Starting vlog channel and need some advice on basic equipment

[AnotherOne]

Hi guys,
I have planned to start a vlog channel and currently searching for basic equipment for creating videos.

DSLR/mirror less cameras are way too expensive and I don't want to invest a lot in the start. So after a lot of research and reading/viewing reviews of people, I found out that using a Gimbal with a decent phone (preferably iPhone) is a good option. My current smartphone can create videos in 4k but at 30FPS only.
For editing, I will be using Filmora X in the start but I will move to Adobe Premiere after I learn to use it.

I am confused right now and need advice.
Should I buy DJI OM 4 (the best gimbal I found) with an iPhone or a decent Samsung/Mi smartphone (OR) should I go for DJI Pocket 2 because buying Gimbal + decent phone will cost me more than buying DJI Pocket 2 (OR) should I just buy the gimbal and use my current phone in the start and then buy something fancier after some time?
Found way too contradictory data for mic so I am not sure which one should I use.

If you guys know about a decent and economical vlog camera then please share that.

 

[SocialManager]

Whatever is cheapest and just jump in and start going. The best creators just get to work and upgrade later. The last thing you want is equipment decisions to slow down your process. Too many people invest a bunch of money and never create anything.

 

[Priince1337]

Your number one focus for equipment should be a great microphone. People won't mind if you don't have a perfect camera, but if you have bad sound they will stop watching your video. For a video in most cases you will be fine with your iPhone or whatever phone you have. Just get a stabilizer/tripod.

 

[nomoreptc]

I only use huawei y9s cam in my official artist channel. Nothing special. the most important is my audio mixing, that matters.

Audio is my primary, the rest is commentary.

 

[nomoreptc]

don't think too much in the equipment. Content is the king that you need to deal with.

 

[blackbeans]

If I were you, I’d just start with a phone because a lot of people who start out vlogging on YouTube just use the phone that they already have.

You have to understand that the success or failure of your channel doesn’t really turn on your equipment.

I know that rubs against a lot of people.

A lot of people are under the impression that if you have the right equipment and you have the right tools, that somehow this qualifies you for a big income on YouTube.

It doesn’t work that way.

Just because you have the right equipment doesn’t automatically mean you will produce great content.

Sure, you’re vlogging, so you’re basically just talking in front of a camera and documenting stuff that you do on a day-to-day basis.

I get that.

But, your vlog has to have a direction.

There has to be some sort of basic script for what you’re going to talk about and what you’re not going to talk about.

Because you have to understand that people have a very short attention span, and this translates to a very short loyalty formation span.

What I mean by that is when I’m going through YouTube, I only have so much time to figure out if this channel is worth following.

Make use of this fact.

Operate from sort of tight script so you can [/b]magnify the impact of your message[/b].

That’s the bottom line because, ultimately, people are looking for experiences.

And, if your vlog is disorganized or the content is all over the place or doesn’t really say much, people are going to bounce.

They have better things to do and there’s better content out there.

So, focus less on equipment and focus more on what you have to say.

And, be yourself.

I can’t emphasize that enough: be yourself.

You are the product if you are using a vlog concept.

If you are cranking out informational videos using whiteboard, the info is the product.

But for vlogs, you are the product.

So, don’t pretend to be somebody else; don’t fake it until you make it.

Just be yourself.

A little bit of sincerity builds trust.

And, last time I checked, the only thing to sell anything online is trust.

 

[AnotherOne]

Totally agreed with you.
Would love to get more advice from you.

Whatever is cheapest and just jump in and start going. The best creators just get to work and upgrade later. The last thing you want is equipment decisions to slow down your process. Too many people invest a bunch of money and never create anything.

I am extremely confused about that as there are way too many contradicting reviews about the mics. If you know a decent mic, please let me know.

Your number one focus for equipment should be a great microphone. People won't mind if you don't have a perfect camera, but if you have bad sound they will stop watching your video. For a video in most cases you will be fine with your iPhone or whatever phone you have. Just get a stabilizer/tripod.

Which mic and gimbal you're using? Could you please share your YT channel link here (or in PM)?

I only use huawei y9s cam in my official artist channel. Nothing special. the most important is my audio mixing, that matters.

Audio is my primary, the rest is commentary.

don't think too much in the equipment. Content is the king that you need to deal with.

My smartphone's front camera sucks :/
I know that the success/failure depends on quality of content + quality of video/audio but I need at least some equipment before starting.
I will write some basic script first and I will be myself. Fake people won't go far and people (including me) avoid seeing their content.
Since I love travel and eating out, I hope that I will display things from a different perspective to people out there.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. It really means a lot to me.
I would love to read more advice(s) from your side

If I were you, I’d just start with a phone because a lot of people who start out vlogging on YouTube just use the phone that they already have.

You have to understand that the success or failure of your channel doesn’t really turn on your equipment.

I know that rubs against a lot of people.

A lot of people are under the impression that if you have the right equipment and you have the right tools, that somehow this qualifies you for a big income on YouTube.

It doesn’t work that way.

Just because you have the right equipment doesn’t automatically mean you will produce great content.

Sure, you’re vlogging, so you’re basically just talking in front of a camera and documenting stuff that you do on a day-to-day basis.

I get that.

But, your vlog has to have a direction.

There has to be some sort of basic script for what you’re going to talk about and what you’re not going to talk about.

Because you have to understand that people have a very short attention span, and this translates to a very short loyalty formation span.

What I mean by that is when I’m going through YouTube, I only have so much time to figure out if this channel is worth following.

Make use of this fact.

Operate from sort of tight script so you can [/b]magnify the impact of your message[/b].

That’s the bottom line because, ultimately, people are looking for experiences.

And, if your vlog is disorganized or the content is all over the place or doesn’t really say much, people are going to bounce.

They have better things to do and there’s better content out there.

So, focus less on equipment and focus more on what you have to say.

And, be yourself.

I can’t emphasize that enough: be yourself.

You are the product if you are using a vlog concept.

If you are cranking out informational videos using whiteboard, the info is the product.

But for vlogs, you are the product.

So, don’t pretend to be somebody else; don’t fake it until you make it.

Just be yourself.

A little bit of sincerity builds trust.

And, last time I checked, the only thing to sell anything online is trust.

 

[Sixexth]

you can start at cheapest but good quality, like goPro like sportscam that can shoot 4k!

 

[youtuber masudbcl]

Hi guys,
I have planned to start a vlog channel and currently searching for basic equipment for creating videos.

DSLR/mirror less cameras are way too expensive and I don't want to invest a lot in the start. So after a lot of research and reading/viewing reviews of people, I found out that using a Gimbal with a decent phone (preferably iPhone) is a good option. My current smartphone can create videos in 4k but at 30FPS only.
For editing, I will be using Filmora X in the start but I will move to Adobe Premiere after I learn to use it.

I am confused right now and need advice.
Should I buy DJI OM 4 (the best gimbal I found) with an iPhone or a decent Samsung/Mi smartphone (OR) should I go for DJI Pocket 2 because buying Gimbal + decent phone will cost me more than buying DJI Pocket 2 (OR) should I just buy the gimbal and use my current phone in the start and then buy something fancier after some time?
Found way too contradictory data for mic so I am not sure which one should I use.

If you guys know about a decent and economical vlog camera then please share that.

I have only laptop camera and Samsung mobile phone. I got youtube monetization approval by using only screen recording software. So I believe if you use the running instruments and apply for youtube monetization than you will be winner. You can buy the rich instruments at the later time also. Currently to get youtube monetization is the main target of you.

Best wishes.

 

[Sardi]

4k but at 30FPS only.

Just do 1080 60fps, it will look better to the average viewer

 

[nomoreptc]

Just do 1080 60fps, it will look better to the average viewer

I agree with this. I've been in the youtube for a while yet never created a 4k videos. its just a plain 1080 and I always prepare this.