If you’ve spent any time looking into what kind of equipment or software to use to create
and sell your online course, you might be feeling overwhelmed and stuck, like I do when
I’m scrolling through thousands of thumbnails on Netflix trying to figure out what movie
or show I want to watch next.
Don’t be like me and spend an hour scrolling endlessly only to drop your phone on your
face as you doze off, let me talk you through some of the equipment and software you’ll
need, and some of our best recommendations for 2019.
Let’s get into it.
Hello creators, I’m Ben Toalson from Podia where we empower creators to make a living
doing what they love.
In today’s video I want to help you stop feeling overwhelmed by endless selection of
tools out their for creators, and share some of our favorite tools along with some pros
and cons.
I’ll start with an overview of the various types of equipment and software you might
need, and then I’ll break those down further into specific recommendations.
For this video, we’re going to assume you already have access to a computer that’s
powerful enough to run recording and editing software.
Here we go.
To capture video and audio for your course, you’ll need the following tools.
For audio, you’ll need a microphone, some kind of interface that allows your microphone
to send audio to your computer you’ll need the appropriate wires and cables to make your
microphone work, a set of headphones, and possibly other adapters and accessories like
pop-filters, a microphone stand, or a boom arm.
For video, you’ll need a camera of some kind whether that’s your phone or a nicer
DSLR, storage media for your video files, like an SD card or external hard drive, a
tripod along with the proper clip to attach your camera, at least a basic lighting set-up,
and possibly some other items to enhance your background or setting like a backdrop or special
background lighting elements.
Additional equipment might include visual aids like a whiteboard or large note pad,
rigs for overhead shot demonstrations, or other course specific equipment.
In order to capture, edit, and publish your course, you’ll need the following:
Audio recording and editing software to capture and edit your audio
A video editing and rendering program so you can edit and export individual lesson files.
Screen recording software for anything you’ll need to demonstrate from your screen.
Graphic design software to provide interesting visual aids along with your course info.
Some kind of writing tool so you can outline and prepare your course.
And a platform where you can upload and sell your course.
Now that we’ve given an overview of the various types of equipment, let’s get into
the recommendations.
We are going to start with microphones.
The audio quality of your course is actually one of the most important factors in overall
quality.
People are generally more tolerant of lower quality video as long as the audio quality
is good, but bad audio quality can ruin the whole experience.
That’s why these recommendations, regardless of cost, focus on quality first.
There are a few different types of microphones to consider based on how you plan to use them
for your course.
A desk or stand mounted microphone can be used if you don’t plan to appear on video
and are just doing voice over recording.
On the lower end, we recommend the Blue Yeti USB microphone.
For the money it’s some of the best quality you can get out of a USB mic and includes
its own stand, a handful of different recording modes, output level control, an onboard mute
switch, a headphone jack so you can monitor your audio directly, and an onboard volume
control for your headphones.
Some of the drawbacks are it does not include a built in pop filter, so you’ll need to
purchase one separately, it can be especially sensitive to vibrations in whatever surface
it’s resting on, and if you are using more than one on the same machine, your computer
may have trouble recognizing each individual microphone as its own device.
All in all, it’s a great starter microphone for the price and the setup couldn’t be
simpler.
It’s powered from USB so once you plug it into your computer and select it as the audio
input device, you’re ready to go!
On the higher end of the spectrum is the Shure SM7B.
This microphone is considered the gold standard for dynamic microphones and is used in a wide
variety of professional recording settings.
This microphone will make your voice sound full and clear, as if you’re right there
in the room with your student.
It has a built in pop-filter and a few different EQ settings you can adjust on the microphone
itself.
In order to use this microphone with your computer, you will have to purchase a few
things separately.
An audio interface that will convert the analog signal from the microphone to a digital signal
your computer can actually record, a microphone cable, and a stand.
If you do plan to be on video for your course, these microphones can work, but they’re
not as well suited for getting a clear recording while still being out of frame.
If you want your microphone to be invisible, it’s best to use a shotgun mic or lapel
mic.
I’ll give shotgun mic recommendations first.
On the lower end is the TAKSTAR SGC-598.
This microphone will actually plug directly into your DSLR’s audio input and has a hot
shoe mount so you can attach it to your camera.
It has two EQ settings that you can adjust on the microphone itself and comes with a
detachable windscreen.
On the down-side, this microphone is specifically designed to be used with a camera, so if you
want to set it up with a mic stand and route the audio to your computer, you’ll have
to buy the necessary adapters to make that work.
Also, it’s powered by a single AA battery and, while the battery can last a long time,
it’s easy to forget to turn it off which can leave you with a dead microphone.
On the high end is the Rode NTG2 powered condenser shotgun microphone.
This microphone is a broadcast quality mic that does an excellent job of capturing its
subject without getting additional background noise in the mix.
It’s built in a sturdy metal enclosure and features a high pass filter to get rid of
air conditioner or road noise.
While it does run on a single AA battery, it can also run on phantom power from a professional
camera or powered mixer.
If you intend to use this directly with your camera, you will need to get the proper adapters.
Another option for capturing your audio without showing the microphone is a lapel mic.
A lapel mic can be especially useful if you plan to move around or face away from the
camera from time to time because it goes with you wherever you go.
On the low end, is the Rode smartlav+.
It works by plugging it directly into your phone and using the native recording app,
or the RODE Rec app.
It’s extremely easy to set up and the audio capture is loud and clear and surprisingly
good quality for such an inexpensive microphone.
The audio can tend to be too loud when recording using your phone’s native recording app,
and while the RODE Rec app allows you to adjust the input level, the app can be a bit buggy
and difficult to use.
Also, because it’s a TRRS input, it can be difficult to convert the audio signal to
something that can plug into your camera or your computer.
Still, for the price it’s a great quality and easy to use microphone.
On the higher end is the Shure BLX14 wireless system.
This microphone delivers high quality audio and is relatively easy to set up and use right
out of the box.
The signal between the transmitter and receiver is clean and clear from up to 300 feet away.
The set up is a bit more complicated than the smartlav+ and the transmitter pack requires
batteries in order to run.
You’ll also need to get additional adapters or equipment in order to send the audio to
your camera or computer.
So that does it for microphones.
Earlier I mentioned audio interfaces, which converts the analog signal from your microphone
into a high quality digital signal that can be recorded directly onto your computer.
On the low end is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo.
It’s really easy to set up and features a headphone jack and an onboard monitoring
control.
It’s also USB powered, so you don’t have to plug in a separate power supply.
It does only accept a single XLR input, so you wouldn’t be able to use more than one
microphone with it.
On the higher end is the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Solo.
This is the cream of the crop when it comes to converting analog to digital.
Because the audio signal is transmitted through thunderbolt, there is virtually zero loss
of quality between what your microphone captures and what your computer receives.
It also processes the audio on-board so you don’t have to spend any time fixing the
EQ or doing post processing on your computer.
On the down-side the initial set up is more complicated and it can only work with mac
computers unless you purchase a special thunderbolt expansion card for your PC.
Now on to video equipment
Using your phone to capture video is absolutely a viable option, but if you’re wanting to
improve your quality it might be time to start shifting to DSLR.
For this section we’re going to focus exclusively on DSLRs.
On the lower end is the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ300.
This camera comes equipped with a built in lens, a ton of manual video functions, an
articulating touch screen monitor, microphone input, and it shoots in 4K.
All for less than $400.
While the built in lens is versatile, you can’t change it out with a different lens
which limits the types of shots you’re able to produce.
Also, while the quality is good, this camera just isn’t going to perform as well as a
higher end DSLR in situations where the lighting isn’t perfect.
On the higher end is the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema 4K.
The image quality of this camera is stunning to say the least.
The monitor is large and bright and doubles as a touch screen with intuitive controls.
While the body of the camera itself isn’t too expensive, you will have to purchase a
lens separately, and the monitoring screen does not flip or move, so if you want to be
able to see yourself while recording, you’ll have to purchase a separate video monitor.
One of the ways you can dramatically improve the quality of your video is with lighting.
The most common lighting technique is a 3 point lighting setup.
There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to lighting that we won’t be covering in
this video, but leave a comment below if you’d like us to go more in depth on lighting.
Keep in mind that natural light sources can work as well if you understand how to use
3 point lighting, but for the most control over your lighting environment, a 3 point
lighting kit is a great place to start.
On the low end is the MOUNTDOG 1350W Photography Studio.
This lighting kit and other lesser known brands like it are great if you’re just starting
out.
They make your lighting setup simple but effective.
On the downside, the bulbs are pretty delicate and the stands and boxes aren’t as sturdy
as more expensive models, so you’ll have to be careful if you plan to set up and tear
down frequently.
Oh the higher end we’ve got the Neewer 3 Packs 660 LED.
These LED panels deliver soft, bright light, with adjustable color temperature and brightness,
and include barn doors so you can adjust the direction of the light to prevent bounce-off
lighting.
This package also comes with battery packs so you can set up your lights on the go.
You may want to invest in sturdier light stands for the long-term, but it really is solid
lighting, even if you’re on a budget.
Once you’ve got the equipment you need to capture everything, you still need to be able
to write, record, edit, and publish.
For that, you need software.
So here are some software recommendations, again including a range from low cost or free
to higher cost, with pros and cons for each recommendation.
Audio recording
If you plan to record directly into your computer or even if you want to be able to edit your
audio later, you need some type of audio editing software.
Audacity and Garage band are great options that you can use for free and that work really
well for basic audio recording and editing.
Some of the tools are not quite as intuitive as paid software and you’ll be limited in
how much post processing you can apply to your recording.
Also, while Audacity can be used on both Mac and PC, Garage band is only available for
Mac.
If you want to step up your quality and have more options for making your audio sound great,
Logic Pro X gets the job done.
If you’re already familiar with some of the tools in Garage Band there can be less
of a learning curve, but it will still take some time to get familiar with the various
tools and shortcuts.
Logic Pro X, like Garage band, is only available for Mac, but a comparable program for Windows
is Adobe Audition which you can use if you subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud.
Screen capture
Screen capture software is a must-have if some of your course material centers around
things that you have to do on a computer, like building websites, graphic design, or
using specific software or web based tools.
APowerSoft Free Online Screen Recorder is, you guessed it, free.
For a free tool though it has a ton of great features, including unlimited recording time,
an annotations tool that you can use in real time, and the ability to save files to multiple
formats.
The only downsides are you have to install the launcher tool, even if you’re using
the free version, and you can’t record footage of full-screen applications (such as video
games) unless in Windowed mode
Screenflow is a paid application that really soars, not just for this specific category,
but also for audio capture and video editing.
Some of the best features are the ability to record full screen at 2880x1800 resolution,
publishing directly to YouTube or Dropbox right from inside the app, and the incredibly
easy to use interface.
Unfortunately this is also a Mac only product.
If you’re a windows user, you might consider purchasing snagit.
While it’s not capable of as many different functions as Screenflow, Snagit still offers
a range of features you may not see in a free product.
Video editing
One of the best free video editing tools out there is Hitfilm Express.
It offers most of the same standard features you’d see in professional video editing
software, as well as advanced features like green-screen effects, color grading, visual
effects, and more, all for free.
It does have a steeper learning curve, so if you’re newer to video editing you might
find it challenging to get started.
If you’re willing to spend some money, Final Cut Pro is a very powerful yet easy to use
video editing program.
It’s optimized to work fast without putting too much strain on your computer, and it’s
relatively easy to learn, even for beginners.
Final Cut Pro is also a Mac only product, but Adobe Premier Pro has similar features,
is also easy to use, and works on both Mac and windows.
Graphic design
Using graphic designs and illustrations can be a great way to keep your students engaged
and interested.
If you don’t have a lot of experience using design programs, Canva can be a great option.
Canva is a web based tool that allows you to create documents, edit photos and more.
You could have zero design experience and, using their pre-designed layouts, come out
with beautifully designed slides and graphics for your course.
The free plan does have some limitations on which images and illustrations you’re able
to use, and if you’re used to more robust graphic design software, the features in Canva
can feel a bit basic.
Some of the best paid options are actually a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are still among the most versatile tools for creating
amazing graphics.
They also share some cross compatibility with other programs in the suite, which can speed
up your workflow.
Though they are powerful tools, each program is relatively complex and may take some time
to learn before you really feel comfortable with the tools.
Writing
Writing is a foundational part of creating your online course, so it’s important to
find a writing tool that’s a good fit for you.
My two favorites are Google docs and Dropbox paper.
Both are free to use and make it easy to write and share across multiple devices.
I like the dropbox paper writing experience a little better because of how simple and
clean it is, but google docs has some features I enjoy that aren’t available in dropbox
paper.
Ultimately the best writing tool is the one that you’ll actually use, so find one that
works best for you.
And of course, if you make a course, you’ll need a place to host your course!
That's where Podia comes in.
We’ve made a variety of tools to help you make and sell your online course.
These are all available from your Podia dashboard.
Video hosting
There are a ton of video hosting solutions to choose from, including YouTube, Vimeo,
Wistia, VidYard and more.
But between limitations on the kind of content you can upload to restrictions on everything
from duration to output formats, you're at the mercy of whichever platform you choose.
When you host your video on Podia, you can be certain your videos won't suddenly be taken
down without warning, monetized by other companies' ads, or deleted mistakenly by automated content
audits or copyright take-down notices.
Email marketing
Even today, email marketing is still the most powerful sales channel for course creators.
Services like MailChimp are awesome, but Podia's email marketing services were designed specifically
for content creators like you.
We can help you build your email list, refine your messaging to maximize open rates, and
design beautiful emails that are as delightful to look at as the rest of your content.
You can even create drip campaigns to nurture prospective students as they become more familiar
with you and your courses.
Landing page software
Landing pages are crucial to the success of any online marketing campaign.
There are plenty of great landing page tools out there, but if you want to keep everything
in one place, Podia's sales page tools can help you build strong, engaging sales pages
that drive conversions - all without leaving Podia.
Our sales pages look beautiful, but they're also optimized to drive conversions, gather
email addresses, and help you tell your story.
Content delivery
Making your course is only half the battle - you need to get your course in front of
motivated customers if you're going maximize its earning potential.
Podia's storefronts are designed to help you sell courses, as well as digital downloads
and memberships.
The best part is, your customers don't need to register a Podia account to purchase your
products; all they need is an email address and a credit card and they'll be learning
from you in seconds.
Access management
Once you've established your digital storefront for your online course, you need to manage
that content.
We makes it easy to manage who sees what and when.
With password protection and a range of other features, Podia takes the hassle out of managing
access to your content, so you can focus on creating even more amazing content, while
we worry about keeping everything safe.
E-commerce software
If you’ve tried to integrate e-commerce plugins or software with your website, you
know how much of a hassle it can be.
With Podia's built-in checkout tools, you'll never have to worry about wrestling with another
e-commerce platform again.
With our e-commerce tools you don't need to be a developer or an economics major to start
selling your course.
It’s simple.
Create your course, connect your PayPal or Stripe account and then let Podia power your
checkout flow from start to finish, including transaction processing, detailed sales records,
and more.
As you can see, we’ve covered a ton of ground but have really only touched on a fraction
of the available tools and software out there for creators.
Are there tools or software you would recommend that we didn’t mention?
What are some of your go-to tools for creating and why do you love them?
Tell me in the comments below.
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Thank you for watching and I’ll see you next time.