Software Tools & Marketing Platforms

I’m going to cut to the chase and tell you the end of my techy story first. In 2021 I made one of the biggest software and marketing platform decisions I’d ever made: I moved my entire business to Kajabi! I slowly ripped the bandaid off by moving my courses and store, then my email list and automations, then finally in 2022 we moved my entire website and all that went with it–including my blog. I’ll be honest, it was scary. There were so many moving parts, but I am so thankful that I did it. I’m now a HUGE champion for KAJABI! It’s amazing to have everything in one place working together. The best part is that I’m saving hundreds of dollars each month by making the move.

I will make one little caveat that I have not moved my podcast off Libsyn and over to Kajabi yet. With over 750,000 downloads, I’m not ready to move my podcast. If I was starting from scratch, I’d use Kajabi in a heartbeat.

Now the backstory.

I have used so many different programs through the years to host my website (BlueHost, Black Host Chicken, + Cloudware), email list (MailChimp + ConvertKit), courses (Zippy Courses + WooCommerce Sensei) , online store (WooCommerce + Shopify), and affiliate program (iDev). I grew out of several of them due to a need for more features as my business grew, and others just didn’t work the way I was hoping. Having to learn so many technical elements, often the hard way, in order to bring my creative outlet to the online world was often overwhelming and exhausting. I just wanted to create, I didn’t want to become so tech savvy. Yet, I learned and learned again. 

Shameless plug: You can try out Kajabi for 45 days for free! Just try it out and see how easy it is to take an idea, create a product, and start making money doing what you love.

Other programs that I’ve used and liked:

• Graphic Design = PicMonkey + Canva
• Scheduler = Later, CoSchedule, and Tailwind
• Instagram = LinkTree
• Live Streaming = StreamYard (used for live streaming to multiple social media platforms, including Amazon Live)
• Podcasting = Libsyn
• Editing = GarageBand (for audio) and iMovie (for video). My video editor uses much more robust software, but when I’m doing the editing myself these are still my go-to.

Cameras

It goes without saying that a good camera will create a better end product. Whether you’re taking photos for a blog post or social media or creating a video based course or membership site, it’s important to consider upgrading your smartphone or DSLR camera. Of course, one great way to look great on camera is get more comfortable being on camera! I’ve got your back here! Be sure to check out my How to Feel Confident on Camera course.

• Your SMARTPHONE!: Honestly, I do the bulk of my recording from my smartphone. When using a teleprompter it's handy to use a large professional camera, but many of my videos and photos are taken with my iPhone. I do try to update my iPhones periodically to get the best camera.
• Professional DSLR camera: These are amazing for getting great photos and videos. I typically attach lighting (or use freestanding lighting) and a microphone to my camera. My current camera (linked) is the Canon EOS R Mirrorless.
• Nikon Underwater Camera: I love this underwater camera! It takes amazing videos and photos. It’s fun to share footage from vacation, hiking, or beach time when I don’t want to use a camera that could be damaged in the elements.
• Web Camera: This webcam made a world of difference in my Zoom call recordings. So good! 

Tripods & Stands

Shakiness can be a real problem for live streaming and video. 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 on a tripod with a camera holder. If I need to walk around, then I use a gimble

• Small, desktop tripod: These are great for shooting at my desk and in my kitchen. 

• DSLR + Smartphone Tripod: You may even have one of these in the house. I love using this tripod for my course videos and really any video shoot where I'm not holding the camera. 

• Gorilla tripod: This tripod is so handy. We bring it on vacation with us. It can be twisted around the back of a chair or wherever to allow you to get a great picture or video.

• Clip-on attachments for phone: I highly recommend getting a few different clip-on attachments for all your tripods. These clips screw into your tripod and hold your phone. I use one in my tripod and my ring light.

• iPad Mounts: This can be handy if you are recording from your iPad and need to read comments on the screen (for those of us with aging eyes).

• Gimbles: Gimbles are really cool to work with. They help keep your camera steady while you record. This is great for videos being shot while walking and talking. The gimble linked is for a DSLR camera, this is the one I have for my iPhone.

• Computer stands: Okay, I get more questions about this stand! This stand allows me to set my computer up higher so that the angle looks great when I'm doing Zoom calls. This stand is small and portable. 

• Desk Computer Stand: I use this glass stand on my desk for everyday use. I slide it forward for many interviews and also have lights attached to it. I even set my smaller mic stand on it so it's out of camera but close to my mouth. 

Lighting

I love great lighting. Having proper lighting for any video recording is very important. Here are a few different lighting solutions that I use. 

• Ring Light and Stand: This light is also known as a "diva" light because it will help you look great. 

• Small Clip-on Ring Light: I love this for when I don't need a lot of extra light or when I need to add some light to the side of my filming area.

• Ring Light for an iPhone: This ring light is just adorable. It clips on really easily to my iPhone.

• Lumee iPhone Light: Okay, I love this cell phone case! Yes, cell phone case...with a back and front light. I pop it on when I know I'll need it. My family laughed at me when I showed it to them until I had the best photos at a family wedding.

• Light Stands with Umbrella Reflectors: If you really want great lighting, it helps to have light stands set up at different angles. This will give you a great professional look for your camera work.

• Lighting for the Video Rig: These are the lights I attach to my rig. See more about my video rig below.

• Ring Light and Stand: This light is also known as a "diva" light because it will help you look great. 

• Small Clip-on Ring Light: I love this for when I don't need a lot of extra light or when I need to add some light to the side of my filming area.

• Ring Light for an iPhone: This ring light is just adorable. It clips on really easily to my iPhone.

• Lumee iPhone Light: Okay, I love this cell phone case! Yes, cell phone case...with a back and front light. I pop it on when I know I'll need it. My family laughed at me when I showed it to them until I had the best photos at a family wedding.

• Light Stands with Umbrella Reflectors: If you really want great lighting, it helps to have light stands set up at different angles. This will give you a great professional look for your camera work.

• Lighting for the Video Rig: These are the lights I attach to my rig. See more about my video rig below.

Microphones

Good audio quality is really important for camera work! There are several different microphones I use for the various types of things I record. Remember, I also have a podcast, so I'm a bit of a stickler for good audio quality. It doesn't mean you won't have glitchiness here and there, but it helps you get the best sound possible.

• Professional microphone: There are so many great mics out there. This is the one I like and have used. This is the newer version of it. I use it for my podcasting and all my interviews for good sound quality. 

• Boom Microphone for DSLR cameras: As I mentioned above, I attach a boom mic to my DSLR camera to make sure the audio quality of my videos is the best it can be.

• Smart Phone Microphone and Adaptor: I've found that the audio quality of my videos is SO much better when I use this microphone plugged into my phone. I use it with the stand and lights. Pictured.

• Wireless Lavalier Microphone: Great for videos and interviews.

• AirPods: I really do love my AirPods for interviews. Make sure they are charged! I typically hide them with my hair. I adjust the settings on Zoom or my computer to use the AirPods as my speaker and use my podcasting mic for the microphone. 

• Headset with microphone: This is handy for non-camera interviews.

• Mic Stands: I like this desktop one. I use it during my interviews. I just attach my podcast mic to it and put it just off-camera during interviews. Sometimes, it doesn't really matter if it shows.

• Podcast Mic Stand: Depending on your setup, this is a very popular mic setup. Having the longer arm to get your mic close to you and where you want it is great. You also need the stabilizer so you don't have noise if you touch the stand or the desk it's attached to.

• Pop filter: This can be the foamy kind or the screen kind. You can even get a mic cover for shooting outside (helps lessen wind sound).