How To Get The Right Video Marketing Equipment Without The Cost

Probably one of the questions I get regularly being a video marketer is…

“What kind of camera and mic do you use, your videos are so good?”

That question is the motivation of this blog post and video so that you can understand and know what is the best equipment to use to create and make quality videos in your marketing and in your business.

The truth is ever since I have been online the perception is that in order to be a good effective marketer using video you must have high-end video equipment and you must be really good at editing and effects to create or make something that is effective.

This could NOT be farther from the truth. As a matter of fact, using video in your marketing has never been easier to do nowadays as literally, the best technology is at your fingertips you just need to harness it and use it.

Now I would like to share a few things before I get into the kind of equipment you can use to make good videos.

I remember several years ago, I was coaching a new student in video marketing, and one day he wrote me to tell me how he just bought an elaborate lighting kit that was $600 and he also got a video camera that was almost $1000.

Now mind you, here I was really starting to get major traction in my business using video and I was using a really crappy $50 webcam strapped to my laptop with crappy audio and crappy video quality, and my student just went out and upstaged me.

But I remember thinking “how is it that I am getting results and I don't use any of that fancy video equipment day by day”. I realized that it was simple, deliver a message that is on point, and the rest just takes care of itself.

As we start this post just understand, that you don't have to have the most expensive, badass camera, sound, and lighting kit on the market. Some people think that in order to be successful at video marketing this is the case. Well, I assure you, IT'S NOT THE CASE!

I say this because I know some will read this and think they have to get exactly what I say here before they can go out and take action.

Again, this is not the case. Don't let this list keep you from just taking simple action toward your goals. If all you have is a laptop webcam and you can't afford anything else, JUST USE IT!

You don't have to wait to start if you don't have what I talk about here. The cameras you have on your phone, laptop, and your desktop computers are just fine to get started if that's all you have.

So with that being said, let's get started. 🙂

What type of video camera should I get?

First, if you want to go for quality, you can go with a high-end camera if you want, but truth be told some of the best quality is literally right in your hands. The cameras on smartphones today are probably some of the best on the market.

As a matter of fact, the quality of the camera on today's smartphones rivals some of the most expensive DSLR cameras with the highest quality lenses when you have good light.

About 95% of the videos when I am on the go I create nowadays are using the camera of my iPhone. And when I am at my desk I use a nice 4k webcam called the “Logitech Brio“.

In short, quit thinking you need to get all this super high-end equipment to be effective at video marketing, it's just not the case these days.

What should I do for audio?

This is important also. Bad audio can make your videos very hard to understand and therefore can be annoying to your viewer.

The best and least expensive way to get good audio on your smartphone is to use a plug-in lavalier mic or a Bluetooth mic. This can put the mic right near you and give you almost perfect audio every time.

Here are a couple options for you when it comes to getting a laviler mic…

PowerDewise Lav Mic – Click Here

 

What about lighting?

Depending on where you are shooting your video, lighting will always play a role in how well your video looks.

Natural light is always the best light but its not always possible to get natural light in every video. Also, when  you want to make videos in the evening or when its dark, you will need a good lighting kit to make that happen. The good news is you don't need to go out and get an elaborate lighting kit.

There are certainly better kits out there than the one I am using, but if you want to go on the more inexpensive side, go with the CowboyStudio Photography Photo Studio Video Quick Softbox Lighting Light Kit, 600 Watt Output and it should work just fine for you as it has worked flawlessly for me.

The only option for this lighting kit is to get some extra light bulbs that are a tad bit brighter, and I recommend LimoStudio Photo Studio Photography 105 Watt 6500K Day Light Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb as they are brighter and have served me well.

So what about a tripod, should I use one for shooting videos?

If you are going to be doing most of the videos yourself, I do recommend you get one. The tripod I purchased and use every day, is this one Professional PRO 72-inch Super Strong Tripod With Deluxe Soft Carrying Case because its inexpensive and it does the job.

When you are doing lots of videos, you for sure want a tripod because when your video is shaking around all the time, it won't look as professional as it could. So my recommendation is to for sure get a tripod that has a carrying case. You don't have to go with this one, but it has served me well.

Smartphone clamp for the tripod is important…

Also, with the tripod, I use a mount that screws on top of the tripod that holds my phone.

It works awesome, and is super simple to put the phone it, and take it out. The one I recommend is RetiCAM Smartphone Tripod Mount it is awesome and works great.

The reason you need this is because your tripod only comes with the standard screw on it, and this clamp is custom designed to work with smartphones.

So here is your short list of everything I use in my home video studio.

1. Iphone 5s for taking awesome videos.
2. For audio – Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones
3. Audio extension – StarTech.com MUHSMF2M 2m 4 Position TRRS Headset Extension Cable
4. Lighting kit – CowboyStudio Photography Photo Studio Video Quick Softbox Lighting Light Kit, 600 Watt Output
5. Lighting kit replacement bulbs – LimoStudio Photo Studio Photography 105 Watt 6500K Day Light Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb
6. Tripod – Professional PRO 72-inch Super Strong Tripod With Deluxe Soft Carrying Case
7. Tripod clamp mount for smartphones – RetiCAM Smartphone Tripod Mount

Hopefully you got something out of this blog post and video. This is all I use inside my personal video marketing studio. You can see this is not complicated, its a super easy set up, and its super easy to set up and use. Just remember, if you keep it simple, you will always have better results.