"What do you think?" Wednesdays - Youtube vs Blogging

Youtube vs blogging. The age old debate regarding which of the two is better. As a blogger and not a youtuber I am very much aware of the fact that I am biased in my opinion, but when I sat down to write this I tried my very best to be open and understanding about both! For the purpose of this post, when I speak of 'youtubers' I am specifically referring to those who make beauty based videos, and when I write about bloggers I am making reference to beauty bloggers in particular.

I think you need to split this debate into two categories in order to cover all the positives and negatives: the person making the posts/videos and the people who read/watch them.

The positives and negatives for those who create the content

As a youtuber, you are required to record yourself on film. Obvious right? Well the way I interpret that is that you have to make yourself look presentable every time you wish to make a video whereas a blogger has the freedom to wear their pyjamas and look like a dog's breakfast if they wish, and their readers wouldn't have a clue. Who has the time and energy for that? Not me.

Another benefit that I think bloggers have over youtubers is that creating a post takes significantly less time to write, edit and post as opposed to the trauma it seems youtubers go through as they try to upload their videos!

As a blogger I think you are less subject to criticism and attacks. I personally have been so lucky to have had nothing of the sort, but it seems that all youtubers suffer from those who just like to make life difficult and leave unnecessary comments on a regular basis.

I feel that youtubers have a wider range of viewers and can get regular 'subscribers' more easily, whereas bloggers really have to work at it to build up a strong group of followers.

Bloggers have more privacy than youtubers, generally speaking, and are able to control their content more easily. What I mean by that is that a youtuber has to film a video somewhere, most likely somewhere in their house, so their viewers have already seen a chunk of their lives that a blogger wouldn't necessarily reveal.

Also, what would be considered a perfectly good post on a blog, if read out like a script for a video it would probably seem ridiculously short and half-done. It means that youtubers have to think of more to say in order to make a video last longer.

I think bloggers are able to post more regularly without having to devote their whole life to their blog (thus allowing them to have a job, social life etc) whereas if youtubers wish to make videos as frequently, they really need to commit to being a youtuber in a way that bloggers don't have to do.

In terms of freedom and variety, I think that both bloggers and youtubers have the option to get really creative with their content and that whilst youtubers can play around with music videos and creative challenges, bloggers can turn to the creative writing type side and online based diaries.

One of my favourite things as a blogger is that you can write a post and continually go over something to refine it and make it better during the editing process. Such luxury is not available for those who make videos, unless you write a script prior to filming, in which case the video comes out horribly. The improvisation side of filming is not something that I would be terribly comfortable with, I much prefer being able to write something and edit it later when I come up with a better way to write it.

Bloggers are able to personalise their blogs more than youtubers, particularly their layouts, backgrounds and general blog design.

Lastly, blogging is easy and free from too many expenses, whereas youtubers (who are really serious about what they do) need good quality cameras and perhaps even lighting set ups too, which all add up.

The positives and negatives for those who receive the content

The positives and negatives are abundant for both those who read blogs and those who watch videos. I think that videos can be more to-the-point and can convey more information more easily, especially when demonstrating the use of a product or describing shades and characteristics of a product. In saying that, there is nothing better than reading a hilarious post which has been perfectly written by a talented blogger about a subject you are interested in.

Whilst I appreciate that many may differ in opinion to me here, I really feel that one's character can often be understood a lot better through text and writing than video. This might seem strange, but I know with me at least, that on camera I behave quite differently to my usual self, whereas through writing I am myself.

I do think that videos require a lot less 'effort' to watch than blogs posts do to read. I know that after a long day I would much prefer to watch youtube videos than scroll through pages and pages of posts.

On a more personal level, I much prefer blogging as both a blogger and a reader of blogs. I love to write my posts, including all of the pictures and responses to comments that come with it, and I also love to read other people's posts. I don't see myself as someone being suited to making youtube videos whereas I've always kind of viewed myself as a blogger.

Despite this, I don't think that there is a definite winner as both videos and blog posts are good for different things, and people are suited to different things too.

I would love to have your input, especially if you have had experience in both areas and can make a better comparison than me!