Do you suffer from shiny object syndrome when it comes to content creation?

You know the drill…

“I’ll finally be consistent once I get a better camera.”

“I’ll feel confident showing up when I have the perfect backdrop.”

“I’ll be more successful once I upgrade my gear.”

Sound familiar?

Let me tell you a secret—I hear this all the time, and I’ve said it myself in the past (I’m look at you… DJI Osmo Pocket 3). But here’s the truth: you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to create high-quality, engaging content. In fact, some of my best-performing videos were filmed with my phone propped up in front of a window.

If you’ve been putting off creating content because you think you need more “stuff,” consider this your permission slip to start with what you have.

That said, if you’re feeling ready to invest in a few affordable tools to make things a little easier or elevate your content just enough—I’ve got you. Here’s what I recommend:

For Filming

Collapsable Tripod: I love how easy this is to travel with! This tripod has been my go-to for years because it’s lightweight, fits in my carry-on, and extends high enough for standing shots.

Phone Mount: Even though the tripod comes with a phone mount, I much prefer this one from JOBY. It’s better quality and I love how easy it is to get your phone in and out of it.

Light: If “having enough light” is a constant excuse as to why you can’t film, you might want to invest in some lighting. I love that this one clips right onto your phone and is rechargeable via USB-C.

Octobuddy: This suction cup mount lets you stick your phone to almost any smooth surface (windows, mirrors, car dashboards, kitchen tiles, you name it)! It’s been a game-changer for getting unique angles without complicated setups.

Lavalier Mic: Clear audio is a must and I love that this mic connects directly to your phone and dramatically improves sound quality compared to your phone’s built-in mic.

For Editing

CapCut: It makes sense why this is a crowd favorite for video editing. The learning curve is minimal, but the results look like you spent hours in an expensive editing suite. Plus, I love that they have a mobile and desktop version of the app. (I do think it’s worth it to pay for the premium subscription!)

Submagic: This AI-powered tool automatically generates captions for your videos with impressive accuracy. The time-syncing is nearly perfect, and you can easily adjust the formatting to fit your brand guidelines as well.

OpusAI: This is my favorite tool for repurposing content! I love that it analyzes long-form videos and automatically creates perfectly trimmed shorts with the most engaging moments.

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this post might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission with no additional charge to you! This post was last updated in April 2025.