Blogging Resources

I have really enjoyed blogging and vlogging. I really can't stress enough how beautifully the two go together. There is nothing like being able to see a post come to life in a video–and on the flip side, there is nothing quite like having a landing spot for more detailed information after watching a video than a website. I truly believe every blogger should consider a YouTube channel–and every YouTuber should consider a blog! {In fact, I highly recommend EVERY YouTuber have a website!!}

With that being said, the resources I use for both are very similar. No, you don't need “hosting” for your YouTube channel. YouTube does all that for you. However, you do need to utilize scheduling tools and graphic design tools with your YouTube channel!

Blog Hosting

Blue Host:

Just starting out with blogging? I was able to set up my entire Word Press site just by talking to their customer service help. I'd get as far as I could with my site, then call in and get help with the next element. Their help was so amazing!

Black Chicken Hosting:

My site started to grow and with that growth I needed more hosting capabilities. My site was crashing constantly. I finally switched over to Black Chicken and have just loved it!

CoSchedule:

I don't know why I put it off so long, but right now I'm using CoSchedule to help me stay organized and streamline my editorial calendar. They have a 14 day trial, if you are interested. I can schedule my posts and the social media that I want to go out about it all in one place.

Graphics

PicMonkey: I really can't say enough about PicMonkey! All of the graphics on my site were created using PicMonkey. I really think the Premium membership is worth the small annual price. I have found PicMonkey to be far easier than any other graphic design tool I've tried! I plan to create some tutorials on my site soon.  

Social Media Tools

For Periscope

Of course, I have to recommend my book, The Scoop on Scope, when it comes to tips for Periscope! If you are interested in any other tools I use for Periscope, be sure to check out my Tech Tools page!

For Pinterest

Board Booster:

Board Booster is an amazing tool to keep my content continually posting to my group Pinterest boards. It was so hard for me to remember what I was pinning and to which board I had already pinned to after I had created a new post–not to mention trying to keep my old content ever green. Board Booster has been an amazing tool to help me keep my content “out there.” There is a 500 pin free trial.

Tailwind: I love using Tailwind to schedule out my pinning. I use it a bit differently than Board Booster. I use Board Booster exclusively for my own content. Tailwind, however, I use to schedule things to my personal boards from around the web. This way I can have “active” pinning all week long after just one time of sitting down to schedule things out. No more having to pin several times a day to grow my Pinterest boards. Try it for free!

For Facebook

How to Grow Your Facebook Page—Strategies Worth Sharing: This is a new eBook out that I'm going to be trying to grow my Facebook Page. I'm looking forward to seeing how well it works. Try it with me. Today (4/7/16), I'm at 1,931 Likes on Raising Clovers.

Podcasting Resources

I'm getting ready to launch a new podcast called, Simply Joyful. With this launch has come LOTS of research! To see my complete list of supplies that I will be using, see my Tech Tools page!

I've been gearing up, literally, for my upcoming podcast. I've been researching the equipment that I need and wanted to share it with you here:

**Want to make money podcasting? Check out Patreon! It's a really cool membership site where you can bless your listeners with exclusive content! **

Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone – I'm loving this microphone! The sounds is great.

Shock mount: Samson SP01 Spider Shockmount – To cut back on the noise that comes from vibrations on your desk when you record

Mic Stand: NEEWER Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand

Pop Filter: Dragonpad pop filter Studio Microphone Mic Wind Screen Pop Filter Swivel Mount 360 Flexible Gooseneck Holder  This is the filter that I use (which you can see in the picture above).

Foam Ball: On Stage Foam Ball-Type Mic Windscreen – You don't need this foam microphone piece if you have the other pop filter, however, if using the microphone separately then you want to protect it with this inexpensive piece.

Headphones: Polsen HPC-A30 Closed-Back Studio Monitor Headphones – You will plug your headphones right into the microphone. You want good quality headphones to be sure you are recording good quality sound.

Headset with microphone: Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset H390 – I'm got these for when I'm interviewed and don't have all my podcasting equipment set up (or my closet it's available).

Portable Recorder: Roland R-05 Studio WAVE/MP3 Recorder – This is such a handy recorder. It's portable. It is great for recording on location and in studio.

Vlogging & YouTube Resources

Believe it or not, the only equipment I usually use for my YouTube videos are my iPhone and Garage Band on my Mac.

My Video Camera

I love this Nikon. It is not the perfect camera for YouTube, but it takes great photos and videos–and it's waterproof! Ha! It's our family camera for vacations. I do use my iPhone for videos as well, but my storage space is limited so I've started switching to filming on this camera.

*Update: I just recently got the new iPhone 7 Plus with more memory. I'm loving it so much!

Periscope & Live Streaming Resources

Live streaming is really taking off these days. There are so many different social media outlets jumping on the live streaming band wagon.

Back when Periscope first came out, I fell in love with “live” broadcasting. It was fun and exciting. I researched and practiced — and got to know some really great people in the process. I was constantly being contacted about how to use Periscope. I finally just decided to put all my thoughts and tips together for not just Periscope, but live broadcasting — and it somehow turned into a book.

With the launch of my book The Scoop on Scope, I wanted to have one spot for people to come an check out the equipment I use to record on Periscope — and the equipment on my wish list.

Although Periscope has added so many new features and change some of their old ones, this book is still filled with TONS of amazing live streaming tips! I have some of the updates listed HERE on my Periscope Page.

Really the only tool you need for Periscope, Facebook Live, or YouTube live is a smart phone or an iPad. You don’t “need” anything else. However, there are a few tools that do make for a more professional look and sound.

Audio

There are times when a microphone is necessary when scoping. If you are going to be flipping the phone back and forth, it can change the volume on your phone. Also, when you are outside, you may be competing with other sounds. Wind can affect your audio. Here are a few suggestions:

• Headset mic: You really can just use your headset that came with your phone. As long as it has a microphone to record your voice, it will work.
• Lavaliere mic: Most professionals use lavaliere microphones during their periscopes to capture the best audio.

Stands

Shakiness can be a real problem for live streaming. I find that unless I need to walk my viewers around or flip my camera around to show them something, then I just have my phone in a tripod with a camera holder. I give a few pointers in my book about how to have a less shaky scope if you are not using a tripod.

• Tripod: I love my tripod. I use it ALL the time for family pictures, scoping, YouTube videoing — and more!
• GorillaPod Tripod: I LOVE this heavy duty tripod. It works with my phone and my camera. (You'll need the clip for your phone)
• Smart Phone Octopus Style Stand: This was my first tripod. I used it most of the time when I was  scoping with a tripod. This is totally portable and works great on a desk. This comes with its own clip holder. (This one finally died…so I got the GorillaPod above.)
• Smart Phone Clip Holder: You just attach this to your tripod to hold your phone.
• Smart Phone Suction Cup Holder: I love this tool! I use it in my car for my phone's navigation. However, it's handy to use for phone placement while scoping as well.
• iPad Clip Holder: Some of you may be using a
• iPad Clip Holder Kit: This kit includes a tripod and remote with the iPad holder.

Lighting

Having proper lighting for any video recording is very important. Good lighting really helps your viewers to hang in there when connection is a problem. Plus, it’s just easier to watch when there is good lighting. I will eventually get a diva light for times when natural lighting is not good, but natural light is really the best. When recording for your business, I recommend looking into getting a diva light.

• Diva Ring Light (18″): This is on my wish list! I am planning to get this light once I have my desk set up. I love watching scopes that use them.

eCourse Resources

As soon as I rolled out my Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse, I started getting questions about how I set it up.

Zippy Courses — It took me months to figure out what framework I was going to use for my eCourse. I knew how I wanted it to feel and function, but couldn't find a place to work with all my programs like MailChimp (for email lists) and iDev Affiliates. I'm so happy I went with Zippy. I love that my course is on a site that I own. I don't have to pay a percentage of my sales to them. Once I got the hang of the framework, it was really easy to set everything up. There customer service has been incredible.

iDev Affiliate — This is my affiliate site, obviously. This is how I build my sales team. As an affiliate to many other companies and bloggers, I've always really like iDev. It is the most user friendly and has lots of great options.

Vimeo — I use Vimeo to store all my videos for my eCourse. Since YouTube videos are searchable and I need the videos private, I decided to go with Vimeo.

Square — When I'm at conferences or other events that require me to take physical payment, I use a Square Reader. It's so easy to use! I love it!

Black Chicken Hosting — I know it sounds weird to bring up my hosting here, but I love my host. They are great. They set up my subdomain for my courses and helped me work though a lot of the details with getting everything installed and up and running.