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In case you’re something like me, you are in all probability nonetheless racking your mind looking for the proper reward on 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 professional 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 good friend or deal with your self, listed below are some objects on virtually 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 Items for Content material Creators
1. Planner or Calendar
Content material creators have rather a lot on their plate. For instance, I have 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 would not harm creators to have a bodily calendar or planner readily available to maintain organized.
“It is a bit old style however nonetheless a good way to remain on high of tasks,” says Lisa De La Cruz of The Surprise of Anime. “You possibly can 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 via the cracks,” she explains.
And I agree.
I battle with remembering deadlines or checking digital calendars on my telephone or laptop computer, so I’ve discovered writing on a big calendar just like the one under and inserting it in entrance of my mattress helps because it’s the very first thing I see within the morning.
If a large calendar is a bit of too excessive, go for a planner just like the PLANBERRY Giant Weekly Planner, which Lisa extremely recommends.
“It has month-to-month and weekly spreads in addition to sections particularly geared toward purpose setting,” she says. “Every month and quarter has a mirrored image part to evaluate your objectives and what labored versus what did not work.”
2. Excessive-quality microphone or Mic Equipment
I bear in mind one of many first movies I filmed for a music weblog I ran in school. I used to be interviewing a pop-punk band outdoors a sold-out venue with out a microphone, so you’ll be able to think about the noise from the crowds and the bands enjoying on stage.
Really, you do not have to think about. You possibly can watch the video under and listen to how the background noise virtually drowned out the artists I interviewed.
I realized the arduous method the significance of high quality audio tools, 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, think about shopping for them a high-quality microphone or mic accent.
Podcaster Victoria Johson of the Sailor Moon Fan Membership podcast recommends the Blue Snowball microphone for creators early of their journey.
“This can be a good, reasonably priced 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 gives good high quality for its value.”
The Blue Snowball mic may be bought by way of Amazon, Logitech, or Finest Purchase for costs starting from $39.99 to $49.99.
In case you’re keen to take a position a bit extra money, cosplayer and content material creator Kumar says skilled wi-fi microphones and cellular adaptors are glorious items for creators who typically movie on their smartphones.
“In case you make numerous movies the place you’re speaking or interviewing different folks, an excellent microphone that’s suitable together with your telephone is vital,” he says. “Positive, a telephone’s inner mic can go on some events, however it normally doesn’t sound as crisp as it may be.”
Kumar warns relying in your telephone‘s microphone can pose an issue for those who’re interviewing or recording content material in a crowded place, equivalent to a conference or giant occasion.
“Your voice goes to get washed out by every little thing else in your surroundings,” he explains.
Kumar suggests the DJI Mic Cell Telephone 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 for those who ever get a DSLR digital camera or any sort of skilled digital camera, these mics will probably be suitable with these, too!”
The DJI Mic Cell Telephone Adapter is obtainable from DJI for $249, and RODE’s Wi-fi GO II is obtainable for $299 on RODE’s web site.
3. HULKEN Bag
This subsequent reward suggestion additionally comes from Victoria, and actually, I’d snag this one for myself this Christmas. Victoria recommends the Hulken Bag for creators who typically carry tools 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 possibly can throw it over your shoulder to go upstairs or wheel it round.”
The HULKEN even has a zippable flap to guard objects inside from rain or snow, which may be extraordinarily useful for those who carry tools throughout less-than-ideal climate.
“It is also good for those who simply have a bunch of stuff you are carrying round like a cosplay or cameras and different tech to file content material outdoors your home,” Victoria says.
Costs for the HULKEN bag begin at $89.99.
4. Ring Mild
I did not have a hoop mild once I first began filming YouTube movies and would typically depend on pure lighting from a close-by window.
This sufficed for some time, however it meant filming earlier than the night or hoping for a sunny day to get the most effective lighting.
So, I invested in a hoop mild to have extra flexibility with filming, and I counsel getting one this vacation season for those who or your creator good friend 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 a number of {dollars} and $500, however you do not have to interrupt the financial institution to get glorious high quality.
The one under by Blackmore Professional Audio is just like mine and might double as a tripod holding your smartphone. It is obtainable for $66.15 at Residence Depot, and you may get comparable fashions for as little as $20 from Amazon.
5. Customized Office Decor
You will get inventive with this type of reward.
Lots of my favourite content material creators embody objects 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.
For example, I speak about anime on my YouTube channel and sometimes embody 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 objects that would make their background pop.
Web sites like Redbubble supply quite a lot of posters and tapestries primarily based on comics, manga, and popular culture.
You possibly can even fee an artist from Etsy to craft a customized neon signal with the reward recipient’s username, emblem, 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 during which creators can learn to leverage content material and influencer advertising and marketing and generate earnings from content material creation.
For example, the CEO of Foundr teaches a course known as “The right way to Go From 0 to 500K Followers in 12 Months” and shares recommendations on how creators can develop their companies.
HubSpot Academy additionally presents quite a lot of free content material creation and digital advertising and marketing certifications to a creator’s skillset and construct their viewers.
This vacation season, think about 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 beloved one admire and see if they’ve any programs, webinars, or workshops you should purchase for your self or a good friend.
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 discover investing in platforms and software program helpful to craft their finest work or keep organized.
For instance, content material creator Chris Dillon recommends buying a subscription for Adobe Artistic Cloud.
“It has each inventive software you would want for creating content material,” he says. “In case you’re a scholar or college member with a faculty e-mail, you’ll be able to entry every little thing the cloud presents for $20 month-to-month on a yr’s contract.”
Yr-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, may be a superb present for creators.
“It is a related workspace with tons of of free templates good 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, and packages for teams begin at $8 monthly, billed yearly.
8. Present Playing cards
Once I’m uncertain what to get somebody however wish to present them I care, I get them a present card to allow them to buy objects 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 may very well be the proper technique to offset the prices of those many month-to-month or annual plans.”
With the month-to-month charges I pay to host my podcast, entry Adobe Premiere, or purchase manga to evaluate for my YouTube channel, I can attest that content material creation may be pricey.
I do know I personally would love a present card or two to minimize the prices (refined 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 the content material creator in your life that you just assist their objectives — you now have a number of considerate items to select from.