Video and Livestream Production Equipment: What’s in My Fanny Pack

I’m often asked what tools, technologies, and products I use to create video (especially livestream video for Facebook). This video (and post below with the links) will tell you everything you need to know!

I have just one favor to ask of you…please…pretty please…

If you decide to get a product you learned about here, would you be kind enough to click the links below and purchase from them? It goes to Amazon. Gives you the same price you’d get searching for the item yourself. But it tells Amazon that my site is referring them traffic and they like me better and give me a small percentage to say thank you. Plus, these stats are important to me as I try to pitch my services to companies.

Enjoy!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zMQYzfqF0gQ%3Fstart%3D1

Recommended (and other) Products

Lavalier (Clip-On) Mic Options  
  
Sennheiser ClipMic digital Mobile Recording Microphone for iOS Devices   Yes. It’s $190. But worth it. My absolute favorite mic. And it’s so tiny that it travels anywhere. The quality is superb (as you’ll see in the video) and you’ll find yourself using it way more than you think…believe me… Shure MVL Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone [1/8″ (3.5mm)] + Windscreen, Tie-Clip, Mount and Carrying Pouch   Mid-range budget (about $70). If you’re not ready to drop $190 on a mic yet, here’s a less expensive option for you.  I haven’t tested it yet, but the reviews are pretty good. Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone ­ Omnidirectional Mic with Easy Clip On System ­ Perfect for Recording Youtube / Interview / Video Conference / Podcast / Voice Dictation / iPhone   For an even cheaper budget option, this mic has great reviews. I haven’t tested it, but it’s a good place to get started and will be better than just your phone alone for audio.
HANDHELD Mic Options  
  
IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD high-definition handheld microphone for iPhone, iPad and Mac (black)   For interviewing others on a livestream. I love this mic. The sound quality is great, even in very windy and noisy environments. I’ve used it at concerts, on top of tall buildings, and at parties and the audio comes through very clear (about $85). IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 high-definition handheld digital microphone for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC   This is the newer version of the first mic. If I were in need of an upgrade, I’d get this. Honestly, though, the first version works well. I have the original version, but this one is a little easier to find for Prime members. But it’s about $25-30 more than the one I have (about $115). IK Multimedia iRig Mic handeld condenser mic for smartphones and tablets   Here’s another option, non iPhone specific version. I don’t think the quality is AS good, but it’s a little cheaper (around $60), and definitely better than no mic! This works on the headphone jack, so if you have a newer iPhone make sure to have your adapter handy. Can also use on computer.
CELL PHONE MOUNTS AND MINI TRIPODS  
  
Vastar Universal Cell Phone Tripod Mount Adapter Holder for iPhone/Samsung Galaxy/Nexus and More Cell Phones Use on Tripod, Monopod, Selfie Stick, Tabletop Tripod Stand and More   Under $5 and will fit with any existing tripod with a standard mount attachment. This is a no-brainer purchase. Plus, I think it’s more sturdy than some of the other (more expensive) mounts. Universal Mini Tripod, Walway Adjustable 360° Rotation Lightweight Desk Cell Phone Mount Stand for GoPro/ Cameras/ Camecorders/ Smartphones (Black)   The bare bones, basic, not super-high quality but functional mini-tripod. Will pack easily into any bag. Or even your back pocket. But you’ll need to also get a cell phone mount if you want to use this tripod. Rienar Octopus Style Portable and Adjustable Tripod Stand Holder for iPhone Cellphone   This bendy tripod I like quite a bit, especially at the price point (under $10). The mount that comes with it, I find, isn’t as good as the first one listed here, so I took it off and used my existing mount. But if you’re really on a budget, I’d get this one and rock it.

If I didn’t already have any of the above tools, though, and wanted to get a kit with everything, this is the one I would purchase. Flexible tripod. Strong cell phone mount. And a Bluetooth remote. (All under $20!)

KobraTech Mini Cell Phone Tripod – TriFlex Mini – Flexible iPhone Tripod for Any Smartphone

Home Studio Equipment (Used to make the video above)  
   
Neewer 75″/6 Feet/190CM Photography Light Stands for Relfectors, Softboxes, Lights, Umbrellas, Backgrounds   Super cheap. Super compact. Super easy-to-use tripod. It’s lightweight, easily storeable, and sturdy enough for home use, Even though the title says lighting and backdrop stand, it has a standard tripod screw mount for your phone adapter (shown above). Brightech Eclipse LED Floor Lamp – Double Rings of Light Bring Sci-Fi Ambiance to Contemporary Spaces – Dimmable Bright Halo Tall Standing Modern Lamp for Living Room, Bedroom and Office – Silver   This light makes me so happy. It doubles as a floor lamp! And it looks cool. I can lower the big ring, put my phone on the tripod in the middle of the ring, and record with easy lighting. Plus, three light settings! Oh! The Chatlight! I like this handy little guy. If you want to get one, please use THIS LINK because they like it when I refer people to them.   In fact, they were the first company about 18 months ago who reached out after I posted about their product online and gifted me an extra light as a thank-you. My first taste of what being an influencer could feel like…I want more of that! 🙂

And, of course, be sure to grab a copy of my book! Dynamic Communication: 27 Strategies to Grow, Lead, & Manage Your Business (from Entrepreneur Press). You can get more strategies for using video to GROW your business in chapters 6, 7, 8, & 9!

Dynamic Communication: 27 Strategies to Grow, Lead, and Manage Your Business

How to Create Videos that Sell without Selling

In this Dynamic Communication interview, author Jill Schiefelbein chats with Alex Charfen, CEO of Charfen, who gives a tip that can help you grow your business. Perfect for entrepreneurs, small businesses, sales teams, marketing teams, livestreamers, video creators and more.

  • How is livestreaming different than video marketing?
  • How can you build trust with your audience and form relationships?
  • Why should you not focus on selling in videos and livestreams?

See the interview video clip at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/video/289543

Alex’s interview is one of 27 featured in Jill’s latest book: Dynamic Communication: 27 Strategies to Grow, Lead, and Manage Your Business available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

Dynamic Communication Book

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

 

Communication is more than words. Successful, DYNAMIC COMMUNICATION is measured by the actions and results that you generate—not the messages you produce.

GROW Your Business

Get 27 actionable strategies that you can implement to grow your business. Each chapter can be read independent of others, so in as little as 10 minutes you get an idea that can change your business.

Lead Your Business

Contributions from top entrepreneurs like Grant Cardone, John Lee Dumas, Jay Baer, Kat Loterzo, Robin Koval, Ekaterina Walter and 20+ more, give you real advice from real success stories.

Manage Your Business

Feedback is the motor oil that keeps your business engine running. Learn how to manage your teams and keep your people innovating with proven communication and engagement strategies.

Strategies to Accelerate Your Business

8 Parts. 27 Strategies. 100% Action.

The Bare Basics

Things you need to understand about communication

Sales Machine/Ninja/Badass

Providing service and growing sales

Marketing that Educates

Creating value-filled, magnetic marketing

Oh the Humanity!

Public communication strategies that help you connect

Speak Out, Speak Up

Giving presentations that inspire action

Inner Workings

How to manage teams, meetings, and get buy-in

Like a Boss

Leading and managing so people want to work for and with you

Retain, Innovate, or Die

Strategies for employee retention and development

Cool Innovations in Digital Marketing

Attending SXSW you expect to see a lot of cool stuff. What you don’t expect to see, though, is avocados. But this year Avocados from Mexico–the marketing arm that represents the Hass Avocado Importers–took center stage with some unique and delicious innovations. And I was fortunate enough to be there to chat with the minds behind the creative efforts.

Check out these two articles at entrepreneur.com to learn more about the efforts and get a boost of inspiration for your next collaboration. The second one, especially, provides unique insights for digital marketers.

Guacamole and Music Make for a Delicious Combination at SXSW: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/272702

Combine more than 60,000 hungry SXSW attendees who will come through SouthBites, free samples and musicians who want to expand their reach and you have a recipe for collaborative success.

Results are In: #GuacNRoll was the Most Popular SXSW Hashtag: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/272906

“There is no paid media stronger than human influence. Our strategy in the digital conversation is focused around social influencers and leveraging brand ambassadors. By engaging attendees inside and outside of SXSW with a common hashtag, and partnering with musicians at SXSW in our Guacamole Showdown, we were able to do this at a high level that achieved a wide reach,” says Ivonne Kinser, Director of Digital Strategy at AFM.

Define Your Brand: Pick Your Parking Spot

You’re starting a business. You know what you’re good at. And of course everyone can use it, right?

Wrong.

A common mistake that many entrepreneurs make is starting out too broad. This entrepreneur herself is not immune to that mistake. In fact, I’ve made it multiple times in different forms before settling on where I now target my marketing efforts. However, many of us fall prey to the fear of missing out, thinking that if we don’t spread out over a broad area we’re going to be skipping opportunities. In 3 Steps to Defining Your Space I provide detailed advice of how to stop thinking about your business as a highway and think about it as a parking spot.

But if you really want to differentiate yourself—if you want to claim an area where only you can land, a lane is the start, but it’s not enough.

Screw the lane. Pick a parking spot.

Multiple people—multiple businesses—can travel down the same lane. But only you can own your parking spot.

If you want to find out how to do the following steps, be sure to read the article, originally published on entrepreneur.com on November 9, 2015: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/252549

  • Step 1: Pick Your Lane
  • Step 2: Define Yourself
  • Step 3: Locate Your Impact Area

Creating Conversational Videos that Sell

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fan of video–conceptualizing video, creating video, and profiting from video. It’s easier than ever to create your own videos now, needing nothing more than your phone. However there are some key tips to keep in mind when creating video if you want to be more than just a talking head. This article on Entrepreneur.com gives you four clear tips to use on your next video shoot.

Making a video that’s all you come off as not all about you is a challenge. If you use videos in any part of your business—be it for marketing, relationship management, staff communication, or training and development, make your talking head videos more conversational.

Published October 9, 2015 on Entrepreneur.com https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/251483