086 - Essential (Mostly Inexpensive) Tools For Social Media Videos: Lavs, Tripods, and Lighting

Struggling to find the right recording gear for short-form video? In this solo episode, I break down my favorite tools—tripods, mics, lighting, and more—to help you create high-quality videos without breaking the bank 

Some of the things I highlighted:

🔹 Stability matters – A good tripod or phone mount keeps your video looking professional and smooth, one of my favs is the SMALLRIG

🔹 Audio is key – Wireless lav mics like the Hollyland Lark make a huge difference in sound quality

🔹 Lighting can make or break your video – Natural light is best, but clip-on LED lights are a great backup.

🔹 Desktop mics elevate voice quality – A budget-friendly Blue Snowball is a solid choice, while the Blue Yeti offers pro-level sound.

🔹 Start small, upgrade later – My strategy is to start with affordable gear and invest in one premium tool at a time, usually on sale. 

🔷 Thank you for listening. If you found this episode relevant don't forget to hit that Follow Button to keep learning and growing with us.

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⏬ If you're spending 2-hours to create a 2-minute video DOWNLOAD my FREE 5-Step Time Saving CHEATSHEET today!

Go to ContentMarketingSchool.org/5stepvideo

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💙 Find me on Bluesky @annetterichmond.bsky.social

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Transcript

Annette Richmond (00:13.87)
I'm Annette Richmond. Thanks for joining me for this episode. Today's episode is all about the essential recording tools you need to create high quality short form videos with ease. I get questions about which equipment to use all the time, so I decided to break it all down for you. So if you've been wondering what type of tripods, lavs, or lighting will work best for you,

Without breaking the bank, you're in the right place. I'll be sharing some of my favorite tripods and phone mounts to help you record in a studio setup. And I use the term studio loosely, as that might be a tripod in your sunroom, like I sometimes use, or on the go, maybe driving in your car. I'm gonna talk to you about some wireless lavs.

Pricy and not so pricey, some lighting options for your video recording, and also some desktop microphones, options for live streaming, podcasting, or even if you're recording social media videos on your desktop. So let's dive in.

Annette Richmond (01:36.866)
The first thing is tripods or phone mounts. A good tripod or phone mount is key for keeping your videos stable and professional looking. Right now, one of my favorite tripods is the SmallRig, which is a compact, lightweight, and easy to carry option for almost any recording scenario. What I love most about it is how versatile it is. It folds up small enough to carry a backpack or put it in your handbag.

Annette Richmond (02:27.338)
It folds up small enough.

Annette Richmond (02:39.446)
It folds up small enough to carry in a backpack or throw it in your handbag, but it can be extended to about five feet or you.

Annette Richmond (05:00.056)
So let's start talking about tripods and phone mounts. Now a good tripod or phone mount is key for keeping your video stable and professional. Now right now, one of my favorite tripods is the SmallRig, which is a compact, lightweight, and easy to carry option for almost any recording scenario. What I love most about the SmallRig is how versatile it is. It folds up.

small enough to carry in a backpack or throw it in your handbag, but it can be extended to about five feet or even used as a selfie stick, which gives you a ton of flexibility. Plus it comes with a remote so you can snap photos without running back and forth to your phone. If you're going to invest and buy just one tripod, this is the one that I would recommend.

Annette Richmond (06:13.262)
Another current favorite of mine is one of the new battery-operated suction phone mounts. Now these battery-powered suction mechanisms provide a strong grip on smooth surfaces like glass or mirrors, or maybe even a desk or a monitor compared to traditional suction mounts that rely on manual pressure. Now most models allow you to adjust the magnetic

Most models allow you to adjust the magnetic phone mount, which makes it easy to arrange your shots. You do need to make sure that your phone is magnetic or you attach a metal ring on your phone cover. And again, many like the one that I use has a rechargeable battery, so you don't need to worry about losing suction over time like with traditional mounts.

Annette Richmond (07:19.8)
This type of mount is another good option for on the go or in the car recording as long as you have a smooth surface like a window available. If you want smooth shots when recording while moving, the Gimbal stabilizer is a great investment as it has a mechanism that keeps your camera stationary while you're moving. So while you're walking, the camera just does not move, it stays stationary.

Now your tripod choice depends on your recording style, whether you're filming primarily in your office or outdoors or on the go. The next thing to talk about

Annette Richmond (08:05.026)
The next thing to talk about is wireless lavalier microphones. Audio is just as important as video quality, in some cases, if not more. Now, if you've come upon a video with poor audio, you know what I mean. While you can certainly use a wired lavalier, there are many budget-friendly lavalier mics available. And they work pretty well.

One of the drawbacks with an inexpensive lav is that they can be a bit clunky looking when you have them attached to, you know, a top or jacket, but there are two great options for different.

but they were great option for a low budget.

Annette Richmond (08:54.328)
but they're a great option if you're on a budget. now I'm using the Holley, right now I'm using the Holley, right now I'm using the Hollyland Lark wireless mic, which I absolutely love. The piece that attaches to your clothing has two, has the piece that you attach that attaches to your clothing basically has two pieces.

essentially a front and a back that attach magnetically to your clothing. You just snap them together.

Annette Richmond (09:35.07)
and they have an amazing sound. If you're doing a lot of video like I do, they can be a real game changer. Now moving on to lighting options.

Annette Richmond (09:54.188)
Lighting is one of those things that can make or break your video quality. Now, natural light is always best, which is why I often record videos in our sunroom. But when that's not an option, there are many great inexpensive options. I use a little Logitech LED light that clips onto my phone or on a tripod nearby and has a number of light and brightness settings. Now, one of the reasons that I love it is because it's rechargeable.

But traditional ring lights are another option that many people swear by for providing nice, even lighting. Now, one thing to keep in mind if you wear glasses like I do is it's important to position your lights to avoid distracting reflections. I also want to mention desktop microphones for voiceovers, podcasts, live streams.

Or if you create short form videos on your desktop, having a good mic is essential. If you've ever recorded just using your laptop or webcam or phone mic, you know how bad the sound can be. Now two that I've used are both by Logitech. One is the Blue Snowball, which is a great starter microphone with clear sound quality. It's what I used when I first started my podcast in 2020.

Once you're ready to step it up, you might want to invest in the Blue Yeti, which has multiple recording modes and a richer sound. And again, I got the Blue Snowball when I first started my podcast in 2020 and I purchased the Blue Yeti a couple of years later. So there you have it, my top picks for short form video recording. Remember, you don't need expensive tools to start. There's a lot of solid equipment at inexpensive

price points, my strategy is to purchase inexpensive equipment and then invest in more expensive items one at a time, usually when there's some kind of a sale like Amazon Prime. So thanks again for joining me today. you have, thanks again for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend.