Content Creation Toolkit
Equipment I use as a content creator
If you have ever wanted to start making your own content, this is the list you need. You might have seen a bunch of recommendations on TikTok for a content creation starter pack and it can be very overwhelming and confusing. In all honesty, the main thing you need to start if just your phone and yourself - that’s all I had for the longest time and it got me to where I am today. So, as someone who started out not too long ago, here is a list of things you need and a few extras:
BASIC:
1. Phone
As I said, I spent many years where it was just me and my phone. My first phone was a Huawaei and it didn’t have the best camera quality so I switched over to iPhone later on and the quality of an iPhone honestly matches a camera sometimes. I told myself at the beginning of my career that I wasn't going to buy anything for my content until it starts to pay me….crazy right, I know! But I focused first on my niche and consistency before I invested in the following intermediate category.
INTERMEDIATE:
2. Portable charger
You will not believe how important this is. The worst thing is to be out and you want to make content but your phone isn’t charged, bummer right. Sometimes content opportunities and you need to be ready to receive it. Don’t let a low battery stop you from creating some great content.
3. Content planner - book or app
This isn’t really something you have to buy at all. It can be completely free, but it will cost your time. I use my notes app to keep track of all the content I plan to post as well as some preview apps to plan the layout of my Instagram feed. I say this doesn’t come straight away because the first step is experimentation. Once you have figured out what it is you want to do, you can get focused and start planning ahead.
4. Tripod
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, my tripod is one of my best friends (you’ll meet my second best friend in the PRO section). This little adjustable stick allows me to create content almost anywhere as I don’t have to think about where I’m going to lean my phone to take a video. I would recommend the bluetooth tripods so you can use the clicker to take pictures and videos even if you’re far from your phone. I feel like Inspector Gadget every time I take that tiny button out of my bag “Go go gadget tripod!”
5. Standard Microphone
I say standard for a reason, there are different microphones available. If you have been following my Instagram then you’ll know I’ve been on a hunt for the perfect microphone for a while and today, I have actually found it (scroll to the pro section for the grand reveal). However, before I got this new microphone, I had been using these basic microphones, that you can get from Amazon or TikTok shop, for over 2 years and they did the job. It makes your audio clearer and thus more engaging. Depending on the type of content you are doing, the only drawback is that it is not really made for London’s windy outdoors. I tried doing some Vox pops in Wimbledon last year for my TikTok, let’s just say the audio needs some work.
6. Box light
If you are on the content creator side of TikTok, you have definitely seen these. I must confess, they do work great. You might not have the best camera quality, but if you can fix your lighting, then you have fixed 60% of the problem. People love to see a good quality video and lighting is such a big part of that, These box lights are portable so you can use it at home and equally outdoors, perhaps for a restaurant trip?
PR0:
7. HD Microphone
I literally got this today and I am itching to use this. I have started doing street interviews regularly and I often find that the quality of the audio can sometimes bring down the overall quality of the video. So I scratched the Internet looking for the best microphones, tested out different ones in person and asked for professional recommendations before I settled on the DJI Mic 2. It includes intelligent noise cancellation, 250m range, 18hour battery and so much more. As someone who has really tried it all, I have high hopes for this one. I can’t say just yet if it lives up to its ratings as it is literally still in its box, but once I test it out…be sure to look out for a review!
8. Ring light
This is useful for the same reasons as the box light, but it’s particularly good for videos where you are facing the camera or if you are doing some product shots with no natural lighting. It illuminates the room and makes your face glowy without having a weird sheen on your forehead (as I have experienced in school photos). This isn’t super necessary when starting out, especially because it takes up space, but since I got it as a hand me down, I enjoy using it for my YouTube videos.
9. Ipad/Laptop
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the other best friend I was talking about. I don’t think a day has passed since buying this last April that I have not used my Ipad. I make all my videos on it, plan my content and edit thumbnails. It is so useful to edit on a bigger screen to get more details in. I got my laptop for uni in first year and it’s only recently that I have also started to use it to edit my longer form videos for Youtube, while my iPad is reserved for TikTok and Instagram. This tech is not a must when starting out, but after getting the hang of content creation, is does make it a whole lot easier!
BONUS: My Wishlist
10. Camera
Content creators seem to be reverting back to physical cameras and I am so here for it. My phone camera quality is pretty great, but it is a whole different feel with an actual camera. That goes for video and still content. I am yet to do my extensive research on which is the best so I am open to suggestions.
11. Adobe Suite
I currently use a range of apps to edit my videos but I promised myself, before I leave uni, I will learn how to use the Adobe suite, even to beginner level. The Adobe Suite is the creme de le creme of editing tools that make you so desirable for employers if you’d like to make this hobby and career. The level of detail you can edit is insane (and so is the price). If you have access to use this for free as a student (all LCF students do) make sure to test it out.
Full disclosure, I don’t have this in my bag every single day, but in an ideal world I would have a purse big enough and shoulders strong enough to hold all this equipment on a daily. Also, if you don’t have all the things on this list, don’t let that hold you back from just starting. I have built this list over years and there are still many things on my Wishlist! Make sure to subscribe for more useful tips like this…
