So remember that time I tried to do some video blogging? To be fair, maybe my quiet meditation month wasn’t the best place to start, but it was hard. Erica Voll, though, makes it look easy. She’s my vlogging idol. Erica is a mom of two who hasn’t slept through the night since 2008. One day she’d like her bed back. Read her blog No Sleep Till College where she takes on all things parenting, fashion, pop culture, things to do with the kiddos, and more. And be sure to follow her on Google +,Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve written about vlogging and using video on your blog a lot, but I rarely discuss why you should incorporate video into your blog.

I pretty much assume everyone just knows it’s a good idea. And it is.

But why?

Here are a few reasons why even the most camera-shy bloggers should really consider video for their blog.

1. Video/YouTube and Search
Behind Google, YouTube is the most widely searched platform. Think about it. How many times have you searched on YouTube? I am on it daily, and now that Google has integrated Google Plus into YouTube and comments and reviews are now “+able”, even more SEO juice is passed.

Of course, tagging your video helps too. Even if you do a quick, 25 second video of a toy, or product, tag it well and the views will come.

Here is a video I did with my daughter of a popular toy. We were at an event, and I did this video on the spot, and tagged it good enough to get a few views on YouTube - for virtually no effort at all.

2. You Get Awesome Practice
Let me be clear here, I long for a spokesperson gig. I dream about hosting my own hour on QVC and I wish to be in informercials. When I love a product, it shows, and I want the world to know about it.

Every time I get in front of the camera, I think of it as a time I get to practice my skills. Not that I am a media specialist, but I edit my videos and know the end result. Each one helps me get better.

Here is one of my favorite informercial-type of videos.

3. Brands Love It - And So Do Customers.
There is a reason why YouTube is so popular- people love real reviews and to see products up and close. When I do a video review. I like to demo features I really like and I like to physically show the product to demonstrate what it is like.

You can even do it with teething tablets and gel. Show how it’s put on. Taste the product. Put yourself in the position of that person watching your video and think,”What would someone watching this video want to see?”

Have you incorporated video into your blog? If not, what are you waiting for? What could you demonstrate to show potential viewers what’s so great about a product you love?

What do you think? What will your next video blog be? You should totally click over to No Sleep Till College to see why Erica sent her Elf on the Shelf back to Santa. And if you’ve ever thought of trying a clothing subscription service like Gwinnie Bee, then check out the fab clothes that Erica wears because of it. I heart this dress, hard.