Blogger vs vlogger vs influencer: What’s the big difference?
That’s an important question you may have because we live in a world where blogging, vlogging, and influencing are all over the internet. But what makes each group unique and different? And if you want to become one of them, which is the right choice?
So, let’s answer these questions and more. I’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each medium so you can decide which is best for you.
Keep reading!
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Who is a Blogger?
A blogger is a person who writes and publishes articles on their own website called a blog. They mostly write content to answer questions people often search on Google.
For example, I recently wrote a blog post on how to become a product review blogger because people also search for it.
If I rank first in search engines, searchers will click on my blog post and visit my blog, thus getting traffic for free.
But blogs are not full of what people search online. They talk about anything, from personal experiences to product reviews to news and current events.
Recommended reading: Blog Post vs Article: What’s the Difference?
Who is a Vlogger?
A vlogger, short for “video blogger,” is a person who makes regular videos and publishes them on a video-sharing platform like YouTube or TikTok. Vlogging is blogging in video form.
Vloggers use video as their primary medium for communication, and they share various aspects of their lives, share their personal thoughts, create informative videos, entertain their audience, or offer tutorials on a wide range of topics.
A great example is Jon Olsson, a vlogger who shares his life and passion for houses and cars on YouTube.
Vlogs have become increasingly popular in recent years, and vloggers often develop their unique styles and personalities while creating content on their channels.
Who is an Influencer?
An influencer, mostly called a social media influencer, is a person who has a large following on social media or other platforms and promotes products or services. Many influencers are also bloggers or vloggers.
Influencers can cover a wide range of topics, including fashion, beauty, fitness, travel, technology, food, parenting, and more. They often create content related to their niche, sharing their experiences, knowledge, and recommendations with their followers.
For example, Jennifer Tuffen, an Instagram influencer with 2.7M followers, shares her passion for travel and lifestyle.
The point is a social media influencer can exert influence over their audience’s opinions, behaviors, and purchasing decisions. He or she is typically active on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, or even blogs.
Blogger vs Vlogger vs Influencer: What's the Difference?
A blogger writes content in the form of blog articles. A vlogger, however, makes videos to share personal thoughts and expertise on video platforms like YouTube and TikTok. An influencer builds a large following on social media platforms and can impact their audience’s opinions, behaviors, and purchasing decisions.
But how about we see these differences in more detail?
Blogger vs Vlogger: 6 Key Differences
A blogger writes content in the form of blog articles. A vlogger, however, makes videos to share personal thoughts and expertise on video platforms like YouTube and TikTok. An influencer builds a large following on social media platforms and can impact their audience’s opinions, behaviors, and purchasing decisions.
But how about we see these differences in more detail?
1. Medium of Content
The main difference between bloggers and vloggers is the medium of their content. Bloggers publish written content, while vloggers publish video content.
2. Content Format
Blog posts can be long-form articles, short-form posts, guides, comparisons, and list posts. For example, this post on how to start a travel blog is a guide.
But this post on the top 10 WordPress themes is a list.
Just like blogs, vlogs also have different formats, like tutorials, product reviews, personal vlogs, and travel vlogs.
3. Accessibility
Blogs are generally more accessible than vlogs because they require less technical expertise and equipment.
You see, to start blogging, you simply need a laptop or mobile phone, an internet connection, and a blogging platform. There is no need for a specific time and place to blog. Then, most of your work will be research, content creation, promotion, and monetization.
For example, I’m writing this post you are currently reading in my living room, but I can still write it if I am at a Cafe, in an airplane, or in a car.
But things are a little more difficult and technical with a video blog. First, you also need a vlogging platform, like a YouTube channel. Professional vloggers also use expensive equipment, like a camera, a tripod, and more.
Many also learn to use video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Davinci. But though it sounds too technical, a beginner vlogger just needs a good smartphone and a video platform to start recording. Cameras on smartphones are so good that even professionals use them.
4. Engagement and Audience
Bloggers rely on text, images, and sometimes multimedia elements (like videos or infographics) to engage their audience. They mostly interact with them through comments, social media, and email.
Vloggers, however, engage with their audience through video format, allowing for a more personal and dynamic connection. Viewers can like, comment, and share the videos, and the interaction is often more immediate.
But don’t get me wrong. You can like and leave comments on blog posts, too, especially posts talking about current news.
5. Skill Sets
Different skill sets are needed to create engaging content. Bloggers, for instance, need to be good at writing and editing; on the other hand, vloggers need to be good at videography and video editing.
But you don’t have to be perfect or an expert to start blogging or vlogging.
Many bloggers also learn SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips to help their content rank higher on Google and drive free traffic.
6. Monetization Strategies
Professional bloggers and vloggers can monetize their online content through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and selling digital products.
Affiliate marketing, for instance, means promoting other peoples’ products. You use an affiliate link, and when people purchase the product through that link, you earn a commission.
For example, if I write a blog post titled “Best WordPress SEO Plugins,” I will mention many plugins, and their links will be affiliate ones. A vlogger will instead add these links in the video description.
The income potential between a blog and a vlog is high. It’s all up to you to work hard enough to be profitable.
Blogger vs Influencer: 6 Key Differences
1. Content Medium
Bloggers primarily create written content, while influencers can create content in many formats, including text, images, videos, and audio. Influencers may also partner with brands to create sponsored content.
2. Platform Focus
Many bloggers focus on one or two blogging platforms, such as their blog and social media. Influencers, however, may have a presence on multiple platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter.
3. Audience Engagement
As mentioned earlier, a blogger typically engages with their audience through comments and social media. An influencer, like a vlogger, may engage through comments, likes, subscriptions, and live streams.
4. Niche Versatility
5. Monetization Methods
A blogger and an influencer can monetize their content through advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products. They may also have the opportunity to collaborate with brands on product launches and other marketing initiatives.
7. Accessibility
Blogging is generally more accessible than influencing because it requires less technical expertise and vlogging equipment. All you need for a blog is a computer, hosting, and a blogging platform. As an influencer, you may need a video camera, editing software, and a device to share your videos online (if you want to focus on video content more than text).
Blogger vs Vlogger vs Influencer: 6 Important Similarities
1. Content Creation
All three groups create and share content with others. This content can be about anything, from personal experiences to product reviews to news and current events.
A blogger writes content, a vlogger makes videos, and a social media influencer creates almost anything from text to images, from videos and audio.
2. Online Presence
Bloggers, vloggers, and influencers all have an online presence, typically through social media and/or on their own websites. This online presence allows them to connect with their audience and share their content.
3. Niche Focus
Just in case it’s a new term to you, your niche is your main focus.
Among the three groups, a blogger and a vlogger usually focus on a specific niche, like fitness, food, or travel. This allows them to become experts in their field and attract a targeted audience. The influencer is the one who can cover multiple niches.
4. Audience Engagement
All three groups engage with their audience in a variety of ways, such as through comments, social media, and live streams. This engagement helps them to build relationships with their audience and create a sense of community.
5. Monetization
Advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products are three ways a blogger, vlogger, and influencer monetize their content.
6. Brand Partnerships
All these content creators can partner with brands to promote their products or services. This can be done through sponsored content, product placement, or other marketing initiatives.
Do You Make More Money Blogging, Vlogging, or Influencing?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of money you make blogging, vlogging, or influencing will depend on various factors, like your niche, audience size, engagement rate, and monetization strategies.
However, in general, a social media influencer tends to make more money than bloggers and vloggers. This is because influencers have the ability to reach a larger audience and partner with brands for more lucrative deals.
That said, it is possible to become profitable blogging or vlogging, especially if you can build a large and engaged following.
Blogger, Vlogger, and Influencer: What Should You Choose?
Choosing between being a blogger, vlogger, or influencer depends on your passion, skills, and monetization goals.
Opt for blogging if you enjoy writing and have some expertise in a specific niche, vlogging if you’re comfortable in front of the camera and prefer videos, or becoming an influencer if you like social media and working with brands. to inspire and engage with an audience, potentially collaborating with brands.
Your choice should align with your interests, skills, and how you plan to monetize your content. And remember, some content creators combine these roles for a more versatile approach to content creation.
No matter which path you choose, it’s important to create high-quality content that is engaging and informative to your audience. When you are authentic and genuine, you build trust.
FAQ
No, being an influencer and a blogger is not the same thing. A blogger is someone who writes and publishes articles on a blog. An influencer is someone who has a large number of followers on social media and promotes products or services.
A Blogger can be an influencer, but they don’t need to be. And an influencer doesn’t need to be a blogger.
The best choice for you will depend on your personal interests, goals, and target audience. If you enjoy writing articles and like a particular topic, then become a blogger, and if you enjoy creating videos, vlogging may be a good option for you.
A vlogger and influencer both make money through affiliate marketing, advertising, and working with brands. As a vlogger, you will create a lot of videos on your vlog channel on YouTube or Instagram, but as an influencer, you will spend most of your time on your social media account.
Anyone can be an influencer. All you need is a social media platform and followers. However, it’s important to note that it takes time and effort to build a large and engaged following.
Big influencers are often called mega-influencers or celebrity influencers. They have millions of followers and can command high fees for sponsored posts and product endorsements.
No, not every blogger earns money. Many factors contribute to a blogger’s income, such as niche, traffic, and monetization strategies. However, it is absolutely possible to have a profitable blog.
Yes, YouTube vloggers can get paid through advertising, sponsorships, and channel memberships.
A vlogger is someone who creates and publishes videos on a video platform like YouTube, TikTok, or even Instagram. A YouTuber is someone who has a channel on YouTube. Not all YouTubers are vloggers, and not all vloggers are YouTubers.
