When I first started making videos, I had a simple approach: grab the camera, head out, and film whatever felt right.

I wanted my vlogs to feel natural and spontaneous, so I figured the best way to do that was to just go with the flow.

But when I got home and started editing… that’s when reality hit.

▪️ Half my footage didn’t make sense together. I’d have random clips with no clear connection, making it nearly impossible to form a story.

▪️ I forgot to capture important shots. Maybe I missed the establishing shot that set the scene, or I skipped over key details that would have made the video more engaging.

▪️ Editing turned into a nightmare. I’d spend hours trying to force clips together in a way that made sense, sometimes even having to scrap entire sections because they just didn’t work.

And that’s when I decided to start planning my vlogs.

I’m not talking about scripting every word or meticulously planning every shot unless that’s your thing (I did that for a long time and I still do it for certain specific videos now as it can be useful).

But if you don't want to be that detailed then having a simple, loose structure can make all the difference. It’s about:

▪️ Knowing the purpose of the video: What’s the story? What’s the main takeaway for the viewer? Even the most casual vlogs are more enjoyable when there’s a clear point or reason behind them.

▪️ Having an idea of key shots or transitions: You don’t need a full shot list, but thinking ahead about moments you know you’ll need, like an intro, wide establishing shots, or reaction moments, can save you from getting frustrated later.

▪️ Capturing more than you think you’ll need (without going crazy): It’s better to have extra footage to choose from than to sit in front of your edit wishing you had taken one more angle or reaction shot.

But there’s a balance, overshooting can slow you down too and make you indecisive in the edit, making the editing process take longer!

Think of it like cooking a meal. You don’t have to follow a full recipe, but you do need to know what you're gonna cook so that you can buy the right ingredients.

Without knowing, you'll walk around aimlessly in the supermarket for ages buying random items, and when it comes to making the meal you'll likely just end up throwing things together and hoping for the best.

Once I started thinking this way, the whole process was more enjoyable. My vlogs were easier to film, way faster to edit, and most importantly, they actually made sense!

So, what’s your approach to vlogging? Do you plan ahead, or do you hit record and figure it out later? Let me know.

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Catch you later!

Tamara 😊

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