are people are interested in your life, your personality, what's different about your family. You need to have both to get views.
Can a family channel grow the same way other channels grow, or do they require more?
There's many components. At the fundamental level, you need to please the YT algorithm. Otherwise your videos will be buried on page 50 of search and never get into suggested. So you need to hit popular trending topics, hot keywords, see what the popular channels are doing and put your flavor on it. If every vlogger is doing "gross food challenge" you might have to do one, but with the local food from your area. I think the start of growth is very similar for all channels. There are hurdles to pass: 10 subs, 100 subs, 1000 subs, 5000 subs. 1000 views, 10,000 views, 100k views, 1m views, etc. At each stage your channel gains authority and higher slots in placements. Either way, it requires a lot of commitment if you want to grow at a decent rate.
Bottom lines is, you need a good concept to entice people into your life and your personality (and your family), but you need to work to YT specs and get your videos ranked. YT is a business and they want to make money. If you help them do that, they will be happy (algorithmically speaking). YT likes what's popular, and they promote it, so give them what's popular in your genre and they'll promote you.
Family Vlogging
There are tons of popular family channels on YouTube. I'm talking about the ones that seem to just film their everyday lives and get thousands of hits and subscribers! Live your everyday life, film it, live off of the adsence so you can live more of your everyday life. Rinse and Repeat. Sounds like the perfect life, and a lot of people want it!
With so many family vloggers out there, I have some important questions for those here who have studied the nitch. Especially for those who have found success in it.
What information does family vlogging provide?
- Family vlogging is different from all the others. Typically YouTube channels get viewers because they are providing information in one way or another. Gamers are showing how the game looks/plays/tells a story. Makeup and recipe vloggers are giving you instructions and product reviewers are telling/showing you why that product is good or bad. So what information does family vlogging provide?
Is it really as easy as it looks?
- I know from trying it myself that editing videos can take longer then you expect. For instance, you have to watch each clip you filmed to make sure the audio is in sync and you didn't say something you wanted to add a graphic to or cut out completely.
Why is your audience watching?
- Does the family have to go through something tragic in order to garner interest?
- Is it the amount of content? I've noticed that the popular ones post EVERY DAY! That can be a lot of commitment.
- Or could it be the number of kids?
- Perhaps how many vacations the family takes or births they take you through?
Can a family channel grow the same way other channels grow, or do they require more?
- Since we have already established that family vlogging doesn't provide the same information as the other channels do, does that mean those channels have to rely even more on making personal connections then the gamers/makeupers/product reviewers?
I suppose there isn't a real solid answer here. Perhaps its a mixture of all of the above. Some informational vlogs mixed with an emotional roller coaster and fun personalities!
What do you think?
( I know I asked a lot of questions here but what can I say, I'm curious! I'm new to the forums and I searched but I couldn't find a thread like this. If there is however please point me to it. So far I've had a really great welcome and I'm excited to dive right into the meat of this huge community! )
