Recording Guide

How to record at home.

You don't need a studio or expensive gear. A smartphone, decent mic, and good lighting is all it takes to create professional-looking course videos.

10 min read

6 steps

All you need to start

Camera

Your smartphone (1080p is plenty)

Microphone

Lavalier mic or USB mic

$20-50

Lighting

Window light or ring light

$0-30

Tripod

Phone tripod or stack of books

$0-15

Software

OBS (free), iMovie, DaVinci Resolve

Total starting budget: $20-95

Step by step guide

Step 01

Plan Before You Record

Outline your lesson objectives clearly
Break content into 5-10 minute modules
Prepare a script or bullet points
Plan where visuals and screen shares fit

💡 Preparation prevents rambling. Know what you'll say before you hit record.

Step 02

Set Up Your Space

Use a plain, uncluttered background
Add soft materials (rugs, curtains) to reduce echo
Record during quiet hours
Turn off notifications and phones

💡 You don't need a studio. A quiet corner with good light works fine.

Step 03

Get Your Audio Right

Use a USB or lavalier mic ($20-50 is enough)
Never use built-in laptop microphones
Test audio before every session
Record a 10-second test and listen back

💡 Audio quality matters more than video. Bad sound makes people leave.

Step 04

Light Your Face

Face a window for free, natural light
Never have a window behind you
Use diffused light to avoid harsh shadows
A simple ring light works wonders

💡 Good lighting is the fastest way to look professional.

Step 05

Record Smart

Look at the camera lens, not your screen
Speak slowly and pause between ideas
Record in short segments, not marathons
Leave 2 seconds of silence at start and end

💡 Short sessions with breaks beat 4-hour recording marathons.

Step 06

Edit & Polish

Cut mistakes and long pauses
Add captions for accessibility
Keep final videos under 10 minutes
Add simple titles and transitions

💡 Editing doesn't need to be fancy. Clean cuts and clear audio are enough.

Common mistakes

Using laptop's built-in mic

Get a $20 lavalier mic

Recording in echoey rooms

Add rugs, curtains, soft furniture

Overloading slides with text

One idea per slide, max 6 words

Speaking too fast

Pause after key points

Recording 30+ minute videos

Break into 5-10 min chunks

Skipping the audio test

Always test before recording

The #1 rule

Audio quality beats video quality. Every time.

Students will tolerate grainy video, but they'll leave if they can't hear you clearly. Invest in a decent mic before anything else.

Ready to start recording?

Validate your course idea first. Then record with confidence knowing people want what you're building.

Get Started