So you want to create quality video content for social media, your website or maybe even create a business YouTube channel… BUT you don’t know where to start. Or maybe you just don’t know what video equipment you really need now and what can wait.

Don’t worry… In this blog I’ll cover off the essentials so that you can set up an at home video studio on a budget (or in office, if you don’t work from home!)

What camera do you really need?

As a savvy business owner, the best (and free) camera to start with is always going to be your phone. Mobile phone video these days is pretty amazing and only getting better each year. So I highly recommend starting there… Simply lean it on stacked up books, furniture (or treat yourself to a budget tripod) and you’re good to go!

Just make sure you bump up the settings on your phone to the highest setting. You want to record in 1080p as a minimum.

Set a professional background

Regardless of the tone of your videos, uber corporate, or fun and funky… You’re going to want to find a spot you can film in.

Now this can be a dedicated area, or if you’re going to need to rearrange the furniture, make it as simple (but effective) as possible.

Bookcases make a great video backdrop, as shelving allows you to showcase relevant things to your company and really show of your personality. Or just find a plain wall and start to add tall plants and a console table with a picture.

But if you’re really struggling to find a great background, then you may want to get a really simple backdrop kit from Amazon and you can buy individual backdrop to clip on in a muted colour, or corporate colour, that you can pop up when required.

Camera lighting on a budget

Lighting can really make or break a video… Always use free light (AKA daylight) where possible AND keep the light behind the camera if you can (or balance the other side with a desk lamp if you need to).

You can pick up ring lights (small and full size) from as little as $20 on Amazon and it’s a great fuss free lighting buy for beginners, because you don’t have to worry about the placement. You simply shoot through the hole.

How to get the best sound

There’s nothing worse than echoey, shouty or faint audio on a video and it’s such a cheap fix!

You can pick up unbranded lapel mics from Amazon for around $14… Plug it directly into your phone (or you’ll need a converter if you’re working with a newer iPhone).

Get that steady shot with a tripod

If you’re ready to move up from the free furniture or stack of book options, then you can grab a budget tripod from Amazon for $20 or what about a small desk Gorilla pod tripod , which you can wrap around almost anything (trees, curtain poles… whatever you like)

So there you go, a budget video studio set up so that you can start reaping the rewards from video marketing straight away!