It’s the top of the year and this is my first blog for the year, so let me start off by saying Happy New Year to you and I am hoping that this year is the year you have been waiting for in both your personal and business life.
As it is the beginning of the year, It is a good time to review our tech and address the tech you need for your online business in 2024.
If you have been following me over on my Instagram stories (if not…what are you waiting for? lol), this Christmas break/New Years, I needed to go and upgrade some equipment and add some new tech that will allow me to grow my business.
Tech is usually one of those areas where most people have no idea where to begin because they aren’t techies or just don’t know what types of things they may need to succeed digitally. This guide is for you and we will let you know what type of tech you should have or upgrade but also provide links to products for you to checkout or purchase.
What Tech Do You Need? Here is a list:
- Cellphone
- Computer
- Mics
- Lighting
- Video
- Keron’s Fav Tech
CellPhones
In 2024, the role of a high-quality cellphone in building, creating content for, and marketing a business online is more crucial than ever. With the rapid advancements in mobile technology, smartphones have become powerful tools for entrepreneurs and content creators alike. A top-tier cellphone offers essential features like high-resolution cameras for capturing professional-quality photos and videos, robust processing power for running multiple applications seamlessly, and long-lasting battery life to stay connected throughout the day.
For businesses looking to thrive in the digital landscape of 2024, investing in a great cellphone is not just a convenience but a necessity. It serves as a compact, all-in-one device for managing social media, engaging with customers, and conducting market research, thereby playing a pivotal role in a company’s online presence and marketing strategy.
This doesn’t mean you need to spend the money to get the latest flagship but I would also recommend to people to look at the used market on platforms like eBay for devices. You can also get used Flagships from 1-2 years ago and have an amazing experience. Here are some examples of devices I’d recommend.
Flagship (Highend) Devices – Range $700usd – $1200usd:
Other Devices I would get (Under $600usd):
Computers
In 2024, possessing a high-performance computer is indispensable for anyone looking to establish and grow their business in the digital realm. Computers, being the backbone of modern enterprises, offer unparalleled processing capabilities, extensive storage, and the ability to run complex software that smartphones cannot handle.
For content creation, a powerful computer is essential for tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and 3D modeling, where advanced graphics and processing power are crucial. In terms of marketing, computers help you manage your websites, email marketing, create in Canva, use your analytics tools and CRM software better than your smartphone. The larger screens and ergonomic setups of computers facilitate longer work sessions with greater efficiency and less strain, which is vital for productivity.
Now, there are SO MANY ways you can go concerning a computer and typically anybody who’s going high-end or is into video editing, already knows what they are looking for. So I am going to list out a couple of systems that I think are at a baseline standard you would need, that have great processing power and at a good price point. All the systems listed have a minimum of an Intel i7 CPU and 16 GB of RAM.
- HP Laptop 15-dy2718nr
- Lenovo Slim 7i 14″
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16″
- 2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 – $730usd (Amazon Refurbished)
- Dell Latitude 7490 – $280usd (Amazon Refurbished)
- HP Elitebook 840 G5 (Amazon Refurbished)
Microphones
Quality microphones are crucial for content creation on smartphones and digital media production on computers. For smartphone users, especially content creators, a good microphone ensures clear audio in videos and live streams, vital for engaging audiences. It enhances the storytelling and information-sharing aspects of the content.
For computer users, particularly podcasters and video producers, a superior microphone is key. It improves audio clarity and richness in podcasts, making them more professional and appealing. In video production, clear audio captured by a quality microphone enhances the viewer’s experience. Investing in good microphones for both smartphones and computers is essential for delivering content effectively and professionally in the digital world.
Here are some good microphones for your smartphones:
Great mics for podcasting/voiceovers/video recording:
Lighting
The significance of proper lighting in content creation, whether using a smartphone or in a home office setup, cannot be overstated. For smartphone video creators, good lighting is crucial as it dramatically enhances the visual quality of the content. Proper lighting ensures that videos look professional, vibrant, and visually appealing, which is essential for capturing and retaining the audience’s attention in an increasingly competitive digital space.
In a home office environment, where more structured video content like webinars, online courses, or YouTube videos are often produced, lighting plays a key role in creating a professional ambiance. It not only improves the video quality by eliminating shadows and reducing glare but also sets the right mood and tone for the content.
Here are some lighting gadgets for your mobile devices:
Lighting For Your Home Setup:
Video
In 2024, the impact of video in marketing is more significant than ever, making it crucial for businesses to have the right equipment to shoot high-quality video content. With the growing preference for visual storytelling, businesses need to invest in tools like DSLR cameras, high-end smartphones with advanced camera capabilities, and quality webcams to stay ahead in the competitive digital market. These tools are vital for creating visually stunning and engaging videos that resonate with audiences.
A DSLR camera offers versatility and superior image quality, ideal for professional-grade marketing videos. Similarly, the latest smartphones equipped with cutting-edge camera technology are perfect for on-the-go content creation, providing both convenience and quality. Webcams, too, have evolved, offering high-resolution video capture, essential for live streaming and online presentations.
Having the right video shooting equipment is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses looking to make a significant impact through their video marketing campaigns in 2024.
We have already addressed smartphones and if you look at that list, they all handle video really well, especially the flagship devices listed out. So we are going to list a few great devices and webcams that can handle your video well.
Video Equipment:
- DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo
- DJI Pocket 2
- OBSBOT Meet
- OBSBOT Tiny 2 Webcam
- Logitech StreamCam For Creators
- Logitech C920 Hd Pro
Keron’s 2024 Tech Haul
I always get asked about the tech I am currently using to do all of the things you see me do. This Christmas into New Year, I decided that I needed to build out a mobile tech kit that would allow me to be as productive on the road, as I am at my home studio.
Since I am travelling a lot, I wanted to start vlogging in 2024 and take you on the journeys of all the events, workshops, interviews, behind the scenes and so much more. Last year, my podcast output suffered because my entire podcast studio was at home and because my podcast has a particular standard for the last 2 years, I couldn’t afford to put something out of lesser quality.
With all of my needs and challenges, I set out to get equipment that would solve all of my problems and allow me to have a similar workflow as I do at home. Let me break down my 2024 haul.
The DJI Pocket 3 Creator Combo
This launched about 2 months ago and since it was released, it has received rave reviews for many reasons. The video quality you get from this device has allowed many creators to leave their big DSLR setups at home and grab this for vlogging. You can rotate the screen to a landscape position to shoot in 4k 16:9 or rotate the camera to a portrait position and shoot vertical video in 3k which is perfect for social media.
What sold me on this device was the Active Track feature. This device is on a gimbal and can rotate in 360 degrees. You can double tap on the screen, it will lock onto whatever you want and follow you everywhere and it comes with the new DJI mic 3’s that have some ridiculous range.
When I am speaking on a stage, I will set it up at the front of the stage, put it on its tripod, set it to track me and it will follow me all across the stage, picking up the audio from the DJI Mic. This will allow me to vlog before I get on and then pick it up when I am done to complete a scene for the vlog.
It will also allow me to interview people with really great quality on the go. The Creator bundle comes with a tripod, extended battery, DJI Mic 3 and some other nifty gadgets. This was a no brainer for me.
The Rodecaster Streamer X
As I said, in 2023, my podcast output took a dive because all of my equipment was at home and I didn’t want to drop the quality of my podcast. Plus, I have a particular workflow for my podcast that without my equipment, makes podcasting more painstaking. My set up at home includes the Audio Technica ATR-2100x microphone with XLR cables connected to the Rodecaster Pro and this connects to my 27″ iMac, not very travel friendly lol.
In comes the Rodecaster Streamer X! This allows for Wireless Mics to be connected and has a built in video capture card that allows you to connect a DSLR, so that you can use your DSLR as a webcam or record directly to your computer. This will allow me to connect my DJI Pocket 3 to the Rodecaster Streamer X and I can conduct video podcasts on the go. The Streamer X is about the size of my hand, just to give you an idea, so its very travel friendly. The DJI Pocket 3, as the name suggests, fits into your pocket and that leads me to the mics that I just picked up.
These mics are small, wireless mics that connect seamlessly to the Rodestreamer X and will allow me to Rode really high quality audio and will allow me to interview guests on the go. They can also connect to my DJI Pocket 3, if I decided to use them to record audio instead of the DJI mics the kit comes with.
Hold your heart for this one folks lol, this was the big purchase. I’ve been using the Macbook Pro 15″ from 2015, since 2015. That laptop has been so great, I have bought it, sold it and bought 3x over the years.
I knew this year, with me diving more into video, interviews and so much more on the go, I needed to have a computer that could handle all the work without any problems. I decided to buy the new Macbook Pro 14″, with the M3 Pro chip, 18gb of RAM and 512gb of storage. This bad boy ran me $2000usd. No doubt, it is a big purchase but it is already paying back for itself and will be at the center of my mobile command center. I was also able to grab the Space Black edition, so I was really excited since this new model of Macbook’s just came out a few weeks ago.
There you have it folks, my tech guide for your online business and content creation for 2024, I hope this gave you a starting point for the tech you need and maybe you even grab the stuff on the list. I will always advise you to do your own research on YouTube or Google, so that you get the exact tools you need for your circumstances.
There are tools to fit every budget and don’t be afraid of grabbing used/refurbished tech. I live off of 2nd hand tech, people change their devices so frequently now that its never been easier to get high end equipment in great condition and I love eBay for this exact purpose.
If you have any questions about what I put out in this article, feel free to reach out —> Contact Me.
Hey Keron, thanks for the info, it is very helpful and useful to non-techies. It looks like it took some time putting this together to share, it is really appreciated. Thanks again.