If you’ve been wanting to step into video, but you’ve been procrastinating because you’re telling yourself that it’s too difficult to get started or you need to purchase too much equipment and it’s too expensive, this video is just for you today.

I helped one of my local clients step outside of her comfort zone this week to start recording her own videos and I thought why not bring you the exact tools that I brought to her so that she could get started as well. And as any good coach does I am using them right now to record this video.

You can see for yourself that you don’t need to spend a lot of money in order to get started using video.

Believe it or not with about $110 and an Amazon Prime account, you can be utilizing video in your marketing for your business.

The Camera

First step is the camera. If you have upgraded your smartphone or your laptop or your tablet in the last couple of years, chances are it records HD video and that’s all you need to get started. So you don’t have to spend any money on a camera.

Just use what you have to get started right now.

The Microphone

Next up is the microphone. Now people will watch a poorly-lit video over a video that has horrible sound quality. You do want to make sure that you get yourself a microphone that you can use that does work well. Right now, I am using the Rode smartLav. It is a lavalier microphone that just clips right onto your clothes and you’re ready to go. Now, when you are purchasing this on Amazon, you do want to be aware of how it connects to your smartphone, your tablet, or your computer to be sure that you have the right connections.

Unfortunately, iPhone users and iPad users you are going to need a dongle. If you don’t know where yours is at that came with your smartphone or your iPad you will need to purchase one from Amazon while you’re ordering your microphone. That will run you about $8 so now that will be $118 versus $110, but still, keep it connected to your microphone and you will never lose it.

Now if you want to be able to stand a little bit further away from your smartphone or your tablet or your laptop you will also need to purchase a extender cable that is going to be about $10.

The Tripod

Then you’re also going to need a tripod with the smartphone connector piece. I purchased one for about $20. It had a 20% off coupon on it too. If you still have that available to you, that’ll save you a little bit more money but otherwise that brings you to about one $110 or one $118, depending on if you need that dongle.

Simple, easy, alls you have to do is plug the microphone into your smartphone, you put it on a tripod, hit record, and you’re ready to go.

Now if you purchase the tripod that I recommend it also comes with a Bluetooth remote. You can hit the button and get started as you record to make sure that it is rolling while you record because that’s probably the most difficult thing that you’re going to have to remember with this equipment.

Super easy to set up, and you will love the ease of getting started with video for your marketing.

The Lighting

Now as a final tip, if you’re wondering about lighting, How do you get your videos to look good?

You can purchase a ring light on Amazon as well. They have desktop ones or they have full-sized ones that can run you anywhere from about $70 to about $125, depending on what model you purchase. Most come with stands for your smartphone, so you can skip purchasing a tripod.

If your home has some big windows then natural light is a great friend for you. You don’t have to purchase another light even on cloudy, overcast days, big windows will still give you some great natural light to use. You just want to stand in front of the window and then have the camera in between you and the window.

And that’s it.

I challenge you to get started utilizing video today for your marketing.

It’s fun, easy, and it’s a great tool to help you connect with your audience.