The editing, the thumbnails, the number of times I repeat myself because I'm talking too quietly or mumbling or saying something stupid. The research involved! I feel like blogging was fairly self-explanatory for me because I'd been involved more in the community before actually blogging myself. I had followed many authors, I'd started to see and read book blogs before creating one for myself... but booktube? Yeah, I'd watched some videos. Didn't mean I knew how I would act with one or in front of a camera. I didn't know a thing about intros or outros or which video programs allowed for image overlays and which did not (hint: Microsoft Live Movie Maker, you suck!). I'm still behind on that front because it seems like a lot of programs cost a lot of money and the free ones I downloaded can't do overlays. It's a lot like book blogging, how it can cost you quite a bit of money if you choose to host giveaways and have a special domain name and change your design often, etc. One cool thing about the time, though, is that I've gotten to play around with the thumbnails of my videos, which is one of the things I'd "resolved" to do this year: more graphics! Before my vacation, I didn't even consider the idea that I ought to be making better thumbnails and then someone helped me with feedback on my channel and voila! I'm hoping more good solutions come my way...
To counterbalance the negative are the reasons I'd started the channel. When I first started blogging, it was sophomore year of college. It was the hardest academically. I was still pre-med and I was not technically failing, but I felt like a failure. I still hadn't accepted the fact that I didn't want to be a doctor. I needed something that would reignite my passion, something that would give me a voice. And so began this blog. The booktube channel is more about my finding my voice now. I'm living on my own, I'm starting to become more confident in my life and future, but I'm still self-conscious and I'm still not as comfortable with myself as I'd like to be. Sometime in the future, I'm hopefully going to be a professor and I'd really like to be able to film myself teaching and potentially post those videos online, make the knowledge accessible to my current students and to anyone else who was interested. I want to become a better public speaker. I need to, for my future sanity and career. It's not quite the same, but it's good practice. I also really like the idea that when I talk about books, on booktube you'll be able to tell my tone much more easily. Or so I think.
It's also forcing me to get better at describing novels. You can't go on and on about a book on booktube. You're going to lose your audience fairly quickly that way (or so I'd assume?). On a blog it's a lot easier to skim a review. Skimming a video? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just not at that stage and don't feel comfortable doing that. Whatever the case be, I feel like I'm starting to get in the habit of describing books via pitches. Or trying to summarize their overarching plots in one sentence. Which is a pretty good skill to learn, I think, because it might help me write better reviews here in the future. And also become a better writer in general. (+ public speaker?)
I'm kind of excited, y'all. I've got a lot of plans for this blog and the booktube channel in the future. As I said before, all reviews on this blog are scheduled through the first week of April. I've got some discussion ideas for each week, and I might be making some recommendation graphics soon. On the booktube, I've got a video schedule through May. It's like booktubing has gone full circle and made me more excited about discussing books everywhere. I said in my New Year's resolutions post that my major problem was my enthusiasm level. Not so much anymore!
Would you ever consider starting a booktube channel and keeping your blog? Have you ever viewed either as a challenge? Got any suggestions you'd like to see for either this blog or my booktube channel? Would any of you be interested in collaborations? I've got lots of ideas on that front... :)
You have reviews reading to rock from now 'til April. HOLY GEEZ! And, I thought that I was organized. I ain't got nothing on you! I'd imagine that booktubbing is quite labour intensive as well, especially when you're first start out, and don't know much about video editing. I personally would never start a channel because I hate being on camera. Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
Oh my gosh, I just started my booktube channel literally today, and when I was planning about my posts, it dawned on me that it might have been a mistake because I'm gonna be preoccupied with school soon, and I have no plans of leaving my blog. Anyway, great post!
ReplyDeleteKim @ Divergent Gryffindor
Wow -- I have no idea how you get your reviews and booktubing scheduled so far in advance. If I'm a week ahead (rare!) I feel amazing. I considered booktubing but I had a feeling I'd have a LOT to learn so for now I think I will stick to blogging.
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
Like you might know I also own a booktube channel and I always feel SO awkward behind the camera, but I'm feeling I'm starting to get better. I guess it just takes some practice :) In the beginning I didn't even know how to edit a video, so I would refilm it over and over again. Now I just cut out all the bad parts and yes, Movie Maker sucks, but I haven't found a better program yet. I think it's great when people also make videos. It's fun to get to see the blogger in another way.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how much work it must be to not only blog but also do the book tube channel. Glad to hear you're having fun with it and that it's made you excited about talking about books! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam! It is a lot of work. Currently behind on my schedule since despite being excited about talking about books, I really dislike the gruntwork of editing the videos!
ReplyDelete:) That's what I've heard. Practice in so many different things, like booktubing and public speaking, is better. Ha, me neither on editing. Last year, I'd made those recordings of me reading books in funny videos - so awkward! I don't think it was edited either. I haven't found a better free program either :(. But can you do image overlays in Movie Maker? Essentially that's why I dislike MM. And yes! I agree completely with your last sentences :)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, I have the reviews scheduled, but definitely not the videos. When I mean ahead, I mean "I know what I'm doing each week" but it doesn't mean I've done it yet ;). I'm with you. I feel amazing when I'm *actually* ahead (the reviews bit makes me happy! right now, though, i was supposed to have another video up today... but haven't edited yet... :( oops...). If you ever decide to booktube, let me know! I could tell you about the things I've learned :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Kim! Can't wait to watch this video :). Right??? I'm worried that once the school year starts and there's more work involved in things, I'm not going to be able to keep up booktube or blog wise. I guess we'll both see. No use worrying yet, right?
ReplyDeleteNo, but I've found another free program on my computer that can do the overlays. Microsoft expression coder 4. I'm going to try it out soon, let's hope it works :)
ReplyDeleteI tried Microsoft Expression :(. It only let me do one overlay, and it turns out that's all the program does let you do. I briefly considered separating out the various videos with an overlay a piece but so much work :O
ReplyDeleteHaha, only a review a week :P. I can't do as many reviews as you and your cobloggers do - way too much for me. I am not a huge fan of being on camera, but I do like the channel & thanks so much for the good wishes, Carmel :)
ReplyDeleteSHOOT. So the search for a good program continues.. I. will. not. fail :p
ReplyDeleteI'm about to make the jump to YouTube, too, and I just realizing how much work it's going to be. I've filmed my first three videos and edited two of them and I see that I was very smart to decide on just posting once a week -- and to start out the gate with four videos. I have so much more respect for this process, and I'm glad you're enjoying dabbling in both the traditional blogosphere and Booktube!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara! I agree about the level of work, and definitely I'd suggest posting as much as you think you can handle. I'm already considering cutting back in some places and I was hoping to have recorded many videos, as you have, ahead of time. Good luck with starting your channel :).
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you come up with any solutions!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I have so many feelings concerning booktubing >.>. See, my problem is that I'm usually reading through blogs when at work or boring meetings or class, haha, so I can't just whip out headphones and watch a video :(. I end up not able to comment on embedded video posts often because watching the video just doesn't work well for me. But I'm happy that you've found a way to get excited again, that's the main thing after all!
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting you say that because when I'm at work, I feel like I can't read through blogs unless my coworkers are in class, ha, and listening to music via headphones (and now youtube videos) is definitely something less conspicuous (and almost expected - my coworkers put on headphones nearly every day). You've so got guts to be reading those blogs during meetings and class - I'd be too afraid! Haha, but yes, it's as you said: the excitement is back! Yay :) :)
ReplyDelete