"I need better gear & equipment."
I hear this one a lot.
And I suspect it comes from one of 2 fallacies:
1. Better gear = Better content
I hate to break it to you, but better gear does not translate to "better" content.
It might result in better quality of the look of your content.
But content consists of so much more than just aesthetics.
2. It'll make it easier
Whenever I'm met with this follow-up, I always ask:
💬 "Won't you now have to spend more time learning how to use the new gear?"
"Yes"
"So won't that add more time, complexity and potentially confusion to your content creation process?"
"...ohh"
Content consists of a lot of separate steps and skillsets including:
- Researching and ideation
- Scripting and copywriting
- Public speaking/talking to camera
- Scene layout and design
- Capturing photo, video and/or audio
- Editing and design
- Uploading and publishing
- Marketing and promotion
- And the list goes on...
Don't make this process any harder than it needs to be.
Even if it means recording off a "potato" 🥔 (my lingo for a piece of equipment you're familiar with, even if it's "outdated"), then do it.
I'm pretty passionate about breaking this belief because it was broken for me.
Twice.
In 2019, I entered my first travel content competition with an iPhone 8 (🥔).
However, in the weeks leading up to the submission deadline, I found I was talking myself out of entering every time I watched new submissions from other entrants.
They were clearly using +$2000 professional cameras for their video entries.
I was constantly getting myself in a negative spiral with thoughts like:
- I shouldn't bother; their equipment is better than what I have
- Maybe I should borrow/invest in an expensive camera?
- No-one will take me seriously if I use my iPhone
Thank goodness my housemate gave me a nudge of encouragement and I cut the BS and committed to entering.
I wrote a scrappy script, took myself across various spots of Sydney to record myself with my iPhone 8 (plus GoPro for underwater, DJI Mavic Air drone for a few aerials) and pulled together a 60-second submission.
And it was selected as a winner, beating out hundreds of other submissions with "better gear."
Then, later that year, when another travel brand posted their travel content competition, I used my iPhone 8 again to capture snippets of a trip my partner and I took around Western Australia, as my video entry.
And again, it was selected as a winner.
My friend, this isn't to brag.
It took me winning the 2nd time to (finally) break my own belief that gear doesn't matter.
What matters is that you get started conquering what you have and pushing your existing equipment to its limit.
Then, you'll know when it's time to upgrade.
So, start using whatever you have—whether it's a potato or the latest smartphone.
It's more than enough.
Mamba