Blog vs YouTube Channel:Should You Start a Blog or YouTube Channel in 2023?

Wondering whether you should start a blog or YouTube channel this year? Well, you’re not alone—it can be a tough decision. Here’s my guide to choosing if you should start a blog vs YouTube channel to achieve your goals today.

Should you start a blog or a YouTube channel if you want to earn some income online—or grow your existing business? Enter today’s guide: Blog vs YouTube. Check out my ultimate guide on how to start a vlog (video blog) too.

It’s not necessarily an easy question to answer. Both have different advantages—and different challenges.

YouTube channels and blogs are both fantastic forms of content marketing that can help you dramatically grow your online business. But some businesses (and some audiences) will be more suited to blogs vs YouTube – and vice versa.

You could sit on the fence and opt to start both a blog and a YouTube channel at the same time. But that arguably makes it twice as hard to gain any traction. Even if you want to eventually have a blog and YouTube channel, you really need to pick one of those to start off with.

So where should you begin? How can you figure out what’s going to work for you—so you don’t waste a lot of time or financial resources going down the wrong path?

Should You Start a Blog or a YouTube Channel? Quick Answer:

The best way to decide whether you should start a blog or a YouTube channel, is to ask yourself how you most enjoy creating content. If you love writing more than speaking into a camera, then blogging will be a better choice. On the other hand, if it feels easier (or more fun) to just turn on a camera and talk about the topics in your favorite niche, starting a YouTube channel may be your best move. With hundreds of millions of daily active users on both Google & YouTube, you’ll find your audience (and they’ll find you) whether you start a blog or a YouTube channel.

Now, let’s dive into our guide about choosing to start a blog vs start a YouTube channel (or, if you prefer, “blog vs vlog”) this year.

Blog vs YouTube: Should You Start a Blog or YouTube Channel in 2023?

  1. What’s the Difference Between a Blog and YouTube Channel?
  2. Six Great Reasons to Start a Blog vs YouTube Channel
  3. Six Equally Smart Reasons to Start a YouTube Channel vs Blog
  4. Blog vs YouTube Channel: Which is Better for Achieving Your Goals?
  5. Should You Start a Blog and a YouTube Channel at the Same Time?

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What’s the Difference Between a Blog and a YouTube Channel?

Before we dig into the benefits of both blogs and YouTube channels, let’s take a look at how (and why) they’re different.

The biggest difference between a blog and a YouTube channel, is that blogs are primarily written–though they may have videos embedded into them. YouTube videos are, obviously, videos, though you could potentially have a spoken soundtrack over a still image, though that is less engaging to YouTube viewers. Some businesses run both a blog and a YouTube channel.

Blog vs YouTube Channel Example of a YouTube Blogger

A blog is a website that has regular new blog posts (written content). These will often be informational articles, but could also involve news stories, or even something more creative like flash fiction.

Many blogs are designed to support or grow a business, though some are more like personal diaries or journals that might make little or no money for their creators. To start a blog, you’ll need a domain name and a web hosting account.

A YouTube channel (or vlog aka video blog) is like having your own on-demand TV show. You’re not streaming live like a regular TV channel: instead, you’re dropping new videos (or you could think of them as “episodes”) on a daily or weekly basis.

Some of your viewers might find one video, watch it, and get what they need. Others will subscribe to your channel, watching your videos as they come out. And some will come and binge on your backlist of videos.

Now, let’s take some more nuance to the question—should you start a blog or a YouTube channel? Which is going to serve you and your business best?

That’s what we’re going to take a look at now, highlighting the key reasons why you might go with each one when evaluating the question of blogging vs YouTube channels.

6 Great Reasons to Start a Blog vs YouTube Channel

Thinking of starting a blog vs vlog? Here are 6 great reasons why blogging might suit you (more than vlogging):

1. You Want to Look Professional On a Tight Budget

Setting up a good-looking blog doesn’t cost much: there are lots of great quality WordPress themes available that won’t set you back more than $100.

Once you’ve bought your WordPress theme, and maybe invested in a logo, you can keep writing posts with very few ongoing blog costs. They’ll still look just as great.

With a YouTube video channel, you’ll need to invest in quite a bit of equipment—a camera, mic, and potentially backdrop or even sets and props. It’s more expensive to start a YouTube channel of the same content quality level as you can achieve for far cheaper with a blog.

2. You Enjoy Writing

If you love writing, it makes a lot of sense to start a blog. You’ll hopefully find it easy (and fun) to create content there.

While writing blog posts will often include some graphic elements, like photos or illustrations, the bulk of your time is going to be spent working with words.

With YouTube videos, you might well write a script, but most of your video creation time will go on recording and editing.

3. You Feel Very Self-Conscious on Video

Even if your niche is one that suits video well, if you hate being recorded, you might want to stick with blogging instead–at least to start with.

Better to Start a Blog than YouTube Channel if You Like Writing

Some people just don’t feel comfortable on video. And if that’s you, don’t force yourself to repeatedly do something you hate.

Instead, see if blogging feels like a more comfortable and natural fit for you.

4. You’re Aiming to Improve Your Website’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

One great way to get more search engine traffic to your website is to create more blog content. The more blog posts you have, the more chances you have to rank on Google–and bring in new visitors.

While YouTube videos can (and often do) rank higher on Google—they won’t always benefit your website by doing so. They’ll only help YouTube’s SEO.

Use My Free Keyword Research Tool

Free Keyword Research Tool (AI-Powered) SEO Keyword Research and Ideas

Try my free AI-Powered Keyword Tool to get dozens of research-backed ideas for keywords & topics to write about on your blog today.


5. You Want to Fully Own Your Own Platform

When you create a YouTube channel, your audience is on YouTube – not on your own website. And if something about YouTube changes, you might find you lose a lot of your audience. In a worst-case scenario, YouTube might shut down your channel altogether.

With a blog, you own your website. It’s your platform – no one else’s. Unless you’re doing something illegal and your site gets shut down by your web host, you don’t have to worry about suddenly losing your audience.

6. You Prefer to Be Anonymous or Keep a Low Profile

It’s easier to be anonymous on a blog than on YouTube. Even if you don’t show your face in your YouTube videos, people will hear your voice.

Blogging vs YouTube gives you the opportunity to write under a pen name, without anyone knowing who you really are. Even if you do want to use your name, you might well prefer the focus to be on your content – not on you personally.

6 Equally Smart Reasons to Start a YouTube Channel vs Blog

Feel that a YouTube channel might be right for you? Perhaps some of these 6 reasons to start vlogging sound like they’re true to you:

1. You Want to Get Started Quickly

It only takes a few clicks to start a YouTube channel – especially if you already have a Google account. It’s a quick and easy process.

Start a YouTube Channel vs Blog if You Like Talking

Compare that with starting a blog, where you need to choose a web host, come up with an available domain name, pick a theme you like, and more.

If you’re keen to get going right now, a YouTube channel is probably the best place to begin.

2. You Love Talking, Not Writing

Perhaps you could happily talk all day about your niche … but when it comes to putting fingers to keyboard, you struggle to come up with a coherent sentence.

If you find it easy and natural to talk to the camera, then YouTube is a perfect fit for you. Instead of scripting your videos, you’ll probably want to have a detailed outline that you can follow to hit all your main points – but with plenty of room for improvisation along the way.

3. You Enjoy Recording and Editing Videos

If you have a YouTube channel, you’re going to spend quite a bit of time recording – and probably even more time editing your videos.

Some people find this a tedious process: others really enjoy getting a video just right, and can happily spend hours perfecting it using your favorite editing software. If that’s you, then a YouTube channel is the ideal option for you.

4. Your Topic Suits Videos Well

Some niches are really well suited to video content. Anything with a practical, hands-on component is likely to go down well on YouTube channels.

That includes things like software tips, tricks, and troubleshooting, photography editing techniques, car maintenance, and pretty much anything you can show people.

If your topic is something where videos are quicker and easier to understand than written words, then you’ll want to be on YouTube.

5. Your Target Audience Wants Videos

What if your topic could be served equally well by videos or by written content – and you’re happy to create either?

Then it all comes down to your target audience. Which would suit them better? Some audiences would much rather read; others will always look for a video before trying to find a written guide.

In general, younger audiences will feel more comfortable with video than older audiences – but it’s important to know your exact target audience and their preferences.

6. You Want to Build an Instant Connection

Blog posts can feel quite far removed from their author. Unless there’s a lot of personal content or a very strong authorial voice, all you have is words on a screen – and not a lot of personality.

With a video, you can see and hear the video’s creator. You’ll form an instant impression of them and, assuming your first impression is broadly positive, you’ll start to feel a connection with that person from the very first video you watch.

If your business suits strong connections well – perhaps you sell a one-to-one service like consulting, for instance – then YouTube could be a great place to be.

Blog vs YouTube Channel: Which is Better for Achieving Your Goals?

As well as thinking about what suits your topic and your audience, you’ll want to consider whether a blog or a YouTube channel (vlog) is likely a better fit for your actual goals.

YouTube Blogger Image (Video Blogging Outdoors)

When you’re thinking about whether or not to start a blog vs YouTube channel in order to achieve your goals, use this framework to evaluate:

1. Whether a Blog or YouTube Channel is Better for Your Brand

A strong, personality-based brand is likely to work really well for a YouTube channel. A calm, informative brand focused around a company rather than an individual could be best for a blog.

2. How Much Capital You Can Invest Up Front

As we mentioned earlier, it can cost quite a bit to get up and running on YouTube. While you could record all your videos on your phone and quickly be a YouTuber overnight, you’re likely to want a high-quality mic and camera for more professional-looking videos.

If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to get started with a blog while you save up to invest in the equipment you need for your YouTube videos.

3. How “Polished” Your Target Audience Expects (and Wants) You To Be

Of course, costs might not matter too much if your target audience wants raw, personal content: recording on your phone might be perfect for that.

On the flip side, if your audience expects a highly professional approach, then blogging can be a good way to come across in a polished fashion even on a very low budget.

4. Whether SEO is a Key Focus for Your Business

A blog will definitely boost your SEO more than a YouTube channel – so if your main business goal is to rank better on Google, then a blog’s going to help you get there faster.

Ultimately, your business could do just fine whichever option you go far. But by choosing the easier and better option for you, your audience, and your business, you’ll make much faster progress.

Should You Start a Blog and a YouTube Channel at the Same Time?

Plenty of businesses run a blog and a YouTube channel: SmartWP, my own side business with my friend Andy, is a good example, with our SmartWP content and the SmartWP YouTube channel running alongside one another.

YouTube Channel Screenshot (Example Smart WordPress Channel)

However, this isn’t a beginner-friendly approach. Instead of launching your blog and your YouTube channel simultaneously, launch one first, get into the habit of creating regular content, and build up an audience there.

Just establishing a blog or YouTube channel takes a lot of work. Make life easier for yourself by only tackling one of those, to begin with.

Ready to Experiment? Launch Your Blog or YouTube Channel Today

If you’ve been thinking about a blog and/or YouTube channel for a long time – it’s time to get started.

This week, I challenge you to begin the process of starting a blog or signing up for YouTube and creating your own channel.

Still not sure whether a YouTube channel or blog is right for you?

Spend a couple of weeks experimenting with both. Or leave me a comment here below and I’ll weigh in with my advice.

See what feels like a more natural fit between a blog or YouTube channel—then focus your time where you’re getting more views and interest. Put the other on hold for the time being, so you can commit to just one option over the next few weeks and months.

Ready to Start Your Blog?

Check out my ultimate guide: How to Start a Blog (on the Side) Today.


Hi I'm Ryan Robinson

Blogger, podcaster and recovering side project addict. Head of Content at Close. Join me here, on ryrob.com to learn how to start a blog, make money blogging and grow a profitable side business. Be sure to try my popular free keyword research tool & AI article writer tool, as well. Somehow, I also find time to write for publications like Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Next Web, Business Insider, and more. Let’s chat on Twitter and YouTube about our feelings (and blogging, of course).

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44 replies to “Blog vs YouTube: Should You Start a Blog or YouTube Channel in 2023?”

  1. Thanks for your work again, nice write up, I think it’s less cost to start both a Blog and a YouTube channel, you can start a free blog using blogspot, while a YouTube using a good android phone or Computer (with good Webcam, with your normal light around you room and your head phone) you can start up both. My challenge on blog is the writing and researching and my challenge on YouTube is the Editing and researching. NOTHING COMES EASY. 😊

    Reply
  2. I am happy to read these guidelines and my choice depend on what I injoy the most

    Reply
  3. Thanks for the information! Let’s say if a person has both a blog and a Youtube channel. If his Youtube channel is very successful, do you think it will help this his website to rank better in google too? I am just wondering since both google and Youtube belong to the same company.

    Reply
    • Yeah, I think there’s definitely some magic to be had with YouTube videos being embedded into blog content… my advice is to make sure you’re creating a companion blog post to go along with every video you do for your channel. And when you embed that video into the blog post, it certainly won’t hurt your chances of the content rising higher in organic search rankings.

      Reply
  4. Nice one! But quite funny, if you don’t know the one to go for.

    Reply
  5. Hi Ryan,
    Thanks for the detailed strategy for the Blog and the video blog.
    You have reached Mount Everest while I look up at you in amazement.
    I am particularly passionate about Blog based writing. But who else is there to help to reach out to the first base camp!

    Reply
  6. Ryan you are favorite blogger guru and mentor. Learned a lot of things from your blog. And trying to copying you. Hope so it’s a good journey. Best luck to me.

    Reply
  7. I was in a dilemma in choosing a blog or a youtube channel. Now I got clarity. I will start the blog and YouTube channel simultaneously. I will experiment with it for a few months. Thank you for the blog

    Reply
  8. Hi Ryan Robinson
    Thanks for your Educational contents…
    I opened a blog for about a year now I bare get a single traffic.

    I really need your help to improve it and will be grateful if you come to my rescue

    Just take a look at it

    Reply
  9. Great great article. I wish I could say it solved my problem, but it’s not you it’s me. I love to write, you couldn’t shut me up if you tried. I can type crazy fast, speak even faster. I love formatting a blog post, equally enjoy editing a video. I have all the blog stuff set up, also have decent video equipment. I STILL cannot decide which to really give my all. *laugh cries*

    Reply
    • Haha I totally get it. Take some time to sit with your decision… or maybe you’re the EXACT right kind of person to do both at the same time!

      Reply
  10. This is so timely for me. I asked myself this question and have started working on a Blog that I hope to launch soon. As I answered the questions in the article, blogging seems to be the best fit. Eventually, I would like to podcast and YouTube. Thanks for the information.

    Reply
    • Glad to hear that, Jacqui! I think you should definitely lean most into the blog for now if that’s feeling right, and start experimenting soon with a podcast or YouTube channel as a way to distribute your content on some other destinations where listeners/viewers are actively searching for content in your niche.

      Reply
  11. The blog topic is engaging. This content is relevant today due to the increasing number of YouTubers and bloggers. Thank you for giving us insights. Great content, indeed!

    Reply
  12. It was a very helpful and most importantly informative article to read as I was searching for such a value-packed in-depth blog post.
    So thanks Ryan for writing such a bombastic article for me.

    Reply
  13. Thanks for sharing your experience with blogging and YouTube. Comprehensive and useful information.

    Reply
  14. Ryan,

    Thoughtful stuff. I have both a blog and a youtube channel and podcast. The youtube has been a secondary support for the blog as I usually insert the youtube into blog articles to spice them up.

    I am considering creating a series of both blog articles and youtube videos on the same topic. I have not created a series on my main blog site in the past and was curious if you have and which gets more attention, the blog or youtube.

    Reply
    • Nice! Thanks for the kind words, Bill—I’m glad you found this one so useful 🙂

      It sounds to me like you’re doing all the right things… I’d say YouTube has a higher likelihood of getting more attention in the short-term, since SO many people are using the platform every day—searching, getting related content suggested, etc. Your written blog content will be great for longer-term traffic from the search engines like Google.

      Reply
  15. I want to do a You Tube video channel that is all about basket weavers and weaving. I want to go to different guilds and retreats and report on the art of basket weaving. Maybe have one on one interviews with weavers. Basket weaving is the oldest art form.

    Reply

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