Pelumi's Top 10 Tools for Content Creators

The question isn't whether a content creator needs a phone, it's which phone to choose from the gazillion versions available. When choosing my phone, I keep an eye out for portability, durability, battery life and memory space. I chose the Google 4a because it gets the job done without the extra ceremony that comes with other high end mobiles. 

A content creator needs a phone with enough space and processing speed to manage a myriad of apps with a top notch camera that produces above average images and videos. The Google 4a phone easily ticks these boxes and the best part is that it's cheaper than its counterparts, which offer basically the same functionality with more pizzazz.

The downside is that the Google 4a doesn't offer 5g, but I am always connected to WiFi so it's not such a big deal for me. Some content creators may advise you to go for a phone with a great camera, and if you are just starting out in the content creation business and cannot afford a camera, I'd advise the same. 

However, if you can afford to, I'd advise you to get a cheaper phone and channel the extra money towards acquiring a better camera. 

A ring light transforms your pictures and videos from drab and unexciting to high quality, brilliant and eye catching. The difference a ring light creates is glaring! (pun intended). I got this at a steal on Amazon when it was on sale. I use mine for everything; product photography, videography, photoshoots, live videos - everything!

It comes with white and orange diffusers and the brightness is also adjustable, which is great for me because I tend to tear after staring into intense light for a while. It is simple and easy to set up, and on full blast, it can light up my whole room on its own. The carrying pack that comes with it allows me to take it to venues easily without fear that it will break.


It can be unstable and it wobbles when I attach my camera, so I got a separate tripod for my phone and camera. Also, I always turn it off and let it cool off when I am shooting long takes just as a precaution.
 

I got this at a steal on Amazon when it was on sale. It comes with white and orange diffusers and the brightness is also adjustable which is great for me because I tend to tear after staring into intense light for a while. It is simple and easy to set up and on full blast it can light up my whole room on its own. The carrying pack that comes with it allows me tote it to venues easily without fear that it will break.

It can be unstable and it wobbles when I attach my camera, so I got a separate tripod for my phone and camera. Also, I always turn it off and let it cool off when I am shooting long takes just as a precaution.

Having to hold my phone for long periods can be so tiring. Lonzoth Phone Holder to the rescue! This product is an absolute lifesaver. It is sturdy and grips my phone perfectly. I can attach it to various surfaces ranging from the table in my work space to the handle of my treadmill. 

I also use it when making outdoor videos. I just find a surface to attach it on, and I am good to go. It is absolutely flexible and can be adjusted to any angle you want. It also doubles as a holder for other kinds of stuff such as my note cards and sometimes my microphone.


I find that I can also connect my phone to external devices like my laptop or charger while using the mount holder without it tilting, which was a struggle with a previous product. My phone holder is a multi tasker; substituting for a tripod when I'm too tired to tote one around and also really great when watching movies on the phone.

External hard drives sometimes tend to be bulky and as a travel blogger who likes to travel with light baggage that is a total no for me. Seagate to the rescue with this portable small hard drive with a sleek design. I've used my current one for 2 years and it works excellently. It's copies files fast which is very crucial and it does not freeze if I move it while transferring.

The absolute downside is that if it packs up you have to pay to retrieve your data and it does not come cheap, so ensure to create a back up to this back up or get the 2 to 4 year recovery plan.

If you are creating video contents, podcasts, and audiobooks, utilising microphones is unavoidable. I use mine in recording voiceovers, creating tutorial videos and sometimes during video calls with brands. I like lavalier microphones because they are small enough that they can be properly hidden but powerful enough that you are definitely heard. 

This one is omnidirectional, which means it picks up my voice impeccably, and I can turn my head and move around while recording without fear of losing sound. It produces crisp and clear sound, and when properly placed, can even be noise cancelling.

The clip on function is difficult to manoeuvre with most of my outfits, so I remedy this with tape or place the microphone on my mount holder.

A well selected and coordinated backdrop makes your photograph stand out amongst a plethora of images. There are a lot of DIY backdrops out there that you should definitely try, but if you're looking for ready to use, Yeele is the way to go. Yeele's backdrops are made with vinyl, which means that they're wrinkle free! 

It sometimes gets creases that can be ironed out, but as long as you roll them properly and store the backdrop in a tube, you can stow the iron away. I ordered my first batch for still photography four years ago and they still look as good as new. You can also order custom sizes to suit your purpose. The colours on the backdrop are not loud in a way that it produces garish images. 

Testament to the 'basic' in its name, this tripod is easy to set up, strong and lightweight - not an easy find. It also comes with a bag so transporting it is no hassle, I use it both indoors and outdoors.


It is stable and sits properly even on slightly rough terrain - I just have to adjust the legs accordingly. It is versatile, holds everything for me, from my camera to my phone. The downside is that it can not hold much weight. This means if you have a really heavy camera you might need to go for a sturdier tripod. 

A softbox falls under the category of 'important but not necessary', especially when you are not into product photography or high resolution image content. However, if your niche requires high quality images, a softbox is a worthy investment. It significantly improves the lighting in your pictures and removes shadows giving your images a sharp, professional look.


In my experience, compared to other products out there, this GODOX softbox is the lightest. It is compact and has few appendages which makes it easier to carry around without fear of losing a part. It gets the job done excellently and comes with a bag that helps to transport it.


This is important for me especially as I do a lot of travelling, though I've had to do repairs on mine before I got a replacement. Nevertheless, this softbox gets the job done and is a total steal when you consider the price.

When creating content on a budget, the Nikon D5200 is your best bet. You get crispy clean images and videos and are still able to keep a roof over your head. I use mine for everything, whether it be: product photography, nature photography, videography, tutorials, everything! When used at the right angles and with proper lighting and editing, images are otherworldly. 

Additionally, it can be connected wirelessly to my phone, which makes social media uploads seamless and stressless. What I do not like about the Nikon D5200 is that it does not have auto focus, which makes video-making a bit tricky.