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How to Become a (Blogging) Star…

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She has star power. She has that “it.” She even has glitter.

But if it weren’t for VIDEO we might never have known…

How Jenny on the Spot used Video to Become a Bloggy Star

Jenny on the Spot - BlogHer10

Jenny on the Spot - BlogHer10

Jenny on the Spot is FUN – the kind of fun that makes you want to be best friends with her, the kind of fun that makes you feel like you are her best friend, the kind of fun that comes shining through on camera.

I read a lot of blogs and meet a lot of bloggers. Standing out in the blur can be hard. A blogger must sparkle — through their incredible writing, or their stunning photography, or their tantalizing recipes… OR their fabulous VIDEOS!

I fell in bloggy-sister love with Jenny Ingram when I watched a video she shot of herself dancing to “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing.”

In her Jenny-esque style, Jenny shot and edited a fabulous video that included her dancing in her pajamas and in her backyard.
I then watched almost all of her other video blogs. But I swear. I am not a stalker.

Since then, I have been a Jenny on the Spot fan. I hang out with her whenever I can. And I gush about her to PR reps and fellow bloggers – because, we all need some Jenny on the Spot kind of fun in our lives.

Three Blogging Tips from Jenny on the Spot

If you are looking for a way to stand out in the blogging crowd, to make sure you are not lost in the blur, consider adding video or vlogs to your repertoire. Here are three blog tips I have gleaned from Jenny’s success.

1. Sparkle — you can even add glitter!

Jenny Ingram

Jenny Ingram

Jenny’s infectious spirit, sweet heart, and quirky sense of humor is unforgettable. You just do not forget Jenny on the Spot.

Jenny allows her personality to radiate through the screen. She doesn’t pretend to be someone she isn’t. She is Jenny. Take her or leave her. But most of us, we choose to take her!

2. Be Purposeful — get focused and stick to it.

Back in 2004, Jenny didn’t begin her blog laughing, nor making others laugh. Struggling with the challenges of motherhood and life, Jenny began writing out her feelings at Jenny on the Spot. She worked through her emotions and found camaraderie in the online mom community.

Then, a few years ago, Jenny realized she wanted to laugh. She wanted to make others laugh.

Even though life hurts, Jenny decided she is going to focus on the good – to find the fun even if it means putting on some sparkly red converse shoes, heading into her backyard and shooting a crazy video of herself dancing.

Yes, Jenny is fun. She found fun. And she is bringing fun to you – both in words and in video!

3. Make it GOOD — produce good quality, concise videos

Jenny delivers great videos. She knows how to edit and shoot creatively and she uses her skillz!

But even if you aren’t an editing or shooting pro, Jenny shares in the video below her top video blog tip for using videos and video blogs effectively…

This is a video interview I shot with Jenny Ingram at BlogHer 2010. (When you finish watching, make sure you click over and watch this video of Jenny dancing. And I promise, when you are watching it you WILL feel like dancing! Then make sure you subscribe to Jenny on the Spot’s You Tube Channel.)



AND In case you missed it, I had a blast shooting Jenny and the other Flash Mob bloggers at Blissdom. Click over and experience some of the most fun anyone has ever had at a conference in the Blissdom Flash Mob.

So Tell Us…

Does video help you make a better connection with a blogger?

Have you incorporated video or vlogs into your blog?

Thanks to Our Sponsors

kmart designThanks to Kmart Design we shot a ton of interviews with fantastic bloggers and we still have more to publish, so make sure you watch our feed.

Watch more of our BlogHer10 video interviews here!

Also… here’s a little tip…
If you want to see the videos as soon as we upload them to YouTube (even before we can get them published here at 5 Minutes For Mom), subscribe to our YouTube channel.

 

Written by 5 Minutes for Mom co-founder Janice.
Tweet with us at @5MinutesForMom


Comments

  1. Her “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” video is so fun. You can’t help but SMILE – and dance. 🙂

    I typically don’t have time to watch videos (I prefer written text). That said, I do enjoy watching an engaging, well-designed video from time-to-time.

  3. I don’t do vlog, but just had to say that the “I don’t feel like dancing” video was HILARIOUS!!!! Looooved it! Thanks so much for sharing.

  4. I LOVE making videos for my readers!!! There’s never a dull moment in my world and something funny happens almost every time. My readers enjoy the videos so much and learn a lot for them and I definitely think it helps them connect with me. I get so many emails and they talk to me like we are best friends and I think that awesome!

  5. I had a total blast hanging out with Jenny at Type A Mom! I only wish I had hung out with her the entire weekend and not just the last day 🙁

    Video? Oh yeah, I do video! I love it! I just recently put up a video of my 3 yr old singing “Jesus Loves Me” to her baby sister. It made everyone’s heart melt! I do video for product reviews if the product deserves it and I can show it off better that way (like a vacumm, totally needs a video review to show the level of noise and ease of use)

  6. I love the video idea! I have started and then restarted blogging and I’m serious this time, lol! I think it woiuld be a great outlet for me and a way to capture memories forever! Hopefully I can add videos once in a while!

  8. Truly inspiring person indeed. It is not easy to do this and that task. Blogging is fun but seriousness will determine the benchmark of success. Congrats…

  9. Janice, I am so glad I had a chance to meet you and hang with you at Blissdom. You are truly an amazing woman and we both think Jenny is pretty awesome. That is a good thing!

    • 🙂 We will be doing more blogging tips and video tips in the future as well. Are there any questions or subjects you would like us to cover? THANKS for the feedback!

  12. I’m blushing. And also sporting the BIGGEST. SMILE. EVER! Seriously. I don’t know what to say… Just know that the feeling is mutual. And your site played a HUGE role in helping me redirect my focus. {hugs} and all kids of love. 🙂 🙂 🙂

  13. I do use videos. But my husband makes videos professionally, so I have more than a little help with the technical details. 😉

  14. I like many just adore Jenny! Her glitter and all that jazz.

    I find her tips perfect as I’m trying to do more and more videos.

    Great interview, even greater person featured.

  15. I find videos let me get to know the blogger better. You get to see them and hear how they talk and it’s 100% real. I have started doing video as part of something called Monday Mingle. Watching long videos is tiresome and I will skip past the chat that isn’t needed. People laugh at me as 90% of the time I try to squeeze my video under 2 minutes and see just how short I can make it while still answering all the questions. I just need to learn to care what I look like on video maybe. I am the queen of recording how I am every day. PJ’s, no make-up and hair in a ponytail. I am not a girly girl though I am sure you figured that out when you met me.

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