So, your kid wants to be a YouTuber? Or maybe they want to be a TikTok creator or a livestreaming gamer or musician. Maybe they want to embark on some other futuristic content-creator career that wasn’t even a thought when you were a kid. It’s overwhelming and has left you with a bunch of questions . . . I completely understand. I’ve been a content creator, making videos, podcasts, livestreams, and all sorts of other content, for over a decade on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, and basically whatever content platform you can think of, and even I get nervous when my seven-year-old son runs up to me and tells me he wants to make another YouTube video. YouTubers and content creators are the new rock stars and movie stars to kids these days, and that leads to a generation of youth with the desire to become next-gen content creators. As a parent, keeping your kid safe on the internet and understanding the ever-expanding world of gear and tech while also not suppressing your child’s creativity is a big ask. Let me help you get a grasp on all things content creator and be the hero to your aspiring content creator!
Let’s discuss where to start. The first thing to consider is your child’s passion and how their desire and creativity can be maximized in a safe, attainable, and inspiring way. How can you help them feel creative and inspired like their favorite creator without buying thousands of dollars in gear and letting your child loose on the internet?
How to Make Videos for YouTube and Start a YouTube Account for a Kid
The simplest answer to most of these questions is to allow them to experiment with shooting and editing videos. Having a finished product to admire and show off is often the big win a young creator is looking for, and a video is the easiest lift. You can also use the unlisted option for video publication on YouTube so that you or your child can send their video to trusted friends and family or even include it in an email, social media post, or other form of limited-audience situation without it being publicly visible or searchable on YouTube. This is exactly my method for videos I create for my two kids. I upload them and set them to unlisted on YouTube so I can pull them up on our TV and give them the experience of seeing their content on YouTube as well as generating views and subscribers from trusted audiences without it being public. Unless someone has the link, they can’t see the content. This means no random viewers leaving nasty comments or dislikes and no unwanted attention or access to your or your children’s personal lives. Just be aware that anyone who does have the link can view it, so if you want a truly private experience, then you can choose to make the video private and only share it with trusted email/Google accounts.
As far as a YouTube account goes, I recommend creating an additional profile for yourself and titling it something that your kid would like and that represents their passions. You can retain control and possession of the channel while also letting them show some personality and creativity in the name and in the design with photos and banners.
How to Make Videos for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and Other Short-form Social Media Content
While YouTube is a great place for long-form content, short-form content in the form of TikTok videos, Instagram posts, Reels, and YouTube Shorts are extremely popular, especially among kids. Most of the recording and editing process, as well as the gear suggestions, will be the same, but the platform suggestions are different.
Instead of unlisted videos, you can create a private profile that you moderate for your kid. This will allow them to have a place to share their content, but you will ultimately be able to approve who follows them and accesses their content. You will also be able to moderate the incoming messages and keep your kid safe from inappropriate or negative messages. Since you are not attempting to harness the algorithm with a private profile, you can also turn off comments on the videos.
“Sure, that sounds like a good idea, but my kid is showing me all of these elaborate creator setups and expensive gear, and I don’t know how to edit videos, so I’m still lost . . . ”
Content Creator Gear for Beginners and Parents
One of the most difficult parts of helping your child create content is understanding all the different gear they have seen in the videos and content that inspired them. There is a massive amount of money you can invest into gear to create content (just ask my wife where all that “YouTube money” goes). Though I built a studio that was well north of six figures in my last house, I am also a huge advocate for creating excellent content on a budget, and many of my most popular videos have been shot with gear that only costs a few hundred dollars as opposed to thousands. I recently built a new studio for my content after moving to Fort Wayne and joining Sweetwater, and this studio cost a tiny fraction of my home studio in Atlanta. The last thing I want to do is scare you away from helping your child be creative and achieve their dreams by suggesting excessive gear. While Sweetwater and I are here to help you get whatever gear you need, everything I am going to suggest below will be from the perspective of making smart decisions that are most impactful without breaking the bank. If you have a bigger budget or are truly looking for the best of the best, then Sweetwater carries that, too, and you can connect with your personal Sales Engineer who can help get you or your aspiring content creator top-notch gear options for whatever your budget is. I also recently created a video that details the ultimate content-creator studio, so check that out for an in-depth video on the subject. If you want to be the most informed, however, I’d suggest checking out both this guide and the video as I mention different gear and options in each. Let’s dive in!
Lighting
One of the simplest and most exciting ways to help your child feel supported and inspired to create content is with a lighting upgrade. I bought a $30 ring light for a production on how to make videos on a budget, and my kids were ecstatic about getting to use it for their videos. There are different levels to and options for lighting, but for anywhere from $30 to $150 you can make a big impact on your creator’s content. Lighting will make any phone or budget camera look much better, and it feels more like you’re a professional when you have gear that is like what you’ve seen in the videos you watch. Most ring lights also have built-in phone mounts so you can maximize the impact of the light on your camera shot.
Best Microphones for Content Creators
Audio
Another big win in the upgrade department that doesn’t have to cost a fortune is a dedicated microphone upgrade. Phone cameras can be more than enough for good content with proper lighting, but in most scenarios, it is the audio that will be lacking. Even professional cameras’ built-in mics are not meant to be the main microphone for productions. Every time I am setting up for a shoot and I get a microphone out, both of my kids get so excited and ready to sing, talk, or just perform in front of the mic. There are many options for adding a mic to your setup, but I will outline the most simple and affordable styles below.
On-camera Mic
These mics are usually the simplest upgrade as they can be very affordable while providing improved audio. In most cases, you can get a mic that will allow you to record audio directly to the video file on your smartphone or camera, which makes editing extremely simple.
USB Mic
These mics connect to your computer and sometimes your phone but are less of a mobile solution and more of a “studio” or static-setup option. You will generally get better audio quality from placing one of these mics close to your source, especially for talking.
Mic/Camera Combo
If you’re looking for a camera to replace your phone or a second camera to add to your setup, then you can get a camera with a built-in, upgraded microphone. One of my favorite upgrade suggestions is the Zoom Q2n-4K. This gives you a great stereo mic for talking or performance, and with a built-in, wide-angle 4K camera, it does most of the editing work for you. The key to this camera and other similar options is making sure you have enough light to get the optimal picture quality from the camera sensor.
Best Cameras for Content Creators
Video
The next category I would suggest is a camera upgrade. With younger kids, unless you are tech savvy, it is usually best to get a versatile camera that isn’t too advanced. Higher-level DSLRs and production cameras are less durable and more complicated than the options I am going to suggest. Once again, I would only focus on this area once you have the audio and lighting taken care of, but there are some great cameras that will allow your young creator to experiment without worrying about breaking a phone or a high-end camera.
Action Camera
These cameras have been very popular in recent years as the go-anywhere, do-anything camera for adventurers. They are perfect for young creators as they are rugged and durable and can be as simple as one-click to record. But don’t count them out on quality; they usually have wide-angle, 4K cameras that make it easy to get everything in the shot. I personally have used a GoPro action camera as the main camera for many of my 1,000+ videos, and those cameras are responsible for videos that account for over half a billion views on my YouTube channel! I’ll put a few options below. Check out the creator edition of the GoPro below. It has an upgraded microphone and a small light built in plus a tripod and more! If you’re looking for a great deal, then the older GoPro models are excellent cameras but a lot more affordable than the latest and greatest.
Webcam
Another great option for a stationary setup is a webcam. These can be used for more than just shooting videos on a home setup and can upgrade Zoom calls, video calls with friends and family, and more. You can get a single webcam, or there are packages such as the Mevo Start that allow you to create multicam productions and switch angles easily with an app on your phone. I also love the Insta360 Link for its AI-powered tracking and gimbal for stability.
Digital
There are a lot of variants that fall into different categories, so I went with “digital” for this category. Technically, all the cameras we have talked about are digital, but for this scenario, let’s assume that we are talking about more advanced cameras than a phone, webcam, or action camera. In this category, you find DSLRs, point-and-shoot cameras, and high-level production cameras. For the purpose of this guide, I’m only going to mention two entry-level options that would be acceptable in a fixed location or in the hands of an older kid who could learn to operate it well. One feature to look for is a variable-angle screen that can flip around and allow for “selfie” mode to help align a handheld shot.
Best Gear for Streamers and Gamers
Livestreaming and Gaming
If you are interested in allowing your kid to livestream or record videos of them gaming, then there are a few considerable pieces of gear outside of cameras and audio. Namely, a capture card. This captures the video and audio from a gaming console and sends them to a computer for videos. This is also used for gaming livestreams. In both scenarios, the game signal is typically paired with a camera angle and voice recording. It is also possible to just stream or record the game without the additional camera angle. RODE offers the advanced Streamer X with two audio interfaces and a capture card in one unit. Though livestreaming is more complicated than video creation, RODE makes it a little more seamless with their Streamer X package.
Best Accessories for Content Creators
Tripods/Mounts
There are quite a few accessories that can be a fun and exciting gift for an aspiring content creator. One of the first I would suggest is a camera mount or tripod. The ring lights I mentioned above often come with phone mounts, which make them a great dual-purpose option as they hold the phone and light your shot. There are also many travel-friendly tripod options that can hold your phone or camera as a very affordable upgrade. In the case you end up with a GoPro, the mounting options are very versatile and allow a wide variety of placements. I recommend the Jaws flex mount as its gooseneck allows for angle adjustment and the grippy jaws can attach to just about anything. I don’t go to any shoot without my GoPro and Jaws mount as an easy aux-camera setup.
Gimbal
Gimbals are one of the most useful tools for a serious content creator. They allow smooth camera shots and can be purchased for a phone, action camera, or DSLR to stabilize the camera and give the creator motion control. Some gimbals can even do subject tracking. With this feature, you can set up your camera and move around in your shot, and the camera will follow. Gimbals give the creator the option to act as their own videographer for selfie/vlog-style shots, take smooth and sleek B-roll (which includes the pretty shots of products or environments), or just have a quick, easy stand for their camera in just about any scenario. Once you know what style of camera you are purchasing the gimbal for, there are many options. The gimbals for smartphones, such as the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, are much easier for a novice to handle as they do most of the work for you when it comes to balancing and setup. There are more complex gimbals for heavier DSLR cameras that are great, but these require more knowledge to operate and set up properly for the best results. I’ve done entire high-level shoots for products with my iPhone and a DJI Osmo Mobile 6, but my best work typically combines a higher-end DSLR and a DJI RS-series gimbal. The RS 3 Mini is a great, affordable option if you are using a lightweight camera that is not a smartphone.
Microphone Stand/Boom Arm
A mic stand or boom arm is a must-have for the creator who wants to add style and utility to their setup. A traditional mic stand can provide the most versatility and convenience if the setup moves or changes often, but all the cool kids have a deskmounted boom arm for their livestreaming, podcasting, and video creation. I love having a deskmounted boom arm that I can use to keep my main talking/podcasting/voice-over mic handy but push up and out of the way when I don’t need it. The Gator Frameworks boom arm linked below is my personal favorite as it has an LED light that can change color depending on the vibe I want for my video, and my kids love picking out their personal color when it is their turn to record. You can get a standard mic stand for less than the one below, but for a little more, it is nice to get a stand that allows sturdy placement and easy operation. I’m also going to link one of my new favorite pieces of gear, the Creator Tree. This is a newer item on the market that comes with a built-in ring light, microphone boom arm, and another articulating arm for accessories or cameras. It allows many setup options with one product. I just started using one, and it is extremely versatile.
Content Creator Desk
If you are setting up a content creator with a new studio setup that is more permanent in location, then a desk is a great option to give them the space to grow and thrive. You can spend a lot on studio desks, but I am going to include a few below that are sturdy, versatile, and affordable. I just built an extremely cool content-creator studio using the Gator Frameworks Content Creator main desk (one of the most affordable desk options) and a Creator Tree, and it had room for everything I need to create awesome videos, podcasts, and livestreams. I’ll link the video if you want to see an in-depth overview on content-creator setups. One thing to consider is if you will want a rackmounted power conditioner, interface, or other gear. You may not know now, but if you get something such as the Creator Desk that has a few rack spaces built in, then you won’t find yourself wanting to upgrade the desk later. You don’t have to use the rack ears if you don’t need them.
How to Help Your Kid Create Content
Now that we’ve got you set up with the gear, let’s talk about how to help your kid create. There are different approaches depending on the setup you choose and the kinds of content being produced, so I will provide suggestions, tips, and tricks below that should apply to many common scenarios.
All-in-one Creator
This refers to utilizing a setup that records video and audio onto the same file. This is the simplest choice and the one I recommend for young kids and those who just want to enjoy creating without the hassle of additional editing. If you’re playing a loud instrument, then place the mic further away and reduce the gain (input sensitivity) if you have that option. For a loud guitar amp or drum set, I find a distance about five feet or so with reduced gain gives the best overall audio picture and still gets a good camera angle. If you’re speaking on camera, then you want to be as close as possible to get a quality shot and improve voice quality. Try to pick a bright filming location to increase video quality. Daylight from a window is often a nice trick to improve quality without purchasing additional lights. If you don’t have that option, then a ring light close to the subject or light panels further away can help. If you have more than one, then put some space between your light panels to reduce shadows, and placing them so the light comes from above the shot can minimize reflections on glasses or other objects.
Audio and Video Recorded Separately
In this scenario, you most likely will be optimizing your content quality by utilizing an ideal camera angle and ideal mic placement, but you also add a bit of post-production work. If there is speaking on camera, then speak directly into the mic or have it close to you if you don’t mind the mic in the shot. Otherwise, you can boom the mic into the shot from above, aimed at the face of the person talking. In this case, a shotgun microphone is most effective. If you are recording drums or a loud guitar, then the same principles as above apply unless you can close-mike (record the amp or individual drum near the amp or drum itself). This is achievable with one mic for guitar but typically requires at least four mics on drums.
In order to easily sync your audio to your video, you need to create a “slate” sound. This could be a clap, a smack on a snare drum, or a visible pluck of a guitar string — anything that’s audible to the mic and seen on camera. In your editing software, in most cases you will achieve perfect audio/video alignment if you scroll to one frame before the physical interaction (snare hit, clap, etc.) and one frame before the same audio starts. Line up the two, and you have yourself a synced video!
Multicam
If there are multiple camera angles, then the same process to sync audio and video should be used to line up multiple angles. Just ensure your slate is clearly visible in all your angles, or you will need more than one slate. When it comes to choosing angles, a lot of it relies on what the video is trying to showcase; but a general rule is to have a main cam that the subject talks or performs to, and the other angles act as impact shots focusing more closely on particular features or techniques or showing a wider look at what is happening.
Now Create!
I hope that this guide has facilitated your first steps toward helping your kid create content. There is always more to learn as this field evolves and tech changes, so feel free to sign up for my content creator mailing list, and I’ll continue to send you tips, tricks, and cool gear recommendations for your aspiring creator. If you want to learn more about the world of content creators that isn’t geared toward parents and kids, then you can check out the guide I wrote here.
If you have any gear questions that I didn’t answer, please reach out to your personal Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. You get one for free, and they can help ensure that you make the right decision on the best gear for your individual scenario.