Create High-Quality Content With This YouTube Equipment Checklist
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I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’re totally overthinking YouTube. You probably think you need a ton of great lighting, a nice new camera, a fancy mic, and a bunch of software to edit it all, right?
Wrong! There are only a handful of things I use to create high-quality content, which is what I’m sharing with you here.
I’ll show you why this minimal YouTube equipment checklist is really the only thing you need to get started shooting professional-grade videos!
These tools are so easy that no matter your skill or experience level, you’ll be able to complete this checklist and start a routine ASAP. So let’s dig in!
YouTube Equipment Checklist #1: Your Backdrops
The backdrop isn’t the focus of your video — they don’t need to be fancy, they just need to feel like you.
If you film in your office, it’s okay to have your office as your background. If you film in your living room, it’s okay to showcase that too. You don’t need to buy an 8-foot backdrop that hangs from the ceiling. Just keep it simple and use what you have!
The good news is that people really do want to see the true, authentic you. Social media is meant to be social, and YouTube is no different. In fact, the best way to create success on YouTube is to build connections — and this subtle element is a good starting place!
YouTube Equipment Checklist #2: Camera, Mic, and Lighting
I want to preface this by saying that if you can’t get a camera right now, that’s a-okay. I know several people that use their iPhones to film their YouTube videos, and they still turn out pretty freakin’ good.
That being said, personally, I have a camera (but not a super fancy one!). I just wanted to invest a little bit of money in a good camera that would fit easily with a good mic.
It’s helped reduce some of the headaches of recording content because it all works together seamlessly.
More specifically though, this is the equipment I use:
My phone when I’m recording Reels (which I can just airdrop directly to my Mac)
A Bluetooth mic I use for all my videos (YouTube and Reels!)
Wait…what about lighting? I honestly just use the natural light in my office and make sure I film by the window. That’s it! Simple and to the point.
YouTube Equipment Checklist #3: Software and Tools for Editing
Honestly, my advice is to just use the tools that are already at your disposal if you can! You will have to supplement your software lineup with additional tools at some point, but the main thing is to keep it simple!
Here’s what I use:
Google Docs: To plan out each of my videos and to write my scripts
Asana: Helps me and my team keep content organized
vidIQ: Helps me plan content strategically by pulling stats and ideas based on MY channel
TubeBuddy: For A/B testing my titles and thumbnails
Final Cut Pro: For editing videos
iMovie: Also for editing, but more so when I need a short/quick edit
Canva: For creating title screens and animations in my videos
Seriously, there’s not much to it. Plus, most of these tools you can start using for free or for pretty cheap — and they’re all well worth any money spent, too!
Bonus #1: Pro tips for filming
Now that you know what you need to create high-quality videos, I have a few bonus filming tips to help you make your videos even better!
Look into the lens of your camera or phone: Have it at eye level or slightly above, at least an arm's length away from you. Don’t get too far away though, because you still need to be able to pick up sound when you’re talking!
Deliver small chunks of content at a time: Don’t worry about memorizing or using a teleprompter. It’s okay to press record and then leave space for pauses and slip-ups because you can always edit that out later (and won’t have to worry about having a thousand different videos to edit and put together).
Don’t worry about background noise: When you are filming don’t worry about the garbage truck driver, the construction work, or the kids screaming in the background. Most of the time the mic doesn’t pick it up or it’s barely audible!
Focus on the quality of the content: Not everything will be perfect, but as long as you’re delivering valuable content to your audience, and they can see and hear you, you’re golden!
Bonus #2: Pro tips for engagement
Click-through rates, audience retention, and end-screen clicks are all important parts of a video, too. They help the algorithm determine whether or not you have quality videos they want to show people.
One of the best ways to up those numbers? Start sparking engagement!
After I plan my video I go through it a second time around and see where I can add opportunities for engagement. What to comment below or what question to answer below or which videos would be good to watch next, etc.
And when the video is high quality and engaging? *CHEF’S KISS*
More YouTube help this way ⤵️
So now that you know a little more about creating better videos with a simple YouTube equipment checklist, filming techniques, and the importance of engagement, it’s time to learn how to convert those viewers to leads!
Which means, yes, it’s time to stop procrastinating. Because the faster you stop doing that, the faster you’re able to get YouTube to be your BFF in converting leads to clients/customers.
Want to jumpstart your success? Follow me here to grab a seat in the Profit Per View Workshop!
There, I’ll show you how to make YouTube your biggest lead magnet, and how to do it with a simple, no-fluff, strategy. Even if YouTube feels pretty intimidating, you can still use what I teach in this workshop because it’s simple and strategic — and you’ll see how you can implement it into your own business ASAP.
Let’s do this thing >>> Profit Per View Workshop
