Should I Blog Or Vlog? Which One Is Better? (Explained!)

Blog or Vlog? Stuck between this dilemma. Let’s be real, each option has its own challenges. Blogging might seem less daunting, but it does have a learning curve due. Vlog, on the other hand, might seem easy, but don’t forget that you need to have some good skills (and practice) to be comfortable on camera all the time.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone on this! Stick around till the end of this guide as we break down the pros and cons of options and help you figure the one that’s right for you!

Key Takeaways:

• Blogging has a low startup cost and is perfect for you if you love writing.
• Vlogging is suitable for those who are comfortable on camera.
• Blogs let you set your own pace while vlogging requires consistent content publishing for better success.
• For blogs, you should know SEO and writing; for vlogs, camera and video-editing skills help.
• In the end, pick what feels right, or try both for more reach.

Should I Blog Or Vlog?

In short, if you’re a good writer, go with blogging. However, if you enjoy sharing your life stories with others and are comfortable on camera, then vlogging is the way to go.

What’s The Difference Between A Blog And Vlog?

Now before we dive into the pros and cons, let’s have a quick look at the core meaning of both and vlog so there’s no confusion.

A blog is essentially a place on the internet where you will find lots of articles and blog posts written by an author. The articles and blog posts could be on any topic based on the author’s preference.

So, back in the day, a blog was pretty much your online diary. You’d share your life stories, daily happenings, and maybe sprinkle in some expert advice on your favorite topics.

But over the years, the definition of what a blog is has changed a lot.

Traditional blogging is no more a thing. These days, a blog is more like a specialized corner of the internet.

Think of it like this: if you’re into travel, there’s a blog for that. Crazy about tech? There’s a blog for that too. Golf enthusiast? You guessed it, there’s a blog just for you.

Sure, there’s still a scope of sharing personal stories and events on your blog, but only when you’re either a popular celebrity with a fan-following. (See related: The Best Lifestyle Blog Niches).

Other than that, personal stories have found a new home, and it’s mostly on platforms like YouTube. Speaking of which, that leads us right to the next big thing—vlogging.

The term “vlog” is a combination of ‘video’ and ‘blog,’ signifying that it’s essentially a blog in video format.

Vlogging involves creating and sharing video content on platforms like YouTube or even on other social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

You’ll need a camera—anything from a smartphone with a good camera to a professional DSLR will work—a tripod or stabilizer for steady shots, and video editing software to get started.

The whole point of vlogging is to share stuff and really connect with your audience. Unlike blogging, people get to actually see you talk, live your life, and share your story. This builds a more active fan base than you could build on a blog.

Why Is Blogging So Popular?

First up, blogs are super accessible. Seriously, all you need is a laptop or computer, domain, hosting, and an internet connection, and you’re good to go. No fancy equipment required.

The barrier to entry in this field is quite less but the return is huge. And that makes it one of the most attractive online income streams.

Then there’s also the freedom factor. You can write articles that hit that publish button from anywhere you want.

Also, don’t forget the power of SEO. With the right keywords and quality content, your blog can show up in many Google searches, giving you a more wide and broad reach. That’s a pretty big deal if you’re looking to grow your audience or make some money.

Speaking of money, monetization is another big benefit. Just spending a few hours on a daily basis, you can create a blog that generates at least $500-$1000 per month, essentially building a money-making asset!

Of course, it’s not as easy as it may sound. Unless you know the right strategies and the right skills, it’s a tough nut to crack. To learn more, check out this guide: Is It Too Late To Start A Blog?

Why Is Vlogging So Popular?

Now, unlike blogging, videos are simply more engaging than just reading text. They’re a much better way to capture attention and express things like emotion or humor.

Then there’s the platform factor. Websites like YouTube have made it easy for everyone to upload their videos and reach an audience worldwide.

And let’s not forget the financial perks that come with vlogging. Many vloggers are earning a pretty impressive income through methods like ad revenue, sponsorships, brand deals, affiliate marketing, and even selling their own products, courses, or merchandise. Due to all these reasons and financial benefits, vlogging is on the rise as well.

But that again brings us to the question “should I blog or vlog?” So let’s have a look at all the pros and cons of both blogging and vlogging. That way, it will be much easier for you to decide the right stream.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Blogging?

Pros	Cons
Wider Reach	Time Consuming
Easy To Start	Slow ROI
Low Barrier To Entry	Learning Curve
Flexible Schedule	High Competition
High Earning Potential	Traffic Volatility
Multiple Revenue Streams	Technical Know-How

If you decide to start a blog, then it’s important to find your niche first. And that’s when guide cn these handpicked guides can help you a lot: 

• How To Find A Niche Using Google Trends?
• NicheFinder.io Review: How To Use It To Find A Niche?
• How To Use Exploding Topics To Find A Niche?

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Vlogging?

Pros	Cons
Wide Exposure	Time-Intensive
Multiple Revenue Stream	Platform Dependence
Quick Results	Equipment Costs
High Earning Potential	Consistency
Strong Audience Building	High Barrier To Entry

Blog vs. Vlog: Which One Is Better And For Whom?

Metrics	Blogging	Vlogging
Ease of Starting	High	Medium
Cost of Equipment	Low	High
Time Commitment	Medium	High
Revenue Potential	High	Very High
Skill Requirement	High	Medium

Ease Of Starting:

Blogging: High

Score: 9/10

Starting a blog is very easy. You need a domain name, web hosting, and a platform like WordPress. Most hosting services offer one-click WordPress installations these days, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

Vlogging: Medium

Score: 6/10

Now vlogging isn’t very hard to start. But still, you’ll need to be at least a little tech-savvy to handle cameras and editing software. And let’s not forget the courage to put yourself out there on camera.

Cost Of Equipment

Blogging: Low

Score: 9/10

What’s so great about blogging is you probably already have what you need—a computer and an internet connection. Maybe throw in a premium WordPress theme or some plugins, but overall, it’s budget-friendly.

Vlogging: High

Score: 7/10

Your smartphone camera isn’t going to cut it for long. We’re talking about a high-quality camera, lighting, microphones, tripods, and possibly some editing software.

Time Commitment

Blogging: Medium

Score: 7/10

You’ll need to spend time writing, editing, and researching. And if you’re just starting, from writing to hitting that publish button, on average it can take up to 4-5 hours for each blog post. But the good thing is, it’s somewhat flexible.

You can choose your preferable time to work. There’s no pressure to publish daily. Of course, having a consistent publishing schedule is great but it’s not a necessity for success. As long as you publish high-quality articles, your blog will have the best chance of ranking well on search engines.

Vlogging: High

Score: 5/10

Filming a vlog video can take hours, and that doesn’t even include editing and posting the video. Also, video content is often expected to be more frequent and regular. So you need to stick with a consistent publishing schedule in the case of vlogging for best results.

Revenue Potential

Blogging: High

Score: 8/10

Once your blog gets rolling, there are a ton of ways to make money. You’ve got ads, affiliate marketing and selling your own products or services. So there are many diverse income streams available.

Vlogging: Very High

Score: 9/10

People love videos, and brands know it. The revenue potential is sky high with brand deals, ad revenue, and marketing your own courses. But remember, it might take some while to see those big revenue figures.

Skill Requirement

Blogging: High

Score: 7/10

You need to know how to string words together in a way that people want to read. If you already have good writing skills, then you’re up for success. But just good writing skills isn’t enough.

You also need to know about SEO and effective strategies to rank your blog and drive traffic to your sites.

Blogging is a low barrier entry field. And there’s quite high earning potential. But the make or break factor is having the right skills.

You can spend hours writing a great post. But if you don’t hit the right keyword, it may not rank well. So although it’s easy to start blogging, there’s definitely a skill factor to consider if you really want to be successful in blogging.

Vlogging: Medium

Score: 9/10

For vlogging, you don’t need any special writing skills. If you can connect with your target audience and share interesting stuff, that’s enough to get the best results in vlogging. Although you need to have some basic knowledge of filming and video editing.

But other than that, there isn’t any special requirement. As you grow, gradually you can learn all the required skills to further grow in your vlogging journey.

The Winner? Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re a natural writer who loves the written word, blogging is where you’ll shine. You’ll also enjoy the lower startup costs and the flexibility to work anytime and anywhere you want. 

Score-wise, blogging holds its own, especially when it comes to ease of starting and cost of equipment. It may require some serious writing and SEO skills, but if you’re up for the challenge, the sky’s the limit.

On the other hand, if you love the camera and like sharing your life events and daily experiences with others, then vlogging is your thing. The earning potential is phenomenal if you do it the right way.

And let’s face it, video content is more engaging and builds better trust with your audience because they can actually see you and hear you unlike text content.

Sure, startup costs are higher and you’ll need to learn some editing skills. But if you’re naturally comfortable on camera, vlogging is the perfect option to choose.