Welcome to The Artistic, a sequence that offers content material creators actionable recommendation from professionals within the creator financial system. Whether or not you are a seasoned creator or simply beginning out, learn The Artistic to learn to develop your platform, enhance your content material, and keep forward within the ever-shifting creator panorama.
In the event you’re something like me, you are in all probability nonetheless racking your mind looking for the proper reward in your family members this vacation season. And in case your favourite particular person is a content material creator, you might be much more confused about what to get them.
Thankfully, I am a seasoned content material creator plus an skilled gift-giver, and — with the assistance of some different knowledgable creators — I crafted this record of items to think about for the inventive in your life.
So, whether or not you wish to spoil a buddy or deal with your self, listed below are some gadgets on nearly each content material creator’s want record.
2. Excessive-quality microphone or Mic Equipment
6. On-line Course or Workshop Subscription from Their Favourite Influencer
7. Subscription to their Favourite Software program or Platforms
8 Presents for Content material Creators
1. Planner or Calendar
Content material creators have lots on their plate. For instance, I need to plan and conduct interviews for my podcast and YouTube channel, schedule social media posts, deal with analysis, and meet deadlines.
Whereas there are many digital content material administration instruments and platforms on the market to handle these duties, I’ve discovered it does not harm creators to have a bodily calendar or planner readily available to maintain organized.
“It is a bit old-fashioned however nonetheless an effective way to remain on high of initiatives,” says Lisa De La Cruz of the web site and podcast The Marvel of Anime. “You may write your month-to-month, weekly, or every day to-dos down and full them.”
“The act of bodily writing one thing down additionally aids in reminiscence retention, so issues aren’t slipping by way of the cracks,” she explains.
And I agree.
I battle with remembering deadlines or checking digital calendars on my cellphone or laptop computer, so I’ve discovered writing on a big calendar just like the one under and putting it in entrance of my mattress helps because it’s the very first thing I see within the morning.
If a large calendar is just a little too excessive, go for a planner just like the PLANBERRY Massive Weekly Planner, which Lisa extremely recommends.
“It has month-to-month and weekly spreads in addition to sections particularly aimed toward objective setting,” she says. “Every month and quarter has a mirrored image part to assessment your objectives and what labored versus what did not work.”
2. Excessive-quality microphone or Mic Equipment
I keep in mind one of many first movies I filmed for a music weblog I ran in faculty. I used to be interviewing a pop-punk band exterior a sold-out venue with out a microphone, so you possibly can think about the noise from the crowds and the bands taking part in on stage.
Truly, you do not have to think about. You may watch the video under and listen to how the background noise virtually drowned out the artists I interviewed.
I realized the exhausting approach the significance of high quality audio gear, and if you wish to keep away from the identical destiny or assist the content material creator in your life create high quality content material, contemplate shopping for a high-quality microphone or mic accent.
Podcaster Victoria Johnson of the Sailor Moon Fan Membership podcast recommends the Blue Snowball microphone for upcoming creators.
“It is a good, inexpensive microphone for a content material creator who’s simply getting began of their journey,” she says. “I have been utilizing one since 2015, and it is sturdy, dependable, and offers good high quality for its value.”
The Blue Snowball mic will be bought by way of Amazon, Logitech, or Finest Purchase for costs starting from $39.99 to $49.99.
In the event you’re prepared to take a position a bit more cash, skilled wi-fi microphones and cellular adaptors are wonderful items for creators who typically movie on their smartphones, in line with cosplayer and content material creator Kumar.
“In the event you make a number of movies the place you’re speaking or interviewing different folks, a great microphone that’s suitable along with your cellphone is vital,” he says. “Positive, a cellphone’s inside mic can move on some events, but it surely normally doesn’t sound as crisp as it may be.”
Kumar warns relying in your cellphone’s microphone can pose an issue when you’re interviewing or recording content material in a crowded place, akin to a conference or giant occasion.
“Your voice goes to get washed out by all the things else in your surroundings,” he explains.
Kumar suggests the DJI Mic Cell Cellphone Adapter and Wi-fi GO II by RODE as potential items.
“The audio sounds so crisp and crystal clear, and individuals who watch your content material will discover that, too,” he says. “And when you ever get a DSLR or any type of skilled digicam, these mics will likely be suitable with these, too!”
The DJI Mic Cell Cellphone Adapter is on the market from DJI for $249, and RODE’s Wi-fi GO II is on the market for $299 on RODE’s web site.
3. HULKEN Bag
This subsequent reward suggestion additionally comes from Victoria, and truthfully, I would snag this one for myself this Christmas. Victoria recommends the Hulken Bag for creators who typically carry gear or equipment.
“If the content material creator in your life begins promoting merchandise or has a sales space at a conference, the HULKEN bag is without doubt one of the most handy issues to have,” she explains. “You may throw it over your shoulder to go upstairs or wheel it round.”
The HULKEN even has a zippable flap to guard gadgets inside from rain or snow, which will be extraordinarily useful when you carry gear throughout less-than-ideal climate.
“It is also good when you simply have a bunch of stuff you are carrying round like a cosplay or cameras and different tech to report content material exterior your own home,” Victoria says.
Costs for the HULKEN bag begin at $89.99.
4. Ring Mild
I did not have a hoop gentle once I first began filming YouTube movies and would typically depend on pure lighting from a close-by window.
This sufficed for some time, but it surely meant filming earlier than the night or hoping for a sunny day to get the very best lighting.
So, I invested in a hoop gentle to have extra flexibility with filming, and I recommend getting one this vacation season when you or your creator buddy do not have already got one.
Ring lights are particularly vital as a result of they’re normally subtle by way of a frosted lens or cowl over LEDs, leading to softer shadows and flattering lighting.
On common, ring lights price between just a few {dollars} and $500, however you do not have to interrupt the financial institution to get wonderful high quality.
The one under by Blackmore Professional Audio is much like mine and may double as a tripod holding your smartphone. It is out there for $66.15 at Dwelling Depot, and you will get related fashions for as little as $20 from Amazon.
5. Customized Office Decor
You will get inventive with this sort of reward.
A lot of my favourite content material creators embrace gadgets like posters, collectible figurines, toys, vegetation, and residential decor within the background of their movies to showcase a little bit of their persona or tie the backdrop to the theme of their content material.
As an example, I speak about anime on my YouTube channel and usually embrace plush toys of my favourite anime characters within the background.
So, for the creator in your life, take into consideration their content material’s theme or quirky pursuits and discover gadgets that would make their background pop.
Web sites like Redbubble supply a wide range of posters and tapestries primarily based on comics, manga, and popular culture.
You may even fee an artist from Etsy to craft a customized neon signal with the reward recipient’s username, brand, or tagline.
6. On-line Course or Workshop Subscription from Their Favourite Influencer
Many content material creators, influencers, and thought leaders host on-line programs or workshops through which creators can learn to leverage content material advertising and marketing and generate earnings from content material creation.
As an example, the CEO of Foundr teaches a course known as “Find out how to Go From 0 to 500K Followers in 12 Months” and shares tips about how creators can develop their companies.
HubSpot Academy additionally presents a wide range of free content material creation and digital advertising and marketing certifications to spice up a creator’s skillset and construct their viewers.
This vacation season, contemplate investing in programs for your self or the creator in your life to unlock the keys to profitable content material advertising and marketing.
Comply with content material your creators you or a cherished one admire and see if they’ve any programs, webinars, or workshops.
7. Subscription to their Favourite Software program or Platforms
Although there are free and low-cost methods for creators to edit, schedule, and promote their content material, many creatives discover investing in platforms and software program helpful to crafting their greatest work or staying organized.
For instance, content material creator Chris Dillon recommends buying a subscription for Adobe Artistic Cloud.
“It has each inventive device you possibly can want for creating content material,” he says. “In the event you’re a scholar or school member with a faculty electronic mail, you possibly can entry all the things the cloud presents for $20 month-to-month on a 12 months’s contract.”
12 months-long subscriptions to Adobe Artistic Cloud can be found by way of Finest Purchase, B&H Picture Video, and extra for as a lot as $659, relying on the plan.
Lisa says a 1-year subscription to Notion, a productiveness and note-taking app, is also a great gift for creators.
“It is a linked workspace with lots of of free templates excellent for managing content material creation, deadlines, funds, and extra,” she explains. “The content material creation calendar is a recreation changer, making it simpler to take an concept all the way in which to the completed product seamlessly.”
Notion has a free tier for solo creators, and packages for teams begin at $8 per 30 days, billed yearly.
8. Present Playing cards
Once I’m not sure what to get somebody however wish to present them I care, I get them a present card to allow them to buy gadgets they love or want. Present playing cards is usually a useful reward for creators, too.
“There are such a lot of instruments or subscriptions that content material creators have to make use of, like Headliner for podcast modifying or WordPress or Squarespace for his or her web site,” Victoria says. “A present card could possibly be the proper option to offset the prices of those many month-to-month or annual plans.”
With the cash I spend to host my podcast, entry Adobe Premiere, or purchase manga to assessment for my YouTube channel, I can attest that content material creation will be pricey.
I do know I personally would love a present card or two to minimize the prices (delicate trace to any of my buddies studying this).
So, whether or not you are a creator seeking to deal with your self for the vacations otherwise you wish to present your favourite content material creator that you just assist their objectives — you now have a number of considerate items to select from.