# Vlog — YouTube Long Format

> Personal video blog. Daily life or specific event documentation. Direct camera engagement.

## Format basics

- Length: 8-20 min typical
- Aspect: 16:9 typically
- Personal, conversational
- Direct camera address
- B-roll heavy
- Soundtrack-driven

## Structure

```
0-30s    HOOK / OPENING
         What's happening today
         Energy established

30s-2min INTRO
         Context, location
         What viewers will see

2-15min  CONTENT
         Day's events / topic
         Multiple beats
         Natural rhythm

15-18min REFLECTION / WRAP
         Personal takeaway
         Day's meaning

18-20min CTA
         Subscribe, like, next video
```

## Sample 12-min vlog

```
"A Day Running My Coffee Shop in Baku"

0-30s: HOOK
- Sunrise over Baku
- Energetic music
- Voiceover: "Saturdays are the busiest day at my shop. Let me show
you what it's actually like."

30s-2min: INTRO
- Walking to shop in dawn light
- Unlocking, lights on
- "I've been doing this for 3 years. This is what nobody tells you
about running a coffee shop."

2-5min: MORNING SETUP
- Equipment startup
- Early prep work
- First customer interactions

5-9min: BUSY MORNING
- Quick cuts of busy hour
- Behind-the-counter perspective
- Customer interactions
- Mistakes, recoveries

9-11min: AFTERNOON
- Quieter period
- Inventory work
- A specific small story

11-12min: EVENING WRAP
- Closing routine
- Reflection on the day
- "Tomorrow we do it again."

12-12:30: CTA
- Subscribe ask
- Tease next video ("Next week — I tour our new roasting facility")
```

## Key principles

### Authentic energy
- Match the actual day's mood
- Don't fake excitement
- Real reactions

### B-roll variety
- Multiple angles, locations
- Establishing + close-ups
- Visual journey

### Music-driven
- Mood music throughout
- Specific cues for moments
- Match energy to scene

### Personal connection
- Look at camera
- Speak as if to friend
- Vulnerability welcomed

### Natural rhythm
- Don't over-script
- Let day flow
- Edit highlights together

## Sub-types

### Daily vlog
- Routine documentation
- Audience attaches to creator life

### Special event vlog
- Wedding, travel, milestone
- Cinematic feel

### Behind-the-scenes vlog
- Profession or business
- Authority + personality

### Family vlog
- Family life
- Long-term audience attachment

### Travel vlog
- Place exploration
- Aspirational + informative

## When to use

- Building personal brand
- Audience emotional attachment
- Authentic content
- Long-term creator strategy
- Brand humanizing (for owners)

## Common mistakes

- Boring middle (no narrative)
- Forced energy (not real)
- Bad audio (vlog often handheld — audio matters)
- Too long (lose retention)
- No real takeaway

## Production tips

- Phone mic acceptable for casual
- Better mic (Rode Wireless Go) for quality
- Color-correct between scenes
- Cut for energy
- Keep viewer with you constantly
