Blog or YouTube: Which Should You Start First?

Deciding between launching a blog or a YouTube channel is a problem many content creators face. We’ve spent over a decade creating on both platforms, and the right pick mostly depends on how you like to create.

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The short answer to “blog vs YouTube”: start with the format you’ll actually keep publishing in. If you’re comfortable on camera and your topic is easier to show than explain (DIY, cooking, photography), start with YouTube. If you’d rather write, or your topic needs in-depth explanation, start a blog. Either way, you can repurpose your content into the other format later.

Why Do YouTube?

YouTube reports billions of monthly logged-in users, so the audience is there. It’s also crowded, with over 20 million videos uploaded every day. For those who aren’t afraid to step in front of the camera, video gives you a personal way to connect with your audience.

Viewers hear your voice and see your face, and the comments give you a direct line to the people watching.

For those with talents or expertise that benefit from visual demonstration, YouTube stands out. Whether it’s DIY, cooking, or photography, showing rather than telling makes a big difference.

Do You Have the Camera Confidence?

If the answer is yes, or even a hesitant maybe, leaning towards YouTube could be your calling. Being on camera comes naturally to some, but for many, it’s a skill honed over time.

Don’t let worries about not being “good enough” stop you. Every successful YouTuber started somewhere, so the most useful thing you can do is start creating!

Starting a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel might seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can simplify the process and get comfortable quickly.

Begin by defining your niche: what topics are you passionate about or knowledgeable in? This focus helps attract viewers who share your interests. Next, plan a few video ideas around your niche, aiming for content that adds value, whether by entertaining, educating, or inspiring.

After that, you can easily create a channel with a Google account. Pick a clever name or simply use your own, depending on the style you want.

On the technical side, don’t worry about having the best equipment right away. An iPhone or smartphone with good lighting, ideally natural light, can be more than enough to begin. Focus on clear audio, as viewers are more forgiving of video quality than poor sound.

As you film, be yourself! Authenticity resonates with audiences more than perfection. Practice makes perfect, so even if your first few videos aren’t flawless, they’re essential steps toward improvement.

Why Consider Blogging?

Blogs run on written content, which stays evergreen: a post that ranks in search can keep bringing in readers for years. AI has also made blogging faster to start, with tools like the ones we’ve built at RightBlogger helping you research keywords, outline, and draft posts.

The Power of Written Words

Blogs let you explain ideas and share what you know in a detailed, structured format. If you prefer the written word, or your content leans towards in-depth explanations, a traditional blog may be the way to go.

Diversifying Content Creation

The divide between blogging and YouTube isn’t as wide as it seems. Tools like our Video to Blog Post tool turn a YouTube video into a blog post, so one piece of content can work on both platforms and play to the strengths of video and text.

Starting a Blog

Starting a blog is an excellent way to share your knowledge, ideas, and experiences through the written word, and it’s easier than ever to get one up and running. The first step is choosing a topic or niche that interests you and aligns with your goals. Ask yourself: What do I want to write about consistently? What can I offer readers that’s unique?

Once you have a topic in mind, follow a guide like this one Ryan wrote that covers all the essentials of starting a blog, from setting up a domain and hosting to choosing a platform like WordPress. This guide walks you through the technical steps and offers tips on branding and content strategy to help your blog stand out.

Don’t worry about writing perfectly from the start. The key is to publish regularly and learn as you go. With every post, you’ll get better at connecting with your audience and optimizing for search engines. (For realistic expectations, we wrote an honest look at how hard blogging really is.) The most important part is to start. Over time, your blog will grow into a powerful way to reach your audience.

Blending the Best of Both

Doing both doesn’t have to double your workload. Starting with video and repurposing it for your blog gets more reach out of every piece of content, and the blog version can bring in search traffic of its own.

While the initial focus might lean towards one medium, developing skills for both video and written content is beneficial. Viewing on-camera performance as a muscle to be strengthened over time can transform hesitant speakers into confident creators.

One common hurdle in starting a YouTube channel is the fear of judgment, especially from friends and family.

However, as your audience grows, their opinions become less relevant. The focus should be on appealing to those genuinely interested in your content, thus building a community around your niche.

So, Blog or YouTube First?

In the “blog vs YouTube” debate, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The choice hinges on personal preferences, skills, and the nature of the content you wish to share.

Whichever you pick, publishing consistently matters more than the platform. If you want to try both, start with video and repurpose each upload into a blog post so you aren’t creating everything twice.

Start where you’re most comfortable, but don’t shy away from experimenting and growing your skills across mediums, whether that means compelling blog posts, engaging YouTube videos, or a blend of both.