Welcome to The Artistic, a collection that provides content material creators actionable recommendation from professionals within the creator economic system. Whether or not you are a seasoned creator or simply beginning out, learn The Artistic to discover ways to develop your platform, enhance your content material, and keep forward within the ever-shifting creator panorama.
In case you’re something like me, you are in all probability nonetheless racking your mind looking for the proper present in your family members this vacation season. And in case your favourite individual is a content material creator, you could 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 checklist of items to contemplate for the inventive in your life.
So, whether or not you wish to spoil a pal or deal with your self, listed here are some objects on virtually each content material creator’s want checklist.
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 lots 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 does not harm creators to have a bodily calendar or planner readily available to maintain organized.
“It’s kind of old skool however nonetheless an effective way to remain on prime of tasks,” says Lisa De La Cruz of the web site and podcast The Marvel of Anime. “You possibly can write your month-to-month, weekly, or each 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 the cracks,” she explains.
And I agree.
I wrestle 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 somewhat 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 aimed toward aim setting,” she says. “Every month and quarter has a mirrored image part to overview your targets 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 no microphone, so you may think about the noise from the crowds and the bands taking part in on stage.
Truly, 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 laborious manner 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, 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 gives good high quality for its worth.”
The Blue Snowball mic may be bought through Amazon, Logitech, or Greatest Purchase for costs starting from $39.99 to $49.99.
In case you’re keen 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 response to cosplayer and content material creator Kumar.
“In case you make lots of movies the place you’re speaking or interviewing different individuals, an excellent microphone that’s appropriate along with your telephone is vital,” he says. “Positive, a telephone’s inside mic can cross on some events, nevertheless it often doesn’t sound as crisp as it may be.”
Kumar warns relying in your telephone’s microphone can pose an issue if you happen to’re interviewing or recording content material in a crowded place, corresponding to a conference or massive occasion.
“Your voice goes to get washed out by all the pieces 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 if you happen to ever get a DSLR or any sort of skilled digicam, these mics can be appropriate 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 present suggestion additionally comes from Victoria, and actually, I would 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 among 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 if you happen to carry tools throughout less-than-ideal climate.
“It is also good if you happen to simply have a bunch of stuff you are carrying round like a cosplay or cameras and different tech to document content material exterior your own home,” Victoria says.
Costs for the HULKEN bag begin at $89.99.
4. Ring Gentle
I did not have a hoop mild after I first began filming YouTube movies and would typically depend on pure lighting from a close-by window.
This sufficed for some time, nevertheless it meant filming earlier than the night or hoping for a sunny day to get the perfect lighting.
So, I invested in a hoop mild to have extra flexibility with filming, and I counsel getting one this vacation season if you happen to or your creator pal do not have already got one.
Ring lights are particularly important as a result of they’re often subtle through a frosted lens or cowl over LEDs, leading to softer shadows and flattering lighting.
On common, ring lights value between a number of {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 might double as a tripod holding your smartphone. It is obtainable for $66.15 at House Depot, and you will get comparable fashions for as little as $20 from Amazon.
5. Customized Office Decor
You may get inventive with this sort of present.
Lots of my favourite content material creators embody objects like posters, collectible figurines, toys, crops, 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 illustration, I discuss 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 a wide range 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 present 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 wherein creators can discover ways to leverage content material advertising and generate revenue from content material creation.
As an illustration, the CEO of Foundr teaches a course referred to as “Tips on how to Go From 0 to 500K Followers in 12 Months” and shares recommendations on how creators can develop their companies.
HubSpot Academy additionally provides a wide range of free content material creation and digital advertising 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.
Observe content material your creators you or a liked 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 finest work or staying organized.
For instance, content material creator Chris Dillon recommends buying a subscription for Adobe Artistic Cloud.
“It has each inventive software you may want for creating content material,” he says. “In case you’re a pupil or college member with a college electronic mail, you may entry all the pieces the cloud provides for $20 month-to-month on a 12 months’s contract.”
Yr-long subscriptions to Adobe Artistic Cloud can be found through Greatest Purchase, B&H Photograph 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 great gift for creators.
“It is a related 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. Reward 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. Reward playing cards could be a precious present 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 enhancing or WordPress or Squarespace for his or her web site,” Victoria says. “A present card could possibly be the proper strategy 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 overview 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 (delicate trace to any of my mates 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 simply assist their targets — you now have a number of considerate items to select from.