The camera and tech I use to create my online content
As someone who is running a large business pretty much on my own I rely heavily on equipment and software to help me.
And each week I get a number of questions about how I record my online content and courses and which platforms I use to edit my videos and host the course etc.
So today I thought I would share some of what I use for those who ask me!
1: Recording Software and Equipment
I do a range of different types of recordings for my content and courses - including face to camera and screen recordings. Here's what I use:
Face to camera videos:
these are recorded with a Canon EOS R6 which I have connected as a DSLR camera to my computer using an Elgato Camlink.
The camera is attached to my desk, behind my computer screen, with an Elgato desk mounted tripod.
The actual recording is then done using a piece of software called ECamm Live, which allows me to just sit down at my computer and hit record and go (a really simple workflow that makes my life much easier). I'm pretty sure ECamm Live is only for MAC at this stage (could be wrong about this).
My computer is an iMAC Pro.
The sound is recorded on an Apogee HypeMic which is connected to my computer using a USB connection.
Screen recordings:
I use Screenflow to record my screen for my courses - e.g. when I'm demonstrating how to use SketchUp.
I also sometimes use Loom to record my screen if I'm doing an instructional video for my virtual assistants or anything a bit less 'professional'. I find Screenflow better for the course recordings though.
I record and export in 4K so the quality of the screen is high for my students.
My camera and other equipment is permanently set up at my desk and it makes it super easy to create content whenever I want to and reduces the friction for me to create videos.
However, the only issue I have with my set up is that because my good camera is attached to my desk permanently it’s a bit of a pain to take this off and use it for other video content that I might want to do away from my desk - e.g. if I’m doing a more vlogging style video around my house or elsewhere.
So I have also purchased a Sony ZV1 camera for these sorts of videos and I have a Rode VideoMic attached to that to improve the sound.
2: Editing and Captions (Subtitles)
I do all my own video editing. Here's what I use:
Video editing:
I have created quick introductions for my course lessons using Canva Pro as they have some video features now.
Depending on how much editing I need to do to a video I then either use Screenflow to edit or I will use Final Cut Pro if I need to do something more detailed. Final Cut Pro has a much steeper learning curve but you get more options for your editing that way.
Adding captions:
To add closed captions to my courses and videos I use a program called 'Descript' to create these. All I need to do is to upload my final video to Descript and a few minutes later they spit out a fully captioned file, which I can then export as a .srt and upload to my course platform alongside the video. This is a really simple workflow! The captions do have a few errors in them but overall these are minimal so I'm pretty pleased with how this has worked out and how easy it has been.
3: Course hosting
I use Kajabi to host my business courses and templates. This has been what I've used for years now and I have found it great.
So that's just some of the tech and apps I use in my workflow to create my courses but I have a lot more software running in the background that helps me automate a lot of what happens in my business.
I share more about that in this YouTube video about how I run a 7 figure business with no staff - you can watch that here if you’re interested.
And in case you're thinking I must have some kind of tech background to have worked out how to do all of this I don't!
I have taught myself how to do all over this over the years, which I'm just pointing out as I want you to know that everything is possible if you're determined to make it work and are willing to learn and try new things :)
A lot of designers I work with use a lack of tech knowledge as an ‘excuse’ for why they can’t move forward with their ideas. But don't let tech or things you don't know about put you off creating things or building your business. Watch YouTube videos, search Google, do online courses and you too will be able to learn how to put things together yourself as well.
This is exactly what I've done myself over the years!
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
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