Since YouTube’s creation back in 2005, many have become interested in vlogging. In its earlier years, people were vlogging for fun. Vlogs were usually about just anything under the sun. However, the site made it easier for videos to reach a wider audience, and soon, the hobby of vlogging turned into a profession.
Now, vloggers are getting paid for what they do. Because of this, they need to be more creative with their content to gain more viewers. As ecommerce social media marketing increased, there are a lot of niches that vloggers settle into as they become influencers whom brands or companies reach out to.
The Essential Tools for Vloggers on the Go
Starting your vlogging career may seem intimidating, but anyone can do it. So, here are some essential gadgets and tools to jumpstart your vlogging career.
Cameras
Before anything else, what you need in your kit is a camera that can shoot quality videos. Investing in such a camera can go a long way, especially when shooting a travel vlog. Shooting videos in full HD or 4K resolution can show even the tiniest details and showcase the place’s beauty even more.
- Phones
If you’re on a budget and just starting your vlogging journey, your phone will be your best friend. It can be handy, especially since you are always on the go when traveling. Most smartphones already have a built-in camera to shoot good quality videos at 1080p or 4K resolution. Aside from that, your phones can save on luggage space that bulky camera bags may take up.
For Samsung users, most recommend the Samsung S series phones. You can expect your battery to last long, and its fast-charging feature can let you shoot videos all day long. Of course, the phones in this series can also shoot high-quality videos.
If you’re an Apple fan and want to keep everything in the Apple ecosystem, their latest iPhone versions can be a good choice for you. It gives you the choice of recording videos at 4K resolution. On top of that, the quality of Apple products offers you a seamless browsing experience that can be helpful when you’re in the editing phase and have a lot of videos to choose from.
At the end of the day, though, you can choose whatever phone fits you. Just make sure that they have the right specs to shoot good quality videos.
- Mirrorless Cameras
If you have a bit more to spend on a camera, you can opt for a mirrorless camera. Compared to a DSLR, mirrorless cameras don’t have a reflex mirror inside them, and the light goes directly into the image sensor. This feature lets you view the scene infused with exposure information through the viewfinder. It enables you to see where the exposure needs to be, which can help you take shots on the fly.
Mirrorless cameras can be great for vlogging on the go. It’s lightweight and great for traveling since it requires fewer accessories to pack, unlike the DSLR.
Aside from a good quality video, your camera should at least have a flip screen. It’s essential for travel vlogging as it can help you save some time in fixing your camera’s focus. It can also help you quickly see adjustments you need to suit the scene.
- GoPro Cameras
GoPro cameras are great for shooting outdoor activities because they are lightweight and usually come with a case that makes them drop-resistant and waterproof. You can use these to shoot when your hands are full. With the use of wearable tech accessories, such as body harnesses or headband mounts, you don’t have to worry about dropping your GoPro when your rock climbing or scuba diving.
Microphones
Great video quality should come with an equally great audio quality. One of the things that your viewers can appreciate is audible and easy-to-understand audio. There may be instances where you’ll include brief explanations of the place or the activities you’re doing in your videos, so having a portable mic can be an excellent addition to your travel vlog kit.
- Rode VideoMicPro
Most recommend this mic for vlogging since it’s easy to use and gives good audio. All you have to do is plug it into the mic jack, and you’ll have an audio that’s clear as day.
- Earphones
If you want to pack light, your go-to mic option can be your earphones. You can have a makeshift lapel mic with some bobby pins and your earphones. With this, the audio of your videos can be more concentrated on your voice rather than the background voice.
Tripods or Telepods
Of course, tripods are essential for your vlogging trips. If you’ve got shaky hands, you have a variety of tripods to choose from. These gadgets are great for stabilizing, so your videos won’t come out wobbly. More than that, these extendable tools can give you the right height for taking that picture-perfect selfie at a high angle.
Accessories
These are important additions to your gadgets to make vlogging more seamless.
- Extra Batteries
When you’re on an adventure and want to capture as much as you can, make sure that you keep extra batteries with you. Having a fully charged battery isn’t enough; you also have to keep some backup to be safe.
- Power bank
Aside from extra batteries, power banks can be your saving grace. This gadget is a portable charger that can power up your discharged phone and give you more filming time. It’s essential when you’re on the road and don’t have access to an outlet to charge your batteries.
- Mic Wind Muffs
If your mic doesn’t come with this already, you need to get one. These mic wind muffs can help improve your audio, especially when you’re filming outside. Wind mufflers can come in foam or fur and help keep the wind from hitting your microphone. With this, you get less wind noise in your audio recordings.
Editing Software
Besides the gadgets, you need to put some spice into your videos, and you can do that with editing software. Using editing software can help you gain more viewers by giving your videos extra effects or improving your audio and sounds.
- Adobe Premiere Pro
Most video editors have used this editing software in their jobs. Its compatibility with macOS and Windows systems lets you use it on any device with the right specs. With this editing software, you can trim, arrange and add audio to your clips. Moreover, you can create simple text layers and even transitions with its presets.
- Final Cut Pro
Others recommend Final Cut Pro for its seamless video editing that lets you manage clips without messing up the others. Its organization is a plus since it gives you the ease of quickly pulling up the relevant videos. Also, it can cut down the time it takes you to render the freshly edited video. However, this editing software is only available for macOS.
What It Takes to be a Vlogger
The latest gadgets are not enough to make you a good vlogger. You’ve also got to put a personality in your videos. It’s best to make your editing unique to your personality and style so that your viewers can distinguish you from the rest. To do this, you have to know your audience and figure out your niche.
On top of that, it’s also great if you regularly publish new videos so that your viewers can continually visit your channel. One thing to note, you don’t have to post every day. Keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity. Making interesting videos can help you keep and even gain more viewers.
Lastly, don’t forget to share your videos on your socials. Aside from posting the vlog on one site, you can also share it on other platforms and ask your friends to do the same. This can help you reach a wider audience and grow your following. With that, you can join the ranks of your favorite vloggers.
