My Content Creator Starter Pack

The Ultimate Content Creator Equipment Starter Pack: Essentials to Kickstart Your Journey

Starting your journey as a content creator can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right gear. With so many options on the market, it’s tough to know what’s truly necessary. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of the best equipment for an aspiring content creator—quality gear that won’t break the bank and higher end options if you want to start off with the best. Whether you're vlogging, streaming, or producing content for social media, these recommendations have you covered.

1. Camera: Your Creative Eye

Your camera is the cornerstone of your content. Here are great starter options:

• Budget Option: Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
  Perfect for live streams and beginner YouTube videos, this webcam delivers 1080p HD video and is easy to set up. If you're only planning to do vlogs or livestreams from your desk, this one will be perfect!

• Mid-Range Option: DJI Osmo Pocket 2

  While the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the latest and greatest version gimbal, I personally opted for the Pocket 2. I sacrificed the bigger screen for the more cost-friendly older version. Despite that, it still does an amazing job at videos and photos, with crazy good stabilization and makes my amateur videos look pro!

• Splurge Option: Canon EOS M50 Mark II
  This compact mirrorless camera is excellent for photography and video. With different lens options, you can truly control what kind of production you're going after. You can opt for the older version of the Canon M50 (which I bought when it first came out and I still love it!) I advise this option for those further along in their content creation journey but not quite a professional yet.

2. Microphone: Crisp Audio is Key

Good audio quality is essential for keeping your audience engaged.

• Budget Option: Labstandard Wireless Lavalier Mics

  For a $10, this mic—which you get a set of TWO—is worth much more than its price. It's wireless so you can record from anywhere (up to a 65 feet range) and it's a plug-and-play so you can simply plug it into your iPhone and get great audio! For Android folks, there's a similar option for you, too! Check out this 2 pack lavalier mic set with an adapter.

• Mid-Range Option: Fifine K669B USB Microphone
  A great mid-range option, this mic is great for podcasts, streaming, or voiceovers. Its USB cord allows you to easily plug and use it at your desk (or anywhere within 5.5 feet).

• Splurge Option: Blue Yeti USB Microphone
  A favorite among creators, the Blue Yeti offers professional-quality sound and multiple recording modes. It's great for gaming, streaming, podcasting or any other content you need amazing noise isolation for. While this is complete overkill for newbies, it's helpful to note that great mics can go up to $35o, like the DJI Mic 2.

3. Lighting: Set the Scene

Proper lighting can make a huge difference in your videos or photos.

• Budget Option: Aureday 14" Ring Light

  This lightweight ring light is easy to move around wherever you're shooting but doesn't compromise quality. Its different light settings lets you set the mood you want for videos and photos.

• Mid-Range Option: Neewer 12" Ring Light Kit
  Neewer is a trusted name for studio equipment so you know this is a quality product. This ring light is perfect for makeup tutorials, live streams, and product reviews. It’s adjustable and comes with a tripod stand.

• Mid-Range Option: Elgato Key Light
  This LED panel provides soft, flattering light and is Wi-Fi controlled for easy adjustments. It can be used at your desk for streaming, at your vanity for makeup tutorials, or for product photoshoots!

4. Tripod: Stability is Essential

A reliable tripod keeps your camera steady for crisp visuals.

• Budget Option: AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod
  A no-frills, lightweight option that’s perfect for beginners. It's affordable enough to buy two if you have multiple cameras for different angle shooting.

• Mid-Range Option: Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit
  This versatile tripod is great for vlogging, as its flexible legs can grip onto surfaces for unique angles. Though you can't manually adjust the height, you can grip it to taller areas for higher shooting.

• Splurge Option: Neewer 79" Heavy Duty Tripod

  This heavy duty tripod is known for its durable aluminum construction, adjustable height options, a 360-degree swivel ball head for smooth panoramic shots, and a quick-release plate for easy camera mounting.

5. Editing Software: Bring Your Content to Life

Polish your content with the right editing tools.

• Free Option: DaVinci Resolve
  A powerful video editor with advanced features for color correction and audio mixing.

• Budget-Friendly Option: CapCut

  This popular video editing app offers intuitive tools for creating professional-quality videos. You'll appreciate the transitions, filters, text overlays, and music integration, all within a user-friendly interface. It's a great option for beginners and professionals.

• Premium Paid Option: Adobe Creative Cloud
  This is the industry-standard toolset for professional video and photo editing, available via subscription. It's a popular software that has individual apps you can choose from an entire suite of products.

6. Storage: Don't Lose Your Content

• SD Cards: SanDisk Extreme Pro cards are fast and reliable for storing your footage.

• External Hard Drive: Backup your files with a portable drive like the UnionSine Ultra Slim HDD-USB 3.0.

• Cloud Storage: Amazon Prime members can get UNLIMITED photo storage and up to 5 GB video storage free through their account with Amazon Photos. Additional video storage can be purchased with a monthly subscription.

Final Thoughts

Starting as a content creator doesn’t require the most expensive gear—focus on quality within your budget. If you're inclined to start with the latest and greatest, you can explore those options, too! With the recommendations above, you’ll have all the tools you need to create stunning, engaging content while leaving room to grow.

Have questions about gear or recommendations of your own? I'd love to hear them! Connect with me on any of social accounts. I wish you success on this exciting and empowering journey!