So what is a vlogger?

A "vlogger" is a video-blogger – essentially, someone who uses first person, piece-to-camera videos to discus, inform and interact with an online audience. This form of online communication has become hugely popular in recent years thanks to the success of online video-sharing sites like YouTube, evolving from a bedroom pastime to an increasingly effective form of Internet advertising.

For example, the popular online "how-to" video website Howcast recently released a recruitment video in search for a vlogger to become the key face of their website. The position was created because the company wanted to expand it's online presence and having found success in video, had a great understanding of how big a part video plays in online marketing.

Why you should vlog?

Having an employee or ambassador vlog for your organisation is a fantastic way to interact with a very broad audience. A good vlogger can provide a friendly and memorable face to a company; as well as personifying it’s character and brand values.

If for example, a vlogger is a company employee, not only can this enhance the reputation of his or her colleagues and the team general, it also adds a 'real' factor to the video. Audiences like to see an actual employee talk about the company because the information they deliver is direct and is (usually) reliable, so this should always be the first option to consider.

This kind of vlog is also a form of investment not just in your company, but also in your people, who get to be the stars and faces of the business. When everyone is pulling together for the organisation they work for, this can be a very powerful approach to vlogging.

If you have ever seen the UK’s Halifax adverts on television, you’ll no doubt be very familiar with the now-iconic dancing and singing about the building society’s current savings accounts. However, what a lot of people didn’t realise at first, is that all of the main characters were actual employees of the company. When this information was discovered, audiences arguably found it much easier to relate the company and its brand values.

Should you invest in vlogs?

Well … the cost is relatively cheap, it’s not particularly time-consuming and done well, vlogging can have mass appeal with the potential to reach millions of people and help generate an enormous amount of revenue for even the smallest organisations. Many companies are benefiting from vlogging and there’s no reason yours can’t to.

A decent vlogger can bring many benefits to any company through the following methods:

• Directly promoting the services or products to potential customers and clients, in a friendly, engaging and authentic way.

• Generating a loyal online fan base who will help promote other promotional videos across a wide range of social media platforms and video sharing sites. Fantastic free PR.

• Boost the online ranking of a company through searches and related videos, all of which will help rank a website higher in search engine results.