What the tech?

As a creative, it was a tough decision for me to decide to teach an online class. I was really intimidated by the tech I might have to learn, the equipment I might have to invest in, and the time commitment. Maybe you’ve felt that way too?

I'm so glad I got some really good advice at the beginning.

Someone told me I didn't need all the bells and whistles starting out, and they were right! My very first few classes were filmed with an iPhone, and I didn't even have an external mic. I used the inline mic that came with my phone, but the sound wasn’t great…

Once I got through with my first class, which wasn't easy,  I started studying all the things I could do to improve my video and audio quality with what I had. Honestly, my simple set up worked well enough that I ended up continuing with it for three years!

I’m proof that you don't need complicated equipment to get started. Once you've made a few classes and you decide you want to keep going with it, that’s the time to invest. But even then it doesn't have to break the bank.

Unless you are a tech gadget lover, I suggest you keep your equipment simple indefinitely. Why?

If you're anything like me, you really want to focus on your creative pursuit. I didn’t want to spend most of my time on my computer, I wanted to create! However, I also wanted to deliver course material that was clear and effective so my students actually learned something. I have found that spending most of my time on an easily managed set up has paid off immensely! 

PRO TIP: Video quality is not as crucial right now. Weird right? It’s because of all the retro filters and the demand for spontaneous clips like you see in Reels and on TikTok, that students aren’t as worried about this. Of course, don't make it purposefully bad, but normal video quality, like what you can get with a smart phone, is totally fine. 

Audio is is a bit different, however. With more and more content consumers using headphones, good audio has become a focus. As I mentioned above, I have some easy audio improvement tips that you don’t even need equipment for.

That’s what we’ll be talking about next week when we continue the conversation. Until then!