On the Road to Influencer Stardom: Practical Gear and Real-World Tips from Creators
Starting out as an on-the-go creator can feel intimidating, especially when you’re trying to match studio-grade quality without lugging around a suitcase of gear. To get a sense of what actually works in the field, we spoke with three creators who’ve made road-ready content a core part of their workflow: Tom Honeyhands (The Tech Chap), Rachel Gunn (@pokegirlrach), and Nick Benton (TA Tech Tips).
Choose Your Fighter
Short-form content has exploded in popularity, making it a smart starting point for new creators building an audience. Rachel Gunn, known for Pokémon-focused reels and snaps, is a prime example: she has a sizable following across Instagram and other platforms. Her advice is simple: begin with short-form to grow a following before tackling longer, more demanding formats. She keeps things affordable and practical early on, starting with a tripod and a phone, and she sometimes uses a screen-sharing setup so she can see what’s in frame while using her back camera.
Nick Benton emphasizes portability, speed, and discretion. His goal is to stay unobtrusive so the audience feels like they’re watching something authentic, even in public spaces. He favors smaller cameras, smartphones, and compact lighting to keep production nimble and natural.
Even veterans aren’t immune to gear doubts. Tom Honeyhands, who has built a prominent tech channel over 11 years, explains his decision framework before packing gear: Is the project long-form or short-form? How much time does he have for shooting and editing? What tools will unlock the most creativity for that specific piece?
From the Lens to the Backdrop
With long-form productions, Honeyhands tends to bring a larger kit: a main camera (Sony A7SIII with a Sigma 24-70 lens), the iPhone 17 Pro as a phone option, a 360-degree camera (Insta360 X5), and two microphone setups (Tascam DR-10L Pro and Hollyland Lark M2). He also packs tripods (Peak Design, Joby GorillaPod, and a Neewer neckband for phones). For short-form projects, his setup is pared back to the iPhone (via the Final Cut Camera app), a GorillaPod, a neckband mic, and a MagSafe LED light.
Each creator relies on a distinctive touch to set their content apart. Gunn leans on her Pokémon collection as a recognizable backdrop that signals her niche and grabs attention. For Benton, lighting is the key to elevating production quality; a strong light source can transform footage more than any incremental camera upgrade. The core takeaway from all three is the same: humble beginnings are okay. start with a phone, a decent Bluetooth mic, and a light (or rely on natural lighting) and build from there.
Make Your Content Sing
When it comes to editing, the crowd uses a mix of tools tailored to speed and capability. Honeyhands is not a fan of editing on mobile apps; he transfers files via AirDrop to a MacBook Pro and edits in Premiere Pro, with captions added through a dedicated captions app. He also uses Lightroom and Photoshop for thumbnails and recommends Adobe’s Podcast AI Enhance to clean up audio in noisy environments.
For fast-paced short-form work, Benton relies on Adobe Rush to keep edits moving quickly, which is crucial for publishing on the fly. Gunn dabbles with a few apps—PhotoDirector and InShot among them—and encourages experimenting with different tools while leaning on tutorials to pick up new techniques.
Bottom line: while tools vary, the underlying message stays consistent. Authenticity beats sheer polish, and more expensive gear won’t automatically translate to more views. The right kit is the one that makes you comfortable, keeps you efficient, and lets your message shine.
If you’re serious about growing as a creator on the road, start with the basics, test different setups, and focus on delivering genuine, engaging content.
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Josephine Watson is TechRadar's Managing Editor - Lifestyle. She’s an award-winning journalist with a focus on tech, sustainability, and culture, and she’s a smart home enthusiast who champions inclusive and thoughtful technology coverage.