Favorite Tech Tools: What’s the Best Tech Setup for an Entrepreneur - 6 Items I Couldn't Live Without
Not our typical blog so bear with me. I am going to try and blog out some of these. But showing the tech and best tools has been a common request especially as I have been traveling full time and hosting a podcast and youtube channel.
Regarding possessions - A mentor once told me something I really liked. Basically, he said if you use it every day, you shouldn't skimp on it and you should try to have it be the best you afford. Things like beds, shoes, and technology - especially technology that runs your business and makes you money.
Ultimately these are investments into your happiness and at minimum investments into your business that should make you happier if you are successful.
This is just going to be 6 items but if you wanted to see the rest of the setup or see the setup when I am back in the States doing a harder content push I can make that too.
But for now, we are on the road. So let's get into the tools and why they exist.
1. Camera - Canon M50
Link: https://amzn.to/3vPEnXX
I’ve talked about this a little more lately as we are filming more youtube videos. It's sort of the industry camera for beginner YouTubers. Not because it's basic but because it's pretty simple high quality and at a low price.
I personally don't like it, but not because it's a bad camera. It has been solid, but for someone who's not that technical and doesn't love learning about camera settings and lighting. It definitely has a learning curve, so plan to watch a few hours of youtube videos on how to use it.
And if you are not a full-out content creator or course creator I actually don't think you need something like this. We will get to the phone next but I think a good phone like any of the new phones is good enough to film content.
If you are looking for a nice starter camera to do youtube or film a course, this is the one to go with but I would seriously consider just making content on your phone.
2. iPhone 12
This is the camera I use more than the Canon. As I mentioned above, it’s just easy to use. And the quality is really solid.
I used to be an Android phone user and a Windows computer user a long time ago. After making the switch, I actually cannot believe that Windows products still have a place in the market. I guess people use them for the things I am not but I have converted so hard to an apple geek it’s hilarious.
Forget all the great features and simplicity, like did you know if you copy something on your iPhone it will paste on your Mac, but forget that just the support alone is amazing.
And in traveling a lot, dealing with different time zones, security issues, VPN, and other tech-related things, apple support is amazing.
Ultimately of ‘things’ on this list - this phone will make me 5x more money than anything else in my life - period. Gary V said it but the iPhone in 2022 is like a remote control to life. So you might as well get good at it.
I’ll throw in a bonus tip on this one since an iPhone is pretty basic. The app I use most on this phone and most in my life is Notion. The app is immaculate and it’s the best mobile app version of a project mgt tool I’ve seen. I have never used it on an Android - I just know it works great to track everything we’re doing from my hand.
3. Chargers / Cords
I just love these 2. They are simple, not that expensive and they consolidate a bunch of stuff. And in a lot of cases make life easier
The 2 chargers are:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094HQJFD1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YJLMQGD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are smaller and more powerful than the ones that come with the phone and can also be used for multiple devices. I realize as I am saying this that all of these are slightly Apple product-focused but I think a lot of you guys use that stuff after you realize its the best
As far as cords I keep 2 sets of cords with me at all times.
A long and short USB C to lightning:
And a long and short USB to lighting cable
And along & shot USB-C to USB-C cord - mainly for charging iPad and Mac.
4. Microphone - Samson and Canon Clip-on
I didn't understand how important audio was until this year. If you create content you know - but it’s argued that audio is more important than video. There are stats that show if you are watching a youtube video with bad audio you are more likely to change it than if the video is terrible.
There are 2 mics I use
The camera mic that attaches to the camera
And the mic I use for podcasting
The podcast mic is awesome. It's not expensive and can connect with a USB or USB-c. It works with Zoom in general - but also works really well for podcasting. I get a lot of compliments on this mic and it didn't break the bank - I think it was like $60.
Link: https://amzn.to/3m1MqNP
The mic for the camera - came with a bundle that we will link below but it’s pretty easy to use we just plug it into and screw it to the top of the camera when we film.
I did have to learn a little about the camera settings and sound settings on the Canon to use this mic but it was pretty easy and the audio sounds really good without having to wear a lav mic or worry about bringing a boom arm everywhere I go to film youtube
Link: https://amzn.to/3vPEnXX
5. iPad - Pro 2021
Link: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-pro
I thought I was going to actually hate the iPad since a lot of people told me they don't use it anymore. But this has actually been one of my favorite purchases of 2021. And I use it every day.
Not sure if you guys know but if you have a Mac, your iPad can connect as a wireless 2nd monitor really easily over blue tooth. When I found this out I used it constantly. But at first, I had an iPad mini. I thought it was easier to travel with and use if I needed to type something but it was annoying to use as a 2nd screen.
And one day I was with Chris Montes - one of my best friends and someone in our communities and I was telling him that I love the iPad 2nd screen but I don’t like how small the mini is. And he just said - if you think it will make a difference, why don’t you just buy the iPad. You can return it if you don’t like it. And also it goes back to that point I mentioned earlier from that mentor if you use it every day - you shouldn't cheap out on it.
One little hack with this guy - best buy has a lot of used options. Or open box - I was driving past the best buy that day and they actually let me trade in my iPad mini for the pro and I think I only came out of pocket like $200. So don’t sleep on that best buy open box stuff.
6. Whiteboard
A little specific to me but I think anyone who creates content should be using a whiteboard. We are visual people. It's the same reason you are here instead of reading a book. And it's the same reason you might watch this video with lots of graphics that our amazing editor ads instead of just planning boring talk head content.
But I will try to white-boarding something when I go live on TikTok or Instagram or now more on youtube. And it's something I am going to be adding more to these types of videos.
The actual whiteboard itself is usually any of these: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=whiteboard+and+easel&crid=2F7XS90WYFK6U&sprefix=whiteboard+and+%2Caps%2C163&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_15
And ill explain what I mean by that in a sec
Since this is the biggest thing in the setup - you might be wondering how I travel with this from country to country.
The short answer is - I don't. It’s not the most economical thing on paper but I buy one each time I get to a new city. Mainly because it saves tons of time and prevents me from needing to bring extra suitcases. And it sometimes makes for fun trying to find one in a new city. Like when we got to Colombia on the first day, it gave us a good excuse to go on an adventure.
So get yourself a whiteboard. Like the phone - the whiteboard actually makes money. You can use the phone to film content on a whiteboard and boom you’re in the game. This whiteboard alone will make me 40k this year.
