Ideal for vloggers looking to take things to the next level.

Whether you have a film degree that you’re looking to put to new use or you’re a budding amateur videographer who loves to see the world through a lens, there’s a place on the internet for your travel videos. Travel videos can open up unexplored avenues to your audience by providing a glimpse into different cultures and places around the world. And we all need a little of that escapism right now, don’t you think?

In our humble opinion, the best travel videos tell a story about the place that the videographer is visiting, not the other way around. If you’re serious about creating travel videos, it’s important to recognise that this thing isn’t about you; your lens should reflect what you see rather than who you are. Should you wish to translate that seriousness into videos which do serious numbers, then read on. Here are 5 ways to make your travel videos more exciting in 2023.

FIRSTLY, WHAT EXACTLY IS TRAVEL VLOGGING?

In case you’ve been living under a rock in recent years, the term “vlogging” is a mashup of the words “video” and “blogging.” Like blogging, vlogging is a creative way to connect with an audience, and it has seen a huge rise in exposure as video-sharing platforms become more ubiquitous.

Some people start travel vlogging as a hobby or a way to keep far flung family members up-to-date. But others have found that their pursuits can generate enough income to become their full-time profession. Those in the latter category make unique, captivating content which draws viewers in quickly and don’t let them go until the video ends. For inspiration, some of the most successful travel vloggers out there right now include Vagabrothers, Fun for Louis, and Expert Vagabond. 

The great thing about vlogging is that there are no rules about what types of videos you can create. The only limit is your creativity (and perhaps the equipment you have to hand!)

That being said, there are certainly ways to make your videos more entertaining, in order to encourage viewers to keep tuned in… 

CREATE A NARRATIVE ABOUT THE LOCATION 

People tune in to travel videos to get a window into another world. You should play on that sense of escapism with the locations you choose. To make your travel videos as engaging as possible, it’s important to create a narrative about the location they are set in. 

A personal touch, with introductions to the people, the cuisine or the customs of the place you’re visiting will give structure and sophistication to your story, which will evolve as you learn more about the culture and people who live in the location you are visiting. 

FORGET ABOUT PERFECTION

Anyone who has travelled extensively (or even occasionally!) will know that things never go 100 percent as planned. Presenting your experiences through rose tinted spectacles, as the “perfect” traveller who captures the best sunsets and little else, isn’t exactly captivating to watch. If anything, it will simply evoke jealousy.

It’s in capturing the imperfections where value for the viewer lies. So, make sure you include bloopers, moments of spontaneity and video footage of things that went in an unexpected direction to keep things feeling natural. Viewers crave authenticity and love knowing that the vloggers they follow are human, too. 

PLAN AHEAD

Yep, we realise we just extolled the virtues of spontaneity. But being totally unprepared does not a great vlog make. The more planning you can do ahead of time, the better, leaving room for the inevitable mishaps and unpredictability which contribute to captivating content. 

Do some research ahead of time, and watch other videos that people have made of the location you’re visiting to understand when the best times of day are, in order to capture something in its best light (physically and metaphorically speaking). You don’t want to copy what others are doing, but having some ideas of what others have done can inspire you and help you put a fresh spin on the location. 

You will also want to choose a style for your video so that you can be consistent with your shooting. Watching other travel vlogs is an excellent way to decide what you do and don’t like so you can approach your travel vlogging with a plan of action.

STICK WITH ONE THEME PER VIDEO

Great travel videos stay on point from start to finish. And this consistency is usually defined by a single ‘theme’ which runs through the vlog. Don’t try to cram a month’s worth of travel into one video by focusing on food, clothes, people, politics, the weather, and other quirky tidbits and trivia about the locale. Rather, focus on a single custom, an iconic local dish or aspect of the natural world, and take a really deep dive into it. 

Potential viewers are more likely to stumble across your content through targeted, theme-specific searches than potluck; theme your content around niche travel keywords if you’re looking for reach and exposure.

USE GOOD VIDEO EDITING TOOLS

Video editing tools will be your best friend once you are ready to edit and publish your videos, and help pull all those disparate ideas and shots together into something wholesome and complete. Some vloggers prefer to edit and post on-the-go, while others wait until they are home to start the editing process.

Whichever route you choose, make sure you are using a simple video editor that does not take up a lot of storage space. Some of the most popular on the market right now include iMovie, Fastreel, Adobe Express and Magisto.

These video editing tools can help you get the lighting just right. They can also allow you to speed up or slow down your videos and add music to enhance your video and make it more exciting for viewers. What’s more, video editing software can help you with transitions, so you don’t end up with awkward pauses or other weird moments. Unless, of course, that’s what you’re after.

It needn’t be complicated or require special effects or expert editing to pull off. If you want to include something simple like a slideshow in your video to showcase all the places you’ve been, then visit this website to check out some tips on doing just that.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Travel vlogging is becoming an increasingly popular vehicle for content creation among viewers and vloggers. Should you wish to get involved, or if you already have a vlog and you’re looking to take it to the next level, then it’s essential that you consider the narrative of your videos, include moments of imperfection, have a strong, clear theme and edit with dexterity. In doing so, you might just create the next piece of viral content. Good luck!