Set-up your own studio at home for less than $50

​Here are 10 Easy Steps to Creating Your Very Own Home Studio:

1. Find a quiet corner of a room where you can be alone and undisturbed. Preferably a place where you can set it and forget it and re-use it.
2. Make your space your signature so your audience can get used to seeing you. This will create brand recognition.
3. Grab a nice or comfy chair that may not look great and just throw a nice blanket or sheet to over it.
4. Make sure you do not place yourself right up again a wall. Pull yourself as far away from the wall as possible.
5. Add some color to your background. Invest in some colorful inexpensive curtains, sheets or even a shower curtain. You can spice up any space by just tacking them to a wall.
6. Use the same device. Choose to use your smartphone, iPad, Tablet or computer consistently every time you do a Live. Each device has a different look with a different camera. The more consistent you are with the same look will also add to creating brand recognition.
7. Invest in a smartphone, iPad or tablet stand. Do not hold your device with your hand. Holding your device creates uncomfortable movement for your audience and makes you look much less professional. 
8. Make sure your device is ALWAYS at eye level. Looking up at your audience or down upon them will cause an uncomfortable feeling for your audience. Be sure to have your device at eye level and ALWAYS look at the camera not your screen. You want to create a rapport with your audience, as though you are having a conversation with just them.
9. ALWAYS use a microphone. There are very inexpensive small clip on lapel "lavalier" microphones that work great. When you're alone on a Live you can have a hollow sound that can make it very difficult for your audience to hear you. Your device also has what is called auto "gain" built in. This is what turns the microphone level up while it searches for sounds. It is why someone speaks loud in the beginning of sentence but then it becomes normal volume. In a pinch use the headphone set that came with your smartphone. They have a microphone incorporated within the cable. Just locate the mic and hold that near your mouth but out of camera view. There is no need to place the ear bud headphones in your ears.
10. Place yourself near a widow for great light and add at least one lamp or two for evening Lives. It is easy to turn your device on and check your lighting. Once your lighting is set make sure not to move too much. Too much movement will trigger the cameras "auto" focus or "auto" iris, which control how bright your screen becomes. And do not sit with your back to a window or with a bright background behind you. This will cause a lot of auto iris issues and your audience will find it difficult to see you. Always remember that the light in front of you must be brighter than the light behind you for your device not to have an issue.

​Get Some Gear ​Equipment Suggestions:

iPad/Large Smartphone Holder Available on Amazon

Low Cost Curtains Available on Amazon

Flexible Tripod Available on Amazon

Professional Lavalier Lapel Clip on Microphone Available on Amazon

For just $60 more go pro to interview several folks and cover events!

Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone for Smart Devices