Have you taken the vlogging plunge yet? If you are still a little intimidated to put yourself in front of a camera, read my story about my experience, lessons learned and tips for entrepreneurs. No doubt, vlogging is a blossoming trend, a trend that I want to keep up with. As entrepreneur coach I urge to stay ahead and give advice with practical experience and scientific research in my pocket to engage entrepreneurs starting up and growing their business. This is why I took the opportunity to learn all about vlogging. Read more about how vlogging helped me te become a better coach for entrepreneurs:

Vlogging has become the richest source of information, knowledge, as well as internet entertainment.

Video content is such a powerful way to communicate with your target audience and an engaging way to increase brand visibility. Many people prefer to source information through video content than any other source. This goes to prove the findings from various studies that more people prefer to sit down and watch videos than to read, internet becomes more and more video driven. Vlogging has become so popular that Cisco assumes that by 2018 and the years after that vlog content will take over 69% of the web content. Enough reasons to explore, experience and go for it.

Stretching my limits by vlogging about the preparation and the windsurfing races at Defiwind 2018.

I started as vlog dummy with my mobile phone and laptop only. Ready to go, willing to learn! I really had to break out of my comfort zone. There were absolutely no difficulties to start technically and financially, rather it was unsecurity to put myself in front of the camera. However, I went out there:

  1. Chose my participation at Defiwind 2018 as my vlogging theme
  2. Claimed my YouTube Channel: Kirsten Baas NED166
  3. Downloaded free apps, charged the batteries and…
  4. Just vlog it – Vlog about preparations and the Le Defi races

About Defiwind 2018

Defiwind is a windsurf marathon, the greatest international windsurfing event in France. 1300 windsurfers meet in Gruissan: From 5 continents, all ages and all windsurfing skills from pro to amateur have an appointement with the Tramontana wind. The challenge is to complete the marathon course of 80 km per day, during 3 days, while competing with other riders and even more with ourselves. More than a competition, the Défi Wind is known as the windsurfing woodstock. Windsurfers come from all over the planet to share their passion and enthusiasm for windsurfing with other windsurfers who know what it’s about. One of the reasons to vlog about this extraordinary happening: Ladies for Defiwind! This year 58 (of a total of 1300 windsurfers) ladies participated in the windsurfing races.

With the team of Pieter Bijl Windsurfing we started with windsurfclinics on the spot, preparing for the marathon race days. We focused on technics, material tuning, endurance and race strategy, especially the start together with 1300 racers. Not to forget the healthy and fabulous food prepared by Pieter Bijl – NED0 – himself!

Entertrainment during rest days

No wind, no problem. There is always something interesting, fun, technical or inspiring to vlog about. Time for a windsurf muscle challenge with windsurf legends such as Björn Dunkerbeck (won Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) Overall World Championships a record forty one times), Akinori Goshi (#1 in Japan), Twan Verseput (Dutch GPS speed King windsurfing), Dennis Klaaijsen (crossed the Northsea by windsurfing in record time), Nicolas Huguet (olympic windsurfer FR) and many more.

Lessons learned by curiosity and by #justvlogit

  • Social media skills: SEO benefits, YouTube is the second largest search engine, usage of Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube, connecting social media efficiently, usage of @ and #, adds
  • Technical vlogging skills: Sound, lighting editing, length, stabilizers, vlog apps
  • Socialising: Build up a great network, made friends over the world, fun
  • Entertainment: met unique personalities, story telling
  • Interaction with audience: Inspiration for vlogs, engagement and confirmation to keep on going
  • Knowledge: Windsurf innovation, gear, performance, race preparation. Tips and help with technical stuff.
  • Challenge: Time management, continuously and regularly spend time on vlogging. After a day of marathon windsurf I rather have a good meal and socialise, than editing what happened during the day. But that is what it takes. Vlogging about the highlights your audience what to see, and quickly publish.
  • Motivation & Engagement: push my performace by all the lovely and critical feedback

What’s next? Grow as coach for entrepreneurs

What a great experience it has been! During Defiwind I got acquainted to a great spectrum of skills and knowledge about vlogging, but most importantly I have made friends and had a swell time! And, I finished on podium being 3rd in the women 45+. Yeah!

Making vlogs is fun, social, professional, informative and entertaining. The beauty of vlogs is to let the world see ones unique personality and give a pure sphere impression. It allows your audience to see and hear you. Let your personality shine through. Or for entrepreneurs: show your distinguishing proposition, your unique buying reasons of your products en services. If you have not started a vlog yet, it is the right time. You can distinguish yourself and grab the competitive advantage. I hope to inspire en help entrepreneurs and collegues to #justvlogit!

I am encouraged to stay vlogging about extraordinary windsurfing events and promote windsurfing. Moreover, to to continously become a better coach for entrepreneurs. I hope to inspire and engage more ladies to participate in windsurfing. Coming up: NK windsurfen, The Real Trip, Dam X. Will one of my vlogs go viral? That would be a kick! Tips? Please let me know!

Please support me and subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Kirsten Baas NED166

Have fun exploring, learning and vlogging!

#Defiwind #DW18 #Pieterbijlwindsurfing #GPSspeedsurfing #Probatten #Gunsails #Soöruz #windsurfclinics #ProBoom #myrideconnection #NED166 #NED127 #JPN1 #NED0 #NED192 #Playwithus #windsurfgirls #Justwindsurfing #Gruissan  #worldofwindsurf #windsurfingtv

Have a fun life!

Kirsten Baas

06-16037917