GoPro Walk Tour Planning

Content Creation perhaps is one of the most tempting career paths ever invented. There’s no need for a college degree and big investment. All you need is a smartphone, internet and a bold attitude to present yourself or your skills to your social media audience. With today’s mobile phone technologies including video editing software, anyone can easily bring their videos to the next level.

But is this enough? Based on my experience, it is not enough. I started with Youtube, then Tiktok and finally Facebook - a page which I just started as of the time of this writing. Just like any other aspiring creators, I experimented on contents and just threw anything on the wall and see what would work. My topics changed from painting to travel to sketchbook to 3D modeling then finally to GoPro Walk Tours. Although they all fall under the umbrella of multimedia design, they totally messed up thus leading to confusion of the platform algorithm and on the part of my audience as well. My Youtube and Tiktok channels have been there for years and they were not monetized yet.

On my third channel which is a Facebook page named Sandjackal Walk Tours, I decided to streamline the things that I really want for this channel. Something that I will not do for my clients but for myself. I also choose a topic that may catch the attention of mass people because based on my experience, if it is too artistic or too technical it catches a specific group of people.

Having my GoPro Hero 9 Black since 2022, I decided to bring back vlogging even just in my local area in Cavite, Makati or Manila. I choose walk tours inspired by Colombian and Mexican vlogs. I assumed that an organized walk tour content may appeal to a generic audience and that I can easily create partnerships with small businesses.

After 6 attempts, I proved my assumptions correct. Local businesses are willing to collaborate even for a simple vlog. Since it is free, they are happy and shared it on their Facebook page thus my videos are having up to 900+ views. I was amazed because before when I was creating vlogs related to arts or graphic design, it did not easily gain engagement unlike now.

As much as I want to post more content, I decided to hold my horses and become more strategic than impulsive. This is the reason why I decided to make a plan for my 7th vlog.

Planning involves defining your niche, setting a target, camera set-up and creating your storyboard. In a larger context like film, these are the pre-production processes.

Defining the Niche

Niche is the specific set of topics where your content will be grounded. For example, my niche is GoPro Walk Tour. It falls under the umbrella of a travel vlog associated with the particular use of GoPro Hero 9 Black. Although the original vision was to stick to walk tours, we were able to pick different topics along the way like groceries and food vlogs related to shawarmas and beef burger. These are in collaboration with the food stall and cafes. Since they clicked, foods will be included and yet the niche of my vlogs are about GoPro Walk Tours.

Setting a Target

• Subject - This refers to the main topic where your vlog is all about. For example my next vlog is a walk tour in a mall in search of another shawarma. This means that the walk tour has a particular target to eat a shawarma.

• Location - If you will find a location, it is better to start in places that you are familiar with. Canvasing places on the spot may be a waste of time. If you want to vlog a particular cafe, make sure that you have tried their food already. Or if you do a walk tour on a crowded street, make sure that the place is safe and you have the right gears to secure your camera. Some areas, especially in cities, may have restrictions that you should be aware of.

• Budget - This is one of the most important elements you need to pay attention to. The budget depends on your subject and location. The farther you travel, the more cost your travel will incur. Based on my experiences, travel vlogs are really expensive whether it is out-of-town or out-of-the-country. If you have a big budget, this is sustainable. Currently I am a freelancer and this is not advisable for me. What I did is to focus on simple walk tours and I’m hoping that I can resume out-of-the-country travel vlogs in the future.

• Time - Vlogs can be done in daytime or nighttime. When using GoPro, it is easy to shoot in the daytime. For nighttime, it may require a lighting system because of its sensor capacity. But according to its latest development, it has released the GoPro Mission series which are capable of low light situations.

Camera Set-up

• GoPro - For walk tours or outdoor activities, I prefer using GoPro Hero 9 Black because it is small, lightweight and can also be used for diving. It has a proven quality because I've been using GoPro since 2022.

• Chesty - GoPro Chesty for me is the most useful gear you can use during walk tours. There is no need to hold the GoPro since it is securely mounted on your chest and placed near to your heart. Whatever you feel at that moment, it vibrates towards your GoPro system. It makes the GoPro very attractive to potential customers because they assume that you are a vlogger if you bring a GoPro with you.

• Tripod - Tripod is useful if you need to shoot for a static frame like a procession. It provides a stable view for the audience and comfort for the videographer.

• Lighting - Lighting systems are used especially during night time. You can use vlog lights for close us and the traditional LED video lights if the place is wide.

Storyboard

• Walking towards the location - If you are into walk tours, make sure that you will shoot your way towards the location so you will not forfeit the theme of your vlog. I can say this based on my experience. I just thought that I’ve pushed the shoot button on my way to the beef burger cafe only to find out that I did not. The video started inside the cafe.

• Environment - Once you are inside the place, you can ask the crew if you can vlog their place. Take a 360° view of the place, counter, menu and food on the table.

• Main Subject - This is the highlight of the story. It will tell if you achieved the purpose of your walktour. If it will be food, try to order at least three - appetizer, main dish and drinks. Take shots at various angles, every bite and until the food is finished.

• Closing - I close the video through the appearance of my logo and account name.

• Adlib - An adlib can be a short mention of your next walk tour you are planning for your next vlog.