Tech Tools

Okay, we are going to get a little techy now! There are so many tools that I use for my blog, YouTube channel, upcoming podcasts and Periscope recordings. I thought I'd share them with you — since many of you have asked.

Periscope

With the launch of my new 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.

Really the only tool you need for Periscope 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.
Lavalier mic: Most professionals use lavaliere microphones during their periscopes to capture the best audio.

Stands:

Shakiness can be a real problem for periscopes. 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!
Smart Phone Octopus Style Stand: I love mine! I use it most of the time I'm scoping with a tripod. This is totally portable and works great on a desk. This comes with its own clip holder.
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. Periscope connection isn’t always the greatest. So, having 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.

Blogging

I've been blogging regularly since early 2015. Before that, I was pretty sporadic. Here's a list of tools I love and use with my blogging. I'll be continuing to add to this list.

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!

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. Click here to check it out!

Board Booster:

The biggest boost I saw in my page view numbers came when I started using Board Booster to pin my posts cyclically to my Pinterest group boards. I could never remember which boards I pinned where on Pinterest. Using Board Booster solved this problem. I'll eventually make a video to show how I set it up. 🙂 Until then you can try Board Booster's 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!

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

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

Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

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

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 getting these for interviews.

Portable Recorder: Roland R-05 Studio WAVE/MP3 Recorder – This is on my wishlist. It is great for recording on location and in studio.

YouTube

Believe it or not, the only equipment I 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.