Can You Still Use the Canon T3i for Video?

Are you wondering if you can still use a T3i for video in 2020 and beyond? Well, the short answer is yes you certainly can. And I’ve used a T3i for nearly every video on my channel. But if you can afford to make the jump to something nicer, now’s the time. Let’s discuss the reasons to stick with the T3i or move on.

Reasons to stick with the T3i

  1. Shoots in 1080P at 24 fps (still the standard, though this is changing)
  2. Has a flip-out screen to view yourself (aka vlog or selfie mode)
  3. Can set focus and see a live view while tethered
  4. Extremely affordable camera

Reasons to move on to something newer

  1. Newest budget DSLRs include Canon’s powerful CMOS Auto Focus
  2. Dated processor and sensor in the T3i (new options are far better)
  3. Costs have come down in the DSLR and mirrorless markets

Check out my video below for more thoughts on using the Canon T3i in 2020 and beyond.

What do you think? Are you using the T3i? Is it working for you or is it time to switch to something better?

Don’t Quit in the Dip

Have you given up on something? Already failed your New Year’s Resolutions? You probably quit in the “dip” (the worst possible time to quit, because you’re so close to breaking through). Seth Godin popularized this idea with his book The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit. Let’s talk about “the dip” and how to reach the exponential growth on the other side.

Mic Review: Blue Yeti vs $27 Mic (Plus how to podcast for FREE!)

Are you paying money to podcast? You shouldn’t – you can do it for free! And if you need a nice microphone, don’t bother buying one for $100+ when you can get a great one for just $27. Check out the video to learn how to podcast for free, and see a comparison of the Fifine Gooseneck Mic vs. a Blue Yeti Mic. Which sounds better?

Mic Review: iPhone XS Max vs Rode VideoMic Pro

How do the microphones compare between the iPhone XS Max and the Rode VideoMic Pro? If you’re thinking of shooting video on a DSLR vs. the new 2018 flagship iPhone, you’d better understand the microphones you’re working with. How do you think they compare? Watch the video below to find out!

You Need to Use a Script for Your Videos

Before you think about creating your next video, be sure to write down some notes or at least a few bullets to serve as your script and outline. Without a script, you’re going to ramble on too long, not get your point across quick enough, and have a hard time editing your footage in post-production. Even if you’re just planning to “wing it,” a simple script will help you out immensely.

Now, I’m not talking about writing everything out word for word. What I’m really just talking about is ensuring you have a plan. Without a plan, you’ll just ramble on forever. If you’re making content for YouTube, you’ve got to serve your audience well and keep their attention. The best way to do that is by knowing exactly what you want to say (with ample room for improv in there, too).

Watch my video on the importance of starting a video project with a script for more on this important part of the video-making process.

The Best Way to Remove Video Noise from Bad Footage

In one of my first videos on the channel I gave a brief overview of how the best YouTubers remove noise and grain from their video footage, but I wanted to do another video showing some better examples of how amazing the tool really is.

If you’ve never heard of Neat Video, welcome to the future. Neat Video is by far the best and most affordable solution for getting video noise out of your footage, and it can drastically improve the quality of video captured out of sub-par cameras in sub-par lighting scenarios.

Watch my video below to check out some before and after examples of the tool in action, as well as how to use it, and start making better videos!

How to Podcast for Free (Plus, a great $27 mic!)

It’s nearly 2019. Are you paying money to podcast? You shouldn’t – you can do it for free! It all starts with Anchor, an awesome and 100% free podcast hosting platform. The rest is a piece of cake. You just need great content and a decent microphone to record your audio. If you’re just starting out, don’t bother buying a mic for $100 or more. There are great options on the market for much less than that.

Watch my video below to see a comparison of the $27 Fifine Gooseneck Mic vs. the tried-and-true $110~ Blue Yeti Mic. Which sounds better?

How long should your YouTube videos be?

Which is best? Short and sweet, or long form? If you podcast, long form is the norm. If you tweet, it’s short and sweet. YouTube falls in the middle. Lots of us say what we need to say and cut out the rest. But other creators regularly take their audience on 15 or 20 minute journeys. What’s your norm?

There’s no right answer. For both of our sakes, I wish there was. But the appropriate length of your YouTube videos depend on lots of factors. For one, what value are you providing? Are you telling a captivating story or simply showing someone how to do something? Are you sharing lots of information or just a little? Are your subscribers loyal followers or are they just there for the information and quickly leaving? All of these questions can help you determine a good length for your videos.

If you want more concrete answers, keep these ideas in mind:

  • If your title screams “How-To” it’s best to get to the point.
  • If you’re telling an engaging story, your video can be as long as it takes to tell that story. Don’t feel limited to a certain time limit, but don’t bore your audience.
  • In line with the last one, keeping your viewers’ attention should always be a top priority. If they get bored, they’ll click away and might never return.
  • Your subscriber count doesn’t matter in terms of deciding how long to make your content. You’ll find more value digging through your analytics.

But again, everything is subjective. The more videos you make, the more data you’ll have to make informed decisions and learn from your audience. You’ll find out their average attention span, their interests, and where they’re coming from – all useful insights to help you improve.