Knowledge Centre

Recently I’ve been asked one particular question  quite a few times which is: What’s essential vlogging equipment do you need to film video blogs, particularly if you’re just starting to vlog?

It’s a great question.

So I’m going to answer it in this video and tell you about 4 essential pieces of equipment you need to film your video blogs. And why you need them.

Watch the video below or read the full transcript below the video.

Before I tell you what vlogging equipment you need, let me point out that I’m not here to recommend specific makes and models of equipment. Simply because there are so many out there. New products come on the market all time. And it all depends on your budget and what other equipment you already have.

1.Camera

So the first one is pretty obvious. Yep you need a camera to film your videos. If you’re starting out, you don’t need fancy, heavy, expensive cameras. Your smart phone will do the job perfectly. In fact it’s what I use to film my vlogs on – I have an iphone 6 – so it’s few years old but it does the job pretty well. And smart phone models are always improving their camera technology. So stick to filming on your smart phone.

2. Tripod

Next get a tripod. You don’t need to balance your phone on a book or shelf. Just invest in a tripod. It will hold your smart phone and means you can present hands free. Then you can use your hands to express yourself or show something else in the video – like a product you want to talk about.

You can stand back from the equipment and focus on delivering your message.

I don’t know about you but I personally find it distracting when there’s too much shaky footage so using tripod means stable footage.

There are lots of tripods on the market. And again it depends what size device you have. You might want to try an extendable tripod which has an smart phone mount. You can then position your device at different heights so gives you that flexibility. This one was about £25 and I’ve had this for a few years now.

3. Microphone

Next, you need a microphone for your smart phone to give better sound quality. When you’re filming you’ll be standing back from the camera so a mic will be able to pick up your voice up from a distance.

You can get mics that plug into your phone like mine does.

Or there are blue tooth mics out there which you can clip on. Again lots to choose from so see what suits your budget and your device.

4. Light

The final thing you need to film a video is lighting.

Now I do have a ring light. I bought this last year before we moved house because our old house was quite dark. It was about £99. And these come in different sizes. There are desktop versions and larger ones like this one. The benefit of this is that it’s a tripod and light in one so does two jobs.

But if you didn’t want to buy something like this or buy separate lights, then you can get good lighting for FREE.

All you need to do is FACE the window and use natural daylight.

Position your tripod in front of the window so you’re facing the window – as long as the sun is not coming through it. And to be honest the last few videos I’ve made have all been filmed using natural daylight by just facing the window.

And that’s all the vlogging equipment you need– camera, mic, tripod, lighting. And you’re ready for action.

So hope that was helpful.

Get in touch if you have any questions.

Until next time – happy vlogging.

To learn more about how to use video in your business, check our online course for video tips, ideas and examples.

So if you’ve decided to start making video blogs. Then great. BUT.

Before you hit the record button, watch the video below to learn about the  7 mistakes people make when vlogging. And what you should do to avoid them.

You can also read the full transcript below the video.

Vlogging mistake number 1: Looking at the screen NOT the lens

Assuming that you’ll be recording your video on your smart phone. It’s very tempting to look at yourself on the screen because that’s bigger than then lens on your smart phone.

The lens is a dot of thing on your phone and that’s where you should be looking and focusing your eye. Not the screen.

Obviously if you’re showing viewers a product or something then you might look at it intermittently like this to direct their attention to the product. But whenever you look back up again – look at the lens so you connect with your audience.

Vlogging mistake number 2: There’s no performance

Vlogging is a form presenting and when you’re presenting you have to put some energy into it. You could deliver in a monotone, non expressive way. But what effect do you think that’s going to have on people watching.

Remember, you’re trying to engage people not bore them to sleep.

• So stand up.
• Be expressive.
• Project your voice.
• Emphasise key words and perform for the camera.
• Show your energy. Your personality and let that shine through in your presentation.

Vlogging mistake number 3: Poor light or sound

What’s the point of making a video if no-one can see or hear you well?

Your face will be the star of your show so:

• Pay attention to the lighting situation. Check there’s isn’t a lightbulb over your head because this creates odd lighting over your head and behind you. You don’t need fancy lighting equipment– just face a window and use natural daylight. Or make sure you position yourself in a place where light is working for you not against you.
• Your voice is delivering the message so you need to be heard properly. Invest in good microphone that will give you better sound quality than the inbuilt mic on your phone.

Vlogging mistake number 4: Not telling people what the video is about

When I watch a vlog I want to know what it’s about straight away. I can then decide if I should keep watching. So use the tell, tell, tell rule.

1. At the start of the video, tell people what you’re going to tell them.
2. Then tell them – which is the main part of your message.
3. Then at the end, tell them what you’ve told them.

This is a golden rule for all types of presenting so use it in your videos.

Vlogging mistake number 5: Low (or high) camera angles

Pay attention to the camera angle. I’ve seen some videos where people are sat at their desk and have positioned the camera at too low or high angle.

So you end up maybe seeing too far up their nose or they’re neck is too high up.

Your lens should be at eye level so check this before you start recording. Because, people want to see your face and not up your nose.

Vlogging Mistake number 6: Not smiling

A smile goes a long way to connect with your audience.

Again I’ve seen quite a few videos where the person hasn’t smiled even once.

So make a mental note and consciously remember to smile in your video a few times.

• At the start when you introduce yourself
• A couple of times throughout
• And at the end of your message.

You want to look like you’re enjoying the video process– so bring out that smile. It’s how you would greet people in real life – and it’s important to transfer that warmth with a smile in your video.

And finally vlogging mistake number 7: Waffling on

Oh and then there are the wafflers.

People usually do this when they haven’t planned what they want to say thoroughly enough.

They get a quick idea, it’s in their head and then they get just press the record button start talking.

I’m sorry but a thought in your head does not equal a planned message and that’s when you’re likely to waffle on. We’re all strapped for time, so plan your message, get to the point and don’t waffle on endlessly.

So that’s it. My 7 mistakes of vlogging to avoid.

Hope that was helpful. If you liked this video, then consider sharing it to help others. And if this video helped you, then let me know in the comments below.

To learn more about how to use video in your business, check our online course for video tips, ideas and examples.

I’ve come across quite a lot people who’ve made a video blog and then played it back and thought it was just awful. So they ditched the video and never bothered to do anything with it.

Many of us don’t like getting in the front of the camera for many reasons.

We might not like to way we sound or look.

So how can you get confident in front of the camera and make vlogs that you want to share?

Watch my latest video for some ideas.

You can also read the full transcript below the video.

Hi everyone – it’s Pam. It’s been a while since my last video. So this is for my first video of 2020.

And today I wanted to share some tips about how to get confident with making video blogs.

I’ve come across quite a lot people who’ve made a video blog and then played it back and thought it was just awful. So they ditched the video and never bothered to do anything with it.

Many of us don’t like getting in the front of the camera for many reasons. We might not like to way we sound or look, or perhaps the video doesn’t look professional enough.

Video is one of THE most effective ways to get your message out there. And video blogging is the quickest and easiest way to use video.
So how can you get confident in front of the camera and make vlogs that you want to share?

Here are my 5 tips to help you.

1. Plan your message

Don’t just press record and start talking. You’ll um and ahh causing you to lose your thought pattern. Then you’ll end up waffling about something else. As a result, you’ll find a vlog that is unclear. You’ll disengage (and maybe bore) rather than engage your audience.
So before you press the record button, plan what you want to say by writing it down on a blank piece of paper. It might a list of points that will prompt you. Or you may want to write down every word as your video script – which is what I do.

2. Rehearse

Once you’ve planned what you want to say, read it out aloud. You’ll be able to hear how your audience will it hear. As you read it out aloud ask yourself these questions:

How does the message sound?
Are you comfortable saying everything?
Are sentences short and punchy?

3. Pick the right setting

My third tip 3 is all about the right setting. At first it’s a good idea to choose the same location to record your video blogs. It might be:

• Your home office
• A well-lit part of your house
• A meeting room in an office

Somewhere familiar, that has got good light and you feel comfortable. If you choose a different location for every vlog, then you’re likely to feel uneasy and this unease will come across in your vlogs. In time as your confidence grows, then you can get more creative with different locations. But at first, keep the setting familiar.

4. Practice makes perfect

If you only make one vlog every six months, then you’ll never build up your confidence. So make some ad hoc videos with family and friends that you don’t publish. Talk about everyday things with other people or on your own. Videos that give you the practice you need. Use these practice videos to get comfortable seeing yourself and hearing yourself in videos. When you’re ready to start vlogging properly, then you’re camera ready. Remember, practice makes perfect.

5. Dress for the part

Another sure way to get confident in front of the camera is to wear something that you love. Something which makes you feel confident. Have you combed your hair? If you’re female, then perhaps put on a bit of lippy to give your face some colour. I could probably do another video on this. But the point I want to make is that if you feel confident through what you’re wearing and how you look, then you’ll present confidently.

So take these tips can get vlogging. It’s actually quite fun when you get going and it’s a great way to get in front of your audiences.

Happy vlogging everyone and I’ll see you again soon.

To learn more about how to use video in your business, check our online course for video tips, ideas and examples.